No Decks...No Problem - My Four Favorite Apps

As a lover and daily user of tarot and oracle card decks, I have amassed more than 60 physical card decks that I use for journaling, creative exploration, divination, spiritual empowerment, and intuition strength training. 

And even though I am (and probably always will be) someone who prefers the tangible connection to the cards, I also live a digital lifestyle that has me connected to my phone and computer a lot of the time. So it stands to reason that I would also have a few apps on my devices for the times when carrying 60 decks with me is just not feasible. 

So, as hard as it was, I've narrowed down my apps to FOUR that I think are worth taking a look. This was TOUGH because there are so many good apps out there. And let me say here -- this is an independent "review" of these apps. I was not paid or gifted anything in return.  Here's how I decided which ones to include here: 

My Somewhat Random Criteria

First, I started with what app would give me the most bang for my buck. You'll see what I mean when you read the list below. But basically, some apps are free, some are free to install, but ask you to buy something once it's on your device, and then there are those that cost. So I've tried to share apps under $5. That was criteria one. 

Criteria two was whether or not the app had clear imagery. The cards had to be visible and "zoomable" so that I can zoom in on the imagery. One of the ways I believe the cards work with us is through symbols. Our subconscious mind understands symbols and images on the intuitive and heartfelt level which makes Tarot and Oracle cards a perfect tool for connecting to our deep inner wisdom. I need to be able to pull the image up close so I can see all that I need to see. 

Criteria three was based on whether the app offered more information than images and symbols. I selected the apps that I felt give a little something extra. Even though I am an intuitive card reader, I like having the information that the creator of the deck wanted us to have. With that in mind, I've selected decks that offer "more" than just the cards. 

NOTE: These criteria are important to ME, I encourage you to decide what matters to YOU when it comes to apps or decks so that you select ones with the features that will enhance your experience. 

So, here are three of the ones that fit all three of my criteria: 

The Fool's Dog Tarot Sampler

I love that this app pulls from more than 60 different decks when giving you a card. So in a 7 card spread, you could potentially (and most likely will) have cards from seven different decks. That is just something I think is pretty cool. 

It also means you get to see different imagery and maybe even be exposed to a deck you may not have encountered otherwise. It's serendipity at its best. 

​CLICK HERE to learn more about this app. 

Golden Thread Tarot or The Luminous Tarot

Okay, before you call me a cheater, let me explain why there are two here. The fine folks at Labyrinthos created the app for both The Golden Thread and the Luminous Tarot and they are pretty similar in how they work but different in the aesthetics. So I figured we could just get TWO FOR ONE. 

Both apps failed in criteria two, but I kept them on the list anyway because I really do like the look and feel of both apps. Clean lines, beautiful images (even though I can't zoom in on them), and easy to read font. 

The Golden Thread Tarot app even lets you keep a log of your daily one card pulls. I LOVE that feature because it means I can go back and see where there may have been patterns. When you log the card, it also asks. you how you felt about the card -- that's my language as an intuitive. 

​CLICK HERE to learn more about this app. 

The Classic 1910 Rider Waite Smith Tarot

This app made the list because I think everyone who wants to learn tarot -- I mean really LEARN tarot, needs to have access to at least one Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. So if you can't afford to buy one or you don't know if you want to buy one, then this app by Fool's Dog is perfect...and FREE. 

It checks all the boxes. You can do a daily one card pull, journal about it, read the book meaning, zoom in on the images of the cards, and it has a list of other really cool features: 

• 20+ spreads you can do
• A free form spread where you can place the cards where you want them. 
• The ability to log/enter external readings done on your own outside the app
• You can turn off reversed cards 
• You can use only the major arcana if you want 
• You can select how it draws the card -- from the top of the deck, from a fan of cards, or from a list of cards
• You have the ability to say if you want your cards to be drawn face up or down

That's a lot of features, right? But wait, there's more:

• You can see all the cards in the deck and select one that you want to know more about. You can then flip the card to see the keywords and click a link to see to the full text about the card. 
• There are THREE ebooks included in the app:
  • The Concise Tarot Reader by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
  • The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite
  • The Tarot by S.L. MacGregor Mathers

Okay. I could go on and on, but you get the point, this is one worth checking out. 
CLICK HERE to learn more about it. 

Goddess Power Oracle

YES!!! I had to put one oracle deck in the mix just for my non-tarot users and because I LOVE oracle cards too. So the one I selected -- the Goddess Power Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid (via Hay House). Similar to Fool's Dog, Hay House has a lot of deck apps, so be ready to go down a rabbit hole. 

I like this app because, well, Goddess Power and also because you can browse the entire deck, save and revisit a reading, read the guidebook, and get additional things like a complimentary audio and Brief Cultural History of the Goddess. 

This app is free for seven days, then it costs $9.99. 

I really like that each card has an empowerment message and an alignment message. If you can splurge on it, I recommend buying the app so you can unlock the features. 

Okay. That's it for now. I'd love to know what decks are your top five decks. And if you are new to tarot and oracle decks, come join us in Pull Pen Paint 2020 where we are learning how to use decks in a myriad of ways for our creative and spiritual practices. 

With love and gratitude,