You've bought a tarot and/or oracle deck. Now what?
Here are is a simple guide for working with your deck.
Step 1: Cleanse
The frequency that you cleanse your deck really depends on your usage. Every new deck should get a cleanse before use, if you store with other decks, I'd recommend cleansing before storage. If you are reading for others, it's definitely recommended to cleanse before and after each reading for someone other than yourself.
Typical cleansing methods are many and varied. There's a standard, running your cards through sage smoke. There's the less common, but still a great option, using sound such as bells, chimes and singing bowls. And my personal go-to, crystals. Selenite or quartz crystal on the deck is a great simple cleanse. Salt is another option, if you have no other means, but use sparingly, as it can deteriorate your cards over time.
Step 2: Shuffle
Shuffling your cards is a great way to get familiar and comfortable with them. Shuffle often. Even if you don't intend on reading them. Any way that you're comfortable shuffling is going to be the best way to do it. If your cards are flexible enough to bridge, and that's how you shuffle, you can. If you prefer to hand over shuffle, that's ok too. If you need to use the table top (or the floor), honestly, do that. There's no wrong way to shuffle.
Step 3: Make use of tarot bags
Bags for your decks are a great way to protect your decks, and keeping them all together, making sure no cards are left behind. Storing in the original box is an option, of course, but, it's easy to have cards remain in the box when trying to take them out for use, and you may not notice. This can make for inaccurate readings. Bags make it easy to ensure you don't leave any cards behind while also protecting your decks and holding up over use.
Step 4: Single Card Pulls
When you feel as though you're comfortable with shuffling your deck with your method of choice, shuffle your deck until you feel it's thoroughly shuffled. There's no right or wrong way to do this. If you aren't sure if you've shuffled enough, shuffle a few more times and run your fingers over the sides of the deck to ensure that you've touched each card.
Put the cards face down on a table and spread out the deck. With the deck spread out, you should find yourself gravitating to one card over all the others. Take this card and turn it right side up. For now, if you turn any card over and it's reversed, turn it so it's right-side up. (No reversals will be read in this tidbit guide.)
Step 5: Reading your card
Whether you are working with Tarot or Oracle, you'll approach reading your card in the same way. You can use the book that came with your deck, reading the upright meaning, or, the preferred method, you can read your card intuitively, taking the message you feel the card is meant to share. It's up to you how you move forward with your reading. It's important to remember that you have the ability to change the outcome. Just because you pulled this card, it does not make it's inferred meaning written in stone.
Step 6: You've finished your reading
Once you've finished your reading, add your card back to the deck and shuffle well. This will ensure that that next time you use your deck, you'll be less likely to have a repeat reading as your cards with have a solid shuffle before and after each reading. When you've finished shuffling (a few good shuffles is really all it needs), cleanse your deck, and store it in a safe, dry place.
Use these helpful tidbits with your daily card pulls for both Tarot and Oracle. If you feel you'd like more instruction on Tarot and/or Oracle reading, there are classes in the schedule for both. The links to register are below. I hope to see you there!
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