I am an avid collector of oracle decks, especially ones for inner shadow work.
I’m always striving and learning new and unique ways to be the best version of myself.
For the longest time, I felt stuck in my personal growth.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I felt I reached this level of self-development and couldn’t move any deeper.
That is until I started to incorporate oracle cards into my everyday life.
Nowadays, I use oracle cards for deep inner shadow work to guide me into becoming a better version of myself every day.
WHAT IS SHADOW WORK?
One of my absolute favorite parts of personal development and self-improvement lies in getting to the deep inner workings of my soul.
When you think of the nighttime, you think of darkness. You think of things that are hidden and not seen.
The moonlight helps shine a light on these gritty inner workings of our thought patterns, decisions, and actions.
Shadow work helps you see the areas of your life that could use some maintenance.
That being said, shadow work and personal growth go hand-in-hand.
Examples of Shadow Work Questions
What is currently blocking me?
What am I currently clinging to?
How can I let go of my current situation?
Why am I so fearful?
What truth have I been avoiding?
I could seriously go on and on because we all have areas to improve on.
But the premise is…what currently needs some work in your life?
WHAT ARE ORACLE CARDS
Oracle decks are pieces of cardstock coated with stunning images and powerful messages and symbolism.
Most of the cards have words on them that give deeper meaning to them; however, some are simply images.
Oracle cards are a self-exploration tool designed to help you tap into your inner soul and unconscious mind.
They’re excellent for meditating on and uncovering areas of your life that need tending and improvement.
Almost every deck comes with an accompanying guidebook to help further explain the pictures, words, and messages.
You might be thinking…but aren’t oracle cards evil?
The intention is everything.
While some people may use oracle cards for more sinister means, that is strongly in the minority.
So no, oracle cards (and tarot cards) are not inherently evil.
Can oracle cards tell the future?
No, oracle cards can not tell the future.
Nothing can 100% tell your future.
That’s because the future is not set in stone, and we all have free will.
The messages you pick up from the cards are from your intuition. They’re messages deep inside you that are being brought forth.
Oracle cards help you see the most probable outcome from what’s happening in your current circumstances.
With that being said, here are 18 fantastic oracle decks for deep inner shadow work.
18 Stunning Oracle Decks for Deep Inner Shadow Work
While I keep The Halloween Oracle special for October and the spooky season, you can certainly use it all year long.
Each of the 36 deeply wonderful cards includes symbols of black cats, vampires, zombies, witches, werewolves, jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, and more!
The imagery helps invoke change within yourself to bring forth a happier, more fulfilling future.
The Divine Circus Oracle is an absolutely breathtaking deck that’s perfect for when you’re lacking in motivation.
With elements of the circus, this deck will remind you to live your truth and escape your comfort zone.
You’ll be encouraged to grow and shine in your fearless creativity.
Another fantastically unique deck, Vintage Wisdom Oracle flashes you back to the beauty and inspiration of goddesses, divas, and muses from olden eras.
With rich symbolic details, these 52 cards were crafted from vintage French postcards and sepia family pictures.
This oracle deck is moving and delicate, yet forces you to look inside yourself.
A new addition to my ever-growing collection, The Enchanted Map Oracle is excellent at connecting you to the journey of the metaphoric map that is your life.
The themes of the 54 cards in this deck represent some of the places you’ll travel, the conditions you might encounter, and the people (good or bad) you might meet.
The deck will empower you to understand the story of your fate, destiny, and free will.
Queen of the Moon Oracle is one of my favorite decks I own. The imagery and intense energy it gives is remarkable.
The moon invokes mystical powers that humans have been connected to since, well, forever.
The 44 cards feature a full moon cycle, including seasonal moons, that’ll help you tune into your inner power.
With the Dark Goddess Oracle, there is no fluff, no hiding, and no superficiality.
The 48 cards combine the experiences and power of goddesses to summon empowerment, truth, and the opportunity for real transformation.
The goddesses featured in the deck can be called upon in times of challenge, change, and personal growth.
One of the more straightforward shadow work decks, Heal Yourself Healing Cards encourages you to look inside yourself to bring forth transformation.
The cards access the higher states of awareness by examining challenging emotions and self-destructive thought patterns. This deck is intuitive, emotional, and raw and expresses both the lighter and darker sides of life.
The artwork in Les Vampires Oracle is cartoon-like but undeniably breathtaking.
With the help of vampires, all 44 cards are designed to support those who are facing challenging situations and decisions.
This deck will help you examine night’s darkness and return to the light of hope, healing, and consciousness.
The Chakra Wisdom is great for beginners, as reading intuitively is quite straightforward.
Each of the 49 cards is designated to a specific chakra that needs some focus. This deck is excellent if you use cards to meditate on.
Another deck that has ingrained chakra components into the cards is the Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck.
In addition to the representation of chakras, the 44 cards also feature elements of nature, angels, and spirit guides.
This gorgeous deck guides you to awaken the spirit and rekindle the connection between the cosmos and the earth.
With evocative and inspiring images and profound spiritual messages, the 43 dreamlike cards of the Soul Helper Oracle help you to hear and understand messages from your higher self, the whispers of your soul’s wisdom. Each card features four companions to guide and support you on your soul’s path: a power animal, a healing stone, a plant essence, and a number with a corresponding rune. In the guidebook, Christine Arana Fader details the message of each card and the supportive qualities of each card’s companions. She shares two well-known card spreads to use when working with the Soul Helper cards and explains how to channel your inner voice through the cards and reveal what issues need to be explored in your life. Christine Arana also shows how to work with the theme of a card for a 21-day cycle, allowing you to make meaningful changes and find the courage to face and apply what is revealed to you.
Dark Mirror is a fantastic shadow work oracle deck, as it is harrowing, raw, and intense.
As the name implies, the deck highly encourages you to look inside yourself to shine a light on the darker parts of your current situation. These cards will assist you in reconnecting to your spirituality by accepting the darkness within.
One of the most beautiful decks I own is Oracle of the Unicorns.
With the guidance of unicorns and pegasuses, the deck encourages you to reawaken your unique abilities, wisdom, gifts, and potential.
You’ll become a more conscious creator of your own reality by experiencing deeper happiness, peace, love, and prosperity.
Wisdom of the Oracle blends elements of traditional tarot, the I-Ching, Norse runes, and other ancient divination tools into one deck.
The 52 cards are filled with imagery of animals, components of nature, and other powerful symbols that will help you dive deep into your shadow work.
This deck will help you interpret important messages that are vital to your life’s journey.
If you’re looking for an oracle deck that’s filled with stunning imagery and sincere guidance, Sacred Rebels Oracle is where it’s at.
This deck’s goal is to support you in expressing your unique, authentic self.
The 45 cards encourage you to trust in yourself and honor your sacred, rebellious soul.
Magick of You Oracle is designed to help you overcome stressful and painful circumstances in your life.
The cards will aid you with universal wisdom as you use your own internal healing powers to improve reoccurring problems in your life.
This deck will urge you to discover and live your true essence.
The representation of the striking animals and eternal deities in the Divine Animals Oracle can play a significant role in shadow work.
Each card carries so much energy, power, and strength to help benefit your life.
The cards are breathtaking and stunning.
The Sacred Destiny Oracle uses symbols and signs in nature to advise you on your path in life.
From the landscapes surrounding you, these vibrant cards will fill your days with messages of guidance.
Each card invokes a sense of healing.
HOW TO USE ORACLE CARDS
Like I said earlier, your intuition and deep inner thoughts help interpret the oracle cards.
How you select the oracle cards is completely up to you.
There are so many ways to shuffle and select.
Ask Angels on YouTube has a fantastic video about the different ways you can shuffle your deck.
I personally do a combination of the top-down and push methods.
The cards usually fly out this way, and those are the cards I choose to read that day.
When it comes down to it, go with your gut. Go with what feels right to you.
I do want to note that clearing your thoughts and taking a few deep breaths before you shuffle is essential to getting the most out of your session.
Ways to Use Oracle Cards
You can use oracle cards however feels right for you.
Some methods:
Meditating
Journaling
Internal Dialogue
I almost always draw a card (or two or three or however many come out) every morning.
I’ll put on some meditation music, clear my head, and then begin shuffling and drawing a card or two.
Then I spend a couple of minutes studying the messages, symbols, colors, and numbers on the card.
After that, I pull out one crystal that correlates with the tone of the message I’m receiving.
Then I’ll begin journaling about whatever thought intuitively comes up. I’ll also write about how I can improve my day with the message from the card.
The oracle card and crystal stay out on my desk all day to remind me whenever I need to refocus myself.
