How to Read Angel Cards? Learn the difference between Angel and Tarot Cards
Angel cards are just one of the many types of Oracle cards that can be used for divination or spiritual purposes. While many people are familiar with Tarot cards, fewer are aware of Angel cards and their purpose. So, how to read angel cards? First of all, although there are many similarities between the two decks, there are also a number of important distinctions.
We’re going to explore these differences as we look at what Angel cards are, the different types of Angel cards, and how you can read them. Along the way, we’ll also discuss some useful tips for reading these types of cards.
What are Angel Cards?
While Tarot cards are fairly well-known, even by those who don’t use them or view them as being “real” tools of divination, Angel cards are lesser-known.
An Angel card deck will predominately feature figures from Judeo-Christian beliefs (although decks do exist that cover a wide spectrum of beliefs, religions, and mythologies), specifically Archangels, figures from the Old and New Testament, and different energy types.
However, there is no such thing as a ‘standard’ Angel card deck, and so the cards themselves can vary drastically in design, color, and number from one deck to the next. It’s entirely possible that you could own a 44-card deck while your friend owns a 78-card deck.
Angel cards can be used for many things. For example, they can be used to learn more about your spiritual journey, to discover deeper connections with spiritual beings, or to find the answers to seemingly unanswerable questions. In many ways, they are a tool for guidance.
It’s important to understand though that these cards aren’t magical, and they don’t have a power that is unleashed when used. The cards are simply a tool through which you channel your own energy, and it is through your own intuition (with or without the guidance of spiritual beings) that you discover the answers to your questions.
Given that most people are at least somewhat familiar with Tarot cards, we’ll discuss a comparison between the Tarot and Angel cards in order to shine a light on the similarities and differences. Your Guardian Angel can help guide you towards this level of spiritual growth and knowledge!
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Difference between Angel Cards and Tarot Cards
We’ve already discussed the idea that Angel card decks can contain any number of cards, which isn’t the case for the standard 78-card Rider-Waite tarot deck. These 78 cards can be further divided up. Firstly, you have the Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards).
While the Major Arcana are all unique, the Minor Arcana contains suits, each containing the same cards. These suits are similar to standard playing cards, but instead of clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds, you have Cups, Wands, Coins, and Swords. Each suite has 14 cards: page, knight, queen, and king, and 10 number cards.
So In comparison, Angel cards don’t have these same divisions. There are no Major/Minor Arcana cards, no suits, no kings, queens, jacks, or pages, and no number cards. Another key difference comes in the form of the cards themselves. Each Tarot card holds an image, but each image is capable of telling a story all on its own.
It always has multiple features, each of which can connect to a person’s question or to other cards. Angel cards are simpler, which allows for a more open interpretation of each card’s meaning. There are some similarities between the two decks though, and this comes in the form of reading the cards.
How to Read Angel Cards
When it comes to reading Angel cards, the process is largely the same as with standard Tarot cards. We’ll explore each step one at a time, discuss why it is important.
- Prepare your Space – This step is vitally important. You shouldn’t try performing a reading in a busy, dirty, or negative area. Find somewhere quiet that allows you to think freely and focus on the task at hand. Lighting candles and drawing the curtains can really help set the atmosphere. You (and any other person who may be involved) need to feel relaxed.
- Ask the Angels – Tarot cards involve your own intuition, and while this is still true with Angel cards, you are also guided by your angels, hence the name. Before you begin, reach out to your angels and ask for their help. You may call to your Guardian Angel, a spirit guide, invoke the power of an Archangel, or simply reach out to spiritual beings in a more general sense.
- Ask your Question – It’s important to set up your intention before you begin the reading. Write a question down or have it prepared in your mind so that you can focus on it during the next step. You can also ask the question out loud if you feel it will help.
- Shuffle the Cards – It’s important that you share your energy with each and every card. Take your time to shuffle them, being sure to make physical contact with them all. Once the deck has been shuffled, you’re ready to begin the reading.
Reading Angel Cards
To carry out your reading, you first have to decide the type of spread you’re going to use. With Tarot cards, the most common spread is the 3-card spread. There are so many different types of spread that you could use for Angel cards that we can’t even discuss them all, so let’s assume you’re using a 3-card spread.
You will do as following, you pick three cards and place them face-up on the table:
- The first card can represent the past. It indicates the aspects of your journey that have already happened, but it can also indicate if you have any anchors connecting you to that part of your life, and potentially holding you in the past or present.
- The second card is your present card, and it indicates the situation that you’re currently in.
- The third and final card is your future card. This suggests where your path may lead, but it can also be a warning of the consequences of action/inaction.
Interpreting the cards is a personal thing. With Tarot, each card carries a specific meaning, but with Angel cards, you need to feel, not think. Look within yourself for the meaning and trust your intuition.
For example, you might get The Moon card, the Balance card, and the Archangel Michael card. These cards could mean one thing to you but something completely different to somebody else. Neither answer is wrong, just different.