Clearing Your Tarot or Oracle Deck

I’ve been seeing a lot of new readers ask about clearing their Tarot cards. They ask the following questions most frequently. What does this mean? Do I need to do it? How can I clear my cards? For those that need this information, or who just want to see how another reader does this, here is a quick explanation of the ways I’ve learned to accomplish this task. All the following methods may be used for any divination deck, not just Tarot. Therefore, I will use the words Tarot, oracle or divination deck interchangeably.

WHY?

But first, why clear your cards at all? Not every reader considers this necessary. For those that feel the need, there are various reasons they do. Some readers feel that their oracle cards accumulate energy from the people they read for. As this energy builds up, readings are clouded by conflicting messages. Yet others believe their divination cards absorb energy from the environment. If a negative event occurs near their cards, or a person they consider toxic comes into their home, the environmental energies can affect the cards. There is no “correct” belief. Each person feels energy differently. If you feel your cards are not responding to you as they should, maybe it’s time to clear the energies.

HOW?

Many card readers also use the following methods to cancel any negative energies: reset the deck, put down a circle of salt around your cards, wrap in silk, cleanse with smoke (sometimes called smudging) or allow a crystal to sit on your deck overnight. Still other readers use moonlight to cleanse their oracle cards.

Reset the Deck

Resetting the deck is an easy method for clearing the energy in your cards. These are the steps I take to reset a Tarot deck. First, I separate the cards into the Minors and the Majors. Then I take the Minors and sort them by suit and order them Ace to King.You should have five stacks of cards after sorting. I connect to my higher self by thanking the cosmos and my guides for their direction and shuffle each small stack. Next, I shuffle the minors with their complementary element. I begin with shuffling Cups to the Pentacles to reunite water to earth. Then, I shuffle Swords to Wands to reunite air to fire. I then have three stacks of cards. I shuffle the minors together several times to mix the suits well and then split them into halves again. I divide the Majors into halves, and randomly slide each stack of Majors into a pile of Minors card by card. Finally, I shuffle the two remaining stacks several times. There is no specified number of times. I stop when I stop.

If you are using a different type of oracle deck, simply put your cards in numerical or alphabetical order, and shuffle. You may bless your cards however you feel resonates with you beforehand. They are your cards, and your rituals should be comfortable and beneficial to you as an individual.

Salt Cleansing

Salt absorbs and neutralizes energy. Different colors of salt are used in different ways according to the user’s practice and belief system. Pink salt can be used for healing. Black salt is used to counter negative or malevolent energies. White salt purifies. You may choose any salt to absorb energy from your deck. When using salt to cleanse your cards, place them in a protected or sacred area, like a windowsill or your personal altar space. Many readers say prayers to their deities or ask their spiritual guides to aid the process. Then a thin layer of salt is poured in a circle around the cards. They are left overnight to release their energies to the salt. Another method of salt cleansing requires the reader to place their deck in a box with salt in the bottom and seal it for at least twenty-four hours.

Silk Cleansing

Silk is another energy filter and absorber. This is a traditional method for keeping energies balanced in your cards. If you wish to use this technique, you will need a swath of pure silk. Many old school readers use a scarf they no longer wear. Wrap your cards in this silk to store them. You may leave them in the box if convenient or simply put the cards in the cloth. Alternately, you may create a bag with the silk to store your Tarot deck. Many readers who use this method also sleep with a new deck under their pillow for three nights to further cement the energy connection. These are old traditions passed down through generations. Pick them up and use them if you feel called to do so.

Smoke Cleansing

Smoke cleansing is often called smudging; however, this terminology refers to a spiritual practice other than clearing Tarot or other divination decks. Therefore, I will use the phrase smoke cleansing. This approach to clearing energy can be found in traditions on every continent. The most well-known smoke cleansing material is white sage. However, there are some alternatives you may want to consider. Dragon’s Blood, most easily found in incense form, is used to clear negative energy and promote healing. If you prefer to use unprocessed leaves, you can make a bundle from mug wort. It has the same cleansing properties as sage. Rosemary leaves are also wonderful to use for a smoke cleanse. These may also be combined with thyme for an invigorating energy cleanse of not only your oracle deck, but your body and your personal space as well.

Once you have chosen your smoke cleansing materials, you may choose to hold your entire deck and move it through the smoke or take each card and expose them to the smoke. It is a personal preference or may depend on how off balance you feel your Tarot deck has become. Most readers begin this ritual with a prayer to their deities or connection with their spiritual guides, and end with a thank you.

Crystal Cleansing

Each crystal has different properties. Like salt, larger crystals are natural neutralizers. Clear quartz is the crystal I recommend you use for a Tarot or Oracle deck, because it is influenced by need and intention. This crystal can substitute for any other crystal, much the same way a white candle substitutes for any color in candle magic. However, other suggestions are amethyst, which influences psychic connections, rose quartz, which aids emotional balance, or black onyx, which absorbs and neutralizes negative influences. You may choose any other crystal depending on your needs. To use a crystal for energy cleansing, you decide the appropriate ritual and place the crystal on your divination deck. You may choose to do this while the deck is in its box or remove the cards to sit under the crystal overnight. Some readers store their decks with a crystal as well.

Moon Cleansing

Many readers work with the phases of the moon. The full moon is a very powerful energy neutralizer, although some magic practitioners equate different full moons with different types of energies. You may want to research these to find the best full moon for you. The new moon is also used in energy work. Some Tarot readers use the energy of the new moon to consecrate a new deck as it represents beginnings. Place your deck under the night sky at dusk to use this method and retrieve it in the morning. I would suggest you do this indoors by using a windowsill to avoid damage to your oracle deck. However, there are readers who prefer to have direct moonlight touch their cards. You decide what is best for you.

Hopefully your questions have been answered. No matter the method you choose to clear energy from your deck, if you choose to do so at all, your practices belong to you. I wish you well on your journey and hope that you continue on a productive path.