Tarot Cards vs Oracle Cards – What’s the Difference?

Whether you are looking to purchase a Tarot card deck, or an Oracle card deck, they occupy the same jumbled space, on store shelves. If you know which type of deck you want, be careful the packagng on your potential purchase clearly states it’s the type of deck you seek.

The number and variety of both Tarot and Oracle decks available to purchase, has exploded in recent years, enticing more novices to give them a try, than ever before in the history of these decks.

Many newcomers to reading cards ask; “What the heck is the difference in the two types of decks?” Make no mistake, there are definite differences in them. I love, collect, and use both Tarot and Oracle decks, and I find both types of decks to be beautiful, magical, and wonderfully Spiritual.

However, due to the distinctly different structure in the two types of decks, I use them quite differently.

Tarot and Oracle Deck Differences

• A Tarot deck is a Spiritual tool intended for divination to glean insights into the past, present, and future of a situation a Querent (one requesting the reading) has inquired about. An Oracle deck, on the other hand, is a Spiritual tool intended mainly for inspiration.
• Tarot cards are meant to be laid out into various spreads (patterns) and read, card by card, by the Reader (one giving the reading) to tell the story of the situation the Querent has asked about. Oracle cards are not meant to be read laid out in a spread, rather they are meant to be chosen singulary for inspiration, or advice for the day, week, month, etc.
• Tarot decks are divided into two hierarchical divisions, the Major Arcana, delineating important life lessons, and the Minor Arcana, delineating more mundane matters. Oracle decks have no divisions, and no hierarchy among their cards.
• Tarot cards mostly have traditional general meanings for each of the cards handed down through the ages. Oracle cards have unique meanings the deck’s author has assigned to each card, relating to the inspirational word, or phrase emblazoned upon the card’s face.
• Tarot decks typically have 78 cards, with 22 Major Arcana cards, and 56 Minor Arcana cards. Oracle decks can have any number of cards the author has chosen to create, which is typically between 35 to 65.
• Tarot decks possess 4 suits attributed to an element, typically, Cups=Water, Wands=Fire, Swords=Air, and Pentacles=Earth. Although Oracle decks may possess elements (rare), they possess no suits, making for no family relationship between the cards.
• Tarot deck cards depict artwork that generally follows the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck’s card number, and action of the figure(s) for the same card across Rider-Waite-Smith based Tarot decks. The artwork on Oracle cards may depict numbers, but the author and artist are free to depict any image and action they desire on their deck’s cards. Therefore, each Oracle deck is totally unique from any other Oracle deck.
• Tarot cards will reveal what may be coming up for the Querent, for good, or for bad. Whereas, Oracle cards give mostly positive inspiration, and rarely give a negative message.

To summarize, Tarot decks share a common structure in suits, elements, hierarchy, number of cards, card numbering system, actions depicted on cards, traditional card meanings, and revealing the possibility of both fortunate, and unfortunate future events.

Conversely, Oracle decks are free flowing, with no suits, no hierarchy, nor a required number of cards. Additionally, Oracle decks don’t share common number systems, actions depicted on cards, card meanings, or revealing of future events.

Tarot decks will attract those who wish to give full-on readings using a spread. Oracle decks are not designed for giving full readings using a spread, even though a few modern Oracle decks offer spreads in their companion booklets. Giving a full reading with a spread consisting of a collection of positive words/phrases will likely seem nonsensical for the Reader.

On the other hand, Oracle decks will attract those who just want to receive a quick inspirational message, and/or would rather not chance receiving a message of a possible negative outcome from a full Tarot reading (even though it can be circumvented using one’s free will).

Then there are those, like myself, who want both full-on readings revealing any possible future events, and quick positive inspirational messages, and thus use both Tarot and Oracle decks, every week.

I give Tarot readings for professional clients, myself, and my daughter. Then daily I draw an Oracle card for inspiration from each of at least 3 of my fav Oracle decks (the messages are so inspiring, one daily message is never enough! Lol). I liken drawing an Oracle card, to breaking open a fortune cookie to receive the gift of wisdom it contains within. It’s fun and addictive!

Whichever type of deck you’re attracted to, you‘re certain to find a large selection of beautiful decks to choose from. First and foremost, enjoy discovering the decks that suit your personal style of card reading, be it Tarot, Oracle, or perhaps both.

I happen to own a good number of both types of these decks. Nonetheless, I’m always delighted to find a new deck that speaks to me. I’m certain you will be just as delighted to find the deck(s) that speaks to you.

Note: To book a professional Tarot reading with Jeannette see our Book a Reading page.