Sugar’s Deck Guide
Why even use decks?
Using tarot or oracle cards is a great tool to use in readings to provide clarity to the signs and messages you are receiving in your reading and to help guide you towards solutions so you can be aware of what’s needed from you moving forward. Many messages come through during readings and cards help us determine what they could possibly mean from a special, guided perspective. Other helpful tools are pendulums, astrology di, charms, etc. Cards are most common and beginner friendly because there are various ways to use them. Cards can help structure your readings if you’re still unsure or unfamiliar with seeking messages from the spiritual world. Practicing different spreads using various types of decks is a great way to strengthen your intuition or become closer to your spiritual team (angels, ancestors, and guides). Most decks are composed of many cards that make great, direct signs as they have visual images printed directly on them that can make the answers you’re receiving during your reading easier to understand. Decks can be gifted, but they don’t have to be. Out of all the decks I own, only one was a gift. Shoutout to my honey bun whom I love so dearly for one of my favorite tarot decks. You should purchase your first deck as soon as you wish to start reading and feel comfortable doing so. All of your decks should have intentions which you set once it’s in your possession and before you begin using it. Have certain decks designated for use only on you and for use on other people. It’s normal to also take your time once you’ve bought your first deck. I remember purchasing my first tarot deck and not fully using it until a couple of months later. The reason for that was being occupied with obligations and other responsibilities physically and mentally. I recommend having a clear head and not being distracted when centering yourself and communicating with the spiritual world. If you’re not interested in reading for yourself or learning how to read cards, but still want to receive divine messages to help you along your journey, book a personal card reading with us.
Pro tip: Protect your spiritual tools the same way you would your physical body and birth chart. Only allow people you're close to and trust to handle your crystals, cards, etc. Respect for other people's things is emphasized when it comes to spiritual tools or personal decks. Don't touch anyone else's unless you have permission to do so. Also don't just let anyone touch your crystals, cards, etc. Always ask for consent. Spirit is just as deep and intimate as sex you do not want a bunch of people's energy clouding it's clarity.
Difference between Oracle & Tarot Cards
I always tell people the difference between tarot & oracle decks is the structure. The standard and classic tarot deck includes 78 cards in total. 53 of those cards are minor arcana and arranged into 4 suits commonly known as pentacles, swords, cups, and wands. The major arcana includes cards for each zodiac sign and planet for a total of 22. Most tarot decks on the market stick to this structure although there may be slight variations or extra cards included. Oracle cards however tend to vary much more in design and structure. Oracle cards can be about anything and although some of them are inspired by tarot, they don’t have to include major or minor arcana. Tarot and oracle cards can both be inspired by something such as love, dreams, astrology, etc. I do notice that oracle cards tend to help address emotion and feelings more so than tarot. The cups suit in minor arcana addresses this in tarot, however oracle cards can include modern images and descriptions of the spectrum of emotion in the physical world. Use whichever you find more comforting to read or whichever you feel to use that day. I have been gravitating towards my oracle cards more often these days because I love how my oracle decks include pretty much everything. I also recommend pulling tarot cards first and using oracle to clarify or vice versa whichever is easiest.
Where to purchase decks
In person/online spiritual shops
Directly from the deck creator’s website
Etsy (delivery may take several weeks depending on location)
Amazon (fast delivery, easy to find, make sure you’re buying the official product from the creator)
makeplayingcards.com- find small deck creators, unique decks, create your own deck, upload your designs to be printed
Disclaimer: be wary of purchasing decks from in person flea markets, ebay, mercari, and some Amazon sellers etc. sites like those are known for distributing duplicates which are decks not created by the original seller and are basically fake. Think knock off bags, but that appears to be the real designer bag. You'll notice the card stock is often not the same or of poor quality, the images are incorrectly printed, words and other writing just doesn't look the same are typical signs to look out for. Try your best to buy directly from the creator or a trusted seller on Amazon!
How to begin card reading
If you want to begin reading, take your time choosing a deck that speaks to your soul best and start practicing. I would suggest trying distinct spreads that are simple 3 cards, until you feel comfortable and confident in your interpretations. Some decks come with ideas for spreads in the guidebook, but if you ever need more spread ideas check out Pinterest. Then you can ask friends or family members to read for them as well if they are comfortable receiving whatever you have to tell them. Disclaimer: It’s VERY important that you make it clear before you begin any reading for another person that the messages you receive are only being shared with them and they should only take what resonates. This promotes trust and detachment between both parties which is vital for the reading experience to go positive, be accepted, understood, and well received. You do not want to attach yourself to every single message you receive because not all of it will apply, is set in stone, or will come into fruition. Even positive messages sometimes have to be taken with a grain of salt. We are beings experiencing life and a huge part of life is change. Seeing symbols and other imagery could help you connect with the messages or remind you of something connected to or relevant to you. It’s important to choose a deck you personally connect with whether you plan on using it to read for yourself, friends, family, partner, or clients. If you do read for other people make sure you regularly cleanse your decks (& all other spiritual tools) used in your readings or placed on your altar to clear the energy. When beginning your reading, choose the deck(s) you naturally gravitate towards or feel like using that particular day. Pay attention to whether it’s tarot or oracle, the style of the illustrations, which colors you see used, & whether there is other information included such as words or numbers. Many decks come with guide books which are useful in explaining each card’s intention or meaning if you find yourself stuck. It’s perfectly fine and normal to use the guidebook from time to time as a professional. Guidebooks also include longer descriptions that can provide several different points of perspective. I notice once you have over 3 decks it becomes difficult to remember every single meaning of each card especially if they are both tarot and oracle. You don’t have to remember every tarot card and their meaning by heart, but study them enough to know the base interpretation and meaning of each one. Just make sure you’re relying on your own intuition because that's how the message and solutions relevant to the situation and person will resonate the most.
Pro tip: Sound can quickly clear the energy of a deck. Simply ‘tap’ or ‘knock’ on the back of the deck while it’s in your hands for a quick cleanse. This is useful to do in between readings if you read professionally or do many readings a day.
Sugar’s Faves
I have about 12 decks in total so far to date (07/04/22). 4 tarot decks and 8 oracle decks. I’ve been reading cards for over 2 years now and my collection is still very much growing. In addition to cards, I pride myself on using astrology di and small charms to give my clients further insight during their reading. Here’s a list of my decks and my favorite thing about each.
The Urban Tarot deck- tarot cards, the only deck I was gifted, very connected to this one and prefer to use it on myself or my partner, inspired by NYC MTA train system and I’m a New Yorker, very personal deck and I’ll admit some of the images are dark and very realistic so my 8H moon loves the imagery.
AMEO Deck (Esty)- oracle cards, great for astrologer’s, astrology enthusiasts, etc. to channel specific placements, aspects, and zodiac signs
Prism Oracle by Nicole Pivirotto- oracle cards, great for daily energy, chakra, or aura readings, very colorful deck, and beginner friendly
Energy Oracle cards by Sandra Anne Taylor- oracle cards, my newest deck shoutout to my soul sister for recommending this beautiful deck, popular among YouTube tarot readers, reminds me of a tarot deck despite it being oracle, most versatile deck
Mystic Mondays Tarot Deck- tarot cards, very colorful and modern interpretation of tarot, great for younger beginners, sentimental & special to me this was my first ever tarot deck and the one I used for months on myself and clients until I felt ready and needed to expand
Modern Love Tarot Deck- tarot cards inspired by all types of love, as a Libra I love to use this specifically for love readings on my clients, I love the gold accents in the design and the colorful images
Modern Witch Tarot Deck- tarot cards, my best deck to use on my clients, bought this deck in person, I customized the edges to make them colorful using highlighter markers
True Love Reading Cards- oracle cards, very helpful if doing healing work around intimacy, love, and connection, another great one for love readings
Sugar Says..
There is a difference between oracle and tarot cards although each one has its benefits and purpose.
Don’t wait for anyone to gift you a deck. Start purchasing decks to practice reading and take your time learning tarot.
Decks can be helpful used in addition with other spiritual tools to enhance readings and connect with them better. If it comes with a guidebook, use it!
Cleanse your decks and spiritual tools more than you use them.
Separate the decks you use to read yourself and the ones used to read on others.
Practice detachment when reading and channeling messages. Not all messages are for you or will resonate and it’s important not to force it.
Take your time building your collection and only get decks that speak to you personally, not just popular ones.
Always trust your gut and have fun with tarot/oracle deck reading whether you do it professionally or for personal use.
