Why Oracle Cards and History
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to exploring life’s deeper meaning and alternative paths. This fascination fueled my Bachelor’s degree, where I delved into the world of Tarot cards, even writing a thesis titled “Gnosis and Symbolism of Good and Evil in Tarot Cards.” The parallels between the Tarot’s journey and our own life’s path continue to intrigue me. My journey with the Tarot isn’t just about established meanings. I actively draw my own interpretations of the Major Arcana, constantly evolving my understanding.
I’ve amassed a collection of beautiful Tarot decks, each reflecting the unique vision of different artists. While I believe Tarot, used wisely, can offer profound insights and resonate with our life’s experiences, I recently felt a desire for a lighter approach. This led me to explore the world of Oracle cards.
Working with an Oracle deck so far is a delightful adventure. It fostering the development of my intuition and sharpening my ability to think abstractly. It’s a refreshing and insightful addition to my exploration of self and the mysteries of life.
Short Introduction to Oracle Cards
As an alternative to Tarot, oracle cards provide a more intuitive method. Their Self-explanatory structure makes them easier to understand.
These cards can be arranged in any way and usually include an image along with a keyword or phrase. Like tarot cards, they offer direction and encourage introspection.
They inspire our creativity, make us reflect on ourselves, and offer spiritual guidance. They facilitate communication with unseen forces and help us tap into our inner wisdom.
Cartomancy
“Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. Forms of cartomancy appeared soon after playing cards were introduced into Europe in the 14th century.Practitioners of cartomancy are generally known as cartomancers, card readers, or simply readers.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartomancy
We have always been fascinated by the idea of utilising symbols to foretell the future. The decision-making processes of ancient societies, such as the Greeks, Celts, and Egyptians, involved more than just tossing coins. They used a variety of divination techniques, such as deciphering object meanings. These tools of symbolism might be thought of as the primitive predecessors of our oracle cards today.
Short History
In Europe, cartomancy’s roots go back to the 14th century, when playing cards morphed into a tool for fortune-telling. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it thrived among the upper class, with famed figures like Marie-Anne Lenormand leading the way.
Marie Lenormand (1772-1843),also known as Marie Anne Le Normand, was a transcended bookseller.
Not only was she a bookseller, but she was also an expert in the field of the occult. She made a name for herself as a fortune-teller by weaving her way into society. Lenormand’s talent for cartomancy, which is the use of cards for divination purposes, captured the public’s attention. Her readings, especially of famous people, helped to solidify her reputation and had a major impact on the growth of the French cartomancy at the end of the 18th century.
According to some accounts, Lenormand claimed to have created the cards herself, using her knowledge of numerology, astrology, and other mystical traditions to design a deck uniquely suited to divination.
The Renaissance saw the development of oracle cards into a more recognisable shape. These cards, which were frequently painted by hand and lavishly embellished, provided the nobles with both amusement from games and wisdom from divination.
Because the New Age movement embraced spirituality and psychic phenomena, oracle cards enjoyed a sharp increase in popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. New decks with a wide range of themes and beliefs were released in profusion at this time.
Oracle cards act as a bridge between our minds and our subconscious. They prompt us to think about ourselves, ignite our creativity, and provide spiritual guidance. They help us access our inner wisdom and communicate with invisible forces.
Thank you, for reading, please share your thoughts.
Anna
Sources:
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