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✨ Your Journey into Tarot & Oracle Cards: A Beginner's Guide to Divine Wisdom ~ Aug 2025
- naomiebarclay
- Aug 11
- 10 min read
Stepping into the mystical world of card reading can feel overwhelming at first. Trust me, I've been there! With countless decks available and so much conflicting advice, where do you even begin? Let me guide you through this magical journey with the wisdom I've gathered along my own path.
Understanding the Beautiful Difference: Tarot vs Oracle Cards
When I first discovered card reading, I was completely confused about the difference between tarot and oracle cards. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start:
Tarot cards follow the traditional 78-card structure, typically in the classic Rider-Waite style. These require you to learn and interpret meanings through symbolism, numerology, and intuitive connection. Think of them as a structured language you'll gradually master.
Oracle cards, on the other hand, are like having a wise friend whispering guidance directly to you. They come with comprehensive guidebooks and explore beautiful themes like seasons, nature, divine feminine energy, inner child work, and spiritual awakening. Each deck is unique in size, number of cards, and artistic style.
Personally, I love using both! They complement each other beautifully in my practice, and I often draw from multiple decks during a single reading session.
My Top Tarot Deck Recommendations for Every Journey
🌟 The Perfect Learning Companion: Modern Rider-Waite with On-Card Meanings
What makes this special: This deck has completely revolutionised how I recommend beginners start their tarot journey. Every single card includes upright and reversed meanings printed right on it—no more frantically flipping through guidebooks mid-reading!
Why I love it: The integration of astrological symbols, planetary associations, and chakra colours creates such rich, layered readings. I find myself discovering new connections every time I use it. The yes/no/maybe guidance and built-in affirmations make it perfect for daily practice.
Perfect for: Complete beginners who want to dive right in, or experienced readers who want a comprehensive reference deck that travels well.
💎 The Complete Spiritual Toolkit: Tarot with Chakra Stones
What drew me to this set: When I first opened this box, I was amazed by the thoughtful completeness. The 165-page guidebook is beautifully illustrated and genuinely educational—not just basic card meanings, but deeper spiritual context.
The magical extras: Those seven chakra stones? They've become an integral part of my reading practice. I place them around my reading space or hold them during particularly emotional sessions. The velvet carrying bag makes this set so travel-friendly.
My experience: Each card displays comprehensive information including keywords, reversals, chakra associations, planetary influences, zodiac connections, elemental correspondences, and yes/no guidance. It's like having a tarot encyclopaedia in card form.
📜 The Timeless Classic: Original Rider-Waite Tarot
Why this remains essential: There's something deeply moving about connecting with the same imagery that has guided seekers for over a century. Every symbol, color, and figure was deliberately chosen by Pamela Colman Smith under A.E. Waite's guidance.
When to choose this: If you're drawn to traditional symbolism and want to build your interpretive skills from the ground up, this is your deck. The accompanying booklet by Stuart R. Kaplan provides excellent historical context and foundational knowledge.
My perspective: Whilst it requires more study than modern decks with printed meanings, the Original Rider-Waite teaches you the authentic language of tarot. Once you master these classic symbols, you'll find yourself reading any tarot deck with confidence.
This is the deck I recommend when you're ready to transition from beginner-friendly options to professional-level reading.
Oracle Cards: Your Gateway to Intuitive Wisdom
Oracle cards offer such a gentle, nurturing entry into divination. Let me share the decks that have personally touched my heart and transformed my spiritual practice.
🌸 Divine Feminine Oracle: Awakening Your Inner Goddess
The artistic magic: I discovered this deck through Instagram and was immediately captivated by the ethereal, feminine artwork. Each card feels like a piece of fine art that speaks directly to the soul.
My journey with this deck: These 36 cards have helped me reconnect with my intuitive feminine energy in ways I never expected. Whether I'm feeling disconnected from my inner wisdom or need gentle encouragement for self-compassion, this deck delivers exactly what my heart needs to hear.
The gentle awakening: What I adore about this oracle is how it approaches divine feminine energy as a gentle process towards healing and rediscovering inner wisdom. It's about nurturing that part of yourself that is intuitive, soft, and endlessly kind—both to others and crucially, to yourself.
Who this serves: Perfect for anyone seeking to balance their divine feminine and masculine energies, heal relationship patterns, or develop deeper self-love practices. The world truly needs your unique self, and this deck supports you in finding and calling on that feminine energy within.
The messages are empowering without being overwhelming, making this ideal for daily guidance or deeper spiritual work.
🌿 The Green Witch Oracle: Earth Magic & Natural Wisdom
Earth-based enchantment: This deck has become absolutely essential to my practice! Created by Arin Murphy-Hiscock, author of The Green Witch, these 50 cards beautifully merge the grounding energy of green witchcraft with the intuitive wisdom of oracle guidance.
My connection to nature magic: Working with these cards has deepened my relationship with the natural world in profound ways. From the transformative energy of the Cauldron card to the peaceful balance of Earth, each card connects you with the plants, flowers, and elemental energies that green witches have worked with for centuries.
The practical magic: What I love most is how these cards bridge everyday life with witchcraft practice. Whether I'm seeking clarity (hello, Mint card!) or yearning for freedom and new opportunities (the Bird card never fails to inspire), each reading feels like receiving wisdom from the earth herself.
The comprehensive guidance: The informational booklet is wonderfully detailed, offering clear instructions on card interpretation and suggesting various spreads to deepen your practice. It's perfect for both seasoned practitioners and those just beginning to explore green witchcraft.
🧭 Intuitive Guidance Oracle: Reclaiming Your Inner Compass
The transformative journey: This healing 44-card oracle deck helps you rediscover your inner guidance, rebuild your connection to your powerful intuition and reclaim agency over your life.
My personal experience: Created by Maude Hirst and illustrated by Lori Menna, this deck appeared in my life exactly when I needed to rebuild trust in my intuition. You'll learn to heed your intuitive calling, unlocking the profound insights and hidden truths that will shape your destiny.
The healing process: Four suits within the deck invite you on a transformational journey: Listen (find guidance back to stillness and wisdom of silence), Clear (let go of what no longer serves you), Rebuild (listen to your intuition and rebuild yourself authentically), and Act (take action, trust and take the leap).
Best used for: Major life transitions, healing work, rebuilding confidence, and learning to trust your inner guidance system. These stunning cards will help you tap into your sacral power and create space for what is intuitively calling you.
🌈 Inner Child Oracle: Healing Through Play and Wonder
The emotional depth: This 44-card oracle deck was created to support your inner child, heal trauma, and facilitate personal growth, designed to be used for deep emotional work with an open journal and an open spirit.
My healing journey: This deck helps you reach into the past and innermost self to gently cradle your vulnerable inner child with this healing tool as support. Working with these cards has helped me connect with my inner child in a loving and nurturing manner.
The comprehensive approach: By combining four key aspects of inner child work in one deck—reparenting of the inner child, self-care, childlike wonder, and inner child connection exercises—it offers a complete healing system.
How I use it: I love using the messages from these cards in insight-filled spreads, as journal prompts, or for meditation. It's become essential for my emotional wellbeing practice, helping me connect with my beautiful inner child and let my light fully shine.
🔮 The Lost Oracle: Finding Peace in Uncertainty
Ancient wisdom for modern times: The Lost Oracle is a resource for making peace with your place in the world. It serves as a source of protection, a guide for healing, a touchstone of reassurance and a compass for experiencing success of all kinds in life.
My daily practice: This oracle is an unwavering light shining on an uncertain future that becomes less troubling and more enticing when viewed from an enlightened perspective. Steeped in ancient wisdom, it helps you understand and manage the forces around you and within you today.
The profound gift: From morning to night, The Lost Oracle guides you to a place where you feel found. When the world feels chaotic or when I need grounding energy, this deck consistently provides exactly the perspective shift needed to transform anxiety into excitement about the future.
When to use: During uncertain times, for morning guidance, evening reflection, or whenever you need to remember your own inner strength and wisdom.
🌸 Goddess Seasons Oracle: Sacred Feminine Wisdom Through the Wheel of Time
A favourite in our Goddess Circles: This deck has become absolutely cherished in my Goddess community. She is calling to you—She is with you always, the spirit of the land and the changing of the seasons. Her journey has no beginning or end, the wondrous never never-ending cycle of being.
The artistic magic: Artist and author Wendy Andrew illustrates the seasonal embodiments of the Goddess, channelling Her timeless loving energy deeply into her paintings and writing. Her work is inspired by the ancient mysteries wrapped in the turning of the seasons, and the voice of Goddess whispering through the mythical realms.
My connection with this deck: Walking through the seasons of change with Goddess, these 36 cards of wisdom inspire imagination and embrace the energy of the sacred feminine. Through working with this oracle, you'll be guided towards positive choices to find love, peace and fulfilment in all areas of life.
The transformative experience: Meet Her sacred creatures, feel Her tenderness, rest in Her serenity and dance in Her delight. Be led on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment to reconnect to your sweet tender heart and reveal your pure perfection.
🌙 Goddess Dream Oracle: Journey into Divine Mysteries
Another beloved favourite: A force of nature that calls all life into being, the Goddess is divine feminine awakened to the greatest magic held within. She is maiden of creativity, mother of love and crone of sacred wisdom.
The profound journey: Take her hand through the Goddess Dream Oracle and reconnect to your own intuition and remember who you really are. Through working with this oracle in your daily life, you'll delve into the divine dreamworld of the Goddess in all her forms and meet her allies.
My personal transformation: She reveals herself through her dark mysteries in the depths of the forest to her splendour as the waves of the sea, guiding you in your search for your inner truth, your life purpose and your higher self.
The divine guidance: Artist and author Wendy Andrew illustrates the divine embodiments of the Goddess, channelling sacred feminine energy. Her work is inspired by the ancient mysteries wrapped in the turning of the seasons and the voice of the Goddess whispering through the mythical realms.
⚖️ Sacred Rebels Oracle: Divine Masculine & Feminine Balance
Global wisdom in one deck: Connect with the divine feminine and masculine energies of this sacred oracle and receive guidance for inner healing and spiritual growth.
The healing power: The 44 vibrant and soulful cards depict a diverse collection of powerful global deities and spiritual guides to divinely support, empower and inspire your path. What I love most is how it balances both divine energies, helping you integrate all aspects of your spiritual nature.
My healing journey: The accompanying guidebook teaches you about each sacred figure's origins, how to intuitively interpret their messages and connect with their healing energies. These cards have supported me through profound inner healing work.
The comprehensive guidance: Let the goddesses, gods and guardians walk alongside as you create a life of self-healing, spiritual connection and enlightened purpose.
🌕 Moon Goddess Oracle: Lunar Wisdom for Modern Life
The triple goddess connection: In this oracle, wisdom flows from the moon phases, the seasons, and the goddesses to inspire you and weave their magic through your life. Each goddess has ancient wisdom and guidance to share with you, to support your journey through life with insights and love.
The magical integration: The 36 cards help you know yourself in deeper ways, featuring crystals, colours, mantras, favoured moon cycles, and plant medicines so you can incorporate moon wisdom into your everyday life.
My moon work practice: The moon affects you as she moves through her phases each moon cycle. As you learn to work with these cycles, blending them with the cycles of the seasons and the power of the goddesses, you will transform your life into the life you desire.
The life transformation: Since working with these cards, I've transformed my relationship with the lunar cycles, learning to plan my spiritual work, creativity, and daily activities around the moon's natural rhythms.
Your Journey Awaits
Whether you're drawn to the structured wisdom of tarot or the intuitive flow of oracle cards, remember that the most important element in any reading is your own inner knowing. These tools simply help amplify the wisdom that already exists within you.
Start with whatever deck calls to your heart, practise regularly, and trust the process. Your relationship with the cards will deepen naturally over time, and soon you'll find yourself offering guidance not just to yourself, but to others who are seeking their own path to clarity and healing.
For full transparency, the links above are affiliate links. I earn a small commission from the sale of these decks, but at no extra cost to you. It's just a tiny way you can support my tiny business whilst discovering the transformative magic of card reading for yourself. ✨
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