i got so used to calling myself a business strategist that now, when people ask me what i do, i find myself entangled within the discomfort of an unfamiliar stutter.
“i create tools for personal development.”
“i create tools for personal development.”
oh like what?
“a gold foiled oracle deck”
…pause.
then an expression of confusion settles onto their face, prompting me to clarify.
“have you ever heard of a tarot deck? it’s like that, but an oracle deck is not attached to as specific system.”
oh yeah, i’ve heard of that.
…but i don’t really know what tarot is.
and that isn't just a singular reaction, but the reaction i have received from every person who unknowingly asks me a question to which i provide my unconventional response.
…but i don’t really know what tarot is.
and that isn't just a singular reaction, but the reaction i have received from every person who unknowingly asks me a question to which i provide my unconventional response.
it got me to think about how through my strategic coaching work at the soulful entrepreneur, i supported business owners who were well-versed in the language of intuition and familiar with the tools that strengthened it - like oracle decks.
as often happens when you regularly operate within a bubble of familiarity, i subconsciously made the faulty assumption that what i am creating is a commonly understood concept.
so these confused conversations quickly reminded me of how i felt a decade ago, when these tools felt foreign and were veiled by my own skepticism.
whether you have also been giving me a quizzical look from behind your screen, or you fully comprehend what an oracle deck is, i'd like to thoroughly answer the following question for you:
whether you have also been giving me a quizzical look from behind your screen, or you fully comprehend what an oracle deck is, i'd like to thoroughly answer the following question for you:
what is an oracle deck?
an oracle deck is a tool designed to offer guidance and prompt introspection through images and words.
in history, an oracle was a source of wisdom or guidance - often associated with the divine. they would provide answers, often in symbolic, poetic or ritualized form.
in history, an oracle was a source of wisdom or guidance - often associated with the divine. they would provide answers, often in symbolic, poetic or ritualized form.
for example, you might have heard of the oracle of delphi, located in the template of apollo on mt. parnassus, from ancient greece, where the pythia (high priestess) would deliver prophecies from the god apollo.
with that in mind, you could say that an oracle deck is a modern adaptation of an ancient idea.
some oracle decks are also accompanied by a guidebook, which expands on the imagery and themes of each card and offers deeper context for personal interpretation. each card can speak differently depending on your mood, questions or where you are in life. there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to use it - only what feels meaningful in each moment.
together, the cards and deck help you pause, consider a question or situation and explore the resulting perspective that arises.
you might use an oracle when...
- you are at a crossroads, when a decision feels daunting or unclear.
- you feel disconnected from your inner voice, when life is saturated and noisy.
- you have been avoiding your emotions, when witnessing them might slow you down.
- you need perspective, when the story in your mind is biasing your perception of a situation.
- you crave a moment of pause, when life has moved faster than your heart can keep up with.
and that’s why i chose to create an oracle deck inspired by the animals and insects of the natural world. i had a strong desire to create something from nothing that was entirely my own, untethered from preexisting systems or structures - like tarot.
to define a visual and verbal language that would be your companion in moments of solitude when you could really use someone, or something, to help you find your way back to yourself.
just as you might use a planner to organize your day, a notebook to capture ideas or a meditation app to declutter your mental space, an oracle deck is a tool for your inner world.
and yet, unlike those more familiar tools, oracle decks are often met with skepticism. words like “intuition,” “ritual” or “spiritual practice” can feel mystical or unfamiliar, and some people assume you need a special ability to “use” them.
so you do not have to believe that an oracle deck is about predicting the future or receiving answers from somewhere outside of yourself. oracle decks are really just about reflection and perspective - unearthing what is already within you. and like a planner, a notebook or a meditation app, they only prove to be meaningful when you get curious, observe and adapt them to your own life.
ultimately, if you choose to invite an oracle deck into your life, your interaction with it is about the journey. each draw and reflection is but a singular moment of noticing yourself, in the world. and over time, each moment will accumulate into understanding that will grow and evolve. what is most important is that you choose a deck that speaks to you.
begin your exploration with what you are innately drawn to, without conscious reasoning.
how do you choose an oracle deck?
begin your exploration with what you are innately drawn to, without conscious reasoning.
there isn't an exact science to the act of choosing your own deck. it is less about picking the 'right' one and more about recognizing what resonates with you intuitively, visually, emotionally and physically.
- intuitively: begin your exploration with what you are innately drawn to, without conscious reasoning.
- visually: pay attention to the style (ie. minimal, abstract, realistic), colours (ie. neutral, earthy, vibrant, dark) and symbolism (ie. animals, goddesses, celestial, nature) to determine what you feel connected to.
- emotionally: consider the 'tone' of the language used, as decks can 'sound' different. you may encounter ones that are practical, gentle, direct or poetic, for example. you can optionally look up a guidebook or cards online to see if the messages invite you into dialogue.
- physically: notice what happens in your body as you explore. ease, repulsion, overwhelm or magnetic pull can be powerful indicators of choice.
sometimes, the right deck is the one you keep coming back to - even if you don't necessarily understand why. like any relationship, once you invite it to join you on your journey, your connection will grow with each interaction.