Below is a short video of how I cleanse and welcome a new deck to my collection.

I would love to hear about your rituals in the comments.

card from the Animal Tarot and my favourite traditional set by Robin Wood.  The wording on the Animal Tarot card is…
 
“It’s time to release the past and move on to something new.  This ending is the first step on the way to a happier future.”
 
My traditional Death card shows symbols of a white rose and a butterfly – both also shown on the Animal Tarot card.  The Grim Reaper is standing on a path pointing out a new direction to travel as the old way no longer is the best option.
 
So you see how they relate directly to each other?  Let me know if you have questions about this or any other deck you have.

Cards are an energetic tool and as such can get a little energetically icky.  I always cleanse the energy of a newly purchased deck before connecting in and using it and then will clear the energy briefly between each reading.

1. Run each card individually through some smudge smoke using white sage leaves.  If you have a problem with smoke you can use an essential
   
   
2. Hold the deck together in one pile and knock on them, this uses the vibration to disperse all the absorbed energy. 
   
   
3. Cards can be stored or held with crystals, amethyst is a great all round cleanser for this.
   
   
4. Reiki symbols can be drawn over your cards to tap into Universal White Light energy. 
   
   
5. Hold the deck to your heart and send love to all the cards. 
   
   
6. Use an invocation, such as…. “I call upon my Angels and Guides to cleanse this deck.
     May they give me clear information that can be used for the highest good of all.” 
   
   
7. Sound is always a great energetic cleanser so use a singing bowl around your cards.
   
   
8.  Leave your cards on a windowsill on the night of the full moon. 
   
   
9.  With the intention of cleansing, lay the cards out one by one on a table, this is also a good way to mix them all back up after reading for someone.

 
As with everything it comes back to your focus and intention.
 
This list is by no means the only ways you can cleanse and clear your cards, it is individual choice and these are my main go to options.

A tarot spread is where the cards are laid out in a predetermined sequence.  Each card placement will have a specific meaning based on where it is in the spread.  The spread/layout can then be in a particular shape and each card read in relation to how it interacts with those around it.  Examples of this would be cards with people on… who is lording it ‘over’ who, which people are looking at each other, are the people looking forward into the future or behind them into the past?  Are important people such as partners actually represented in the spread next to each other if there at all?  With larger spreads you can also have an awareness of what is missing, ie a person or suit (which would represent a particular area of your life)!
 
A spread can be as simple as one card eg, “what do I need to be aware of today?” or include nearly every card in the deck… as long as the placement of the cards is decided in advance.
 
So why is it so important to decide in advance where and how the cards are laid out?  In short, it adds an extra and vital layer to the reading.  How can you interpret the card in relation to a question if half the information is missing?
 
There are spreads for relationships, general life readings, decision making, career/finance spreads, health and fitness, life goals and the list goes on.
 
One of my favourite spreads is the Celtic Cross.  This includes 10 cards and will give a great overview of what is happening in your life now, what influences are coming from the past and what is getting in the way.  It also goes on to see how, given the current circumstances, life will evolve over the next few months or so therefore perfect for making informed choices.
 
One fun spread is from the ‘Housewives Tarot’ and is laid out in the shape of a cocktail glass (as in pictures - taken from booklet).  So go grab your cards and have a little play with this or one of your favourite spreads and have some fun.
​

As everybody does, I have ups, downs and roundabouts to face in life on a daily or even minute to minute basis, so it is great to have a tool to help navigate those that fits into the palm of my hand.  That tool, for me, is my trusty old Robin Wood Tarot cards (this is my all-time favourite deck and has been for 40 years – EEK, how old am I getting lols).
 
I will start each day by drawing a card to help me judge how the day will pan out.  If I have a feeling it is going to be ‘one of those days’ – and there seem to have been a few of these recently, I will draw other cards to help clarify what obstacles may lay ahead and if I have to face them head on or have the chance to navigate around them or even do a U-turn.
 
Using my cards I can tap into the energy field of each member of the household and as an example, see below the surface to who perhaps needs a little extra nurturing or to be left alone for a while.  This by itself will help to iron out any issues before they even arise - how good is that!!
 
I will also use my cards when making decisions on a personal or business level.  This reduces my stress because it is like having someone else helping to give you guidance.  Yes, it is still up to my personal interpretation and I can read the cards to suit how I think things should pan out, but at the end of the day isn’t that just tapping into my intuition and creating a flow of positivity and manifestation.  That’s a win-win in my world.
 
How do you use your cards – or do you have another tool that you use?  I would love to hear all about it in the comments.