Oracle Journaling

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I get it. Sometimes it’s hard to write everyday.  Just sitting down to write often seems like too open of an invitation and too big of a task— Where to start?  What to write about?  Maybe I should just go on Facebook instead…

So how do you establish a practice you love enough to return daily to the page?  

Writing prompts can be a wonderful way to give direction to your writing but they don’t always resonate with where we are in the moment. Today I am going to offer another kind of prompting activity. To me, this one feels like collaborating with the divine to direct the course of my writing. If divine sounds too out there for you, let’s call it collaborating with our intuition or our subconscious.  

My Experience Working with Oracle Cards

As a Qoya practitioner, I’ve worked with Oracle cards in many ways— as a way to connect with something alive inside before opening up to share with another woman in class, as a way to access a story inside that seeks written expression, as a means to call in and communicate with support that lies outside my conscious knowing.  

I’ll admit, I've developed into a bit of an oracle card junkie. As I glance over at the white bookshelf in my office, I can see ten decks in plain sight, and I know there are more downstairs. Totally normal, right? To me, each deck has a personality, a unique signature of offerings and messages, and particular type of support. Just like friends, it’s fun to have a variety of personalities you connect with. Hence the collection.  

But for this practice, you only need to get your hands on a single deck to begin. Let’s get to that practice, shall we?  

Oracle Journaling

It’s simple really. You take your deck from its box, pick a card, and write whatever comes through. 

My Oracle Journaling Process

Connection and Intention

Before choosing a card, I find it essential to connect in and create an intention. I personally like to blow into the cards, to infuse them with my energy, and then make any requests for support. I may whisper into them or speak silently something like “ Can you offer me insight on x?” or “Please offer me the perfect message for today.” Consider how you'd like to connect.  

Pick a Card, Any Card

Then I spread the cards out in a circle, or in a messy pile on the floor, or just pick a card from the stack. I use whatever card(s) I pick as the portal to my writing exploration that day.  

Notice what You Notice

I start by noticing whatever stands out most to me on the card. It may be the words, the colors, or a symbol, or something else in the imagery. Sometimes I like to jot down in phrases or single words some of those initial impressions.  

Write like Water Flows

And then I just follow the thread that opens up. Whatever theme or present life issue is activated by the card, I follow that onto the page and begin to write about it. 

As I delve into writing, what often emerges is a back-and-forth dialogue with the card. Maybe I write for a few minutes and, as that element begins to wrap up, I’ll look back at the card again and notice something I hadn’t seen before. This will take my writing in a new direction. I’ll follow this process of engaging with the card and my writing until I feel complete. 

Other times, I just begin writing and never look back at the card until I feel my writing process has come to a finish.  I trust whatever emerges.  

Start Inside, then Seek Outward

When I begin to engage with the card, I don’t trouble myself with what the card is “supposed” to mean, based on the card-creator’s intention for the card. I trust my own interpretation to come through first and let that lead. However, once I feel complete with my own exploration of the card’s themes, I will sometimes go to the card deck’s companion guidebook and read the description the author has given for my card.  

After reading this description, I often return to the page, reflecting on whatever arises after reading this offering. I resist any mental comparing of the guidebook’s meaning to mine (remember there is no wrong or right here!) but rather see this as an opportunity to access the wisdom available through multiple angles.  

Return to Intention

Before I set down my writing, I may also return to intention setting. Based on this reflection and exploration, what I am yearning, seeking, or needing, whether that’s an action, a perspective, or a quality of being or support I’d like to call in.  

Using Guidance throughout the Day

When I feel satisfied with my writing, I’ll set it down for the day. If I do this practice in the morning, I may set an intention to notice how the day’s unfoldings are connected to the insight I gained from the card and the writing process that morning. I may return to the page in the evening to reflect on this awareness. 

Best Oracle Card Decks

Here are some of my favorite card decks to use for this practice:

Sacred Rebels Oracle by Alana Fairchild— I love the art on this deck (Autumn Skye Morrison: swoon!), the messages are powerful and relatable, and the interpretations in the guidebook always feel rich and resonant to me. Fairchild’s decks are some of my very favorite and she has many— Rumi, Mother Mary, Isis, Kuan Yin, and Lightworker Oracles, Journey to Love, and more.  

Gaia Oracle by Toni Carmine Salerno— I love that these cards offer a few themes to muse on, the art is beautiful, and the messages feel grounded in the wisdom of the earth. Earth Magic Oracle Cards by Steven Farmer are also excellent if you wish to connect to the natural world and the wisdom of Pachamama (Mother Earth).  

The Moon Deck by Aarona Ganesan— I try to make it a point to pull from this deck during the new and full moons, though its insight is rich anytime of the lunar cycle.  Each card has a sweet image (always incorporating the moon) and an I-statement affirmation. I also love how the guidebook offers rituals related to each card in the deck.  

Goddess Guidance and Ascended Masters Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue— I am pairing these two together because they feel similar in their offerings. The former offers wisdom from the global pantheon of goddesses from all faiths; the latter offers wisdom from wise sages and masters of the ages. These always feel like solid launching points from which to explore my own inner whispers and nudges.  

Affirmators by Suzi Barrett— these cards are super cheeky and light-hearted.  Perfect for when you need a little levity and yearn a playful connection to what’s alive inside of you.  

 

What is Your Experience?  

What daily writing practices light you up?  

If you try the Oracle Journalling practice, I would love to hear how it goes for you.  What deck do you love? How does this practice feel and how does it support your daily life?  

If you are interested in receiving private, holistic, trauma-sensitive narrative healing support, I would love to support you. Click here for more information.