What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?

The difference

The difference between tarot and oracle cards is quite simple. Tarot cards follow a set system, whereas oracle cards do not. A tarot deck consists of twenty-two Major Arcana cards, (although more and more decks are adding a few cards here eg The Bohemian Animal Tarot, The Tarot of Curious Creatures and Tarot of Oneness), and four suits each with fourteen cards, four of which are court cards. There is considerable variance in the naming of the Major Arcana, the suits, and the court cards but the structure itself remains constant. Albeit some decks, but not many, switch the energy of the Wands (Fire) and Swords (Air) suits.

So, in every tarot deck you will have some variation of the cards shown below. The images are from Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Borderless Edition

By comparison, oracle decks can have any number of cards and each card can represent whatever the creator decides. I have oracle decks that range in number from 36 cards (Goddess Dream Oracle) to 101 cards (Sustain Yourself Oracle) with just as many variations in what each card represents. Some creators. such as Deborah Blake (Everyday Witch Tarot and Everyday Witch Oracle), and Kelly Burton (Journey of the Sacred Bee Tarot and Wisdom of the Sacred Bee Oracle) create both oracle and tarot decks. Each can be used separately.

Is there a crossover? I would say yes, but they are different systems. If you can read the RWS tarot you can be confident that you can pick up any RWS-based tarot deck and have a basic understanding of what each card represents. That is not the case with oracle cards although most, but definitely not all, include keywords or a card title to provide you with an overview of what the card represents. As you can see below, “Bear” from The Cosmic Creatures Deck gives no guidance as to the cards meaning whereas “Guilt” from Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards does.

Which one is for you?

That is a hard question to answer. I started with an oracle deck, The Moon Oracle, then I bought a tarot deck, The Voyager Tarot before returning to oracle cards. As contentious as it is now, I began collecting the Doreen Virtue oracle decks because they were easy to work with. I even did a three-day weekend course with her. So, despite her renunciation of her “new age” work, these decks are still part of my collection.

Personally though, once I started studying tarot I became hooked. I love the tradition and the fact that it follows a structure. It allows me to build a multifaceted understanding of whichever deck I am working with at the time. Plus, the underlying system means I can combine my existing tarot knowledge with the artist’s interpretation to gain more nuanced meanings. It also means my intuition has a base to work from. Afterall, our intuition speaks to us through what we know.

However, I realise that not everyone wants to spend time, (I’ve dedicated nearly 25 years so far), studying tarot. But that shouldn’t put you off. You can develop a basic understanding of the system very quickly.

That being said, for various reasons, many people prefer oracle cards. Some people find them more free flowing. Others believe their imagery can be more gentle, (although there are examples that contradict this in both tarot and oracle decks). Also some people find their meanings and explanations to be more straightforward.

It really all comes down to personal preference. There is no right or wrong. Whichever you are drawn to, be it oracle or tarot, is right for you. Both are a wonderful tool for self-development, self-understanding, self-empowerment and divination. However, many people will say that oracle cards are easier and quicker to learn.

In the above images, “Trust Yourself” is from the Sacred Rebels Oracle. The Knight of Pentacles is from The Light Seers Tarot.

Some side by side theme-based comparisons

Astrology Tarot and Oracle Example

I have presented the oracle card first in each of the following examples. “Publicity” is from Oracle of the Radiant Sun. The 6 of Wands is a Minor Arcana card from The Star Tarot.

Crystal Tarot and Oracle Example

Ancestral Healing – Amber is from Crystal Medicine Oracle by Rachelle Charman and the Four of Swords is from The Crystal Magic Tarot.

Animal Tarot and Oracle Example

Hummingbird Spirit is from The Spirit Animal Oracle and 19 The Sun is a Major Arcana card from The Spiritsong Tarot.

Gaian inspired Tarot and Oracle Example ???

“23 River Woman” is from The Earthcraft Oracle and the Two of Water is the Two of Cups from The Gaian Tarot.

Contemporary Tarot and Oracle Example

“When Organising Like with Like” is from Manifesting Your Greatness, and Temperance is from The Everyday Enchantment Tarot.

Herbal Tarot and Oracle Example

33 Arnica is from The Herbal Astrology Oracle 8 of Fire – Ginger is from The Herbcrafter’s Tarot.

So, as you can see, if you have a particular interest it is likely that there is a tarot and/or oracle deck that fits the niche. It isn’t that one is better than the other. It all comes down to personal preference. Many of us work with both.

The table below pretty much sums it up. I have listed the title of the first card of each of the oracle and tarot decks illustrated above. As you can see there is still some variance in the Tarot titles but the meaning of the card remains very similar. Subtle nuances exist but the overall energy of the card remains the same.

Oracle Deck	Name of 1st Card	Tarot Deck	Name of 1st Card
Wisdom of the Sacred Bee Oracle	The Inspiration	Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Borderless Edition	The Fool
Everyday Witch Oracle	Connect with Gaia	Everyday Witch Tarot	The Fool
The Cosmic Creatures Deck	Alligator	Light Seers Tarot	The Fool
Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards	Renewal – Geranium	Journey of the Sacred Bee	The Journey
Manifesting Your Greatness	Ask for Help	Herbcrafter’s Tarot	The Fool – Dandelion
Crystal Medicine Oracle	Ancestor Healing – Tree Amber	Everyday Enchantment Tarot	The Fool
The Earthcraft Oracle	Abundance	Gaian Tarot	The Seeker
The Herbal Astrology	Calendula	Spiritsong Tarot	The Traveller
The Spirit Animal Oracle	Ant Spirit – Time to Collaborate	The Crystal Magic Tarot	The Fool
Sacred Rebels Oracle	After the Storm	The Star Tarot	The Fool
Oracle of the Radiant Sun	Assertion Sun in Aries

Publishing details for each of the decks above are listed in their respective linked posts. For those I haven’t already written about, their details are as follows:

• The Herbal Astrology Oracle, created by Adriana Ayales, was published by Hay House in 2022
• The Cosmic Creatures Deck, created by Grace Duong, was published by Hachette Book Group in 2021

Always curious to know what others personal preferences are. Either comment below or send me a message. While you’re at it let me know what some of your favourite decks are. I’m always keen to discover new decks and to learn what it is people love about their favourites.