Leela J WilliamsI’ve met more than a few people who proudly tell me that they never read the guidebooks that come with their oracle decks. They go straight for the art, the vibes and the intuitive hit. And hey — no shade! In a rush, I’ve pulled a card, glanced at the art and keywords, felt the message was obvious, and moved on. Oracle artwork can be so richly symbolic that it opens our third eye and starts channelling. When I draw a card, I approach its message through the imagery. But stopping there is akin to seeing part of the picture.
Once I have allowed the imagery to speak and my own intuitions and interpretations have revealed themselves, I dive straight into the guidebook. The author’s words might confirm or deepen my impressions. They might challenge me — or gently cajole — to ask whether I’m hearing my ego or my higher self. Better, they might open me to an entirely new way of looking at things, lifting perspective, inspiring contemplation or sparking a flurry of insight.
I know this experience isn’t unique to me. I’ve seen the wonder of guidebook messages firsthand hundreds of times. If you have connected with me or Tarotopia at a psychic fair or festival, you may have chosen a card from the magic barrel. Those who have never experienced oracle cards before can be a little nervous when we invite them to choose a message for the day. But that trepidation never lasts long — and this is where it gets interesting.
It’s wonderful to watch people’s initial reaction to the card. They may smile, nod or raise a knowing eyebrow. When they read the guidebook message, the response is more profound. It’s not unusual for people to laugh out loud, to hold back tears, to look at me conspiratorially and say, “It’s like it was written just for me.” I can only nod because I know exactly what they mean.
As a textual soul who has edited, contributed to and written oracle decks, I must declare my bias. Authors give real heart to their creations, carefully choosing their words to lovingly package meaning, intention and insight into messages that speak to your soul. They are also an opportunity to learn more about other realms and associations. Decks like Goddess Within Oracle and Divine Masculine Healing Oracle include the myth as well as a message from each of the deities. I asked Christabel Jessica, the author of these sets, how long it takes her to write a guidebook:
“It’s hard to say. So much is formed in the mind ahead of the writing process. In a way, projects are an amalgamation of every experience and conversation, each piece of advice received and shared since birth. I’ve had projects physically shape over the course of one year and others over five years. It depends so much on what sprouts along the way.”
I understand that not everyone is a reader, but it is worth journeying beyond the pictures and our own impressions. Oracle authors write the messages so that the card meanings are clear. When we reach for an oracle, isn’t it clarity that we’re looking for? Award-winning tarot and oracle creator Ravynne Phelan shared a little of her writing process:
“Writing a guidebook is an intensely individual process that is often very different from one deck to another, even when authored by the same person. The guidebook for The Dreams of Gaia Tarot came together after nine long years of journalling about lived experiences, observation of humanity and research. The guidebook took almost six months to complete. This is in complete contrast to the guidebook for Seeker Oracle, which was completed in a month through an intuitive process of pairing messages with the artwork. Of course, it helps when I am both the artist and the author. Finally, the guidebook for Dracones Loqui was a blend of a love for fantasy and a desire to create a deck that supports neurodivergent thinking and practices. I had three dragons speaking to me. I often had to focus on one at a time, so I stayed true to each and allowed them to become distinctly individual voices.”
For Maxine Gadd’s Zoologica: The Steampunk Oracle, I wrote two messages for every card. One message was inspired by the idea that every time we come to the cards, we are a different person with a different question. These messages combine story elements and coded clues to offer unique advice with every reading. For those times when you want a short, sharp answer handed to you on a plate, there is the one-minute message that gets to the chase and requires no interpretation.
With its steampunk theme, this oracle provides a strong example of why card meanings cannot be assumed. Butterflies are associated with transformation, but as the steampunk butterfly on Card 29 was never a caterpillar, it has an entirely different meaning. If you look closely, you can see one of the pieces is imprinted with “Lady Elgin.” This is a clue to understanding its message of “Salvaged Beauty.”
Just as certain artwork draws you in, there are authors whose words can create a safe space to heal and grow — or launch you into new heights of consciousness. So, to those who say they never use the guidebook, maybe, just maybe, next time you draw a card, take a peek at the message. You might find it has something unexpected to say — something that feels like it was written just for you. In many ways, it really was.
Connect with Leela J. Williams at https://linktr.ee/leelajwilliams. Discover more of her work, including Maxine Gadd’s Zoologica: The Steampunk Oracle, at Tarotopia.
Eleni Seitis
Kaz Waters
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