Our tarot cards absorb a lot of energy with every reading — both our own and that of the people we read for. That's why it's important to cleanse them from time to time, so they can remain a clear channel between you and the message they want to convey. Here are the three methods I personally use.
1. With incense
The simplest way is with incense smoke — preferably copal or palo santo, though any incense you have on hand will work. Light the incense and pass the smoke over all your cards, one by one, letting the smoke fully surround them. This ritual helps release any heavy energy that may have settled onto them during readings.
2. With palo santo
If you have a piece of palo santo (or solid copal), light it and repeat the same process: carefully pass the smoke over each card, cleansing them one at a time. Palo santo is known for its ability to purify spaces and objects, and your cards are no exception.
3. Under the light of the full moon
This is perhaps the easiest method and one of my favorites. When there's a full moon, I place my deck by a window or outside (weather permitting and as long as there's no risk of damage) and leave them out all night under the moonlight. Moonlight is said to cleanse and recharge the energy of spiritual objects, and by morning you'll feel like your cards have been renewed.
You can use these three methods separately or combine them — I usually cleanse with incense or palo santo after intense readings, and take advantage of every full moon for a deeper cleanse.
