Do You Use a Surface Pad or a Cloth to Do Your Readings On?

[Libra 58]

A clean surface is enough but I sometimes use a cloth too. But haven't found one yet that feels like it's the right one.

[Morwenna]

The idea mentioned above of old table linens is spot on. Often seasonal church tag sales will have a section of linens, sometimes real linen. If a tablecloth is too large for you, try some dinner napkins; some of those old ones are quite large, or sew 4 of them together. Elegant and simple. 

[Mab]

I like a clean tabletop, preferably wood but I have a velvet cloth to bring out on occasion, as I have some sensory issues about certain fabrics. 

[EMarieHasADHD]

Yes, I lay my cards on a purple velvet altar cloth. To me, it’s mainly about treating my cards with respect. It’s not a necessity, though. There’s nothing wrong with not using anything. 

 

[Wyrdkiss]

I use a cloth or velvet drape,  but do not riffle shuffle.  I play trading card games; if you riffle, a mat designed for those, such as from Ultra Pro, would also be good for you.  https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pro-Solid-Purple-Play/dp/B00GC37YVC/ref=asc_df_B00GC37YVC?mcid=351b933556a13ed0974714d67ca992cf&hvocijid=6094865949638990690-B00GC37YVC-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6094865949638990690&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031867&hvtargid=pla-2281435178058&psc=1

[Tanga]

I don't bother with anything if I read for myself (I know what surface I'm putting my cards on at home).

I like a cloth to read for others and my favourite is the purple velvet reading cloth made my SulisCreations.  Because purple is my favourite colour and it feels special to lay cards on it. And - I like to give a little support to my fellow Tarot readers/forum members if I fancy something that they're selling.

I haven't been here for about a year and I can't remember stuff (menopause) - but I think Sulis may be on here somewhere.

 

I guess a playing card mat is the same as a Tarot mat, and on this front I have a fabulous ouija mat made by

Tarot by Seven. I never use it. It's on my wall 🙃.

Edited July 5, 2025 by Tanga

[zurgles]

I used to have a modest thrifted collection of various sort of colored or patterned fabrics. One ended up becoming what I wrap my Shadowscapes deck in but the rest are gone now. I didn’t always use them even back then anyway. These days I do readings on my bed. When it’s made the fabric is pretty enough. The blanket color is one of my favorites. Here’s a picture of what it looks like. The lighting in my room is minimal and orange so the green comes out dark especially on my camera, but it’s a darkish shiny emerald green.

 

 

If my bed isn’t made I’ll just throw a shirt down as the cloth. I used to do readings at dining/coffee tables too but these days I live with family and am more comfortable doing readings in my room. Plus there’s a lot of space on a bed.

 

edit: if I were going to do a reading outside, I’d want some sort of barrier but that doesn’t happen much these days.

Edited October 15, 2025 by zurgles
clarity, better picture

[Barleywine]

I like to bring one to public readings because I never no what kind of surface the venue will provide. Otherwise, I use solid or neutral-colored cloths for taking pictures of my spreads, either for blog posts or sending to remote clients.

[Fairy666tale]

I usually put the cards on my old oak wood table. Just because it's convenient, honestly... It's a salon table and I can sit on the soft carpet while doing the reading. But I only do readings for myself, so I don't need anything that's easy to bring somewhere else (imagine dragging a solid oak wood table around😆).

I am planning on bringing the deck along on future solo motorcycle trips, and do readings in nature. But I could just use the bike's saddle, then (it's quite flat).

[Morwenna]

Surfaces are where you find them, if I were to read outdoors I would definitely have a cloth with me. It wouldn't have to be fancy!

 

But thinking back to my earlier post here, about reading outdoors with the wind and the bees, a friend of mine solved the issue by means of his wife's sewing skills. He always uses a modified Celtic cross, so she made him a cloth with little pockets for the very tops and bottoms of his cards. Unless it's a gale, they ain't going nowhere! 😆It's dark blue to show off his mainly-white cards. Of course that wouldn't work for those who change spreads. Another woman in our group used a clear plastic sheet to cover the spread, but as I recall her reading cloth was simple white. 

 

I get it about the cultural sensitivity issue, but at places like renfaires, one is expected to be eye-catching. A former member of these forums (I don't remember if he was ever on this one or not) still reads all the time at various places and his setup is as flossy as one could wish, though he does it in celestial-wizard theming. Reading is not atmosphere and atmosphere is not reading, as he also knows quite well, but certain venues almost demand attention to presentation. 

[TinySpark]

Sometimes I like to read tarot while sitting on the floor. To protect my cards, I use pretty cloth napkins to lay my cards down. Formal dinner sized napkins can be fairly large 20”+ width, so you can easily do a celtic cross.

 

I love using napkins in solid, dark jewel-toned colors made of natural fibers that give a nice texture.

 

They are super convenient for taking pics of spreads. Super cheap & easy to clean too.

[Wyrdkiss]

3 hours ago, TinySpark said:

Sometimes I like to read tarot while sitting on the floor. To protect my cards, I use pretty cloth napkins to lay my cards down. Formal dinner sized napkins can be fairly large 20”+ width, so you can easily do a celtic cross.

 

I love using napkins in solid, dark jewel-toned colors made of natural fibers that give a nice texture.

 

They are super convenient for taking pics of spreads. Super cheap & easy to clean too.

yes good point, when out of the house on the go sometimes I do the same.  I carry a large black one in my backpack, and one in my tarot session box. Good for personal time at a cafe, or if I'm with a client and a table-cloth is inconvenient.