How to Use Oracle Cards with Tarot: EASY Step-by-Step Guide

Tarot and oracle cards are both powerful tools for self-discovery, spiritual growth, and intuitive guidance. While many readers use them separately, combining tarot and oracle cards can create deeper, more dynamic readings. If you're wondering how to use oracle cards with tarot effectively, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from understanding the differences to learning step-by-step methods, layouts, and intuitive practices.

Panaprium est indépendant et pris en charge par les lecteurs. Si vous achetez quelque chose via notre lien, nous pouvons gagner une commission. Si vous le pouvez, veuillez nous soutenir sur une base mensuelle. La mise en place prend moins d'une minute et vous aurez un impact important chaque mois. Merci!

Understanding the Tools: Tarot vs. Oracle

Before we explore how to use oracle cards with tarot, it’s important to understand what each system brings to the table.

What Are Tarot Cards?

Tarot cards follow a structured system. A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two parts:

• 22 Major Arcana cards: Represent big life themes and spiritual lessons (The Fool, The Magician, The Tower, etc.).

• 56 Minor Arcana cards: Organized into four suits—Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles—each with 14 cards. These focus on everyday events and choices.

Tarot cards are rich in symbolism, requiring study and practice to interpret. They're excellent for detailed, layered readings that explore the “what,” “how,” and “why” of a situation.

What Are Oracle Cards?

Oracle cards are more flexible and open-ended. Each deck has its own theme, structure, and number of cards—there are no set rules. Some popular types include:

• Angel or spirit guide decks

• Chakra-based or energy decks

• Affirmation or self-care decks

• Nature or animal-themed decks

Oracle cards often provide clear, supportive messages and are easier for beginners to interpret. They are especially useful for emotional or spiritual guidance.

Why Combine Tarot and Oracle Cards?

Using both systems together allows you to merge depth (tarot) with clarity (oracle). Here’s what makes the combination powerful:

• Tarot gives detail. It lays out the situation with complexity and nuance.

• Oracle adds big-picture insight. It helps you understand the emotional or spiritual context.

• Together, they provide a fuller story. You receive not only answers, but also comfort, encouragement, and perspective.

This blended approach can support personal reflection, shadow work, decision-making, and spiritual development.

How to Use Oracle Cards with Tarot: Step-by-Step

Here are several ways to integrate oracle cards into your tarot practice. You can adapt these techniques depending on your question, intention, or intuitive style.

1. Set an Intention

Before you begin, take a few moments to ground yourself. You might light a candle, hold a crystal, or simply breathe deeply. Then, ask yourself:

• What do I want clarity on?

• Am I seeking action steps, emotional healing, or spiritual insight?

Once your focus is clear, shuffle both your tarot and oracle decks with your question or intention in mind.

2. Choose Your Reading Structure

There are several proven ways to integrate the two systems. Let’s look at a few:

Method 1: Oracle Before Tarot (Setting the Tone)

Start by pulling an oracle card to define the overall energy or theme of the reading. Then pull tarot cards to explore the details behind that message.

Example:

• Oracle card: "Let Go"

• Tarot cards: The Eight of Cups, The Tower, The Star
  → Together, these suggest a necessary release, followed by breakdown and eventual healing.

This method works well when you're unsure what to ask and want your intuition to guide the reading.

Method 2: Tarot Before Oracle (Clarification & Advice)

Use a tarot spread to examine a situation, then pull one or more oracle cards to offer clarification, emotional support, or spiritual advice.

Example:

• Tarot cards: The Lovers (choice), Two of Swords (indecision), Page of Cups (emotional message)

• Oracle card: "Trust Your Inner Voice"
  → The oracle message confirms your need to listen to your intuition in making a heart-centered decision.

This method works well for complex or emotional readings where reassurance is needed.

Method 3: Blended Spreads

Create a custom spread that assigns specific roles to tarot and oracle cards.

Example 3-Card Hybrid Spread:

1. Tarot – What’s happening?

2. Tarot – What action should I take?

3. Oracle – What is the spiritual lesson?

Or use a larger spread, like a Celtic Cross, and draw an oracle card for the final outcome, overarching theme, or advice column.

Method 4: Oracle Pairing

For each tarot card you pull, draw a corresponding oracle card to clarify or expand the message.

Example:

• Tarot: The Hermit

• Oracle: "Solitude brings answers"
  → The oracle card affirms and strengthens the tarot message.

This method is particularly useful for intuitive readers or visual learners who connect more with imagery and keywords.

3. Interpret the Cards Together

When combining tarot and oracle cards:

• Look for themes and connections. Do both decks talk about change, trust, or healing?

• Contrast the energy of the messages. Is the tarot message tense and the oracle one peaceful? That may suggest emotional growth is on the horizon.

• Let the oracle card provide guidance or closure. Use it as a way to summarize the tarot reading or offer a gentle path forward.

You might also journal your impressions, especially if the messages don’t make sense right away. Sometimes their full meaning becomes clear later.

Tips for a Successful Combined Reading

1. Choose Complementary Decks

Use tarot and oracle decks that align in theme, tone, or style. For example:

• A shadow work tarot deck with a self-love oracle

• A classic Rider-Waite tarot deck with a chakra healing oracle

• A nature-based tarot with an animal spirit guide oracle

Avoid pairing decks that feel too visually or energetically disjointed, especially when you're just starting out.

2. Cleanse and Ground

Clear the energy of both decks before use by:

• Knocking on the cards

• Using smoke (sage, palo santo)

• Placing a crystal (like selenite or amethyst) on the decks

• Saying an affirmation or prayer

Grounding yourself helps you stay connected to your intuition.

3. Stay Intuitive

It’s easy to get caught up in memorizing card meanings, but remember:

• Oracle cards often rely on imagery, keywords, and intuitive feeling

• Tarot symbolism can be layered, but your gut response matters most

If a card jumps out at you or evokes a strong emotion, follow that insight.

4. Ask Empowering Questions

Avoid yes/no questions. Instead, ask:

• “What is the energy around this decision?”

• “What do I need to understand about this relationship?”

• “What lesson is this challenge teaching me?”

These types of questions open the door for deeper guidance from both card systems.

5. Don’t Overload the Reading

It can be tempting to keep pulling cards for clarity—but too many cards can muddy the message. Try to:

• Keep your spreads focused

• Limit clarifiers to 1–2 cards

• Reflect before pulling more

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Assuming More Cards = More Clarity

Too many cards can lead to confusion. Stick to your original spread and trust the first message.

Forcing the Oracle to “Fix” the Tarot

Sometimes tarot brings uncomfortable truths. Don’t expect the oracle card to sugarcoat or override the message—use it as a companion, not a contradiction.

Ignoring Your Intuition

Don’t rely solely on guidebooks. Pay attention to what you feel, hear, or sense. Your inner voice is the most important interpreter.

Mixing Decks Without Purpose

Be intentional when combining decks. Ask yourself: “Why am I pulling this oracle card? What role does it play?”

Final Thoughts

Learning how to use oracle cards with tarot isn’t about following strict rules—it’s about creating a dialogue between two intuitive systems. Tarot offers structure, detail, and depth. Oracle cards bring in emotional resonance, affirmation, and spiritual support. Together, they help you connect more deeply to your inner wisdom and the divine.

Key Takeaways:

• Use oracle cards to clarify, support, or guide your tarot readings.

• Try different methods like oracle-first, tarot-first, blended spreads, or card pairing.

• Choose decks that align energetically and visually.

• Stay grounded, focused, and open to intuitive insights.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works for you.

Whether you're reading for yourself or others, combining tarot and oracle cards can lead to transformative insights, healing, and empowerment. Let the cards work together—and let your intuition be the bridge that connects them.

Cet article vous a-t-il été utile ? S'il vous plaît dites-nous ce que vous avez aimé ou n'avez pas aimé dans les commentaires ci-dessous.

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.