Angel tarot: working with angel cards and archangels

All about angel cards, how to read with them and which deck suits you

Angel cards have become more and more popular in recent years, and that is no surprise. Where ordinary tarot cards sometimes confront you with the sharper edges of life, angel cards bring a softer tone. They work with the energy of angels and archangels, and many people experience them as encouraging and loving. In this article you will read what angel cards are, how they differ from classic tarot, how to do a reading with them yourself, and which angel decks exist so you can choose the deck that suits you.

What are angel cards?

Angel cards are a type of oracle card in which every card is connected to an angel, an archangel or a message of support. You use them to gain insight into a situation, to pause for a moment on a question that is on your mind, or simply to start the day with an encouraging thought. Unlike a game with fixed rules, angel cards are about what the card brings up in you. The image, the text and the feeling the card evokes together form the message, and you connect that to your own life.

What sets angel cards apart from many other oracle cards is the tone. The messages are almost always positive and supportive. They do not point a stern finger at what is going wrong, but instead offer you a hand. For people who are just starting out with drawing cards that is pleasant, because you never end up with a bad feeling. At the same time angel cards are not child’s play: they can give you exactly the nudge you needed, or confirm a thought you had held for a long time but did not yet dare to say out loud.

The difference between angel cards and ordinary tarot

The biggest difference is in the mood and the structure. A classic tarot deck has 78 cards with a fixed structure: the 22 cards of the Major Arcana and the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, divided into four suits. Those cards carry rich, sometimes challenging symbolism. The Tower, Death or the Devil can feel like a cold shower in a reading, even though they mean something valuable. Tarot therefore asks for a little more study and for the willingness to look at the difficult side of a situation as well.

Angel decks usually do not have that fixed structure. The number of cards differs from deck to deck, the cards often carry a short message or a keyword, and the tone is gentler. You do not have to memorise 78 meanings to be able to work with them. That makes angel cards more accessible for beginners, while for the more experienced they are a lovely addition alongside a tarot deck. Many people first lay out their tarot cards for the full picture, and then draw an angel card for the encouragement or advice that goes with it. That way the two complement each other nicely: tarot shows what is going on, the angel card shows how to deal with it with an open heart.

How do you draw an angel card?

Working with angel cards does not have to be complicated. The nice thing is precisely that you can make it as simple or as elaborate as you like. Take a moment before you begin. Sit down calmly, take a few deep breaths and let go of the busyness of the day. Think of the question or the subject you want more clarity about. That can be a concrete question, but just as easily an open feeling of “what do I need today?”. Then shuffle the cards while you stay with your question, and draw the card that catches your attention.

Once you have the card in front of you, first look at the image and the feeling it evokes, even before you read the text. Often you already sense inside what the card wants to tell you. Then read the message and the explanation in the accompanying booklet, and connect what it says to your situation. There is no right or wrong: the value lies in what the card sets in motion in you. If you want to keep it simple, draw one card each morning as a little support for the day. If you want to go deeper, you can lay several cards side by side, for example for the past, the present and the future.

Would you like to practise calmly first, without buying a deck straight away? On our site you can draw a free daily card. That way you get a feel for how it works and you notice for yourself whether the cards speak to you.

The Major Arcana and the archangels

One of the most beautiful ways to bring tarot and angels together is by linking the 22 cards of the Major Arcana to an archangel. Each card stands for a life theme, and each theme has an angel who supports you in that area. The overview below shows for each card which archangel belongs to it and which core message they carry together. You can use it as a reference while reading, or as inspiration to connect a tarot card with an angel message.

• The Fool (0), Archangel Michael: Michael guides you with every new step into the unknown. “Trust the process and dare to leap.”
• The Magician (I), Archangel Zaphkiel: Zaphkiel stands for creativity and manifestation. “Use your talents to shape your reality.”
• The High Priestess (II), Archangel Ariel: Ariel invites you to listen to your intuition. “Discover the wisdom hidden within yourself.”
• The Empress (III), Archangel Sandalphon: Sandalphon helps you connect with abundance and care. “Be caring, both for yourself and for others.”
• The Emperor (IV), Archangel Haniel: Haniel offers structure and stability. “Create order in your life and be the leader of your own world.”
• The Hierophant (V), Archangel Metatron: Metatron stands for knowledge and wisdom. “Seek deeper truth and share your knowledge with others.”
• The Lovers (VI), Archangel Chamuel: Chamuel fosters harmonious relationships. “Follow the path of love and connection.”
• The Chariot (VII), Archangel Gabriel: Gabriel encourages you to pursue your goals with determination. “Stay focused and let nothing distract you.”
• Strength (VIII), Archangel Camael: Camael supports your inner strength. “Find strength in gentleness and remain steadfast.”
• The Hermit (IX), Archangel Cassiel: Cassiel guides you in introspection. “Sometimes you have to withdraw to truly get to know yourself.”
• The Wheel of Fortune (X), Divine Grace: this card reminds us of fate and the unpredictability of life. “Embrace the changes that life brings.”
• Justice (XI), Archangel Raguel: Raguel stands for justice and fairness. “Act with integrity and trust in fairness.”
• The Hanged Man (XII), Archangel Raphael: Raphael teaches us about letting go and surrender. “Sometimes you have to accept in order to move forward.”
• Death (XIII), Archangel Azrael: Azrael helps with transformation and closure. “Let go of the old to make room for the new.”
• Temperance (XIV), Archangel Netzach: Netzach brings balance and harmony. “Find the middle between extremes and stay in balance.”
• The Devil (XV), Lucifer (fallen angel): Lucifer reminds us of the temptations and challenges of life. “Choose consciously and be aware of your own pitfalls.”
• The Tower (XVI), Fallen Angels: this card symbolises sudden change. “Let old structures collapse in order to start anew.”
• The Star (XVII), Archangel Phanuel: Phanuel stands for hope and inspiration. “Keep believing in a positive future.”
• The Moon (XVIII), Archangel Raziel: Raziel helps you understand your deepest emotions. “Let your intuition guide you through the night.”
• The Sun (XIX), Archangel Uriel: Uriel brings clarity and truth. “Embrace the truth and shine in your authenticity.”
• Judgement (XX), Archangel Jophiel: Jophiel guides important life decisions. “Be honest with yourself and take responsibility.”
• The World (XXI), Archangel Sachiel: Sachiel stands for completion and a new beginning. “Celebrate your successes and prepare for a new adventure.”

You do not have to memorise this overview. It works nicely as a reference: when you draw a tarot card from the Major Arcana, you can look up which archangel fits and which message they carry together. That way a classic tarot reading gains a soft, supportive layer.

Which angel deck suits you?

There are a great many angel decks, and which one suits you depends on what you are looking for. If you mainly want comfort and support, you will choose a different deck than if you are looking for concrete answers to questions, or if you want to work specifically with the archangels. Each deck comes with a booklet of explanations, so you can start straight away even without experience. Take your time to find the deck whose images and tone appeal to you, because that connection is what makes working with the cards feel natural.

If you are drawn to comfort and healing, look for a deck with a warm, gentle tone, made for moments when you want to catch your breath. If you would rather work specifically with the archangels, that ties in nicely with the overview above: a deck built around the archangels lets you work with the energy of each of them in turn. And if you would like a complete set to give as a gift or to begin with, choose a deck that comes with cards and a book together, so you have everything in one place.

Frequently asked questions about angel cards

Are angel cards suitable for beginners?
Yes, they are. Because the messages are gentle and positive and there is usually a clear booklet included, you can start without any prior knowledge. You do not need to learn complicated symbolism; you rely on the image, the message and your own feeling.

What is the difference between angel cards and oracle cards?
Angel cards are a kind of oracle card. Oracle cards is the broader name for all card decks without the fixed structure of tarot. With angel cards it is specifically about the energy of angels and archangels, with a loving and supportive tone.

Can I combine angel cards with my tarot deck?
Certainly. Many people first lay out their tarot cards for the full picture of a situation, and then draw an angel card for the encouragement or advice that goes with it. The two complement each other nicely.

How often can I draw an angel card?
As often as you like. Many people draw one card each morning as a little support for the day. For a specific question it is nice to let the card settle before you draw again, so you give the message real space.

Ready to get started yourself? First draw a free daily card to feel how it works, and let the archangels guide you through your day.