How to Get Started with Oracle & Tarot Cards

|A little known fact about me is that I have always been fascinated and inspired by the spiritual or metaphysical realm. And regardless of an individuals spiritual or religious beliefs, I am certain that most individuals would agree on the idea of internal transformation and healing, regardless of it's form.

I recall an experience I had as a teenager, when I went to visit a psychic or tarot card reader with a few friends. It was my first time being introduced to the practice of uncovering the realms of the past, present and future. I really didn't know what to expect but it felt exciting and I was ready to find out.

Contrary to what may be portrayed in movies or in pop-culture, the tarot reader was very friendly and had a warm glow to her. She seemed genuinely interested in our hopes for the reading and made me feel comfortable by asking some questions about my life story. It was as if I was talking with a lifelong friend, although I had only just met this woman.

Although I don't recall the questions that I posed during my very first card reading, I recall leaving the tarot reading feeling light and hopeful. This experience ignited a lifelong interest in the concept of a metaphysical world and a fascination of exploring and playing with intuition that ultimately led me to a career in the helping professions as a therapist.

Perhaps you have had a similar experience, or have always been interested in tarot reading but haven't taken any steps towards it. This article can help by walking you through a few simple steps to take as well recommendations for getting started. May the light guide you!

Please note: This article does not contain healthcare or therapeutic advice. If you are concerned about your health or well-being, speak with a health professional or visit your nearest medical facility in an emergency. This article contains affiliate links.

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How to Get Started with Oracle & Tarot Cards

Tarot literally means working with the divine, or your higher self, which is the ultimate purpose of tarot cards. This can be an important concept to distinguish from this practice being able to tell a persons future. 

Gaye Weintraub​ from Soul'ed Out explains further:

​"Tarot readings help a person understand what he or she needs to know about a particular situation. Decks are best used as a tool of inner wisdom and guidance, as readings give a person insight to past, current and future events based on the person's current path at the time of the reading. The cards do not necessarily reveal what will happen, but instead, allow a person to gain an understanding of a situation and determine the best course of action based on what is known and what the cards show."

Oracle or tarot decks can be a fantastic tool to use on a journey of understanding the self better and on deciding the path to take forward.
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Choose Your Deck

There are a lot of decks to choose from, it might seem impossible to decide on which one to start with. When you are deciding on your first deck, consider the reasons you are feeling drawn to a particular set. High frequency or energy pulls to a particular deck may be a great indication on working with a particular oracle or tarot decck. Importantly, decks can also be used together during readings, so having more than one deck to start off with is definitely okay. 

For myself, I was highly drawn to an oracle deck created by Rebecca Campbell. Not only are these cards absolutely beautifully illustrated, the deck is based on the concept of Starseeds which refer to 'old souls' which is someone whose soul has experiences in other worlds, which I have always felt about my own soul.

The Starseed Oracle deck also comes with a guidebook, and as a beginner, was extremely helpful as I began my journey of exploring my inner world.
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​THE STARSEED ORACLE:
A 53-Card Deck and Guidebook

​Each stunning card will help you connect to the callings of your soul and the guidance of your heart.

BUY HERE

​The Starseed Oracle box is also designed to help guide you and can be used in your readings by using one or up to six cards. The guidebook gives step-by-step instructions on how to do this, and also describes each oracle card in-depth, following by a Starseed Soul Inquiry question to further your soul exploration.

​Regardless of the oracle or tarot deck you decide to use first, congratulate yourself on taking a step towards exploring your inner self further in a way perhaps you have yet to open up yet. The possibilities of teachings and insight that you can gain is limitless, as long as you are open to receive the energy and intuition that the cards can bring to you.

Start with the Basics

The first step to getting started with oracle or tarot cards is to practice a grounding or relaxing exercise in order to bring your energy and intuition into alignment. You might have a breathing exercise or calming meditation in your self-care toolkit already, or you could use an 'attunement' exercise or mantra while holding the set of oracle or tarot cards.

There are many different spreads (also known as ways of laying out oracle or tarot cards) and a simple one to start off with is to choose 3 cards from your deck (after shuffling) and laying them out in front of you in a row. The cards will then represent past, present and future.

You may already have a question in mind for the reading, and if so, go ahead and ask that now. Next, look at the cards and the images or symbols that you see and describe the story or message that you see in each of the cards. An important component of reading tarot is to allow your intuition to guide you, so don't be afraid to say whatever comes to your mind.
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The Gem Goddess on Youtube shares some great tips about how to get started reading oracle or tarot cards - she also shares some fascinating 'pick-a-card' readings - I highly recommend checking out her channel or taking a look at the video below.
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Another option you can take to start using oracle or tarot cards is to shuffle the deck, lay out the cards on a flat surface face up, and choose a card that best represents yourself.

Questions to help you choose your first card:
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• What does this card already tell me about myself?
• What story about my past, present or future do I sense in this card?
• How can I describe the energy that is being shared with me through this card?

What other questions can you ask to help guide you in choosing a card that represents yourself? Perhaps you are drawn to more than one card. How do these cards guide you in telling your story?

​Importantly, there are no right or wrong ways of working with oracle or tarot cards. Have fun with your reading, or offer a spread to your friends or family if they are interested. Use the guidebook in your oracle deck to help guide you until you are feeling confident to read on your own.

I would love to hear your experience of tarot readings in the comments below. Feel free to share a story, ask a question, or let us know your favourite deck to use if you are already an experienced oracle or tarot reader.

Thank you for allowing me to share my journey of tarot readings with you! I am super excited to help one of my readers begin or continue their journey with tarot readings with a chance to win a card deck. Feel free to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win. Good luck!

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Giveaway | The Starseed Oracle

Purchase your own Starseed Oracle Deck here.

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