To cleanse a tarot deck, you clear away the old energy your cards have picked up so your readings feel clear and personal again. It only takes a few minutes, and you can do it with things you probably already have: moonlight, a candle's worth of incense, a crystal, or simply your own hands.
We witches love our tarot decks. Once you start reading, you'll reach for your cards daily, for yourself and for curious friends. All that handling means the deck soaks up a lot of energy. If your readings start to feel muddled or "off," a cleanse sets things right and strengthens your bond with the cards.
Below you'll find a simple 5-step cleansing ritual, 8 ways to cleanse tarot cards, how to cleanse a new deck for the first time, and how to charge tarot cards under the full moon.
How to Cleanse a Tarot Deck in 5 Steps
Here's a simple ritual that works for any deck. Swap in whichever cleansing method you like from the list further down.
- Ground yourself. Sit quietly, take a few slow breaths and wash your hands.
- Choose your method. Moonlight, smoke, a crystal, sound or reordering the cards all work.
- Cleanse with intention. As you work, say something like: "I clear these cards of all energy that is not mine. Let them speak clearly and truly."
- Reconnect. Shuffle slowly, holding each half for a moment so your energy settles into the deck.
- Test it. Pull one card and ask, "What do you need me to know today?" Wrap the deck in cloth or put it in its box until your next reading.
When to Cleanse Your Tarot Cards
There are no hard rules. Most witches cleanse when it feels right, whether that's before every reading, once a week or once a month. These are the times a cleanse helps most:
- When you get a new deck. New cards have been printed, packed, shipped and handled in a shop. A cleanse gives you both a clean slate.
- Before an important reading. It's not required, but it keeps energy from a past reading out of the new one, especially after a difficult or emotional session.
- After someone else uses it. Sharing your deck with friends is fun. Afterward, cleanse to clear their energy and reconnect with your cards.
- When the connection feels off. Every reader has days when the cards seem confusing or flat. A cleanse often clears the static.
- At a turning point. Many witches cleanse at the new moon, the full moon or a sabbat as part of their regular rhythm.
8 Ways to Cleanse Tarot Cards
Here are the most common ways witches cleanse their cards, at a glance. Each is explained below.
| Method | Time it takes | Best for | Care notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knocking | A few seconds | Quick reset before a reading | None |
| Shuffling and reordering | 10 to 20 minutes | New decks, getting to know the cards | None |
| Smoke | 2 to 5 minutes | A full energetic cleanse | Keep cards away from flame; ventilate; mind pets |
| Crystals | Overnight | Gentle, hands-off cleansing | Use dry stones only |
| Moonlight | One night | Cleansing and charging together | Keep cards dry and indoors on a sill |
| Sunlight | 5 to 10 minutes | Energizing a deck | Too long can fade the cards |
| Sound | 1 to 2 minutes | Quick, smoke-free cleansing | None |
| Salt | Overnight | A deep cleanse after heavy readings | Seal the deck in a bag first; salt draws moisture |
1. Knock on the Deck
The quickest cleanse of all. Hold the deck in one hand and knock on it three times with the knuckles of the other: once to clear old energy, once to bring in your own, and once to set your intention for the reading.
2. Shuffle and Reorder the Cards
Lay out every card in order: the Major Arcana from The Fool (0) to The World (XXI), then Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles from Ace to King. Look at each card as you go. Then gather them up and shuffle as wildly as you like. Putting the deck "back to the beginning" is a lovely reset, and it's also the best way to check that no card is missing.
3. Burn Cleansing Smoke
Light incense or a bundle of dried herbs such as rosemary, lavender, cedar or garden sage. Hold the deck a safe distance above the smoke and slowly turn it, fanning the cards slightly so the smoke reaches every side. A few minutes is plenty. Paper burns easily, so keep the cards well away from the flame, open a window, and keep smoke away from pets and anyone with breathing problems.
4. Use Crystals
Place your deck on a slab of crystal, or set a small stone on top of the cards, and leave it overnight. Selenite and clear quartz are favorites for their cleansing, clarifying energy, and amethyst is lovely for intuition. You can also pick a crystal that matches your next reading, like rose quartz for a love spread. To keep your stones fresh too, see our crystal cleansing guide.
5. Bathe Them in Moonlight
Moonlight is a classic way of cleansing tarot cards. Set the deck on a windowsill overnight where the moon can shine on it. The full moon is the most popular time, but each phase has its own flavor: the new moon brings fresh-start energy, and the waning moon is good for releasing heavy energy after hard readings.
6. Give Them a Little Sunlight
Sunlight brings warm, energizing fire energy. Set the deck in a sunny spot for 5 to 10 minutes. Don't leave it longer: strong sun fades card colors and can warp the cardstock.
7. Use Sound
Ring a bell, strike a singing bowl or a tuning fork, or clap firmly over the cards a few times. Sound breaks up stuck energy and is perfect if you can't burn anything at home.
8. Rest Them in Salt
Salt is a traditional purifier. Put the deck in a sealed zip bag (salt pulls moisture and can damage cards) and bury it in a bowl of dry salt overnight. Throw the salt away afterward rather than cooking with it. This is a good choice after a draining reading or if a secondhand deck feels heavy.
How to Cleanse Tarot Cards for the First Time
A new deck deserves a little welcome. Here's a simple first-time ritual:
- Open the deck and go through every card slowly. Notice the art, the colors and how each card makes you feel.
- Put the cards in order as in method 2 to make sure the deck is complete.
- Cleanse it with smoke, sound or moonlight.
- Shuffle well, then do a short "interview" spread: ask the deck what its strengths are, what it can teach you, and how you'll work best together.
- Some witches sleep with a new deck under their pillow for a night or carry it with them for a few days to share their energy with it.
Now pull your first real reading, or, if you're a member, practice with our tarot reading to learn the card meanings alongside your new deck. It's members-only, and you can try it with our 7-day trial. Look up each card as you go in our tarot card meanings.
How to Charge Tarot Cards Under the Full Moon
Cleansing clears old energy; charging fills the deck with fresh energy. The full moon is the favorite time to do both. Check the date of the next full moon on our moon calendar, then:
- Cleanse the deck first with any method above.
- In the evening, place the deck on a windowsill or a table where moonlight reaches it. Keep it indoors so dew and rain can't warp the cards.
- Lay a clear quartz or moonstone on top if you like, and say: "By the light of the full moon, I charge these cards with clarity and truth."
- Collect the deck in the morning and wrap it in its cloth.
Clouds aren't a problem: the moon's energy is still there, so many witches charge their cards on cloudy full moon nights too. For love readings, some wait until the moon is in Taurus or Libra, the two signs ruled by Venus. You can also leave a jar of moon water beside the deck to charge both at once (just keep the water away from the cards).
Keeping Your Deck Clear Between Cleanses
- Store your cards wrapped in a silk or cotton cloth, or in a wooden box.
- Keep a small crystal with the deck.
- Read in a calm, tidy space, and take a moment to ground before you shuffle.
- Do a regular spiritual cleansing for yourself as well. A clear reader makes for a clear deck.
If you'd like to deepen your readings once your deck feels fresh, our tarot card reading course walks you through all 78 cards and the most useful spreads.
Final Thoughts
Cleansing your tarot deck isn't a must, but it's good energetic hygiene that keeps your cards ready to do their best work. The methods are simple, so try a few and keep the ones that feel right. There really are no strict rules: what matters is your connection with your cards.
The same methods work for other tools too, from runes to a pendulum. For more ways to read, see our guide to divination for beginners. How do you like to cleanse your tarot cards?
Check out our other articles:
Divination for Beginners: 13 Types of Divination
A Beginner's Guide to Crystal Cleansing
Moon Phases and Simple Rituals
Samhain Divination
See All Articles
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Tarot Cleansing FAQs
How often should you cleanse tarot cards?
There's no fixed rule. Many witches give their deck a quick knock or shuffle before each reading and a deeper cleanse once a month, often at the full or new moon. Cleanse more often if you read for others or if the cards start to feel off.
Do you need to cleanse a new tarot deck?
It isn't required, but most readers like to. New cards have passed through many hands on the way to you, and a cleanse plus a slow look through every card helps you bond with the deck from the start.
Can someone else touch my tarot cards?
Yes, if you're comfortable with it. Some readers keep their deck private, while others let the person they're reading for shuffle. If someone else handles your cards, a quick cleanse afterward clears their energy.
How do I know my tarot deck needs cleansing?
Common signs are readings that feel confusing or flat, the same cards showing up again and again in ways that don't make sense, or the deck simply feeling heavy in your hands. Trust your instinct: if you're wondering, it's a good time to cleanse.
What is the difference between cleansing and charging tarot cards?
Cleansing clears away old or unwanted energy. Charging fills the deck with fresh energy and intention, often under the full moon or with a crystal. Most witches cleanse first and then charge.
Can you cleanse tarot cards without sage?
Yes. Moonlight, sound, crystals, salt, knocking and reordering the cards all cleanse a deck without any smoke. If you prefer smoke, rosemary, lavender and cedar are good alternatives.
Can I charge my tarot cards under a cloudy full moon?
Yes. Many witches believe the full moon's energy reaches your deck even when clouds hide it. Keep the cards indoors on a windowsill so they stay dry.
