Shuffling tarot cards is a personal and meaningful part of any tarot ritual. From intuitive spreads to classic overhand techniques, discover how to handle your tarot deck in a way that deepens your connection and enhances your readings.
What makes this process most meaningful is viewing it as part of your tarot ritual. Rather than rushing through it to get to the tarot reading, take your time and handle each tarot card with care. This mindful approach helps build a connection with your deck, making the experience more intimate and creating a safer space for your readings.
There are several conventional ways to shuffle tarot cards. However, if you're like me, you might appreciate your tarot practice being uniquely yours, tuning into yourself and your intuition and shuffling the cards in a way that feels right to you.
In this sense, there's less pressure about doing things by the book. You can be any kind of tarot reader you want to be, so shuffle those beloved tarot decks however you like!
The Intuitive Shuffle
One intuitive (and expansive) shuffling process is to spread the cards out in front of you, whether on a table or even on your bed with a cozy cup of tea nearby. Ensure the cards are facedown, and then, using your hands, move the cards around to mix them up.
There's something cathartic about this method; it reminds me of being a preschooler freely moving colorful paints around with my hands.
The Reflective Shuffle
Another approach might be to hold the tarot deck in your hands, take a deep breath, and then reflect on what you hope to gain insight into. This is a personal favorite of mine. For instance, if something about a relationship is on my mind, I might close my eyes, breathe mindfully, and with each of the 78 cards, say aloud what I'm thinking about as I put the cards down facedown. As you're doing this and describing your situation in detail, you're gently scattering the cards and mixing them up, making the process a reflective exercise.
The Pile Shuffle
For those less ambidextrous (myself included), another shuffling method is to cut the deck into two to three piles, place one pile on top of the other, and then repeat the process, cutting the deck at different points each time. Pretty simple, pretty effective!
The Overhand Shuffle
The overhand shuffle is a common method seen in tarot readings online. It involves quickly bringing handfuls of cards from the back of the deck to the front and dropping them into the deck at various points, similar to how you might shuffle a standard deck of playing cards.
The Riffle Shuffle
This one is for the legends, the crème de la crème of the shuffling methods. The superstars out there perform a riffle shuffle, which is more elaborate and involves splitting the deck into two halves and riffling the edges together. While fabulous, this approach, like all others, is about what feels best for you.
Some Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best method for shuffling tarot cards is whatever feels right to you, and it may change from reading to reading. One day, you might prefer the fanning method, while another time, you might opt for a less conventional shuffle.
Who knows, you might even come up with your own method that takes a conventional shuffling technique and blends it with something uniquely yours. You get to decide as it is your tarot journey after all.
References
Tarot | wikipedia.org
The Way of Tarot | Alejandro Jodorowsky, Archive.org
The Marseille Tarot Revealed A Complete Guide to Symbolism, Meanings & Methods | Yoav Ben-Dov
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot | Arthur Edward Waite
The Big Book of Tarot: How to Interpret the Cards and Work with Tarot Spreads for Personal Growth | Joan Bunning
The Modern Witch Tarot Journal | Lisa Sterle
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only. Take what resonates with you and leave behind anything that doesn't. Anahana is not liable for any interpretations, insights, or outcomes that may arise from using the information provided.
