Tarot or Oracle Deck?

Or, both?

Why choose -- it's not a contest.

Tarot card: Major Arcana, The Empress, RWS deck

Both are wonderful tools to use. Both are oracles, really. The tarot are cards, and of themselves, an oracle. Oracle cards are not always tarot cards, and don't follow any rules or form that the tarot does. But both are card decks, and both are used for similar purposes.

Tarot cards, while differing in style, artwork, and theme, follow specific rules. A tarot deck contains 78 cards. 22 of those cards are the Major Arcana cards, and the rest are the Minor Arcana cards of four suites. (56 cards.)

Tarot card, Major Arcana: The High Priestess, Doreen Virtue Angel Tarot

Within this classic structure there are differences on occasion, depending on the deck creator's inspiration. Wands may be called batons, or fire, or staffs. Coins may be called discs or pentacles or earth, spirals, etc. … sometimes the names of the Major Arcana might be changed. Doreen Virtue's Angel Tarot renamed the Death card "Rebirth." There are hundreds and hundreds of tarot decks out there, many with some changes but overall, there is a standard as to number of cards, the way they are arranged (Minor and Major Arcana, etc.) and meanings assigned.

Oracle deck: Magical Mermaids and Dolphins, Doreen Virtue

Oracle decks do not follow any traditional rules as to number of cards -- in fact, often oracle decks have fewer cards than a tarot deck. There are also hundreds of themes; angels, fairies, animals, flowers, chakras, dreams . . . 

If you're new to tarot and feel a bit intimidated or overwhelmed, try using an oracle deck. Reading with an oracle deck will help you with your confidence. Using an oracle deck will open up your perception and your intuition, allowing these to come through easily, and you'll soon find yourself feeling very comfortable doing readings. 

Oracle card: Lynx, Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams 

Find an oracle deck that you like, that speaks to you. There so many themes out there you're sure to find one that fits your personality. 

Whether using tarot or oracle cards, relax and have fun and always follow your own sense of where the reading is going.