My New Deck Ritual!

Whenever I get a new Tarot or oracle card deck, I like to do a little ritual. It takes time to really “bond” with a new deck, but feeling connected to a Tarot deck is key to having great readings.

You can also do this ritual with an old deck – you don’t need to wait until you get a new one 🙂

Step 1: Look Through the Deck

I like to think of this as going on a date with my new Tarot deck – I make a big pot of tea and settle in for this one. I spend some time going through the deck, one card at a time, and just looking and getting a feel for the overall vibe of the deck.

It’s important to have no real agenda here – I’m just spending some quality time with my cards, curious about how each card is represented and just getting familiar with the deck’s personality.

Step 2: Clear the Deck

I usually always use sage or palo santo smoke to clear my new deck. I don’t typically think of a new deck as being energetically “dirty”, but I see this step as an important part of infusing the deck with my own energy. Plus I like burning things and it just feels witchy!

Step 3: Infuse the Deck with My Energy!

I take a few minutes to infuse my own energy into my new deck by shuffling the cards, holding them and visualizing energy flowing from my hands into the deck. Sometimes I’ll hold the deck to my heart, as I chug my tea.

I usually only spend a few minutes doing this, but I used to take my new Tarot decks to bed with me (I know, I know!) and either sleep with it under my pillow or on my nightstand. I’ve gotten rather lazy with age and now I just do the quick shuffle and hold technique, but it does the trick!

Step 4: Interview My Tarot Deck!

This is where things get really fun and intriguing! I will talk to my deck and ask it some questions about itself as if it were a person sitting across from me.

I start by saying (in my head) welcome! I’m so excited to work with you! and then I’ll pull a card to see what the deck has to say in response to that.

Then I’ll ask what card best describes your personality? I’ll draw a card and spend some time pondering it.

Next, I ask what kinds of things do you love to read about? and pull a card. Some decks LOVE reading about relationships (if this is the case, expect to see the Two of Cups or The Lovers) and some prefer questions about career, conflict, spirituality or creativity. Some decks love ALL the questions (expect to see The World here if that’s the case!)

Asking how can you best help me? will provide even more insights into your new deck. When I asked this about The Penumbra Tarot, I got the four of cups which seemed to say “I can help you find your spark when you feel emotionally stagnant and bored with things.”

Lastly, I’ll ask what traits do you look for in a Tarot reader? The answer is always eye opening! This will give you an idea about how to best work with this deck. For example, when I asked this about my Penumbra Tarot, I got The Magician which tells me that it loves a reader who can take the initiative and use the cards for manifesting and transformation.

Step 5: Place the Deck Somewhere Sacred and Visible

I like to place a new Tarot deck on my little altar next to my work desk, surrounded by crystals and incense. If you’re trying to connect with your Tarot deck, I think it’s important that you see it frequently and this is a good way to ensure that. I sometimes place my new deck on my coffee table or nightstand (I know, not exactly “sacred” but it works).

I want to know…

What is YOUR new Tarot deck ritual??? Tell me in the comments below…