Oracle deck publishing has exploded since the 1990s. It is easy enough to find them online, but they also show up in the brick-and-mortar retail stores well outside the New Age stores, including places like TJ Maxx, Target, Ross, and Barnes and Noble.
A tarot deck specifically has 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Any deck of divination cards using a lesser or greater number of cards is an oracle deck. This article will look at the top five oracle decks currently available.
Thanks to Amazon, we can see which decks are the best sellers in multiple categories, beginning with the category: Books, but also including Tarot (where oracle cards get lumped in), Astrology, Occultism, Paganism, Witchcraft/Religion/Spirituality, and so on.
At the time this article was written, this deck was ranked #992 in Books, #4 in Astrology, and #6 in Tarot. Published by Hay House in 2018, you can find this deck in almost all retail stores, as well as online. The imagery is beautiful and the content is excellent. This deck is a great one to own and use, whether you are reading just for yourself, or for others.
From the back of the box:
The energy of the Moon has a formidable effect on our everyday life. Use these gorgeously illustrated oracle cards to tap into Her ancient wisdom for healing, guidance, and protection, and learn how to work with Her magical energy during each lunation.
The accompanying guidebook reveals how to interpret the cards and work with them to create, plan and predict your life. Whenever you need to make an important decision, just pick a card, and let the Moon guide you!
There are three of these decks so far: Samhain (2020), Yule (2021), and Beltane (2022). The Yule deck is a new entry, released in 2021, but it is currently ranked #1 in the categories Paganism and Occultism. It is #8 in Witchcraft/Religion/Spirituality and #2,207 in Books, which is pretty good to be out less than year. From Juliet Diaz and Lorraine Anderson, this deck is beautifully rendered, and an excellent one to add to your collection, especially if you feel connected to earth energies and Pagan beliefs.
From the back of the box:
As the wheel of year turns, Yule reminds us of warmth, happiness, and time to be thankful for all that we have. For centuries ancient healers have celebrated the restorative energy of the Yuletide festival, the traditional harsh winters reminding us of our innate ability to weather storms and find support and comfort with loved ones.
In Seasons of the Witch: Yule Oracle you’ll discover 44 healing messages to align you with the divine wisdom of the year’s darkest night and the joyful celebration associated with the winter holidays. This oracle is your path to deep reflection and tranquility—a promise to the brighter days to come.
Published in 2020 by Hay House and created by Rebecca Campbell and Danielle Noel, this 53-card deck is another fantastic oracle deck. This deck is ranked #3 in Fortune Telling, #9 in Tarot, and #1,514 in Books. The approach for this deck suggests that you might be a Starseed soul visiting this planet for a very specific purpose. These cards will help you determine if you are one of these souls and how to live your purpose. If you are a soul of another type, which is certainly possible, you may still find the messages in these cards immensely helpful.
From the back of the box:
Have you always had a longing for home without really knowing what that meant? If so, you could be a Starseed Soul. This activating oracle will help you to unlock your soul gifts, connect with your cosmic origins, and remember who you truly are.
Another very new entry that is highly ranked and worth owning and learning from. Published by Hay House, the clear leader in oracle deck publication, this deck was created by Abiola Abrams and contains 44 cards. It is currently ranked #1 in New Age Goddesses (Books), #8 in Tarot, and #1,442 in Books.
Here is a sample explanation of one of the cards, Mami Wata:
Goddess of Nakedness, Diaspora, Water Gazing in the Hidden Lake Ritual – “I have the courage to be vulnerable.”
Mami Wata’s Message: Maakye! Look who it is! My girl! What a grand day to be unapologetically you. The water only drinks your reflection. The water only sees your true face. Hide no more. Be naked. Emotionally naked. (249)
Published in 2018 by Hay House and created by Kyle Grey and Lily Moses, this deck mixes Angelic guidance with Ancestral wisdom. This 55-card deck offers yet another insightful set of cards to spiritual seekers. Ranked #3 in Angels & Spirit guides (Books), #17 in Tarot, and #2,990 in Books, this deck rounds out the collection of the top 5 oracle decks nicely.
From the back of the box:
We are surrounded by countless guides who want to share their knowledge with us to bring healing and change. Among them are the Angels and Ancestors.
Including images from Celtic, Native American, Aboriginal, and Earth-based spiritualities, Angels and Ancestors crosses the divide between all cultures to bridge the gap between this world and the next. It is a powerful tool, ready to help you unlock the answers that are waiting within you through the divine and ancient wisdom of the Angels and Ancestors.
