Creating Your Own Oracle Wisdom Cards

Oracle cards have been around — in one form or another — for hundreds of years. You can use them to meditate, connect with the universe, find your purpose in life, and get insights about your past, present, and future.

What’s the great thing about making your own Oracle cards? There are no rules!

So many styles exist, but maybe you don’t feel connected to them. Or, perhaps it’s something simpler than that: you just like to create and personalise your things!

Whatever the reason may be, handmade DIY Oracle cards are super satisfying to look at, and using them also feels more powerful.

Here’s a step-by-step guide (with ideas) on making your own Oracle cards.

Step 1: Pick a Theme; the Wilder, the Better

What do you find interesting or sacred in the universe? Is it the animals, birds, or underwater creatures? Is it the silent whispers of a botanical garden with plants and flowers?

Maybe it’s ancient Greek gods or the seven wonders of the world.

Some more ideas:

Cosmic Constellations: Mysteries of the night sky, each card representing a different constellation and its mythological story.

Folklore and Fairytales: The enchanting world of fairytales, with characters and morals from stories across the globe.

The Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air — each Oracle card holding the elemental energies of these primal forces.

Dreamscapes and Surrealism: Create a deck inspired by the bizarre and beautiful world of dreams and surrealistic art.

Cinematic Inspiration: Each card represents a theme or emotion from movies, transforming iconic scenes and cinematic emotions into symbolic messages for guidance and reflection.

Historical Eras: Travel through time with cards representing different historical periods, from the ancient Egyptians to the Roaring Twenties.

Mythical Creatures: Unicorns, dragons, phoenixes – a deck filled with mythical beings and their legendary powers.

Musical Genres: Each card resonates with a different musical style, from classical symphonies to electric rock anthems.

Spirit Animals: A deck where each card represents an animal and its spiritual significance.

Ocean Depths: Explore the mysteries of the deep sea with cards featuring ocean creatures and underwater landscapes.

Art Movements: Each card is inspired by different art styles and famous artworks from the Renaissance to Modernism.

Sacred Geometry: Shapes and patterns that hold symbolic value based on what your intuition says for each shape.

Gemstones and Crystals: A glittering deck where each card represents a different gemstone and its healing properties.

Seasonal Cycles: Cards that reflect the changing seasons and the cyclic nature of life. You can also add different kinds of weather to it.

IMPORTANT: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel or come up with something entirely new; always remember the goal: to create something from within. It’s not a competition of originality or aesthetics.

So, head to Pinterest and look up “Oracle deck ideas.” You’ll find that the possibilities are endless!

You can even combine different themes. For example, there are oracle cards that are a fusion of the stars and the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. Such oracle cards connect your consciousness with the universe for wisdom and advice that soothes the ache of living.

Step 2: Work Out the Specifics of Your Oracle Cards

Once you’ve pinned down the theme and looked up ideas on Pinterest, the next step is to work out the specifics. As mentioned, the possibilities are endless in all aspects of creating your own Oracle cards. These aspects include:

Number of Oracle Cards

Unlike a deck of tarot cards with 78 cards divided into the major and minor arcana, you have a lot of creative freedom with Oracle card decks. You can have as few as 12 cards or as many as 44 Oracle cards or more. It’s really all up to you!

Size of Oracle Cards

Consider a standard tarot card size (about 2.75 × 4.75 inches / 6.9 × 12 cm) for easy handling and familiarity, but feel free to experiment with larger or smaller sizes.

Some more options:

Mini Size Cards (1.75 × 2.5 inches / 4.45 × 6.3 cm): Compact and perfect for on-the-go readings or for those who prefer minimalistic cards.

Standard Playing Card Size (2.5 × 3.5 inches / 6.3 × 9 cm): If you’re used to traditional card games.

Oversized Cards (4 × 6 inches / 9 × 15 cm): Great for impactful visuals and easy reading, suitable for those who prefer a larger format for display or meditation.

Colors

Isn’t it amazing how colours can make us feel? If simply wearing a different colour can change our body language, imagine the impact it can have on how we channel divine knowledge through Oracle cards.

Let your intuition guide you here. Which colours are you drawn to? Which colours make you feel magical? It can be pastel, black and white, holographic or solid, rich colours.

Thinking about what you will use these cards for can lead you in the right direction.

Shapes

When considering the shape of your cards, it’s worth exploring beyond the traditional rectangular format to add a unique touch to your deck.

Here are a few ideas:

Circular Cards: Offering a 360-degree view, circular cards symbolise concepts like wholeness, cycles, and continuity. But you might need some practice shuffling them.

Square Cards: Square cards represent stability and balance, offering a unique layout for your artwork and text. Some people find it easier to handle them than other shapes.

Oval Cards: Oval cards are visually pleasing and symbolise growth and movement. They strike the balance of looking different and being easy to handle.

Hexagonal Cards: If you want to go down the unconventional route, hexagonal cards can add an element of novelty and are great for patterns and mandala-style artwork.

Messages, Words, and Symbols

When it comes to the content of your Oracle cards, the messages, words, or symbols you choose are the soul of your cards. They can guide, inspire, and provoke thought, depending on what you use them for.

Here’s a list to spark some ideas:

Inspirational quotes
Affirmations
Powerful, single words
Symbolic imagery
Short poems or haikus
Personal mantras, reflecting the energy or lesson of each card
Numerology or astrology
Chakra symbols
Personal memories or stories

Step 3: Gather Your Supplies

What can you use for your Oracle cards? Go to the stationery shop and pick whatever catches your eye, or look for what you already have lying around the house.

Get creative!

Some ideas of supplies you can use include (but are not limited to):

Watercolour paint
Coloured pencils
Markers
Old book pages & magazines for collage
Glitter and sequins
Fabric scraps
Pressed flowers or leaves
Stickers
Washi tape
Ink and stamps
Acrylic paints
Charcoal or pastels
Ribbon and lace
Photographs

Step 4: Time to Create!

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and bring your Oracle cards to life!

Remember, the beauty of this project lies in its flexibility and personal touch. You don’t need to be a master artist to create something meaningful and beautiful.

Whether it’s a few simple lines or a detailed portrait, what matters most is the intention and energy you put into it.

Techniques to Explore

Direct Colouring: You can start by directly colouring on your cardstock using markers, coloured pencils, or crayons. It’s straightforward and allows you to feel each stroke as you apply it.

Painting: For those who love brushes and textures, acrylics or watercolours on your cards can add depth and a tactile feel.

Line Drawing: A simple pen or fine liner can be your tool to create elegant and minimalistic designs.

Collage: Don’t shy away from using magazine cut-outs, fabric scraps, or any interesting materials you find. A glue stick is all you need to start layering these onto your cards for a unique, mixed-media effect.

Digital Design and Printing: If you’re more tech-savvy or prefer a cleaner look, designing and printing your cards digitally is a great option.

Use software like Photoshop or free online tools to create your designs. When printing, aim for a high DPI (dots per inch) – ideally 300 DPI for crisp and clear images.

If you’re using a home printer, test print one card to check the colour and quality before printing the entire set. You can also get professional printing services for a more polished look.

Step 5: Some Final Touches

Once your cards are complete, it’s best to laminate them to protect them from tea spills (we’ve all been there!) and also to give them a professional finish.

Finally, it’s time to cleanse and dedicate your cards to their purpose. You can do this with a simple ritual, like passing them through the smoke of sage or holding them in sunlight or moonlight.

If you’ve created this deck to give to someone or do readings for others, consider creating a small guidebook explaining each card’s meaning.

Conclusion

Once you’re done, pull a card daily for guidance, use it in meditation, or offer readings to friends and family.

The more you interact with your cards, the more connected you’ll feel.

If you came here looking to create your own Oracle cards but are still unsure what could make you feel more connected to the universe’s energies, check out our wisdom Oracle cards. They’re a fusion of the Celestial and the Elemental, which helps you understand life in a whole new way.