In the tarot world, it is common to cleanse and clear both new and used tarot cards. The good news is that it is simple and voluntary.

Tarot card decks are frequently not cleansed, which is entirely acceptable. Some people I know who don’t cleanse their cards are amazing readers. However, many individuals believe that tarot cards can accumulate energetic filth over time.

Why would you then wish to cleanse or purify your tarot cards?

They’ve been used – Whoever owned the deck is unknown. Was their use followed by any negative, tense, or compulsive energy? It’s better to give them a makeover and accustom them to you as the new owner.

They’ve been touched – This is a disputed piece of tarot legend. Some tarot readers prohibit others from touching their cards.

Compliance with this concept is optional, regardless of what your tarot teacher insisted upon or what you learnt in a book.

Don’t allow people to touch your cards if you believe that doing so will change how they read. Otherwise, it is a choice to make rather than a defined rule. Do remember basic tarot etiquette and never touch another person’s deck without their permission.

When you keep on picking confusing and inaccurate readings – Perhaps your cards have some strange energetic junk on them that is interfering with the reading. Reading about a bad situation could result in bad card results. However, occasionally you will experience an odd, strangely unfavourable sensation that needs to be cleared.

Reading about a subject too frequently can make the readings unclear. In that case, it is usual to wipe the deck and give it a chance to “rest” or restart.

You must get back in touch with a deck – Cleansing or cleaning your cards is a fantastic method to re-establish the connection if they have been put away for some time. The same remains true for an old deck you want to use again.

Ways To Cleanse Tarot Cards

#1. Using Incense

One of the most popular methods for smudging tarot decks is the use of incense.

In many religious traditions, incense is burned during purification ceremonies. White sage, sweet grass, or palo santo, all sacred herbs from the indigenous cultures of the Americas, are the most widely used purifying incense in the West. You can also use old-world herbs like rosemary and common garden sage. My favourite aroma is that of palo santo, which is both bright and woodsy.

A stick, cone, or loose incense are other options. Pick an aromatherapy product that has a connection to blessing or cleansing.

Some readers clean their decks of cards one by one. However, feel free to use the entire deck in a single attack if you so wish.

Furthermore, it’s a good idea to cleanse yourself or your reading area to remove any negative energy. Smudging is a common practice for tarot readers before and after readings (particularly when reading for someone else).

If you love incense but suffer from severe allergies or are sensitive to smoke, try cleaning sprays made from essential oils. Sprays for cleaning are excellent.

Sage, palo santo, and other base oils are available in sprays. Spray yourself and your environment to activate the aura-cleansing sweetness. You run the risk of damaging your cards if you directly spray them.

#2. Meditate and Visualise

Tarot card purification techniques such as visualisation or meditation are effective. Visualise a lightbulb purifying the cards or wind removing any remaining energy. You can do this while trying to comfort the cards or while holding the deck in your hands.

Many readers also say prayers to purify and energise their cards. Asking yourself what you want your deck to be able to help you with will support you when creating a meditation or prayer for your cards. Examples include serving your clients, receiving direction from the spirit world or your higher self, assisting with healing and shadow work,

#3. Knocking the deck of Tarot Cards

That’s true. Your tarot deck should receive three knocks, just like a door.

It has been explained to me that doing so “wakes them up” and clears the cards. This concept resonates with my polytheistic side. The quickest and simplest cleansing technique to use in an emergency is undoubtedly this one.

#4. Blow on the cards

Some readers may spread out the deck and blow on it to clean their cards.

It’s interesting how you can clean yourself just using your breath. I’m not sure where this custom came from, but it makes me think of a gambling legend. In the card game Baccarat, it’s traditional for players to blow on the cards to chase away bad luck. This technique is also used in dice-based games when players blow on the dice in hopes of luck.

Perhaps this is a tradition from the tarot’s early days as a card game? In any case, a lot of people find it useful!

#5. Underneath the Full Moon

 Position your tarot decks where they will be lighted by the full moon, such as on a table or wind

The twelve locations of the zodiac wheel are also covered by the moon as it performs phase changes. You may also use the full moon’s zodiac sign to add more power to your deck by setting an aim.

Capricorn, for instance, is a sign that values profession, authority, and business. Let’s use the full moon in Capricorn as an illustration. Under that moon, you could purify and charge your deck to give it powers connected to work and profession. You might read about business or career-related topics for yourself or clients that evening or the following day. Your deck would have a little more power when it comes to Capricorn-ruled subjects.

However, if that’s too complex, regular moonlight also works well!

#6. A Splash of Sunlight

You can put your cards out on a sunny day or in an area where they will get enough sunshine, similar to a moon bath.

If you live in a humid atmosphere, I wouldn’t advise doing this unless you don’t mind twisted or distorted cards. Even indoors on my reading table, I’ve experienced cards warping due to exposure to the late-afternoon sun. Of course, it’s hot and muggy where I reside. Your results may vary. However, if you want to charge your cards with radiant, uplifting energy, this is a terrific technique to apply.

#7. Reiki

 The hands are used to channel energy in the Reiki healing procedure. Typically, an instructor or organisation certifies practitioners in the system. Try using Reiki to purify your decks of cards if you are familiar with them. Try meditating with an intention while holding the cards in your hands if you are not qualified in Reiki.

#8. Mix the cards and rearrange

One of my favourite ways to meet new decks or reconnect myself with old ones is to use this technique.

To accomplish this, mix a deck and place the Major Arcana first, then the Minor Arcana. So I start with the Fool at 0 and the World at 22 for myself. I then stack the royal cards in the following order: Page, Knight, Queen, and King, along with the suits from Ace to Ten. I stacked them all back up again.

This feels to me like hitting the reset button on a tarot card. Furthermore, it helps me to recall the details of decks I haven’t used in a while. Occasionally, during this process, fresh interpretations of a card’s imagery will appear.

#9. Sound of a bowl

Use it if you have one. Some people think that the sound of the bowls may adjust and cleanse items or people. As you ring the bowl, place your deck within or near it.

#10. Crystals

Tarots and crystals are like peanut butter and jelly. One of my favourite techniques is to recharge and clean a deck using crystals. When it’s not in use, place a clear quartz point on top of your deck. Simple.

Here are a few ideas for crystals that go well with purifying tarot cards:

Selenite – interacting with spirit guides while cleansing.

Clear quartz – sanitises the deck. It increases the power of the cards.

Amethyst – Quartz-like characteristics plus an enhancement in psychic abilities.

Black tourmaline – For grounding. Negative energy is absorbed.

Crystals can be positioned beneath, between, or on top of your decks of cards.

#11. Salt

The salt approach is appreciated by many readers. Put your deck of cards in plastic wrap and bury it in a salt container. Try it if that concept strikes a chord with you. Personally, I think it’s too disorganised and runs the risk of damaging the cards. But once again, a lot of tarot readers like this technique.

And here is a less-messy idea: set your cards on top of a slab of Himalayan salt. They are available in the majority of big grocery stores.

The above techniques can all be combined. See if one works for your readings by giving it a try.

I hope you’ve discovered a way of purification that appeals to you. If not, don’t worry! Many great, gifted readers don’t apply any of these purification techniques.