Tarot 101: How to cleanse and protect your tarot cards and space
This article is part of an extensive Tarot 101 guide.
Smudging instructions
Open up your deck and keep it together in one pile or spread it out.
Make sure a window is open in the room where you will be smudging.
Light a smudging ingredient of choice (e.g., cedar or incense).
Wave the smudging tool over your cards. You can also say a short prayer aloud or in your head, such as, “May all dormant and negative energy be released from my cards. May my good angels and ancestors watch over my cards and use them as a tool of positivity and guidance.”
Close your window when you are done. *The open window serves as a portal to release the old energy out of your deck and room. The closed window serves as a closed portal so that old energy cannot return.
Background: Many cultures have used smoke (smudging) to purify and release bad energy from objects, individuals, groups and settings. You can light medicinal plants, herbs and incense to remove unwelcome energy from your space, body and spirit, and to call in guidance and protection from your source of choice (e.g., ancestors, angels, deities). Smudging has traditionally been used in prayer and spiritual rituals and ceremonies. For instance, many indigenous tribes have burned white sage in sacred rituals.
Side note: A growing number of folks have discouraged participating in the burning of sage out of respect for indigenous practices. Similarly, others have warned against smudging with palo santo unless it has been ethically harvested. Alternatives include cedar and incense.
Protecting your cards and space
To protect your cards and magic space (e.g., a spiritual altar), you can use a variety of tools, such as mirrors, salt, and crystals. Make sure to thoroughly smudge this area regularly (e.g., once a week, or at the very least, once a month).
Mirrors: Place a mirror at your altar or near your cards. Smudge and divinate this mirror by giving it an assignment. “From here on, you will only be used to reflect and send back any negative, evil energy that has been sent to me and/or my magic (including my divination tools such as my cards).” Moving forward, do not use this mirror to inspect your appearance; instead, trust that it is like an extra evil eye device that can detect and spit back unwanted energy (similar to a “Return to Sender” spell).
Salt, pepper flakes, and eggshells: You can use witchy ingredients that have traditionally been used to deflect and protect against negative energy. Sprinkle them in a ring around your altar.
If you use red pepper flakes, use a 1:3 ratio between pepper and salt. An overabundance of red pepper flakes can lead to aggressive passion and energy, eliciting conflict and arguments. To avoid aggression altogether, use regular ground pepper or peppercorns.
If you use eggshells, make sure to clean, dry, and grind them first. You can also purchase powdered eggshells from witchy shops in-person or online (e.g., on Etsy).
Crystals: Place cleansed and charged crystals in a grid or circle around your cards and/or spiritual altar. You can also place crystals directly on top of your cards, especially if you have been using a deck heavily (or following a reading that felt energetically draining).
There are many ways to charge crystals. The most popular ways are to charge them in sunlight or moonlight. You can also wash most crystals (but research this ahead of time to ensure it is safe to proceed). *Some folks do not prefer to charge their crystals in sunlight since certain crystals can become dull in appearance or more fragile due to heat exposure.
1:1 Tarot Coaching or Group Coaching
You can always book a 1:1 tarot coaching call or reading with me.
You can also write to me if you’d like to have me host a group tarot coaching session. I have taught workshops both virtually and in person.
Source: My work has been informed by Artis Moon and Daniela Fant