Healing Light

Easy Steps to Handle, Cleanse and Store Tarot Cards

Tarot decks are not just cards; they’re conduits of energy, wisdom, and intuition. As you use them for readings, they absorb vibrations from your thoughts, emotions, and the energies around you. To maintain their clarity and potency, regular care and cleansing are essential. In this guide, we’ll explore various methods, including cleansing with crystals and smoke, to keep your tarot deck vibrant and attuned.

1. Respectful Handling:
   • Start with the basics. Treat your tarot deck with reverence and respect. Avoid letting others handle your cards carelessly, and refrain from using them when you’re in a negative or distracted state of mind. Clean hands and a focused mindset contribute to the purity of the deck’s energy.
2. Regular Cleansing:
   • Set a schedule for cleansing your tarot deck. Some practitioners prefer to do this after each reading, while others opt for weekly or monthly sessions. Trust your intuition to determine what feels right for you.
   • One of the simplest methods is to fan the cards out and pass them through the smoke of cleansing herbs, such as sage or palo santo. Visualize any stagnant or negative energy dissipating with the smoke.
   • Alternatively, you can hold the deck over a candle flame (be cautious!) and visualize the fire burning away any lingering negativity. Exercise extreme care with this method to avoid damaging the cards.
   • Another approach involves placing the cards in moonlight or sunlight, allowing the natural energies of the celestial bodies to cleanse and recharge them. Be mindful of prolonged exposure, especially to direct sunlight, as it may fade the colors of your deck over time.
3. Crystal Cleansing:
   • Crystals are potent allies in energetic cleansing. Select crystals known for their purifying properties, such as clear quartz, selenite, or amethyst.
   • Create a crystal grid by arranging the chosen stones around your tarot deck. Visualize the crystals forming a protective barrier and drawing out any negativity.
   • You can also place your deck on top of a single crystal for a more targeted cleansing. Leave them together for several hours or overnight, allowing the crystal’s energy to permeate the cards.
4. Intention Setting:
   • Before and after each cleansing session, set clear intentions for your tarot deck. Visualize it as a clean slate, ready to receive and transmit messages with clarity and accuracy.
   • Speak words of affirmation or blessing over the cards, infusing them with positive energy and aligning them with your purpose.

Caring for your tarot deck is a sacred practice that honors the connection between you, the cards, and the unseen forces at work. By incorporating regular cleansing rituals, such as those involving crystals and smoke, you ensure that your deck remains ready to offer clear insight and guidance during tarot readings. Remember to approach this process with mindfulness, gratitude, and an open heart, and your tarot practice will flourish.