First things first, what's the difference between tarot and oracle decks?
Tarot decks follow a traditional structure. A portion of the tarot deck is called the Major Arcana, and it is comprised of the major themes in life. This is where you'll see cards such as Death, The Tower, The Fool, The Magician, etc. The rest of the deck is called the Minor Arcana, and it is comprised of four suits. The Minor Arcana represents the smaller, day-to-day themes in life.
On the other hand, Oracle decks are cards used for divination that follow whatever structure is determined by the creator of the deck.
Regardless of whether it is a Tarot or Oracle deck, the creator of the deck has plenty of room for interpretation. Each deck will follow its own theme, style, and / or structure.
While you can use one deck for all your readings, matching which deck you use to the type of reading you give can add an extra layer of richness to your reading. For example, when I give Tarot readings, I love to end the reading with an Oracle card pull from a deck of either affirmations or positive advice. It is a lovely way to bring a note of positivity to the reading.
In no particular order, here is a list of 20 Tarot and Oracle decks that I love to work with. If you make a purchase through the links in this post, I may earn a small commission.
1. The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans
This is the first Tarot deck that I bought, and it has never failed me. The art is a mix of black ink and watercolor, and it speaks to my heart in such a direct way.
This deck is non-traditional in the art as well as in the names of the court cards. Traditionally, the court cards (4 types of cards in each of the Minor Arcana suits) are Page, Knight, Queen, King. In the Wild Unknown Tarot, they are Daughter, Son, Mother, Father, respectively.
2. The Oracle of the Fairies by Karen Kay
I love this deck for the easy readability of it. For the most part, the cards speak for themselves. This is one of those decks that you can use in a reading without ever turning to the guidebook, which is a plus for me.
Each card has one archetypal fairy with a small tagline under it, describing what the card is trying to get across. Beyond the clarity of the cards, the art is beautiful, uplifting, and incredibly detailed.
3. Light Seer's Tarot by Chris-Anne
One of the newer additions to my collection, this deck has quickly become one of my top favorites! It's one of those decks that speaks its message so clearly.
The art is absolutely gorgeous, with all kinds of magic symbolism subtly integrated into the cards.
Highly recommend!
4. Keepers of the Light Oracle Cards by Kyle Gray
If you're into deities, ascended masters, and angels, then this is the deck for you. Each card is represented by one being and the archetypal energy they represent.
The guidebook is a fantastic tool for learning about these energies. Whether you believe they are sentient beings or simply archetypal figures, this deck has a multitude of uses.
I love pulling one of these cards before meditating and then asking for messages from whoever I draw from the deck while I meditate.
5. The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Oracle Cards by Kim Krans
I have a soft spot for any Kim Krans creation, since her Wild Unknown Tarot deck first introduced me to the world of Tarot.
The Wild Unknown style carries into this gorgeous deck.
This deck is split into 5 suits: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Each card features one animal that relates to the suit it is represented by.
In the guidebook, Kim details what to expect when the energy of the card is in balance as well as out of balance. She also offers advice on how to bring the energy into balance (types of yoga, self-care practices, meditations, etc.).
6. The Starseed Oracle by Rebecca Campbell
I am mildly obsessed with anything Rebecca Campbell creates! Her message is so pure, beautiful, and inspiring.
If you want to learn about planets, galaxies, extraterrestrial beings, and your connection to all of the above, then this is the deck for you.
I love the educational aspect of this deck. It pushes you to expand your consciousness to something beyond the limits of Earth.
7. Butterfly Affirmations Oracle Deck by Alana Fairchild
You will only get positivity from this deck. There is no guidebook included with this deck because the cards speak or themselves. That makes their readability beginner-friendly.
Each card has an affirmation that, in my experience using this deck, cuts right to the heart of whatever issue you are facing.
This is one of the decks that I love to use to punctuate Tarot readings with a note of positivity.
8. The Wild Unknown Archetypes Deck by Kim Krans
I adore this deck! Beyond the fact that is carries Kim's Wild Unknown art style, it has round cards!!!
The archetypes that she chose for this deck evoke instantaneous symbols, thoughts, feelings, memories, and symbolism -- as all archetypes should.
Beyond that, her art is stunning, enticing, and haunting. Of course, the guidebook goes way in depth about each of the archetypes represented in the deck.
9. Work Your Light Oracle Cards by Rebecca Campbell
Yes, another Rebecca Campbell work of art! If the term "lightworker" resonates with you, then this deck is for you. Every card taps into an aspect of positive spirituality, and teaches you to use it to uplift humanity as a whole through uplifting yourself.
This is one of those decks that is beneficial not just for giving accurate readings, but for inspiring and educating the reader as they learn about and master the deck.
The guidebook also includes activations that you can speak aloud to tap into the energy the card brings forth.
10. The Akashic Tarot by Sharon Anne Klinger & Sandra Anne Taylor
While I don't make future predictions through my readings, this is the one deck I trust to show me the timelines accurately. It is by far the most precise, in-depth, accurate Tarot deck I have ever worked with.
It is so energetically potent that I only use it a few times a year for personal readings when I need a deep dive into myself and my spirituality.
This is the least traditional Tarot deck I have come across. The cards, especially the Major Arcana, are totally different from the traditional Tarot structure. It references angels and ascended masters. If you want a deep education on spirituality as well as some raw, accurate readings, then this deck is absolutely for you.
11. Dark Mirror Oracle Cards by Riccardo Minetti & Laura Sava
This is the ultimate Shadow Work deck. As its name implies, it forces you to look at the darker parts of yourself... the parts that may be hard to acknowledge. However, shadow work is key to growth and personal development.
This deck is funky cool, especially because its guidebook's English translation is a little wonky, so you have to dive into the poetry of the words to truly understand the card's meaning. It forces you to think about the deeper meanings behind the complex cards.
12. Numerology Guidance cards by Michelle Buchanan
This deck boils Numerology down to basic themes. Each card features a number and a theme (for the most part, one word).
If you don't know much about Numerology, this is a great deck to begin to open your mind to the association between numbers and themes. This is the type of deck that cuts right to the chase, bringing light to the seed of the topic at hand in any given reading.
13. Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards by James Van Praagh
This is a special deck for a first foray into the world of Mediumship. The cards themselves offer beautiful messages from dead loved ones, but the real special part is the additional messages in the guidebook.
Each card has a 1-2 page letter from your loved one in the guidebook. The messages in the guidebook go in-depth and tend to offer detailed loving messages that are reassuring and beautiful.
14. Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland
When a deck teaches me something, then it is immediately on my "favorites" list, and this deck is one of those. Not only does it teach you about the moon phases, but it also teaches you about astrology -- a pleasant bonus!
Every moon phase in every astrological sign is represented in this deck, and they are all described in-depth in the guidebook. I have to say, this has been one of the most educational decks I have worked with. Highly recommend!!!
15. The Soul's Journey Lessons Cards by James Van Praagh
By far, this is one of the most helpful decks I have worked with when it comes to overall personal development. I've yet to come across another deck that touches on the Lessons aspect of life in the way this deck does.
The reason I love it so much is because everything in life is about the lesson. The lesson is the key to healing, to transforming your trauma into your superpower.
Time and time again, I have seen this deck identify in the most precise manner why my clients experience the challenges they experience. I wish I could shout from the rooftops just how helpful and accurate this deck is!
16. Archetype Cards by Carolyn Myss
This is another educational deck that takes you down a rabbit hole of learning. Carolyn Myss has a book and a board game all about archetypes -- identifying the strongest ones within you, the main archetypes everyone possesses, and what it all means. However, you can learn it all through this deck alone.
What I love most about this deck is that each card has both the light and shadow traits of each archetype on the card itself. Because of that, you can give nice in-depth readings without having to turn to a guidebook.
17. The Motivation Manifesto Cards by Brendon Burchard
This deck is based off Brendon's book by the same name.
When I tap into the energy of the deck, I see a chorus of little balls of energy that act as cheerleaders.
If you want to figure out why your projects are stagnant or why you're lacking energy, then this is the deck for you! Each card goes into detail about an aspect of yourself and your energy in an effort to help you stay on track with your goals and dreams.
18. Messages From the Guides Transformation Cards by James Van Praagh
Yes, another James Van Praagh deck! This deck helps you to get messages directly from your guides in a clear and concise way.
When I use this deck in readings, the answers are crystal clear. This is one of those decks where you can refer to the guidebook, but you really don't need to. The cards speak for themselves. Definitely a beginner-friendly deck!
19. Earth Magic Oracle Cards by Steven D. Farmer
This deck is fantastic for connecting to Earth energy and the archetypal elements of this beautiful planet we live on.
Each card represents a nature element of the Earth as well as a topic or theme it represents. With a detailed guidebook, it is great for using the subtler energies of the Earth as a guidance system for your own life.
If you're interested in learning about symbolism and in opening your mind to the language of intuition, then this deck is for you!
20. The Mirror Within Oracle Deck by Rebecca Vigeant
Of course, I had to include my own deck in this list! The Mirror Within gently guides you to look within yourself and see just what your inner voice is trying to tell you.
What makes this deck unique is the yes / no system built into the deck. Half the deck has yes on the bottom of the cards, and the other half has no. You can use this deck to directly answer yes / no questions, while the phrases on the cards add richness to your readings.
Alternatively, you can use the deck for open-ended questions, as you traditionally would with a Tarot or Oracle deck.
Each card has 3 phrases on them. They cover pieces of advice for personal development that aim to highlight exactly what the whisper of your intuition is saying to you.