What Is a Deck Clearing Ritual?

[RickInBakersfield]

In one of my tarot books, the author mentioned that some readers will perform a deck clearing ritual just before the start of the reading. She didn't elaborate on this, so I am wondering if you can tell me what you do with the deck BEFORE the reading starts with the sitter?

 

Also, are the cards in a certain order before the shuffling and cutting process?

 

What do you do?

 

Rick,

[Misterei]

I'm usually more concerned with clearing *myself* than the deck. So I have mini rituals or practices for that.

Normally we might say the shuffle itself---which randomizes the cards---is the deck clearing ritual.

 

I have noticed decks can get *tired* in which case I just switch decks or do a deck clearing. I wrote a blog post how to do it, but I certainly couldn't do it before every reading.

[Raggydoll]

I agree that it’s more about making sure that I have a clear head before the reading and that I’m aligned to the spirit world (to my guides and ancestors). The shuffling also helps, especially when it’s done with intention. I’d say that my shuffling process prior to a reading has two phases. First I shuffle to prepare the deck and to clear it from lingering energies. Once I feel that the deck is neutral and ready, I’ll begin to shuffle with the new question in mind. I will shuffle until I get a physical nudge to quit, so sometimes I will be shuffling for quite some time. 

[RickInBakersfield]

I think that's good advice from both of you ladies!

 

Rick

[dancing_moon]

23 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

First I shuffle to prepare the deck and to clear it from lingering energies. Once I feel that the deck is neutral and ready, I’ll begin to shuffle with the new question in mind. I will shuffle until I get a physical nudge to quit, so sometimes I will be shuffling for quite some time. 

 

That's how I do it, too, except my phase one is mostly aimed at warming the deck up. I mean, physically warming and also unsticking the cards from each other: during storage, most cards stick together to various degree - I like to shuffle them until they feel like each card is more or less separated from the rest. I never feel the need to cleanse a deck before a reading - but sometimes (very rarely) I might cleanse it after one. In general, though, even if sitters come one after another, thorough shuffling seems enough.

Edited August 12, 2024 by dancing_moon

[EMarieHasADHD]

I agree that it’s most important to feel that you, as the reader, are energetically cleansed and ready. However, some people like clearing energies from their deck either every time or occasionally via setting it in full moonlight overnight, using crystals (such as clear quartz), or passing the cards through incense or sage smoke to be helpful. 

[Misterei]

23 hours ago, EmarieWithADHD said:

... some people like clearing energies from their deck either every time or occasionally via setting it in full moonlight overnight, using crystals (such as clear quartz), or passing the cards through incense or sage smoke to be helpful. 

I have different levels. For a deck that starts to feel tired or bad energy, the first step would be putting the deck in order as a *reset*. But if that isn't enough then, yes, i go into techniques like you describe. This is occasional for me *as needed*. Not every time.