What’s the Difference Between a Tarot Deck and an Oracle Deck?

Above image: Cards from Art Through the Eyes of the Soul Oracle (upper), and the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot (lower). Photo by Inkwood Healing.

If you’re newer to tarot or divination you might be wondering what the difference is between tarot cards and oracle cards.

The tarot is a specific system consisting of (generally) 78 cards divided into two sections – 22 cards in the Major Arcana, and 56 cards in the Minor Arcana. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana, numbered 0 – 21, detail archetypes of human spiritual development from birth to enlightenment. The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are divided up into 4 suits each numbered 1 (ace) through 10, with 4 court cards. The suit names might vary somewhat, but they almost always correspond to the 4 elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. These cards depict the everyday events in human lives.

Oracle cards can have any structure and any number of cards. The focus of the deck, how it works and it’s overall purpose vary from deck to deck. Since they’re more individualistic in their offerings I find I’m more choosy about my oracle decks.

Both tarot and oracle decks can have just about any theme you can imagine. And if you can’t imagine it, check out Aeclectic Tarot’s list of themes – they have over 2000 tarot, oracle, and Lenormand cards in their catalog (Lenormand is a specific type of divinatory deck with its own system).

Blessed Be. 💟