What is the difference between oracle cards and tarot cards?

You've probably heard of Tarot cards (obviously!) and also Oracle cards. Is it possible that they are one and the same? Or are they diametrically opposed? Which is the superior option?

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This is a question I get asked frequently. And it's not always easy to explain. But let me do my best...

Oracle cards and tarot cards are comparable in the sense that they are both used for the same thing.: readings, self-exploration and divination.

The construction of the two is different…

A Tarot deck follows a set of rules. The Oracle deck is more open.

A romance novel is similar to a Tarot card. It has a formula and a structure. It must meet certain requirements.

The conventional novel, for example, invariably features a virginal heroine. She always falls in love with a rich, oh-so-masculine guy, who is usually a cowboy, a billionaire, or a tycoon.

She has never worked as a teacher, chef, or janitor in a school. Can you imagine if the title of the novel on the left was Between the Sheets of a Gas Station Attendant? I don't think so. But I digress...

A Tarot deck, like a seductive Harlequin, must fit into a certain structure. The four suits of the minor arcana and the suit of the major arcana are always present.

There are five suits in a Tarot deck…

Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles make up the Minor Arcana. This varies from deck to deck, as some decks cleverly rename the Minors. Instead of pentacles or wands, coins or bows can be used. However, the essence of each suit is the same.

There are 22 major arcana cards in a Tarot deck, numbered 0 to 21. Go here for a complete list of all Major Arcana cards. Some decks include an extra card that is exclusive to that deck.

The Crystal Visions Tarot, for example, adds an extra card called “The Unknown Card,” giving you a deck of 79 cards instead of the standard 78.

Cards in the major arcana can be renamed in the same way that the four suits of the minor arcana can be renamed in some decks.

Don't get confused by the alternate card names...

An almost identical plot from one novel to another hides all the ins and outs of a torrid heartbreaker, such as the names of the characters, the titles of the works and the setting.

The heroine of a romantic story can be Scarlett Johansson, while another's heroine may be Uma Thurman. Despite their denials and frantic meowing, they both fall in love with a high-status guy towards the end of the tale.

Another thing that all Tarot decks have in common is that each Minor Arcana suit has four court cards: King, Queen, Knight, and Page. There are a total of 16 court cards.

Some decks use different names for the cards, such as prince and princess instead of knight and page, but the meanings of the cards remain the same.

Now it's time for the Oracle cards

There are no rules that need to be observed when it comes to Oracle cards. If a Tarot card is like a Harlequin, an Oracle deck is like a novel with romantic aspects sprinkled in.

There are some elements similar to Harlequin, but it doesn't adhere to any strict pattern. Perhaps it's not the ideal analogy.

Consider that Tarot and Oracle cards are twins, not identical (like me and my sensual other half, Veronica!). The Tarot deck is formal, orderly, and rules-based. You want to get married, start a family, and pay your taxes.

The Oracle deck depicts a free spirit who follows her own rules, spending time in communes and ashrams, engaging in sexual escapades, and making pottery while high.

This does not mean that Oracle cards are more interesting than Tarot cards, but they are not subject to the same rules.

An Oracle deck can contain any number of cards. Most of them contain fewer cards than a Tarot deck, but some have more.

Some Oracle cards will have phrases on them, which is uncommon for a Tarot deck, but others may simply have pictures and no words.

Tarot-inspired cards are found in most Oracle decks. As a result, if you get to know your Tarot cards well, you will see some parallels in your Oracle decks.

Angel cards, which are usually oracle cards with an angelic theme, are a common type of oracle cards. Most angel cards have uplifting sentiments printed on them, making them easy for newbies to use and gentle enough to use on bad days.

So, which is the best option? Is it better to use tarot or oracle cards?

This is entirely up to you. Tarot takes more time and effort to learn, however, oracle cards are easy for most people to read right away because the meanings are often inscribed on the cards.

With their dramatic depictions of falling skyscrapers and skeletons wielding scythes, some people find Tarot cards terrifying and “scary.”

In that situation, a moderate oracle or angel deck is a good starting point.