Using Tarot & Oracle Cards in Witchcraft

Everyone knows tarot and oracle cards are a tool for divination that can bring clarity, wisdom and insight into the past, present, and future. But there are other ways that you can use these magickal cards in your craft. 

The beauty of using tarot or oracle cards in your magick is that you needn’t be an experienced reader to do-so, so for those who have a magickal deck but have yet to learn to read them, or for readers who own a deck that they don’t resonate with in terms of readings, they can still be used for magickal work. For beginners it will take very little research, merely a quick flick through the guidebook to settle on a card that works for your purpose. Then all you need to do is charge it with your intention, and it’s ready for magick! 

Whether you’re reading your cards, or using them in your magick, always cleanse them before using them to remove any residual energy from their last use and ensure they are prepared for a fresh reading or spell. There are several ways to cleanse a deck, this can be done in much the same way as you’d cleanse any magickal tool, including smoke cleansing, the ringing of bells, knocking them firmly on the table, circling them with salt, laying them on a selenite slab, etc.

Understanding:

Pulling a few cards before spell work can help you to understand the situation at hand and have more insight into what energies or hidden circumstances might be at play before you work your magick.

Spell Craft:

You can incorporate cards into your spells in many ways. First choose a card that directly relates to the spell you’re casting. For example, if you need abundance, you might choose the Ten of Pentacles, or for manifestation, The Magician, for completing projects, or success, The World, and so on. Then find a way to work them into your spell craft; here are a few suggestions of how you can do this:

• Put the card under your candle when casting candle magick
• Place the card on your altar to represent and focus your intention
• Charge the card with your intention and carry it in your bag as a magickal charm

Shadow Work:

Use tarot or oracle cards to help you to work on your deeper issues and heal from past events or traumas. Allow them to help you to understand the blockages that stand between you and effective healing. You can pull cards alongside journaling to help you to pinpoint, and really work through issues that you may be repressing. This can be an emotional experience, but as difficult as shadow work is, it is both grounding and healing.

Communicating with Guides & Spirits:

I suggest that only experienced practitioners try this, for two reasons; one – they will be well-practiced at magickally protecting themselves from negative energies and spirits, and secondly, they will be experienced readers who can use their intuition to interpret the messages accurately rather than trying to make them fit what they wish to hear; an open mind is imperative.

Once you have protected yourself in a way that aligns with your practice, for example, casting a protective magick circle, meditate with your deck and visualise the connection being formed, and then use the cards to receive messages or answers to your questions. 

Dream Work:

Place an appropriate card under your pillow to encourage prophetic dreams – for example, if you wish to dream about a family issue to gain clarity you might place the Ten of Cups under your pillow. Always remember to keep a pen and paper nearby to note down your dreams when you wake for analysis later.

Drawing Energy:

Take a tarot or oracle card in both hands and draw energy from it. For instance, if you need determination, you may use a card such as The Chariot. Holding the card in your hands draw from it like you might any other magickal charm, and feel the determination of The Chariot flowing through you and surrounding you to support you as you go about your day.

Representing a Person:

Choose a card to represent a person you are casting a spell for and meditate with it before you work your magick. Then place it on your altar as a focal point to your spell to help you to direct your magick their way. 

Attraction:

Place a tarot or oracle card near the door to your home to attract. To attract happiness or success, you might select The Sun, or for peace and tranquillity, you might choose the Temperance card, for example. Charge the card with your intent, and visualise what it is you’d like to welcome into your home, and then place it near your door.

As you can see, these magickal cards can be a useful part of your craft way beyond the act of divination, and I hope this blog post has given you some good ideas about how you can use them in your magick ~ Deb