Tarot cards are a divination tool and an extension of your energy that needs clearing occasionally.  Everything holds energy, and this is especially true for the cards as they are constantly reflecting, amplifying, and mirroring energy. If you’ve felt something is “off” or your readings don't feel clear, it’s a good time to try a ritual. You’ll want to also develop o quick personal practice of regularly clearing your cards before each reading. When I get a new deck for the first time, I have a more elaborate ritual, but clearing can be quick, practical, and effective. 

Why should you cleanse your tarot cards?

Have you ever noticed that when you tidy up your space, it can give you an instant mood boost? Consider how restful and calming it feels to clean your bedroom, take a bath, and sleep on fresh sheets. This is because your space is an extension of your energy. If you are sensitive to energy, which if you’re reading tarot, you most likely are, you’ll feel that.

When you clear your cards, you’re clearing away old, stagnant energy or energy that is not relevant. This allows you to energetically put your intention into them. Your tarot cards will be more accurate, clear, and precise when you clear and cleanse the energy. This will also help you build a more reliable practice and trust in yourself and the tarot, which is especially helpful if you're a beginner.

How often should you cleanse them?

With all intuitive practices, it’s best to go with how you feel. Over time you’ll develop a sense of how and when you’d like to cleanse your cards. Generally, it’s a good idea to cleanse them between each reading. You might even decide to clear them between each question. If you’re reading tarot someplace new or at events, it can benefit you to clear your cards of the day's energy. The more energy you’re connecting to, the more clearing can benefit you. The busiest place I’ve read Tarot is in Salem, Massachusetts, in the month of October. The energy there is wild. After each shift, I’d take my cards home and give them and myself a thorough cleansing. 

The Best Ways to Cleanse Your Tarot Cards

Smoke

Burning herbs to clear energy and cleanse the air is an ancient practice. Certain herbs, when burned, have an antibacterial and antimicrobial effect. You can also use incense. Choose some dried herbs or grow your own and dry them out. You can bundle the herbs into a wand for clearing. I like to pull off a single leaf and place it in a fire-safe bowl or shell. My favorite herbs for cleansing are rosemary, lavender, and mugwort. Once you light your herbs, let the flame go out and wave the smoke below your deck. Have an open window nearby to wave out the smoke and energy you’re clearing. 

Shuffling

Clearing doesn’t have to be complicated and time-consuming. Shuffling gives your cards a nice reset. You’ll always want to use some kind of shuffling method before readings. I like using a good riffle shuffle between readings. With this method, you cut the deck in half and hold each half with your fingers securing the bottom and thumbs on top. Then, you bend the cards to create some pressure and let the cards fall quickly, fanning together. As with any clearing method, your intention makes all the difference. As you shuffle the cards and hear them slapping together, infuse them with your intention to clear into the deck. 

Knocking 

Knocking is a simple and quick method to help you cleanse your cards between readings. Hold your deck in your non-dominant hand. Then, knock on the deck three times with your dominant hand. You’ll want to have the intention of clearing negative energy away from your cards when you do this. Knocking three times is a common preference because three is a magical number. As with any ritual, you can make this your own. I use this knocking method between readings when I feel drawn to do it. 

Crystals

Crystals are a wonderful way to use the elements to clear your deck. I like to keep my deck surrounded by crystals and sometimes bring it home and place it on my altar on top of a piece of selenite. To clear your deck try leaving it overnight with a crystal on top of it. You might also decide to create a crystal grid to place your deck in the center of. Another method is to place your deck in a bowl and surround it with crystals overnight. 

I like using selenite, quartz, smokey quartz, and obsidian. Some other crystals for clearing energy are: Amber, Amethyst, Garnet, Hematite, Labradorite, Lapis, Malachite, Obsidian, Opal, Shungite, Smokey Quartz, Selenite, and Tourmaline. 

To learn more about which crystals to use, check out Crystal Basics The Energetic, Healing and Spiritual Power of 200 Gemstones by Nicholas Pearson and The Pocket Book of Stones Who They Are and What They Teach by Robert Simmons. 

Flower Petals

This is how I welcome a new deck and infuse it with my energy. This ritual is more time-consuming, but if it appeals to you, it could be a lovely way to connect with you cards. I use a combination of dried flowers that have been sitting on my altar and other petals I have for rituals. Rose petals are a nice choice; make sure they are completely dry. You can also use any dried herbs you have. Place your cards inside a container and surround them with the petals. Imagine the flowers absorbing any foreign energy from your deck. State your intention to clear and bless the cards. 

Salt

Salt is an ancient way to cleanse energy. Submerging your cards or burying them in salt is risky, though, so I don’t recommend that. Even if you wrap them tightly, there’s a chance they could be damaged, and I don’t believe it’s necessary. Instead, take a small bowl filled with sea salt and place it on your altar. Place your tarot deck in the bowl and leave it for one hour or as long as overnight. You could place a crystal on two on top of the cards as long as they won’t become damaged if they come in contact with the salt. You’ll also want to use this practice when it’s low humidity or in a very dry place. 

Full Moon Bath

You may have heard that the full moon is a time of amplified energy. There is science to back this up, the mass spawning of corals on the great barrier reefs is timed perfectly to the full moon. Birds and insects rely on the moon for migration and navigation. Humans experience heightened emotions from the moon’s gravitational pull. Think of bathing your tarot deck in the light of the full moon as a way to infuse it will new energy and clear away the old. Just as you might choose to charge your crystals under the full moon. Leave your tarot deck in a cloth or bowl in front of a window on or around the full moon. Set your intention to let go of any energy that’s not serving you or your deck and let the cards soak up some lunar magic. 

Sunlight

The sun is a powerful way to cleanse and clear. The act of bringing things into the light is powerful. The sun is pure fire energy. Leave your cards in a sunny spot and let them absorb the rays. You might begin a ritual of taking your cards outside if this way of clearing appeals to you. Lay a blanket out and spread out your cards to reflect the sun. Ten minutes is all you need for this ritual. State your intention to clear through the power of the sun. It will be energizing to you as well! 

Meditation 

Meditate to clear your mind and your tarot deck. Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind and energy. Holding your cards visualize your inner light building within you with every breath. As you inhale and exhale, this light becomes brighter. Now imagine the light gathering in your hands. Imagine surrounding your cards with light that is clearing, cleansing, and purifying. You might make a motion of “dusting off” your cards as you remove any negative energy they hold. Hold the cards in the light for a few minutes or until you feel they are cleared. 

Blessing the Cards

Writing a blessing, prayer, or intention for your cards is a magical practice. To do this, consider how you feel about your cards and your practice. How do you want to feel in the future? What divine source would you like to call on or call in? This could be ancestors, guides, the universe, or angels. Use whichever terms resonate with you. What energy do you want the cards to let go of? What energy do you want to infuse the cards with? Then end your blessing by thanking spirit or any way that feels natural for you. 

Your intention could sound like: Dear spirit, ancestors, and guides, help me to maintain clarity, truth, and resonance with my practice. Help me clear the cards of any negative energy they hold and infuse them with light and love. Thank you, spirit, and so it is. 

Good Times to Cleanse Your Cards

New Moon

The new moon is the first phase of the lunar cycle. This is a time of new beginnings and the perfect time to set intentions. Think of planting the seeds you want to grow throughout the next lunar cycle. If you have goals relating to your tarot practice, you can set intentions around them. Sometimes resting during this new moon phase feels best, and you may want to create an altar or set intentions during the waxing crescent or a few days after the new moon. This time of rest and renewal is a natural time to clear your cards. You can start the lunar cycle with a fresh slate. Choose one of the rituals above and incorporate it into the week of the new moon. 

After Traveling

I always clear my cards after traveling by plane. I typically pack a tarot deck in my carry-on. If you do this, be prepared to take them out at security. There is something about the way they appear on camera that always ends up getting flagged. This is especially true if your cards have metallic edges. Think about all the energy and people that you’ll be coming into contact with. When you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to clear your cards. Having a clearing ritual for yourself, like a salt or sugar scrub you travel with, can also boost you energetically. 

When You’re Feeling Low

If you’re doing shadow work or feeling energetically low or overwhelmed, it’s a good idea to clear your cards. Of course, your health and well-being are the priority. So, if you don't feel like you have the energy to add another ritual, don’t feel guilty about this. After I’ve had a bout of insomnia or a series of intense migraines, I’ll typically do a clearing ritual for my cards and my space. Rituals are best when they feel supportive of you. It needn’t be something you add to an already full plate. You might benefit from something energizing after a difficult day or week. Consider what appeals to you and makes you feel more connected to yourself. 

After Events or House Parties 

I find events and house parties equally parts energizing and draining. It feels invigorating to be in the energy of a group. At the same time, afterward, I need time to recover. I’ve worked at various events in churches, private homes, hotel rooms, and holistic centers. Most of the time, people are great to work with, but sometimes they are challenging, there’s alcohol consumption (against my advice), or emotions are running high. After an event, I know I’ve picked up a lot of energy, and holding space for a group requires strong, energetic boundaries. Think of your tarot cards in the same way. You’ll both feel clearer and more refreshed when you have a ritual to clear after this type of event. 

Do I have to cleanse my tarot cards every time before using them? 

You are the authority on your tarot practice, and ultimately you’ll know what’s best. I recommend having a simple ritual before each reading that includes setting your intention. I clear my cards by giving them a good riffle shuffle and knock on the deck. If I have a particularly heavy reading, I may want to create a transition and clear the energy. I’ll use smoke to clear the deck quickly. I also love to put my cards out on a full moon or new moon with some crystals. When it comes to your divination, practice, experiment, and do what feels right. Let your intuition guide you. 

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What would happen if I don’t ever cleanse my tarot cards?

Clearing your cards is all about intention. Practicing tarot without intention is like trying to read a book in the dark. Things are not as clear, but if you turn on the light, you could see so much easier! Intention gives you direction and the best possible outcomes for your reading. If you forget to set an intention or clear your cards, you might notice your readings are not as accurate. When you set a clear intention and begin with a fresh, energetic slate, you’ll notice that your intuitive impressions are more precise. There is power in your intention and rituals, and you affirm this by making it a regular part of your practice. 

How to Care For Your Tarot Cards

1. Use a Tarot Reading Cloth or Wrap

Tarot reading cloths can be beautiful, practical, and sacred. Especially if you read tarot in various places, a tarot cloth allows you to unwrap your deck and set it out on a clear, clean surface each time. There are no hard rules when it comes to how you choose to store your deck. If you’re a collector like me, chances are you have many decks in their original boxes and one or two working decks you use regularly. 

I love the idea of a natural fabric or silk cloth. I used to keep my deck in a small canvas zipper pouch that was tie-died and had sacred symbols inked on it. To start with, it was similar to this one. I’ve since upgraded to a faux leather wrap that I picked up in Salem, Massachusetts. If you have holistic centers or metaphysical shops accessible to you, I recommend going in person and choosing something you like the feel of. 

2. Shuffle Properly

Shuffling your cards properly is part of caring for them. You want to avoid damaging your cards so they’ll last. Take care of them so they take care of you. I love working with a well-loved, worn-in deck. There’s no need to keep your cards looking new, except that you’ll want to avoid tearing them. Once this happens, you won’t have a uniform look from the back of the cards, and this could affect your readings if you can always recognize a card by the back tear. Imagine playing cards with a deck, and the ace of diamonds has a tear; it’s not ideal. 

3. Cleaning Your Cards

This isn’t about energetic clearing. Sometimes spills happen. You want to take care to avoid this and treat your cards like you would your laptop or something else valuable that you wouldn't take any chances with. Once your cards get wet, it can affect the way they shuffle and slide together. I once spilled a bottle of water in my bag and soaked my fountain tarot deck.

I had to lay each card out to dry for two days turning them. It was a while before they recovered, but I was too attached to let them go. I recommend avoiding eating while you’re around your cards and, as I learned the hard way, not putting them in the same bag as a drink or bottle of water. If you do need to wipe off your cards, you could try furniture wipes. These are a good choice because they are not too wet. You could also try baby wipes in a pinch, but dry them quickly with a paper towel. 

4. Dispose of Them Properly

Sometimes you might find that a deck has run its course with you, no longer resonates, or is damaged beyond repair. You don't want to throw your tarot deck in the trash for ethical and emotional reasons. I recommend gifting a deck to a friend or giving it away via social media. You can also sell used decks on eBay. For a damaged deck, I would either bury it in the ground or burn the cards in a fire to get them a proper send-off. 

Takeaways

Tarot is a sacred personal practice that’s all about your intention. Having a regular ritual or go-to clearing practice will enrich your experience. Clear cards and clear intentions lead to more accurate and precise readings. There are many ways to clear the energy of your cards. There are certain times when clearing feels more necessary than others. This needn’t be a chore but a joyful, restorative practice. As with all divination practices, let your intuition guide you toward what’s right for you.