How to draw Oracle Cards

[Tom]

In the book I'm reading, the author said that if you draw an Oracle card and it's upside down then you should leave it upside down. My understanding from what I'd read in other books was that you should read them right side up. She doesn't believe in reversals the way people read tarot cards reversed. It's something about flow of energy, I don't understand it. So is it okay for me just to turn the cards right site up when I pull them? To me that makes the most sense. So far in the videos, articles and other books I've read, she's the only one who suggested leaving them upside down. 

[akiva]

You can do whatever you feel is best. If you'd sooner read them only upright then feel free to do that, especially if no real meaning is given to the reversed card and it's just 'flow of energy'. 

 

Just to mention as well, with a lot of card reading, particularly oracles (unless it's a super strict system) there is no "should". It's about finding a method that works for you. 😊

[Tom]

That helps clarify things.  I can read 10 Oracle books by different authors and I'm sure they'll always disagree about something. Just like Tarot books I suppose. I'll figure it what works for me eventually.  

[akiva]

One thing that may help is picking one author to start with and working with their method until you're a bit more confident. That way you won't get inundated with ideas and contrasting opinions. Then you can add your own ideas in or take some out if you like 😊

[Tom]

That is wise.  I'm just going to set this book aside and stop.  Another author I tried to read I just didn't resonate with me so stopped reading it as well. I like the advice of the author of first Oracle book I read best. It makes more sense to me. I should use that as my go to book. This way as you said there's not going to be conflicting information if I focus on hers.

 

Sometimes I think I would have done better of learning Lenormand first.  However the Folk Cards of Destiny was the one I intuitively attracted to and I still feel that way.  At any rate it's a place to start. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Tom

[akiva]

Lenormand is a whole other kettle of fish that does require a method and being a bit more strict in how you interpret them. Though authors are limited with that system compared to general oracles.

 

Did the Folk Cards of Destiny come with a booklet with meanings in, I can't remember if you've said before?

[Tom]

Yes it counts with a booklet that's very limited.  It's part of Lo Scarabeo's Old Cartomancy series. I have their Medieval Oracle that's part of that series and instructions are the same essentially (and the other Old Cartomancy booklets are also pretty much the same I'm guessing). They offer the same card spread and the same meanings for the cards.  So that's why I was reading up on Oracle reading that can be used with any deck of Oracle cards.  In my studies so far my intuitive meanings have been close to the definitions. So I'm going to read that mostly intuitively and only go to the booklet if I'm stumped. I think I'm getting it pretty well so far. 

[Chariot]

Interestingly, I just read a bit on the topic of reversals pertaining to tarot, that might help with oracle cards as well.  

If you do NOT plan to read reversals, infuse that intention into the deck while you do your shuffle.  Tell the cards that if they turn up upside-down, you will turn them right-side up.  

Does that make sense?

[akiva]

Okay, thanks for clarifying. It's annoying the Lo Scarabeo have done that with the booklets, these cards are their own systems in their respective countries.

 

1 minute ago, Tom said:

In my studies so far my intuitive meanings have been close to the definitions. So I'm going to read that mostly intuitively and only go to the booklet if I'm stumped. I think I'm getting it pretty well so far. 

That sounds like an excellent plan 😁 I had a look at the cards, and the images definitely do get the ol' intuitive cogs spinning. 

[Tom]

I agree Lo Scarabeo should do better books with these decks.  They can publish one book that covers all the decks in their series in better detail.

 

The book I am using also has a bunch of different spreads that I will find helpful.

 

@Chariot yes that does make sense. I'll keep it in mind. 

[Tom]

I also reached to mention that the Medieval Deck is another German deck originally don't by the same publisher as did The Folk Cards; using acorns, leaves, bells, and hearts. So at least if I know one, I should be able to read the other.