Perhaps you’ve heard various accounts of how one “should” acquire and care for a tarot deck. I remember hearing these stories in the time before I owned my first deck.
You can only use the cards if a deck is gifted to you, was one instruction. You must perform a ritual to clear your deck of energies and make it your own was another.
While I would never downplay the wisdom of different cultures and their beliefs about the best ways to obtain and care for their divinatory tools, there are some standard beliefs when it comes to caring for your tarot deck and how to cleanse tarot cards.
So, let’s talk about how to cleanse tarot cards and take care of your tarot deck. Note that you can also use these cleansing methods for oracle cards and angel card decks.
How to Cleanse Tarot Cards vs Clearing your Deck#
Depending on the specific culture or belief system, cleansing and clearing your tarot deck can mean a variety of things.
Some say to “clear” the cards mean you intentionally neutralize them, like rebooting your computer to return it to factory settings and clear any personalized files stored on it.
To “cleanse” tarot cards can mean something a little different. This can mean that you not only neutralize your cards but also energetically remove any energies that may be negative, distracting, or heavy.
The distinction is a minor one, and some people use the terms interchangeably. For me, the idea of clearing the cards is a matter of neutralizing the energy from the past.
To cleanse tarot cards means to actually take additional measures to really clean out the energy. This is more like a deep cleaning.
A third step is called “charging.” Once the cards have been neutralized, then cleansed on a deeper level, you can imbue the cards with specific positive energy. This is called “charging” the cards. Other terms for charging can include blessing them.
2 Easy Ways To Cleanse your Tarot Deck#
Before using that tarot deck, especially a new one, I believe it’s a good idea to clear, cleanse, and then charge your new tarot cards.
If nothing else, this helps to align the energy of the cards with your personal energies. Doing so solidifies your connection to the cards which will lead to more accurate and insightful readings.
So before you use your tarot cards, set aside some time for a clearing and cleansing ritual. Although I use the two separate terms, they go hand in hand. Similar to shampooing your hair and then using conditioner. Charging can also be done in the same ritual.
Below are a number of different ways to clear and cleanse your tarot deck. Whether you use any of these tools or none of them, plan for a process to neutralize and clear the cards, another process for energetically doing a “deep clean” or cleanse, and then another process to charge them.
1. Blowing & Knocking#
We start with my all-time favorite: blowing and knocking the cards. Take your cards and fan them out in one hand. Gently start to blow on the cards. One breath will normally do.
Now, make one neat pile of the cards and knock on top of the deck. Your cards are now cleansed of old energy and ready for their next reading.
2. Moon Bath#
The full moon is a good time to let go of old energy within ourselves and any items in our possession. Therefore, the full moon is a perfect source to clear and cleanse your tarot cards.
You can create a “moon bath” by just simply placing your cards in your window or (if the weather allows it) outside in the moonlight.
What’s probably the very best time to do this is during your own Moon Phase. By placing your cards under the moon during your personal Moon Phase. it is supposed to create an even deeper connection between you and your Tarot cards!
Want to know exactly when your Moon Phase is and learn about your Moon Sign? Check out this free Moon Reading that I love to do by clicking the image below:
