Why did I choose these oracles?
- Estelle means star
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
My process for choosing an oracle
Like many cartomancers, I work with oracles and tarot decks that speak to me. Each deck has its own unique energy, a presence that either resonates with me or doesn’t. But how do I choose an oracle from so many possibilities? For me, it all starts with a visual immersion.
I can’t exactly pinpoint when it happens, but when I am drawn to a new oracle, my first instinct is to search for photos of its cards online. Sometimes, just one glance is enough to know if I’ll connect with it. Do the images inspire me? Do they awaken something within me? If the cards captivate me with their mystery or aesthetic, that's a good sign. However, not all oracles of the same style attract me automatically.
The importance of visuals
My choice is largely based on the visual universe. I can be equally drawn to soft, almost soothing tones, like those of the Heart Chakra Oracle or The Wisdom of the Oracle, as well as to more vibrant and intense creations, such as The Médeores Oracle or The African Goddesses Oracle.
These contrasts perfectly illustrate my approach: the diversity of artistic expression nourishes my intuition. These contrasts and opposites also reflect my belief: regardless of our skin color, nationality, gender, or opinions, we all have red blood.
An encounter with each oracle
When I receive a new oracle, it's always a special moment. I love taking the time to carefully study each card one by one. There is a creative fervor in these illustrations, an intention of love. These details, these symbols, evoke different impressions within me at various times, inviting me sometimes to reflect, sometimes to feel peace or inspiration.
On average, I spend 20 to 30 minutes familiarizing myself with a new deck. During these suspended moments, I let myself be carried away by the energies the cards exude, without trying to interpret anything.
The challenges of handling cards
However, as beautiful as oracles may be, they are not always easy to handle. I sometimes face some challenges with them. For example, I have small hands, and oracle cards are often quite large. When I have the choice, like with The African Goddesses Oracle, I prefer the "mini" version, which is the size of playing cards. Nevertheless, this oracle is one of those that remains easy to handle even in its standard version.
Some decks, despite their large size, are surprisingly easy to manage, while others are almost impossible to handle.
I discovered this recently with an absolutely stunning tarot deck. The cards captivate me with their beauty and fascinate me every time I look at them. However, it's impossible for me to shuffle them properly. Although they are the same size as other decks I can handle without issue, this one gives me a hard time. My only solution is to lay them out on a table and mix them that way. This prevents me from fully connecting with the deck at the moment, and I don't yet enjoy drawing from it despite its enchanting beauty.
Why oracles and not tarot?
This is also why I prefer working with oracles. They give me more freedom than tarot, whose readings are often more structured and codified. I admit that the world of tarot makes me feel less secure: its rigid structure and arcana sometimes impose constraints that I don't feel with the more intuitive, freer oracles.
Gratitude and creative inspiration
I also feel deep gratitude toward the creators of these oracles. I like to imagine these artists as luminous souls who have poured their hearts into these works. I wish them as much happiness as they bring me through their creations.
This passion for oracles has also inspired me to create my own illustrations. Yes, I use artificial intelligence to design them, but don't be mistaken: this process is far from "automatic." It relies on the art of the prompt, that precise and personal description that brings an image to life. You, dear reader, if you were to try the experiment, would write a prompt different from mine, as each person projects their own feelings and universe into these words. That's what makes my illustrations unique. They reflect my perception, just as each oracle I choose echoes something intimate within me.
Conclusion: explore oracles your way
If you, too, are drawn to oracles, take the time to explore those that speak to you. They might reveal unexpected facets of yourself. And who knows? One day, you might create something unique of your own, inspired by these beautiful souls.
Credits for the mentioned oracles:
Heart Chakra Oracle: Created by Isabelle Cerf, illustrated by Jena DellaGrottagia, published by Exergue Editions.
Wisdom of the Oracle: Created by Colette Baron-Reid, illustrated by Wild Amanda, published by Exergue Editions.
Medeores Oracle: Created by Stéphanie Abellan, illustrated by Noémie Tricoche, published by Exergue Editions.
African Goddesses Oracle: Created by Abiola Abrams, illustrated by Noémie Destiney Powell, published by Le Lotus et l'Éléphant (Hachette Livre) and by Hay House for the pocket version in English.
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