Oracle Cards - Around the Deck in 30 days!

[Nikki-Phoenix]

I’ve been thinking about doing this for months now, so here we are… welcome, my friends, to the 30-day Oracle Challenge! I thought it might be fun to do my own Oracle card challenge, but then I thought it might be even better if we did it together!

It seems only fair that we should dedicate a space to Oracle cards, although I have no idea how many people actually use them… I guess I’m about to find out! I’m writing this at beginner level, so if someone who has never picked up an Oracle deck before reads this, it will be easy for them to follow along. Apologies in advance to the experienced out there, but as always, take what you need and leave the rest I am not here to tell you what you should or should not do before, during, or after a reading – if you have your own ways, please follow your usual routine. If you don’t, I can share what works for me (maybe others will too), and hopefully that will give you somewhere to start.

Psychic Protection

Some people do it, some people don’t - whatever you choose, it’s between you and your A-Team (Angels). I personally feel a little better when I purposefully add a little psychic protection before a reading; I always do it when I’m reading for others, because frankly I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. For those who aren’t familiar with it, psychic protection is simply a prayer, spell or ritual specifically asking for Spirit to protect you psychically; some people pray to Archangel Michael, some pray to their Deity, some pray to the cosmos, some people repeat the same words every time, some people follow their intuition every time… and all of them are right. Do what feels right to you, and experiment with the options until you find your flow.

Preparation for a Reading

Personally, I like the sounds of nature to find my zen – the sounds of the forest and the sea help me to feel grounded in nature so I put them on first. Or you can try a youtube instrumental, there are millions just like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZbuj3RJcjI&list=WL&index=2

I make sure I won’t be disturbed (or minimise distractions as much as possible), and I absolutely must feel calm; if necessary, I do a guided meditation first to either align my chakras or awaken my intuition, both work great for me. I clear my deck with a Selenite stick (rub the crystal on every side of the deck slowly), then I use a crystal from the triclinic group to draw the infinity symbol on the deck 3 times for Mind, Body and Spirit. I hold the deck in my left hand, ask the question, place the crystal on top of the deck, place my right hand on top of the crystal and deck, and sit with them long enough to feel the vibrations align. FYI: also known as warders, triclinic crystals are thought to open one’s perceptions to explore additional dimensions, while warding off negative energy; examples include kyanite, labradorite, amazonite, turquiose and sunstone. After the reading, I like to sit with the reading for a little while and see if anything else comes up, then I thank my A-Team for their protection and guidance and disconnect from the reading for now.

The next post will have everything you need – apparently, the original post was too long haha! I’ll start tomorrow (Monday) and keep going as long as I can – this will be my me time each day so it’s a personal challenge for me too – here’s hoping we make it to the end! If I’m not around, please continue on your journey, don’t feel you have to wait for me – things are still a little hectic as you know, but I will endeavour to do it every day. Most importantly, have fun, and enjoy the journey!

X Blessed Be x

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Oracle ‘vs’ Tarot

I’ll get the obvious out of the way – there are many similarities and differences between the Tarot and Oracle cards, which I won’t debate here; as I’ve said before, I see Tarot like a raw crystal, and Oracle like it’s tumbled twin. Both are equally as rich, deep and powerful as the other, but many people believe that Oracle cards are “easier” to read, and I suppose in a sense, they are. Personally, I feel it’s not easier, just less judged perhaps. As the Tarot is so well-known, sometimes people seem to judge interpretations more harshly than Oracle cards; even though everyone has their own interpretation, it has a rigid and carved-in-stone structure which encompasses all facets of life. Therefore, if you see something that’s wildy different to the original meanings, people tend to judge you and your abilities, or maybe it just feels that way; with the Oracle, everyone kind of knows they’re intuition-based, so they’re less likely to judge your interpretation and go with it. That being said, I think any Tarot spread can be done with Oracle cards, and vice versa – it’s the interpretation that matters!

Structure of Oracle cards

As I’ve also said before, there are generally 2 types of oracle decks – topical and character. Topical cards are informative, and usually have quotes, adjectives or advice printed on them; just like the tarot, they are great for general questions and specific questions, gathering further insight into a situation, or viewing all of your options. Character cards have literal characters on them, such as spirit animals, gods/goddesses, angels, or any other characters the author chooses. They can represent a person in your life, the energy working with you (e.g. deity/master/goddess/familiar/etc.), the traits you need to embody in the situation, or to gain further insight into relationships. They have many more uses, such as storytelling (unless your deck is sarcastic, which has it’s own amusements lol) – feel free to do some exploring!

Spreads

For the daily pull, to make it easy, I will use the standard 3 card spread to start – Relevant Past, Present, and Possible Future. The more advanced among you are free to use the 6 card spread for a more in-depth look; 2 rows of 3 cards, and multiple ways to read them. Cards 1-3 (top row) represent the external, conscious aspects, how the situation will unfold on a practical level; Cards 4-6 (bottom row) represent the internal, unconscious aspects – the emotional level. Cards 1 + 4 = Current situation (first column), 2 + 5 = the Next step (second column), Cards 3 + 6 = Resolution (third column). By the time we get to week 4, you’ll be ready for it so don’t worry if you’re not ready for it yet! Of course, if you want to enhance your readings with your own divination method e.g. tarot, runes, crystals, etc., feel free to do so – trust your intuition! But more on combos in week 4

The Question

For each and every reading throughout this challenge, I will ask my deck the same question – “what do I need to know about X”? If you wish to change it up then be my guest – I’m sticking with that question because it’s the one I always use, I feel I’m less likely to inadvertently influence the outcome, if that’s possible.

The Plan

4 weeks, 4 themes; week 1 is Healing, week 2 is Practice, week 3 is Intuition, and Week 4 is Purpose. At least… that’s the plan! I figured I’d post all prompts here, so that you can dip in and out as you like, or perhaps you’d rather do the challenge in private – that’s okay too! That’s about as structured as this challenge will get – the focus here is more about the freedom of connecting to Spirit and exploring the true power of your intuition.

Week 1 – Healing – Working with my Chakras

Day 1 – What do I need to know about my Root?

Day 2 – What do I need to know about my Sacral?

Day 3 – Solar Plexus?

Day 4 – Heart?

Day 5 - Throat (and Ears if you feel so inclined)?

Day 6 – Third Eye?

Day 7 – Crown?

How deeply you delve into these questions, I leave to you. For example, on Day 1, you can focus on your root chakra, and/or your physical roots (home), ancestral roots… your foundations, do they need healing? Day 2, ask what do the cards say I feel more/less creative about, or what brings true pleasure vs fleeting joy, and so on.

Week 2 – Practice – Pulling cards for made up characters

Each day, pull 3 cards for the person named and tell us what the cards tell you! It might help to phrase each question in the same way i.e. what does Cliff need to know about his love life right now, what does Jenny need to know about her career path right now, etc. If you want to pull cards for yourself each day, then please do – in the beginning, I found it easier to practice on characters because they aren’t real so less pressure to perform!

Day 1 – Cliff from Cuba needs advice on his love life.

Day 2 – Jenny from Sydney is curious about her career path.

Day 3 – Gollum from The Shire is rather worried about his health.

Day 4 – Terry in New York is concerned about a block he’s having (you pick where).

Day 5 – Gracie from Kingston wants insight into her psychic connection.

Day 6 – Sharlene from Beijing is curious about her past life.

Day 7 – Gandalf from Everywhere wants to know what his options are right now.

Week 3 – Intuition – Seeing with more than Sight

Free for all – you can repeat the chakra pulls from week 1, the practices from week 2, or do your own readings – I would recommend the practices, it’s less pressure. For each reading, ask yourself 3 questions:

1. What do I see?

2. What don’t I see?

3. What do I feel?

This is an opportunity not just to fully tap into your intuition, but also to develop the layers to your readings. For example, for question 1 think about the following – what do I see first, what symbols do I see, what colours, characters, animals, etc.? Do any of those repeat across multiple cards? For question 2 – take notice of what could be there but isn’t, like is the moon on the card a full moon? Look at the water – if you don’t see waves in the water, what does that mean to you? And lastly, what do you feel – this is the moment to truly find that place of serenity deep within you and really listen to what it is saying. Don’t worry about whether it’s right or wrong, whether it makes sense or not, and ignore the voice asking whether it’s all in my head; just listen within, really feel it within your soul, and trust what comes.

Week 4 – Purpose – the Next Level

This week goes back to the chakras, but we take it up a notch! This is where we use the 6 card spread for a little in-depth knowledge, orrrrr… you can use other decks to enhance the reading!

For example, my favourite layer to add after a reading is “who can help me with this” using a character deck, pulling an equal numbers of cards as the original reading; so if I did a 7 card weekly spread, I would pull 7 character cards to match. As I’ve said, it can be which energy/being can help me, or which person in my life can help me, or both; the choice is yours, and the character card will help to narrow your focus. For example, if you chose a Spirit Animal card, you could call on the energy of that animal as your familiar/guide during the situation, or think of someone who has the same traits as the animal e.g. a lion is strong, fierce, protective, do I know someone like that?

You can add a tarot layer, such as repeating the same spread with tarot, or asking additional questions specific to the tarot; similarly, you can use runes (Elder or Witch’s), Lenormand, etc. in the same way. You can also add a shadow layer; if you have shadow work oracle cards, you can pull the same number of cards to see what SW you could do to help the situation/your development. If you don’t have SW oracle cards, you can use tarot, another oracle deck, whatever you wish!

One more thing, just in case there is someone out there wondering “how on earth do I know if it’s my intuition?!”… everyone will have their own answer to this, and maybe they’ll add their experiences too. In my experience, it’s a word, thought, image, sound or feeling which emerges from the most serene part of my soul – I know that’s kind of vague, but I literally don’t know how else to explain it. When I enter my inner Circle of Solitude, that place of absolute serenity, it just comes; bear in mind, it’s not a place of peace for me, it’s serenity. Like the moment in a movie when all heck is breaking loose and there’s one character they zoom in on and everything continues but the sound disappears – it’s like that, knowing that the chaos is still going on around you, but in that split-second moment that lasts a long time, you hear nothing…until a word, thought, image, sound or feeling is suddenly there. That is your intuition, trying to communicate, and all you have to do it listen and believe it.

X Blessed Be x

[Mystique]

I love this idea! I have a deck of oracle card I never use. I never really learned how to use them or read them so this will be fabulous for me! I can’t wait to start this tomorrow!

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Yayyyy, jump on board the Oracle Express!! very glad someone will be joining me on this journey! Sorry it’s all a bit of a mish mash, I’ve having technical difficulties and daughter difficulties at the same time lmao

x Blessed Be x

[Artemisia]

@Nikki-Phoenix

Day 3 – Gollum from The Shire is rather worried about his health.

I mean… he should be, have you seen what he looks like now? But seriously, thank you for putting this together, and look forward to participating.

Now to decide which oracle deck to use this month

[Nikki-Phoenix]

@Artemisia

I mean… he should be, have you seen what he looks like now?

I know right in that moment his name popped into my head hahaha! And you’re most welcome

@Artemisia

Now to decide which oracle deck to use this month

I was literally just wondering the same thing! I think I’ll go with Luminous Pathways, she’s a great deck so it should be interesting!

x Blessed Be x

[carrianne]

Hi Nikki how are you?

This is right up my street I absolutely love oracle, and I feel I’m in such a better place now to really practice along. So yes — count me in!

Blessed be

[carrianne]

I only have one deck, but I keep clear quartz with mine

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Hey @carrianne I’m hanging in there, how are you?

@carrianne

I only have one deck

You only need one sweetie, jump onboard the Oracle Express, first stop… the Root Chakra!

x Blessed Be x

[carrianne]

I’m good thank you Nikki. Sending you lots of love

[carrianne]

Day 1 – What do I need to know about my Root?

Today I pulled

Quit fitting really. Honour your truth, but truth doesn’t always mean confrontation. Sometimes it’s a seed, a gentle nudge, or simply naming what’s real without judgment.My root chakra stability right now is linked to how true you are to yourself. When you ground in authenticity, your root becomes stronger.

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Day 1 - The Root Chakra

Image from Google

I’ll start with the 3-card draw, and I’ve included the 6-card draw in case anyone wants to have a peek. I used a Selenite stick to clear the deck, and I did my prep with a Labradorite heart (opening perceptions to explore additional dimensions and warding off negativity), and a Lapis Lazuli heart: from the Cubic group, it is thought to enhance any situation whether it’s about the mind, body, spirit or any aspect of life.

Please remember to only post what you are comfortable posting. You do not need to post any details about anything you do not want to.

Question: What do I need to know about my Root?

Intention: May this reading be for my best and highest good.

Card 1, Relevant Past: Rainbow Bridge - Connection, Hope, Promise

The journey in my physical roots has been a long one, confirmed by the long bridge; however, whilst it’s had the numerous good times and growth (multiple colours), it hasn’t been a steady road (bridge itself is not solid). This card is reminding me that these past experiences had a purpose, they had lessons which may still be relevant and I needed to make those connections to keep going as I have done; the still waters are in the distance, reminding me to let my intuition lead the way and keep my emotions in check, because the light is worth reaching for. The ending I’m aiming for is guided by Divine Light, I need to trust in the path and bravely go where it leads.

Card 2, Present: The Winter Solstice - Reflection, Pause, Rebirth.

Now is the time to slow down, to act like the winter animals; gather resources and hunker down in a place of warmth. The card suggests that now is the time to not slow down, but to pause - evaluate the situation, take significant time to heal and recharge, ground myself in nature and replenish my root. Maybe now would be a good time to reflect, release that which no longer serves, and get ready for whatever is coming…it could be a long winter. Perhaps I should indulge in some literal healing, physical and spiritual; a little self-love is like a bowl of soup during the winter, it’s time to nourish my soul.

Card 3, Possible Future: The Celestial Gate - Opportunities, New Horizons

The future seems celestial, if I can draw on the lessons of the past and take the time to renew in the present. Doors will open, whether they’ll be physical doors or spiritual ones or both… depends on what happens in the present I think. On a spiritual level, it feels like the doorway to new and previously unseen dimensions; again, that could be different dimensions of my spirituality, maybe even past lives development, or it could be the different dimensions we call the cosmos. Or both… the possibilities are endless, if all goes to plan. On a physical level, it could be referring to a literal new door, perhaps an indication that there will be some kind of shift in the housing area, or maybe it’s telling me to make a shift in a housing area, literally change things up and clear things out.

6-card Reading

The Practical Level + The Emotional Level

Card 4, Relevant Emotional Past: The Labyrinth - Journey, Complexity, Discovery.

This has most definitely been a complex and challenging time for my emotional roots! There have been twists and turns, dead ends and roundabouts; the complexity of life cannot be understated, and this journey has been no different. This card is reminding me that the key to this complexity is to keep going, which is what the card above also hinted at. The journey has been long, and is not likely to end anytime soon - I did all I could do, which was to focus on the light at the end and keep going.

Card 5, Emotional Present: The Feather - Lightness, Messages, Spiritual Connections.

This card tells me that during the current time of reflection, I need to pay attention to the (blatant) messages I’ve been seeing. The lightness comes from understanding that it is not a figment of my imagination, these messages are from the Divine; by listening to them, I can deepen my spiritual connection with my intuition and with my Guides. This card also reminds me to pay attention to all signs, positive or otherwise; they all play their part, and by deepening my connection and keeping my perceptions open, it will get me through this time of rebirth to what is promised ahead.

Card 6, Possible Emotional Future: The Firefly’s Glow - Guidance, Small Lights, Hope.

Hope = Hold On Pain Ends. Perhaps this is letting me know that the experiences in the emotional past and the work needed in the present will take me to a place of hope… the Glow. When I say that it reminds me of an old movie I love about a man on a spiritual journey in New York in the 80s, I mentioned it in a post recently (The Last Dragon - Wikipedia), particularly the soundtrack; one of the songs is called The Glow, and it rings true for me here. The possible emotional future sees my emotions and intuition flowing smoothly and peacefully, grounded in nature and surrounded by love and light; this will place me in a better emotional state to guide those who come to me. Perhaps this card tells me that the celestial door will be a spiritual one. The rising sun, a symbol of new beginnings and positivity, encourages me to look forward to the positivity that awaits.

x Blessed Be x

[Artemisia]

I’m using the Urban Crow Oracle (plus expansion) this month. I’ve got a darker/witchier one I’ll save if we do an October.

@Nikki-Phoenix

Day 1 – What do I need to know about my Root?

Past-Present-Future

Past - Warning - Signs of danger around, it’s time to prepare - I suppose I take this to mean that if one doesn’t learn from the past, one is doomed to repeat it. Signs of trouble were there and I need to keep them in mind when they appear again, that I need to take action to protect myself.

Present - Play - Now is the time to relax, have fun, spend time with friends, and rebuild my reserves.

Future - Trap - “Sometimes, what we think will make life easier or more comfortable will hold us back from our greater potential. It’s in those moments of discomfort that we develop skills and strength.” from the guidebook. Or as Brene Brown espouses- courage over comfort.

[Nikki-Phoenix]

@Artemisia

I’ve got a darker/witchier one I’ll save if we do an October.

I only planned to do it for a month, to be honest, it was more of a personal challenge I wanted to share, and if I’m totally honest I assumed I’d be doing it alone!

I love your card @carrianne, looking forward to seeing the rest of them and yourself too @Artemisia, for some reason your cards remind me of London lol!

x Blessed Be x

[Artemisia]

@Nikki-Phoenix

I only planned to do it for a month,

No worries, and I meant no pressure! Happy to have this month of prompts and a new way to explore this oracle deck!

[Jeannie1]

hello beautiful people this is Jeaannie I am working with “ the wild unknown archetypes guidebook by Kim Krans” it’s what I’ve been working with for a while and it is what I know among the thousand tarot decks that I do have I tend to grab and gravitate towards the same ones all the time.

In regards to the root chakra past present and future, my question for root chakra moving in a clockwise direction, is my root clear or do I need to cleanse my root chakra? Using my deck I will ask the question in regards to the past.

I will also ask for the present if I have security, physical stability, self sufficiency, and responsibility for self?

Future in what areas of growth have eyes shown survival instincts in connection to earth?

For my spiritual protection, I use my sage, and I also went in a anticlockwise position, using my hand with a candle a circle asking that the circle would be protected and guided with my spirit guides. With my right hand, I went with my black candle all the way around in a circle and asked to be protected and guided with my spirit guides. This is what works for me. It is very easy and I don’t feel that it’s overbearing.!

I also let my candle burn out a little bit, and the wax accidentally went on my tarot deck, but you know, at least it’s cleansed.he he he no spirits can get through my circle! I am grounded and protected!

OK, so for my reading, looks as though I got the village and my question correlates to in the past; was my root chakra cleansed?I really haven’t been out of my comfort zone and I’m really thinking that it takes a village to help ground myself and I need to put myself around people and trust and I think spirit and my guides are trying to tell me to do so to be more grounded in community. I feel I have no problem being intimate with my fellow witches its just time constraints and I know how in the past I felt so much better to share with others and I’m feeling like I need to be more present but it’s like this last challenge. I did the challenge, but I just didn’t post so I don’t know.

Second present if I have security, physical stability, self sufficiency, and responsibility for self?

Yes I have security. I am grounded. I have every thing I need. I have all the tools in my belt. I have self-sufficiency and I feel responsible for myself. I go to work. I have water. I have food. I have shelter and I feel sustained.I took care of myself doing a yoga ritual I do every day and I draw down the moon. I feel sacred!

Future the medallions, I have my hand stretching out to the medallion the shiny coin with the diamond in the middle so my interpretation of the card is that yes my spirit guidance are telling me my hand is stretching out towards the sacred ritual within me to know thy self is one of the greatest values I hold and I believe, and I do have many gifts with being able to again the sacred knowledge any that I am adorned with this diamond to hold this energy contain m within my consciousness and the vibration that I have to help me release my fears and hold space for the amulet /talisman or Heirloom! I am upholding the tradition. I am seeing that it is a full moon and that it is a time where I do and release my fears and in this case, I will use amulet to help me in my future or tailman.

Thank you spirit for guiding me and I will use my pendulum to cleanse the chakras.

Blessed be!

Jeannie

[carrianne]

Day 2 – What do I need to know about my Sacral?

Sacral (creativity, relationships, emotions, pleasure) needs stronger foundations. If the root/base isn’t secure, the sacral can’t fully open. suggesting my sacral energy is ready to expand, but it’s asking me to slow down and stabilize first — lay the groundwork before building.

Pulled a rune alongside and asked how can I support my sacral?

Perthro (ᛈ)
Secrecy, uncertainty, unseen forces shaping outcomes. For my sacral, it supports me by reminding me that not everything can (or should) be controlled flow is part of creativity and emotion.

[Nikki-Phoenix]

@Jeannie1 welcome aboard the Oracle Express! I love your cards too, and thank you so much for sharing your ritual with us, it sounds beautiful

@carrianne love your addition of a rune, you go gurl! I love how different divination methods work so seamlessly together💜

Thank you to all who are joining in, and to all who join us in private; may this journey be for our best and highest good!

Can I ask, does anyone want further information or are we good? I literally grabbed a Google image to set the scene, but it occurred to me that maybe some people don’t know much about the chakras or how to heal them. Let me know!

x Blessed Be x

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Day 2 - The Sacral Chakra

Card 1: The Guiding Light - Guidance, Mentorship, Direction.

This card is about knowing that help is available to all who ask for it. I have been doing this more recently in the past, mainly on here; bouncing ideas around, exploring the depths of my creativity, and looking into my ultimate pleasure which is helping others. It also reminds me of the personal journey, the exploration of what others say should make people happy and what actually makes me happy.

Card 2: The Crystal Cave - Inner Exploration, Hidden Treasures.

This card is about exploring the inner world, discovering the untapped potential and hidden treasures within. This feels like a continuation from the first card - a reminder to continue the inner journey of exploration. I started it with the exploration of sensory magick in another thread, but things got a little nuts and I paused it… maybe the cards are telling me it’s time to restart it. Exploring the depths of creativity and pleasure is something I’m looking forward to!

Card 3: The Harmonic Scale - Balance, Harmony, Music of Life.

This card is about finding the balance in life, harmonising the inner and outer worlds. It suggests that this could be the future if I make it through the cave. It feels like a reminder to balance what I want with what I can have, what I want to do and what I can do. Historically, those scales have been out of balance to my detriment, and I need to even them out to find the balance I seek. When I do, I will rediscover my own rhythm, and dance to my own beat again.

Today I will be focusing on communing with and healing my Sacral, in the midst of the storm. There will be a lot of wooosahhing today!

x Blessed Be x

[carrianne]

Thank you Nikki

I am learning along the way. I love runes as well so thought It would help clarify and give me a better understanding.

I love to do my kundali yoga to help open my chakras this helps me in the mundane world.

Blessed be x