How to Cleanse and Charge Your Tarot Deck (Rituals & Tips for Beginners)

Your tarot deck is more than just paper and ink—it’s a spiritual tool. Whether it’s brand new, has been handled by others, or just feels “off,” learning how to cleanse and charge your tarot deck is an essential part of maintaining its energy and accuracy.

In this guide, you’ll discover why cleansing and charging matters, when to do it, and 7 beginner-friendly methodsyou can start using today. Just to note, these are just suggestions and are not required, you do what feels right to you. There are no rules in tarot.

Why Cleanse and Charge Your Tarot Deck?

Every object absorbs energy—especially tools used for divination. Your tarot cards pick up:

Your emotions during readings
Other people’s energy (if touched)
Residual energy from your space

Cleansing clears that energy.
Charging fills the deck with intention and purpose.

This helps you:

Stay connected to your intuition
Avoid muddled or inconsistent readings
Strengthen the bond between you and your cards

When Should You Cleanse Your Tarot Deck?

Here are the most common times to cleanse:

When your deck is brand new
After someone else touches your cards
If a reading feels “off” or unclear
After intense emotional readings
With each full moon or new moon cycle

You don’t need to cleanse after every single reading—but trust your intuition. If your cards feel heavy, stuck, or foggy, it’s probably time.

7 Ways to Cleanse and Charge Your Tarot Deck

1. Smoke Cleansing (Sage, Palo Santo, or Incense)

Pass your deck through the smoke of cleansing herbs like white sage, palo santo, or lavender.

How to do it:

Light the herb or incense.
Gently fan the smoke over and around your deck.
Focus on your intention: “I cleanse this deck of all unwanted energy.”

👉 Best for: Spiritual rituals, quick energy resets.

2. Moonlight Charging

Place your tarot deck on a windowsill or outdoors under the full moon to charge with lunar energy.

Tip: Wrap it in a cloth or place in a box if you're worried about dew.

👉 Best for: Recharging your deck with intuition and feminine energy.

3. Crystal Cleansing

Place cleansing crystals like selenite, clear quartz, or black tourmaline on or around your deck.

How to do it:

Lay your deck on a selenite slab or next to a cluster overnight.
Set your intention for clearing and protection.

👉 Best for: Subtle, passive cleansing in between deep rituals.

4. Knocking or Tapping

Hold the deck in one hand and knock on it three times with your dominant hand. This physically "resets" the energy.

👉 Best for: Fast, no-tools-needed cleansing between readings.

5. Salt Bowl Method

Place your deck (in a sealed container or wrapped in cloth) inside a bowl of sea salt overnight.

⚠️ Do not let the cards touch the salt directly—it can damage them.

👉 Best for: Deep cleansing of stagnant energy.

6. Sunlight Charging (With Caution)

Sunlight is energizing and activating. A brief charge (10–15 minutes) can revitalize your deck.

⚠️ Don't overdo it—direct sunlight can fade or warp the cards.

👉 Best for: Bold, action-oriented energy refresh.

7. Intention + Visualization

Hold your deck in both hands. Close your eyes and visualize a white or golden light surrounding it. Imagine any negative energy dissolving.

👉 Best for: Personal connection and spiritual focus.

Bonus: Create a Cleansing Ritual

You can combine methods (like smoke + crystals) and turn it into a ritual:

Clean your space
Light candles
Play soft music or chant
Speak affirmations: “This deck is now clear, aligned, and ready to guide.”

This strengthens your bond with the deck and enhances your focus.

Final Thoughts

Cleansing and charging your tarot deck isn’t just spiritual maintenance—it’s a way to honor your tool, protect your energy, and deepen your intuition.

You don’t need to follow every ritual. Find the methods that resonate with you and build a practice that feels sacred and supportive.