Cleansing your tarot cards is one of those things that sounds more complicated than it is.
You don’t need a special room, a specific moon phase, or a shopping list of crystals. Most of these methods take about thirty seconds. The point isn’t ritual for its own sake — it’s that starting a reading with a fresh deck helps you feel more present and clear-headed. Whether or not you think there’s something energetically real happening, the psychological effect is genuine.
That said, there are times when cleansing matters more than others:
- When you first get a new deck (especially secondhand)
- After a really intense or emotionally heavy reading
- When you haven’t used a deck in a while and it feels a bit stale
- If someone else handled your cards
Here’s what you can actually do.
1. The Knock
This is the one I use most. You literally knock on your deck — one firm knock on the top of the stack with your knuckle, like you’re knocking on a door. Some people do three knocks.
The idea is that the sound and vibration disperses the previous energy. Honestly? I think it works mainly because it signals to your brain that you’re starting fresh. That’s enough. It takes three seconds.
2. Shuffling
Sometimes the best cleanse is just a thorough shuffle. Not your usual shuffle before a reading — something more intentional. Take the deck and really mix it up: riffle shuffle, overhand shuffle, pull cards from random spots in the middle. Keep going for a minute or two.
This also helps if your cards have gotten “clumpy” (same cards keep appearing) because they weren’t shuffled properly after the last reading.
3. Smoke
This is the classic. Pass your cards through the smoke of incense, sage, palo santo, rosemary — whatever you have. You don’t need to do every card individually; fan them out and let the smoke drift through.
A few things worth knowing: sage can be overpowering if you use too much, and palo santo smells incredible but burns fast. Regular incense like sandalwood or frankincense works just as well if that’s what you’ve got. And if smoke is a problem (you live in a small apartment, sensitive to smoke, whatever), skip this one entirely — there are plenty of other options.
4. Moonlight
Leave your deck on a windowsill overnight during the full moon, or really any clear night. You don’t have to wait for a full moon — that’s a preference, not a rule.
This one is nice because you’re not doing anything; the cards just sit there. Morning you takes them back in and they feel… lighter, somehow. A lot of people also like doing this as a monthly reset ritual.
One practical note: don’t leave them outside if there’s any chance of dew or morning moisture. A windowsill with the glass closed is fine.
5. Sunlight
Same idea as moonlight, but faster — a few hours in direct sunlight does the job. Some readers avoid this because it can very gradually fade the card colors over time (especially with thinner card stock), so if you have a deck you love and want to preserve, maybe stick to indirect light or a short window.
6. Salt
Salt is considered purifying in a lot of traditions. A couple of ways to use it:
You can bury your wrapped deck in a bowl of dry sea salt overnight. Wrap it in a cloth or put it in a small bag first so you’re not getting salt granules between the cards.
Or place a small dish of salt next to your deck — this is gentler and there’s no risk to the cards.
7. Crystals
Certain crystals are said to absorb or neutralize energy. Selenite and black tourmaline are the most commonly recommended for this. Place one on top of your deck (or around it) and leave it for a few hours or overnight.
This is purely a “feels good” method — there’s no scientific basis for it — but plenty of readers swear by it, and honestly, if resting your cards next to a selenite wand makes you feel better about picking them up, that counts for something.
Which method should you use?
Any of them. All of them. None of them — if you don’t feel like it.
The “right” way to cleanse your cards is whatever helps you feel settled and ready to read. If you’re the kind of person who finds ritual grounding, lean into the moonlight-and-crystals approach. If you’re more pragmatic, a good shuffle and a knock on the deck will do it.
What I’d suggest for new readers: try the knock method every time you start a reading. It’s a small gesture that tells your brain this is different from scrolling your phone — and that shift in attention is what actually makes your readings better.
Want a simple routine for daily card pulls? Download the free beginner’s cheat sheet — it includes a one-card spread guide and a few prompts to journal with after you cleanse your deck.
FAQ
Do you have to cleanse tarot cards? You don’t have to — there’s no rule that says uncleansed cards won’t work. Most readers find it helps them feel more mentally clear and present before a reading. Think of it less as a requirement and more as a useful reset ritual.
How often should you cleanse your tarot cards? There’s no set schedule. Most readers cleanse after an emotionally heavy reading, when a new deck arrives, or whenever the cards feel “off.” A light cleanse before each reading (like a knock or brief shuffle) is a good habit to build.
Can you cleanse tarot cards with incense? Yes — passing cards through incense smoke is one of the most common cleansing methods. Palo santo, sage, sandalwood, and rosemary are all popular choices. You don’t need to smoke every individual card; fan them out and let the smoke drift through.
Is moonlight good for cleansing tarot cards? Yes. Leaving your deck on a windowsill overnight — especially during a full moon, though any clear night works — is a gentle, hands-off cleansing method many readers love. Just don’t leave them outside where dew could damage them.
Can someone else’s energy affect your tarot cards? This depends on your beliefs. Many readers feel that if someone else handles their deck (especially during an emotional moment), a cleanse helps reset the energy. Others aren’t bothered by it at all. If it bothers you, cleanse after — if it doesn’t, don’t worry about it.