Tarot cards are a powerful tool for divination and self-discovery, but their power lies in the connection you build with them. A strong relationship with your tarot deck can unlock deeper insights, provide guidance and clarity, and even reveal hidden truths about yourself. But how do you build such a connection? It's not simply a matter of shuffling the cards and hoping for the best. Like any relationship, it takes time, effort, and a willingness to listen and learn. In this article, we'll explore the power of connection and how you can establish a strong, meaningful relationship with your tarot deck. From choosing the right deck to developing a daily practice, we'll provide practical tips and insights to help you deepen your understanding and connection with the cards. Whether you're a tarot reader or just starting out, this guide will help you strengthen your connection with your tarot deck.
How to Choose the Right Tarot Deck for You
The first step in connecting to a tarot deck is choosing the right deck for you. I have an article on my favorite beginner tarot resources and the first part lists my favorite beginner decks. One important point I make in that article I want to share here too is that, it is so important to choose a deck you're excited about that has images that speak to you. Listening to yourself and trusting your intuition will start with choosing that deck.
Some people will tell you what deck you need to start with but I find there are many decks that are beginner friendly and finding on of those that you feel drawn towards is more important. You can find a lot of previews of decks online. YouTube is a great place to find walkthroughs and reviews of decks. I have some videos of decks I offer on my channel and I also provide lots of pictures on the shops page and through my social medias. There are many creators who do this and it's a great place to start if you can't physically see your deck in a shop.
Look at the images and if you can read some of the guidebook, here you will find how this deck is going to speak to you. Do the images provoke you? Do you feel excited and drawn in? Does the guidebook speak to you in a way that makes you want to read more?
Seeing yourself reflected back in your deck is what's important, so choose a deck that feels like you! If the first deck you bought doesn't feel that way, it's okay to rehome it and now take the time to intentionally choose your deck.
Ways to Connect with Your Tarot Deck
There are many ways to connect with your tarot deck and build a relationship that will allow you to tap into its power. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Look through your deck
Sitting with and looking through your cards intentionally is a simple and powerful way to start your relationship with your new deck. You can make this as elaborate as you want to. You can start a beautiful meditation practice where you sit with a new card everyday and adding simple things like candles or soothing sounds can make it feel like a daily ritual.
- Shuffle your cards
Shuffling with the intent of giving your deck some of your energy can jump start your connection. The deck I learned how to riffle shuffle with is still one of the decks I feel most connected to. I spent hours intentionally offering my time and energy to this deck and I can feel the difference. There are many options in shuffling and choosing your card and the important thing is you find what feels best for you. There is not one or best way.
- Deck Interview Spread
What is a tarot deck interview spread? It's a spread with the intention to interpret what your relationship with your deck will be like. This is one of my favorite ways to begin my relationship with my decks. I have found lots of deck interview spreads over the years and I will be doing a post soon on this and the one I use. Until then Little Red Tarot has a great one, which is the one that inspired me to make my own.
- Carry your deck with you
Carrying your tarot deck with you throughout the day is another way to stay connected with its energy. You might want to keep it in your purse or backpack, or simply carry it in your pocket. Whenever you have a free moment, take it out and spend a few minutes shuffling the cards or simply holding them in your hands.
Tarot Journaling to Strengthen Your Connection
One of the most powerful ways to deepen your relationship with your tarot deck is to keep a tarot journal. A tarot journal is a place where you can record your readings, insights, and interpretations. Here are a few tips for getting started with tarot journaling:
- Begin with a question or intention
Before you start a reading, take a few moments to set an intention or ask a question. Write this down in your journal so you can refer back to it later.
- Record your readings
After you've done a reading, write down the cards you pulled and your interpretation of them. You might also want to record any insights or messages you received during the reading.
- Reflect on your readings
Take some time to reflect on your readings and what they might be telling you about yourself or your situation. Write down any thoughts or feelings that come up for you.
- Use your journal for self-discovery
Your tarot journal can be a powerful tool for self-discovery. Use it to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings, and to gain insights into your own psyche.
Cleansing, Charging or Clearing Your Tarot Deck
Just like any tool, your tarot deck can become cluttered with energy over time. It's important to cleanse and clear your deck regularly to keep it working at its best. Here are a few ways I do this:
- Shuffling
Shuffling just with the intention to clear out energy is an easy daily way to cleanse your deck.
- Moonlight
Leaving your tarot deck out in the moonlight is another way to cleanse and charge it. Leave it on a windowsill or outside under the moonlight for a few hours.
- Crystals
I love to keep my deck on a selenite plate when it needs some extra love. There are many crystals you can use to charge or cleanse your deck and a quick google search should do the trick in finding which ones work best for your intention. I've heard clear quartz and black tourmaline as an option others use.
- Sound
Sound and vibration can be used to move unwanted energy so bells, tuning forks and sound bowls are options I've used to clear my decks.
- Smoke
Smoke is a very popular way to clear and cleanse but do your research. There is much to learn about cultural appropriation here and making sure your sources of burning is not hurting another group of people. I personally don't do a lot of smoke cleansing but be mindful when you do.
There are still more ways to care for your deck so just find what fits best in your practice!
Trusting Your Intuition and Reading with Confidence
Once you've built a strong relationship with your tarot deck, it's important to trust your intuition and read with confidence. Remember that you are the one interpreting the cards, and your intuition is a powerful tool for understanding their meaning. Here are a few tips for trusting your intuition and reading with confidence:
- Don't second-guess yourself
When you're interpreting the cards, don't second-guess yourself. Trust the messages that come through, even if they don't make sense to you right away.
- Practice, practice, practice
The more you practice reading tarot, the more confident you will become. Don't be afraid to experiment with different spreads or interpretations.
- Journaling
I find that taking the time to write out my readings isn't just great for your connection to your deck but also it builds your intuition and helps make sense of the messages you're receiving.
- Don't rely too heavily on the guidebook
While the guidebook that comes with your tarot deck can be helpful, don't rely too heavily on it. Use it as a reference, but trust your own intuition and interpretation of the cards. This doesn't mean forgo it all together but it does mean not to trust it over yourself. I love reading a guidebook and a lot of times it's when I receive the most downloads, as I am a word witch, but it's not because I take the guidebook word for word. I let their thoughts provoke me and take me further into my intuitive place.
Maintaining a Consistent Practice with Your Tarot Deck
Finally, it's important to maintain a consistent practice with your tarot deck in order to deepen your connection and tap into its full power. Here are a few tips for maintaining a consistent practice:
- Set aside time each day
Even if it's just a few minutes, set aside time each day to connect with your tarot deck. This could be as simple as shuffling the cards and pulling a card for the day.
- Keep a regular tarot journaling practice
As we discussed earlier, tarot journaling is a powerful tool for deepening your connection with your deck. Make it a regular part of your practice, whether that's daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Join a tarot community
Joining a tarot community, whether online or in person, can be a great way to stay connected with your deck and gain insights and support from others who share your passion.
Conclusion: The Power of Connection with Your Tarot Deck
Building a strong relationship with your tarot deck is key to unlocking its full potential. Tarot changed my life. It has let me see myself and the world around me clearer. It helped me grow and heal in ways I don't know if I could have without it. I am more mindful and intentional because of my connection with Tarot, and even more intune with myself and my intuition. If given time and energy, Tarot will give back.