For thousands of years, people have used a wide variety of different ways to communicate with angels. Meditation, visualization, dowsing, crystals, prayers, and rituals are just some of the methods that have stood the test of time and are still used today. In recent years, angel cards have helped many people make contact with the angelic realms.

The Oracle of the Angels deck is divided into four groups: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. These are the four elements that were first recorded 2,500 years ago by Empedocles of Acragas. In this deck, the different elements relate to the seasons, colors, zodiac signs, directions, and ages.

The four main archangels look after each element.

1. Uriel is responsible for Earth, and the ten angels in this group can be used for any questions that relate to goals, practical matters, and secret desires.
2. Raphael looks after Air, and the angels in this group can be consulted for any questions relating to health, fitness, and self-worth.
3. Michael oversees Fire, and the angels in this group can be used for any questions concerning strength, courage, and career.
4. Gabriel is in charge of Water, and the angels in this group can be used for any questions relating to friendship, love, and family matters.

In addition to these four groups of cards, each card is numbered and can be interpreted using numerology. The four archangels are numbered 1, as they are the most important cards in each group. The other angels have all been assigned numbers that relate to their work and interests.

The cards can be used in many ways. You might mix the cards face down, and randomly select one. You might prefer to mix the cards and then take the top one. Both of these methods ensure that you don't know what card you've selected until you turn it over. You might prefer to go through the face up cards until you find one that seems right for you. If you have a particular plan for the day, you might choose a card that relates to whatever it is you're going to do. You might choose an angel card that relates to your zodiac sign.

My favorite method is to mix the cards and then spread them out face down on a table. I hold a hand about an inch above the cards, and slowly move it from card to card. At some stage while I'm doing this, one card will feel different. In my case, the palm of my hand tingles slightly. Other people have told me they felt a warmth emanating from the card, or simply had a sense that a particular card was the right one for them. Instead of using my palm, I sometimes use a pendulum. This responds positively over the card I'm meant to have that day.

Once you've selected a card, it's a good idea to carry it with you during the day. This means you can look at it whenever you have a spare moment, and think about the relevance it has for you. Usually, this will be obvious, but I've had times when I've carried the same card for three or four days before I discovered why I'd selected it (or it had selected me). Usually, at some stage during the day, I'll receive a sudden flash of insight that explains my choice of card. At the end of the day, I spend a minute or two thinking back over the day to see how it related to the card I had chosen.

As well as choosing a card for the day, you can also select a card to help you answer specific questions, to communicate with a particular angel, to get to know a particular angel better, and even to help you gain a good night's sleep.

Many people prefer to cast a spread of cards to help them gain insight into a particular problem or concern. The Current Situation Spread is one I use regularly. I mix the cards and then deal the top three cards in a horizontal row. The card on the left relates to the recent past, the center card is the current situation, and the card on the right represents the future. Usually, this provides enough information to answer my question. However, if I need more insights, I deal another row of cards below the first three. This simple, three-card spread can also answer questions relating to health, relationships, and money matters.

Another simple, three-card spread uses the numbers from your date of birth. After mixing the cards, you deal three piles. The first relates to your month of birth. As I was born in December, I deal a pile of 12 cards. I was born on the 9th of the month, and deal 9 cards in the second pile. The year of birth is reduced down to a single digit. I was born in 1946. Using basic numerology, I add 1 + 9 + 4 + 6 = 20. I then add 2 + 0 = 2 to arrive at a single digit. Consequently, I deal two cards in the third pile. Once the three piles have been formed, you turn over the top card of each pile and interpret them.

You can create more involved spreads, if you wish. A nine card spread is useful for answering questions, and a twelve card spread can provide insight into each month for a whole year. I find astrology and numerology spreads extremely useful, but they are too involved to discuss here.

As well as using the cards to help you in your everyday life, you can also use them to give readings for others. You'll gain at least as much from this as the people you read for. This is because your intuition will expand, and you'll amaze yourself with the insight and knowledge you'll gain from the angelic realms.

If you have not yet established a personal connection with the angelic realms, The Oracle of the Angels deck will help you to experience their guidance, protection, inspiration, and love. If you are already communicating with angels, these cards will help you develop an even closer, and more fulfilling relationship with them.