Technique
How to Cleanse Your Tarot Deck
Cleansing a tarot deck resets your attention more than the cards themselves. The main methods, when to use them, and when not to bother.
7 min read
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people cleanse tarot cards?
Cleansing is mostly a way to reset your own attention and mark a clean break between readings. The ritual matters less for the cards than for the reader bringing fresh focus to the deck.
What are the most common ways to cleanse a tarot deck?
Common methods include shuffling thoroughly, knocking on the deck, sorting it back into order, leaving it under moonlight, or briefly passing it through incense smoke. Pick a method that feels honest, not one that feels performative.
How often should you cleanse your tarot cards?
There is no required schedule. Many readers cleanse after a heavy reading, when the deck feels stale, or when starting a new chapter of practice, and otherwise leave it alone.