What are Tarot Cards?

In the world of card reading for spiritual guidance, there are two different sets you’ve likely come across: tarot and oracle cards. Both are popular and effective tools for divination and self-discovery, but appeal to two very different styles.

If you’re wondering whether tarot or oracle card guidance is the best fit for you, you might be wondering what the difference is and why it matters for your spiritual practice. As leading mind, body, and spirit book publishers, we know that the right deck is the one that works for you, whether you’re new to the craft or have been reading cards for years. 

In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most common questions surrounding tarot vs oracle cards, like what they actually are, what each deck brings to your reading table, and when they’re best used for your self-discovery. 

What are tarot cards?

Tarot cards are a powerful divination tool known around the world as a means of exploring the human experience, uncovering hidden truths, and guiding spiritual or personal growth. 

Standard tarot decks are made up of 78 cards, with two main categories: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

There are 22 cards in the Major Arcana, representing major life events with deep symbolic significance. The Minor Arcana is much larger, with 56 cards, and reflects everyday experiences divided between four suits, each with ten numbered cards and four court cards, similar to a traditional playing deck.

What are oracle cards?

Oracle cards are a guidance tool used for clarity and self-reflection, and while they can be similar to tarot cards in their intuitive guidance, they are not strictly the same. 

Oracle decks have no fixed structure to them – a deck can consist of as few as 30 cards, or contain more than 100, with no strict rules behind their reading. Every set is unique to its creator, and most rely on broad personal interpretation across a wide range of free-flowing themes, with popular options including angels, animals, and affirmations.  

They are an excellent choice for beginners, or anyone looking for a more open-ended approach to:

★ Daily spiritual guidance

★ Mindfulness

★ Emotional clarity

★ Decision making 

★ Intention setting

★ Personal growth

Key differences between tarot and oracle cards

While both tarot and oracle cards are used as a means of divination, there are a few key differences in their form and function.

Structure

Oracle cards have no set structure or number of cards. Every oracle deck is unique in both design and message, and can explore any theme the creator is drawn to.

Tarot decks follow a fixed structure, with 78 cards split across two categories (the Major and Minor Arcana). There are suits, court cards, spreads, and a unique meaning rooted in centuries of tradition and symbolism for every card in a deck. 

Themes

The theme of an oracle deck is often tied to its creator, and can cover anything from angels to animals, affirmations to the abstract. They’re highly customisable and intuitive, so every deck theme is unique in the way it supports personal reflection, divination, and spiritual guidance. 

Tarot deck themes have evolved over their long history. Nowadays, you can find deck themes across a wide range of styles, from classical reproductions to quirky artistic interpretations. The theme typically influences the symbolism of a deck, so you can develop your intuition and guide your reading.  

Reading

Oracle decks are strongest when you’re searching for broad, intuitive insight. An oracle spread doesn’t need to be complex to provide daily encouragement, affirmations, connection to self, emotional support, or spiritual guidance. 

Tarot cards are best when you need a more detailed, structured answer. They can help unpack the complex layers of any given situation, and are an ideal choice to peer deeper into your immediate self as well as your wider world. 

Tradition 

Oracle cards are a more modern divination practice, and are widely used by therapists, coaches, and practitioners in the spiritual guidance community. 

While there are several theories surrounding the origin of tarot cards, their exact beginnings are unknown, although it is widely accepted that they first emerged as early as the 15th century. The practice has certainly evolved over time, with a near-complete reimagining in 1909. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck – the tarot world’s most famous deck – brought Tarot into the mainstream and paved the way for the modern self-reflection tool we know today.

Learning curve

Oracle cards are generally considered to be easier for beginners, largely due to the fluid and open-ended nature of oracle reading. While cards will vary from deck to deck, many are straightforward, and some will even come with clear answers printed on the card.

The structure of a tarot deck, and the involved process of learning both arcanas and their associated suits, means that beginner readers typically face a steeper learning curve with tarot. However, if you take the time to learn and recognise the format and meanings of one deck, you’ll have an easier time reading almost any other set of tarot cards.

Tarot and oracle card reading techniques 

Despite their differences, both tarot and oracle cards are excellent tools for divination and reflection, with many similarities in their general approach. 

Whether you’re new to oracle and tarot cards or an experienced hand looking to expand your spiritual horizons, there is no single formula, but there are a few general questions you can ask to help guide your next reading.  

★ Consider your intuition ★

• What are your first impressions of the deck? Do any images stand out to you? 
• Are there repeating motifs? Do they include numbers with deeper numerological meaning? 
• Did your deck come with a guidebook? You can treat it like a dictionary of sorts and enhance your interpretation with definition.

★ Explore common spreads ★

• What do you want to focus your guidance on? Single card pulls can be beneficial if your answer is hyperfocused to one thing in your life or day. 
• Are you trying to gain insight into a particular situation? Three card pulls can be used to give you an idea of the past, present, and future surrounding your point of focus. 
• Do you want to know what’s in your future? The three card method can be applied to weeks, or even months, to paint a picture of the year ahead. 

★ Understanding the message ★

• Does the answer your card provided feel a little disconnected, or unrelated? Give the message time to sink in. Even if the meaning doesn’t make sense at first, it may become clear later on – and if it doesn’t, you may have discovered something new about your intuition. 
• What can you learn from the cards? Did you expect the answer they provided, or are they steering you in a new and unexpected direction?

Using oracle and tarot cards together 

Your cards won’t always tell you what you want to hear, and sometimes the answers won’t be as clear as you may like. Sometimes you can sit with them and wait for the meaning to become clear, sometimes you may just need some deeper insight, and sometimes your initial question leads to another.

Many people find it helpful to keep a journal of their tarot and oracle readings, recording their questions, card pulls, and interpretations in one dedicated place. Over time, this can reveal meaningful patterns. If the same card keeps appearing, it may be highlighting a lesson or message that deserves further reflection. Journalling your readings not only deepens your understanding of the cards and your spiritual practice, but also provides a mindful opportunity to slow down, reflect, and connect with your intuition. 

 

If clarity is what you seek from a reading, then you may want to combine your tarot and oracle cards. When used together, oracle cards can be used to convey the tone and theme of your question, while tarot cards can fill the spaces in between, providing an extra layer of detail to guide your reflection. 

This process can look like: 

• Pulling an oracle card to identify the heart of the message 
• Exploring how that lesson wants to unfold with a tarot spread 
• Returning to the oracle card with that new, layered tarot perspective 

Tarot vs oracle for beginners 

The answer to whether you should start your spiritual journey with tarot or oracle cards depends solely on the answers you want to get from them. Are you looking for daily guidance, mindfulness, or insight into a larger aspect of your inner-self? 

As a general rule: 

• Oracle cards are ideal for daily guidance, quick connection to self, and intuitive awareness. 
• Tarot cards are best for answering and understanding complex questions or challenges. 

Overall, your choice of deck will come down to the relationship you want to build between yourself, your intuition, and your cards. The more you practice with either deck, the more you’ll recognise patterns, perceive meaning, and understand your inner-self. 

When starting out, choose the deck that speaks to you. Ideally, it should come with a guidebook – these are fantastic support tools for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, covering the meanings and symbolism you can expect to see within the deck.  

Exploring tarot and oracle cards with Rockpool Publishing

You need a deck that feels right for you and your reading style, and with themes ranging from the extraterrestrial to the celestial, Rockpool Publishing can help.

If you’re interested in discovering everything that tarot and oracle decks have to offer your spiritual practice, we have a wide collection of spiritual decks for beginners and lifetime readers alike. Every one of our decks includes a detailed guide to support your path to self-discovery, crafted by some of the industry’s finest spiritual authors and illustrators.

For the latest insights and new releases in the wide world of tarot and oracle cards, you can sign up for our monthly newsletter.

The meanings behind tarot cards are as unique and varied as the reasons people turn to them for guidance.

With 78 cards to a deck, Major and Minor Arcana cars, court cards, suits, symbols, spreads, and a unique meaning for every possible combination, where do you start? 

Anyone can dip their toes into tarot, and as leading publishers of mind, body, and spirit books in Australia, we know the value of having the right tarot tools and guidebooks to understand your first reading, regardless of your experience. 

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore what tarot is, how to read your cards, and what to look out for on your path to self-reflection. 

What are tarot cards and how do they work?

Tarot cards are, at their core, a set of 78 cards used for reflection and guidance in our lives, emotions, relationships, and beyond.

The cards represent both everyday experiences and the external forces that work to shape our lives (or “archetypes”).

Tarot readers use them for a number of reasons, most often to:

• Gain insight into someone’s past, present, and future
• Seek guidance or clarity in the face of challenges
• Tap into spiritual wisdom
• Connect to higher selves and universal energies 

There is no right or wrong way to read or connect with tarot cards, and most tarot readers follow systems of intuition, synchronicity, and symbolism.

Tarot is, most of all, a tool for guidance, not final answers. 

While there are an ever-increasing number of tarot decks available, the core elements remain mostly the same, with only minor variations to the typical Major and Minor Arcana inclusions depending on deck style and theme.

Understanding tarot card structure: Major vs Minor Arcana

The 78 cards of a tarot deck can be divided into two main categories, Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.

Major Arcana cards

Major Arcana cards are some of the most well-known cards in the tarot world, and include the 22 named cards in the deck.

Cards of the Major Arcana symbolise significant life lessons, universal themes, spiritual growth, and major turning points. 

It’s widely believed that when a Major Arcana card is drawn in a reading, the situation or event at hand is one requiring close attention.

Minor Arcana cards

The Minor Arcana of tarot has 56 cards, and often resembles a traditional deck of playing cards, with four suits representing different aspects of life.

Each suit of the Minor Arcana contains cards numbered Ace through 10, as well as four court cards: King, Queen, Knight, and Page. 

The Minor Arcana provides context for the broader themes represented by the Major Arcana, offering readers deeper insight into the role larger forces play in our lives.

How to read tarot cards

Whether you’re hoping a tarot reading will provide clarity on a personal or professional endeavour, a relationship, or your emotional state, it can help to have one question – or clear intention – in mind before you begin. 

This question helps to focus the reading, which will usually unfold as:

• Shuffling – your tarot reader will shuffle the deck to disperse the energy of the cards throughout
• Drawing – your tarot reader will draw cards and lay them out in a specific pattern, known as a spread, to represent different aspects of your answer (a common starter spread features past, present, and future)
• Interpreting – your tarot reader reviews the position of the cards, their symbolism, and their own intuition to share the story, message, or answer the cards are offering
• Closing – it’s common to conclude a tarot reading with a moment of reflection and gratitude for the message shared through the cards 

As a general rule of thumb, Major Arcana cards provide the theme of a reading and the big picture details.

Minor Arcana cards give the detail and the context, portraying how the Major Arcana’s theme is playing out in your life. 

Court cards add another layer of depth to a reading, representing the people in your life, or aspects and energies within yourself to explore. 

Many tarot readers lean on their own intuition when it comes to interpreting the meaning of the cards.

Each card has its own traditional meaning and symbolism, but the way it reveals itself in a spread – and the cards it appears with – can offer deep insights, and sometimes even change its message. 

Popular tarot spreads and layouts

A tarot spread is the layout of cards used in a card reading, and each position in a spread has its own meaning. 

While anyone can create a custom spread to suit their reading style, there are a few common spreads to keep in mind, especially if you’re just beginning your tarot journey:

Understanding common tarot card images and symbolism

One of the most recognised features of tarot is the highly detailed artwork present on every card. 

The art shapes the story, and the elements within each illustrated scene can help tarot readers to understand the insights and messages the cards are sharing. 

Some symbolism is obvious, like a pillar for support or the moon for femininity, but other common images require some deeper interpretation – and a little intuition.

Tarot readings for beginners

With 78 cards to pull from, your first tarot reading can be an overwhelming experience. 

Tarot reading, like any skill, can be developed with time and practice, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still gain something from your very first reading, too. 

If you’re new to the world of tarot, or just picking up your first deck in a long time, there are a few simple steps you can take to ease in, avoid easy mistakes, and build your confidence from the first reading:

• Start small – don’t overdo it, a classic three-card spread of past, present and future is a strong starting point for any tarot reader
  
• Form connections – take time to familiarise yourself with the imagery of each card and the feelings they inspire before you try to unravel their complex, interwoven interpretations
  
• Keep a journal – after each reading, and especially your first, reflect on your experience and relationship with the cards (and their messages) in a diary or spiritual journal 
  
• Build a foundation – many suggest starting with the Major Arcana, immersing yourself in the meanings and symbolisms of the 22 archetypes before diving into the Minor Arcana 
  
• Ask open questions – don’t go looking for yes or no answers immediately, instead trust your intuition and follow the journey the cards are guiding you on
  
• Take your time – learn the card meanings and practice tarot spreads at your own pace, finding the method that feels right for you
  

How tarot readings can help 

While many turn to tarot in search of answers and guidance, particularly when facing challenges in their everyday lives, tarot cards also provide an opportunity for self-discovery, reflection, growth, and more: 

• Clarity – if you’re feeling uncertain, tarot can offer a unique perspective on the decisions and complexities in front of you 
  
• Emotional healing – tarot can help you recognise and release the turbulent feelings within you, and any patterns of behaviour you may be unaware of
  
• Empowerment – tarot readings can remind you of the power you hold over your own future, setting you up to make those all-important, life-changing decisions 
  
• Guidance – for many, tarot provides a deep sense of connection to themselves, the universe, and spirituality 
  
• Self-awareness – tarot cards reflect your inner self, as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses, so you can better understand the impact of your actions across past, present, and future
  

Start your tarot journey with Rockpool Publishing

Whether you’re a beginner searching for your first tarot deck or a seasoned reader looking to expand your set, our curated collection of unique, handcrafted tarot cards and decks can help guide your spiritual practice from the first reading. 

As trusted spiritual publishers, we believe in premium quality and inclusivity regardless of experience.

Every Rockpool Publishing deck includes a detailed guide to tarot card meanings, created with expert care and insight from experienced readers and authors, to empower everyone – even complete beginners – on their journey to self-discovery.

If you are interested in learning more about tarot or would like to explore some card decks available today, our monthly newsletter is full of spiritual insight and new releases. You can sign up here.

The beautiful images used in this blog are from Tarot Card Companion, by Victoria Maxwell.

Introducing Oracle of the Witch

Oracle of the Witch: Reclaim Your Birthright is a 44-card oracle deck created by UK author and practitioner Flavia Kate Peters in collaboration with Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and illustrated by Mira Nurdianti.

What Makes This Deck Unique

This deck stands out for intertwining spiritual insight with the archetypes and traditions of witchcraft. Each card comes with:

• A Message: A core meaning or guidance that speaks to daily life, spiritual reflection or meditation.
• Incantation Rhyme: A short, evocative phrase that helps you embody or call in the energy of the card.
• Light and Shadow Interpretations: Dual perspectives that support seeing both opportunities and challenges inherent in a theme.
• Witchery Wisdom: Tips, historical context, folk magic suggestions or gentle exercises related to the card’s subject.

The deck is accompanied by a 144-page guidebook that expands on these elements, offering context, suggestions and rituals that help you build a deeper, more informed connection with the cards.

How Oracle of the Witch Supports Your Spiritual Journey

Whether you identify as a witch, a spiritual seeker, a divination enthusiast or someone simply intrigued by archetypal symbolism, this deck can be a nurturing companion. Here’s how:

1. Creating Daily Ritual and Intention

An oracle practice can transform a rushed morning into a mindful ritual. Drawing a card each day invites you to set an intention or focus for the hours ahead. With its magical messages and incantations, Oracle of the Witch encourages you to greet your inner world with curiosity rather than judgment.

2. Exploring Inner Light and Shadow

One of the rich aspects of this deck is its invitation to explore both “light” and “shadow” sides of themes. Rather than offering only uplifting messages, it encourages honest self reflection that recognises challenges, patterns or limitations you may be navigating. This pushes your spiritual growth beyond surface positivity into authentic transformation.

3. Learning Through Witchcraft Symbolism

For those drawn to earth-based spirituality, folk magic and ancestral practices, this deck is grounded in the lore and symbolism of witchcraft—the old ways of working with nature, intention and ritual. Whether you are already familiar with these traditions or simply drawn to them, the cards can expand your understanding through layered meaning and historical context.

Practical Ways to Use Your Deck

Here are some beginner-friendly methods to work with Oracle of the Witch:

Single Card Pull

A simple yet powerful practice. Draw one card in the morning and journal about its message. How does it relate to your intentions for the day? What inner guidance might it offer?

Three-Card Spread

Use this classic method to represent past, present and future influences. It can also be adapted to reflect mind, body and spirit or challenge, guidance and outcome.

Meditative Focus

Choose a card that resonates with something at the forefront of your life. Use its imagery as a meditation anchor. Breathe with the symbol, let it open doors in your imagination and notice the subtle insights that arise.

All of these approaches encourage playfulness and curiosity—the heart of any spiritual practice.

Tips for Deepening Your Practice

• Create a dedicated reading space: A cushion, candle or natural object can help your mind shift into reflection and reverence.
• Keep a journal: Capture the cards you draw and what they mean to you. Over time, you’ll see themes emerge that reflect your inner evolution.
  
• Combine with ritual: A simple invocation or breathwork before and after readings can enhance focus and connection.
  

Final Thoughts: A Path for Every Seeker

Oracle of the Witch is more than a deck—it is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply and reclaim a sense of spiritual agency. Whether you’re new to oracle cards or have been exploring spiritual tools for years, it offers a meaningful bridge between intuition, narrative and ancient wisdom. At its heart, this deck encourages you to trust your inner knowing and find your own voice in the unfolding story of your spiritual path.

If you're interested in learning more about the deck, check out Claire Duval's video review on it here.