I Tried Using Quantum Physics to Explain Oracle Cards (And Then My Deck Talked Back)
As many of you know, I’ve been practicing pulling oracle cards on Instagram and doing readings for anyone who wanted one. But what you might also know is that while I’m creative, I have a very analytical mind. I mostly blame my Dad for this. He studied science at university and is always hunting for a logical, scientific explanation so he can feel comfortable with how things work.
When I first started pulling oracle cards, my intention wasn't to figure out the mechanics behind them. I was simply drawn to them and wanted to see what happened if I pulled a few for myself. When they actually resonated, I wondered what would happen if I tried it for other people. And when those resonated too, I found myself asking: how on earth is this working?
I wasn't planning on researching potential reasons, but I came across a YouTube video last night about quantum entanglement. My brain instantly started connecting dots, wondering if quantum entanglement could explain oracle cards. The video goes into how quantum physics, a particle doesn't have a fixed state until it is observed. They used the example of a coin: if you flip a coin and cover it with your hand, you assume it's already landed on heads or tails beneath your palm. But with quantum entanglement, the coin isn't actually decided until you lift your hand and look at it.
That got me thinking about oracle cards. Whatever card you pick, or whatever card happens to fall out, it doesn't matter yet because it isn't decided until you turn it over and look at it. Suddenly, all those different shuffling styles and pulling methods made sense. How can cards be accurate across a million different methods? Because the method doesn't matter; nothing is set in stone until the moment you look at the face of the card.
That was supposed to be the conclusion of this post. However... there is a twist.
Figuring I was onto something, I decided to ask my oracle cards directly. I asked if card results really come down to quantum entanglement where nothing is decided until you look.
I pulled a "No."
For context, I use Rebecca Campbell’s Work Your Light oracle deck. There are 44 cards in the deck, and only two of them are a simple "Yes" or "No." Plus, over the last two to three weeks, I’ve pulled more than 150 cards for people, and not a single one of them was a no. Getting such a clear, definitive negative right after my theory felt really surprising.
I kept going. I asked my cards if I was connecting to people's subconscious minds when I pull a card. I got the "Starseed" card, which implies you are tapping into a universal field. Isn't that essentially what quantum physics is?
Finally, I asked if the cards are genuine messages or if people are just projecting what they want them to mean. I got the "Take a Break" card, which basically told me I was trying to over-dissect the mechanics. Which is fair, because I definitely tend to overthink things and try to go really deep.
What I’m taking away from all of this is, oracle cards genuinely work. Some of the answers I’ve pulled for myself and others have been far too accurate to write off as coincidence or wishful thinking.
Do I have any idea how they work, or why everyone's unique shuffling style still leads to the right card? No.
I’m planning to keep pulling cards and try to stop overthinking the physics of it, and just enjoy the process in the moment. But I’ll let you know if I have any updates!
© 2026 Laura Noonan Reiki. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without prior written permission. Attribution is required for all shared insights.
