Simply unwind for a moment and get rid of all your thoughts. We have a simple meditation method that might be helpful if you struggle as I do with controlling the racing thoughts that run through your mind. Just make an effort, if you can, to not skip this stage.
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How is a fresh Tarot deck cleared?
While rearranging the cards in the tarot deck is a good approach to purify and clear their energy, there are some circumstances in which you might wish to perform a more specialized ritual. If you’re just getting started with tarot, cleaning your deck can be an excellent place to start.
You might want to clean your tarot deck for a variety of reasons, including:
- beginning with a fresh deck
- readings for other people
- You think you need to recharge.
- Your card readings seem a touch “odd” or “disconnected”
- Your deck hasn’t been used recently.
- Your deck has been handled by others
- You think you’ve been utilizing your deck a lot. A LOT, especially for books with strong emotional content
Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?
Tarot deck cleansing helps keep the energy flowing between you and your deck. Consider it as a little spiritual hygiene to maintain a strong and clear connection. It’s not necessary, but if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, try a few of the energetic cleansing techniques listed below and note which ones seem to work the best for you.
How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?
This is another way of stating USE YOUR INTUITION: there are no hard and fast laws. Don’t stress if you don’t believe it is necessary for your deck. Alternately, if you like to cleanse them once per week or once per month, that’s great. If it feels appropriate to you, you can even place your favorite crystal on the balcony each night.
If you frequently place crystals on your deck and store it on an altar while not in use, you might not feel the need to cleanse it frequently because this quick ritual will likely be sufficient to keep your deck feeling nice.
There are numerous ways to cleanse your cards, just as there are numerous reasons why you might desire to do so.
Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck
Use holy smoke. Light a dried rosemary, lavender, cedar, sage, or palo santo cleansing wand until it begins to smoke. Hold the smoke a safe distance below the deck while holding the burning herbs in one hand and the deck in the other so that the smoke drifts upward onto the cards. Turn the deck so that the smoke covers it from all angles. Next, safely put your deck to the ground and put out the fire.
On the deck, set a selenite stone (or a black tourmaline or a transparent quartz). It works well to leave it like way for an hour, but I prefer to leave it overnight.
Set them on display during a new moon. The New Moon is energy of a blank slate; you can purify the deck by setting it on a window sill on a new moon night. At this moment, you can also make a brand-new intention for your deck.
Place the cards in a salty dish. A strong and stabilizing cleaner is salt. My preferred choice for a thorough cleansing is this. Allow it to sit anywhere from one to eight hours in a dry area.
Unorderly shuffle. Spread the cards out on the ground, then shuffle them around like a child playing in dirt. This method’s freedom and randomization serve as an excellent reset.
the shuffle and sort. Set up the deck in rows of seven cards across, commencing with the Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22. (see photo above). Next, arrange the cards, Ace through King, one for each suit, as follows: Swords, Pentacles, Cups, and Wands. View the deck in this configuration, then mix everything up (like the chaotic!) and shuffle it thoroughly.
How is a fresh Tarot deck charged?
Leave your deck in a sacred location where you can “knead (shuffle) it each hour, giving it your magical power with your hands, for one waking day, much as you would a loaf of rising bread.” The greatest time to use this charge is when you’re taking a day off at home or in a retreat.
How should you use a Tarot deck when you first receive one?
What to Do First:
- Get out your tarot deck.
- The cards are in your hand.
- “Knock or tap the pile of cards numerous times while holding them in your palm to disseminate your energy throughout the deck.
- Shuffle the cards completely.
- The cards are divided into three heaps, which are subsequently reassembled into one pile.
How are tarot decks well cleaned?
It’s crucial to routinely cleanse your Tarot cards to rid them of any bad energy, just like with any divination technique. How frequently should a tarot deck be cleansed? Depending on how frequently you read for other people and under what circumstances, it would be prudent to cleanse them every day. If not, you could perform a Tarot cleanse every week or according to the Moon’s phases, depending on how you use the cards. If you’ve had your cards for a while and want to give them a little refresh or your readings feel a little “stale,” you may also deep cleanse your deck using a variety of techniques. Obviously, you should also clean every new deck you acquire.
A lovely technique to add some intuitive, lunar magic to your deck is to align it with the energy of the Moon phase. Every New Moon and Full Moon, I enjoy taking a moon bath with my deck to match my aspirations with the celestial Zodiac cycles.
Here are 9 quick techniques for purifying Tarot cards:
Sun or Moonlight Bath
One of the most common approaches, and with good reason too! It’s easy to use but effective. Simply leave your cards somewhere secure in the moonlight or sunlight for 24 hours will do the trick. This might be on your window sill or in your backyard. You can leave your cards in their box for added security, but I prefer to take mine out so the luminary energy can touch each one. Make sure they won’t be disturbed by animals, get soaked by rain or dew, or fly off in the wind! After cleaning them, you can bring them inside and take a moment to sit with them while re-infusing your intention into the deck.
Do you need to always purify your tarot cards?
That’s correct
Magdaleno really suggests cleaning your deck before each reading to achieve the most accurate results. She advises starting with a cleansing to make the cards clear for your reading, whether it’s for yourself or someone else.
How are tarot cards charged in the sun?
Some of my students prefer to set the deck on their window sill so that it may catch the moonlight. It seems that the Moon’s energies can greatly revitalize the cards. And they typically wait for a night with a full moon to do this.
Because the Moon crescent continues to develop until it becomes full, the New Moon is connected to fresh starts. The Full Moon denotes accomplishments, climax, and satisfaction because it is the result of all the work that went into the Moon’s growth on Full Moon night. Choosing which Moon to go with, I suppose, relies on the “feel” that one gets from the cards.
The energy of the moon is feminine, intuitive, and creative. They therefore opt to use this energy to charge their cards.
How can I spruce up and energize my tarot deck?
Here are four simple steps to purifying tarot cards.
- Meditate. Simply unwind for a moment and get rid of all your thoughts.
- Pass each card through the smoke after burning sage.
- Place bay leaves within the deck of cards.
- And for protection, place a crystal on top.
How can I obtain my first deck of tarot cards?
I can still clearly recall my very first tarot deck buy. On a rare trip to the mall, I entered my all-time favorite store: the bookstore. My intended destination was the modest new age department because I had recently begun studying astrology.
My eyes landed on a tarot deck as I combed through the modest collection of astrology books with my fingers.
The Tarot of Marseilles!
On the shelf, it was the sole item.
I grabbed it and made the decision to buy it out of curiosity.
For a beginner, this deck was challenging, but I persisted.
I was adamant about learning all this tarot stuff!
I returned to same mall a few months later and once more hung out in the new age area.
The Rider Waite Smith Tarot was anxiously waiting for me, as I soon discovered.
When I went home and opened the deck, something clicked.
The deck was “my.
Even now, I occasionally stray to different decks, but I always return to my reliable Rider Waite Smith.
(I also have a tendency to be brand loyal; I’ve been wearing the same Loreal inky black eyeliner for years.)
I persist with anything once I find it enjoyable.)
The first step in exploring the beautiful realm of tarot is getting your hands on some cards.
Have you prepared?
Let’s get a foolish superstition out of the way first.
Ever hear the saying that someone else must buy your first tarot deck?
I’m here to tell you that’s bullocks.
You can be sure to receive a deck you don’t like if you do that.
or being made to wait.
When you’re asked to read tarot cards, it makes no sense to wait for someone else to get up and get you a deck (and you definitely don’t want to whine your way to getting one).
So immediately discard that idea.
Find a store that sells tarot cards next.
If you’re fortunate, your neighborhood will have a well-stocked metaphysical store.
If not, you might have to search your nearby bookstores like I did.
The appeal of a physical location is that you can physically feel and see the deck.
If this is “the one,” it will depend on how it feels and looks.
Since I’m a very tactile and visual person, this is my preferred path.
Your best bet is to go online if that isn’t a possibility.
Through a website like Tarot Garden or Amazon, you might be able to locate a deck you prefer.
You might also want to speak with the creator of self-published decks or the publisher directly (ex: Fountain Tarot or The Wild Unknown).
You can view photos of the cards on some of these websites.
There are also a ton of websites that offer reviews of decks, like Aeclectic Tarot, frequently with lots of images to help you get a sense of how the deck looks and functions.
For individuals who are unfortunate enough to lack a nearby store, this can be useful.
Give the deck a thorough inspection. Observe the cards carefully and take your time. Which deck do you like best? Do you notice that certain cards have graphics that “pop” for you? How does it feel in your hands if you are holding it? Does the card stock feel flimsy or strong? Is it simple to shuffle the cards?
Trust your instincts and sense of style. It must fit well and look fantastic on you, much like a quality pair of slim jeans. Your final choice should be based on how you are feeling.
Still uncertain? You can always get opinions from your buddies who enjoy using tarot cards (does this tarot deck make my butt appear big?). They might be able to point you toward some of their particular favorites.
Grab The Rider Tarot Deck if everything else fails and you’re still feeling unsure. The majority of contemporary tarot cards are based on this classic. Nothing can go wrong.
It’s time to open the deck after you get it home and to start reading!
Some people who use tarot cards want to open it slowly and reverently.
Not me.
I don’t have the same patience for things like that, like a child at Christmas. I simply rip the box open and throw it away!
Next, give it some time. Rearrange it. Spice it up. Learn about it. Use it by yourself for a bit to become accustomed to the deck. The greatest method to establish a relationship is to simply keep trying until it becomes as comfortable as an old sweater. The deck is “broken in” and prepared to read for others at that moment.
To “consecrate a new deck,” some tarot readers perform unique ceremonies.
Common practices for cleansing and preparing the deck include leaving it out in the moonlight surrounded by crystals, saying an invocation or prayer, smudging with a sage wand, or even sleeping with it under their pillow (I’m too princess and the pea for that). I don’t do any of it; instead, I shuffle the deck frantically for several weeks until I think it’s ready to play.
Several typical queries:
A: This is a personal choice.
It won’t harm your deck, so it’s not a terrible idea, but it’s not necessary.
A: Sure thing! Try it out if your grandmother leaves you a deck or if you are drawn to a used deck you see in a shop. Since I want my decks to be related to just me, I don’t work with secondhand decks personally.
A: When a deck’s edges become so frayed that it cannot be properly shuffled, I retire it.
A shoddy deck, in my perspective, results in a shoddy reading. I prefer my tools to be clean and precise. I must thus encounter numerous Rider Waites here! In spite of this, a lot of people find an ancient deck impressive since they believe it to be more powerful, especially if it has been passed down from generation to generation. The key is to “trust your intuition on this and feel it out.” Retire the deck if it seems to be lacking “juice” or if it begins to deteriorate.
If it still holds sentimental value for you, you can store it in a drawer. Alternately, you may donate it to a used-deck-accepting metaphysical store or bookstore. Consider recommending it to a friend. You can discard it. Or, you may try these ideas: Gonzo Tarot7 useful tarot card usage.
I’m finding it difficult to recall the meanings from the small white book.
What ought I to do?
A fantastic beginner’s book, like Joan Bunning’s Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners, is a must-have if you’re brand-new to tarot.
(I suggest the following list of tarot books.) In comparison to that tiny white book, this will give you a lot more to work with. Every day, take a card and give it a good look. If you like, keep a journal of your interpretations. Alternately, use a marker to draw a few of the interpretations directly on the deck (yes, I know some tarot readers are aghast at the idea but cards CAN be replaced). If you persist in doing it every day, eventually those interpretations will become true, and you’ll be astounded by both yourself and your friends. Remain persistent and just keep practicing.
Questions you don’t really want answered
Even though it might seem apparent, it’s advisable to refrain from asking the tarot cards questions that you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to. That’s because answers to these questions can reveal information you’re just not quite ready to hear.
“Tarot can definitely come off as offensive if you’re not willing to hear the truth or consider an opposing opinion. Tarot reading Nicole Fortunaso
According to tarot reader and life coach Nicole Fortunaso, “tarot may truly come out as offensive if you are not willing to hear the truth of the problem or look at an alternate viewpoint.” She advises analyzing why you’re reacting the way you are in order to reflect on how to effectively address the underlying problem if you ask the question and aren’t satisfied with the response.
How are tarot cards maintained?
Your tarot deck should be cleared, or cleansed, of any negative energies it may have absorbed from work, rest, or handling by others. Each of the four natural elements, as well as the fifth element of spirit, has a cleaning procedure associated with it. I have contemplated which element corresponds to which technique and have come to the following findings.
Under the name for each technique, I’ve listed the element I’ve given it, along with a brief justification of my decision. Although it may be too soon to say this, I’ll see you in the comments area if you disagree with my selections and would like to share which elements you would move around.
Visualisations
Spirit is associated with an element. We are attempting to incorporate or assimilate the essences and spirits of the heavens and the earth by drawing down or pulling up white light from them to blend with our own.
After a long day of work, using meditation-based practices is a terrific way to calm yourself while also clearing the energy from your playing cards. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that while pulling white light up via and from the earth is beneficial for grounding, pulling white light down through and into yourself or your cards can serve to purify. Once more, draw the white light up into your cards. If you are doing this for yourself, don’t forget to draw the light up through your feet and up through the rest of your body.
While really holding your tarot cards in your hands, you can extend that practice beautifully by seeing yourself holding them and then either bringing the light down or up through your cards and your body. You are connected to your cards when you are holding them. What better way to clean them than to do it simultaneously, in unison?
Nancy of Tarot Explorer describes how she asks her spirit guides to bless her deck after smudging it in the Smudging and Incense chapter below. It is a fantastic adaption to use that portion of her technique here, during a visualisation.
I always “clean the cards” before or right after a reading as part of my personal ritual. I do this by visualizing a beam of pure white light from above piercing the cards and instantly purging them of all prior energy. Tarot of Angels by Anton Rossi
Smudging and incense
Fire is an elemental connection. Smudge sticks and incense are lit and kept burning by fire. It is the only element capable of transforming one item into another and has long been linked to rites of purging and cleansing.
It is clear why this approach is by far the most common one. This method seems to work because of our recall of frankincense from our time spent attending church. Just the sight and smell of the smoke can conjure up a genuine sense of purification.
Look for white sage when using a smudge stick, though lavender smudge is also beneficial if you can locate it. There are several types, aromas, purities, and intensities of incense. Each has unique traits, connections, and purposes. The range is enormous and may be a little perplexing. Try what you can find or what you already have, is my advise to you. I have successfully smudged with a variety of substances using many different types. Be less anxious about having to discover the ideal smudge or incense; you will, after much trial and error, and I can attest that the process is really enjoyable.
I sage a new deck when I acquire one (light dried native sage and pass the deck several times through the smoke). The sage smoke purifies the cards and establishes a sacred area around them. I then make a request to my spirit guides to bless the deck and assist me in using it solely for the benefit of the person I’m reading for. Tarot Explorer Nancy Hendrickson Bonnie Cehovet, Laura Goodfellow, Rainbow Tarot, Misha, Tarot by Misha, and I ourselves are also fans.
Moon energy
Water is associated with an element. La Lunar has long been linked to water because of her feminine, enigmatic, and fluid spirit. She has the ability to control enormous oceans as well as your body.
Tarot deck clearing using lunar energy is quite efficient. The simplest method is to just set your deck on the window sill or close to one and allow the moon to clear and revitalize your cards. Although it is helpful, a full moon is not necessary, especially if it can be seen from the window next to where you plan to put your deck. I have used this strategy successfully many times before. Using crystals, you can even incorporate a small ritual into this method, as the Tarot Lady proposes below. Smudging or lighting incense before the ritual can also be quite helpful. If you want to give your Full Moon ritual a bit more atmosphere, consider including candles.
Overnight, place the cards in the moonlight, loose. However, keep them inside and place them on a lovely blanket or a basket that you prefer. Toby Cehovet
I’ve only ever had to cleanse a Tarot deck once, and that was when I first began exploring the fascinating world of magic and divination. I had purchased a used deck, and every time I lifted it up to use it, I would get a headache. As a novice, I was a little unclear of what to do and by pure luck, rather than expertise, I discovered a ritual that has served me well ever since. I wrapped my deck (in a box) in a black lay cloth, put salt on top of it, and set it on the window sill for 24 hours. I still don’t get headaches when I use that deck. Witch Blog by Lyn