How to Shuffle a Tarot Deck

Follow these 5 simple steps to shuffle a tarot deck properly:

1. Set your intention – Hold your question in your mind before touching the cards.
2. Hold the deck – Place the cards in one hand, keeping them steady.
3. Overhand shuffle – Use your free hand to pull small groups of cards and drop them back on top until the deck feels mixed.
4. Cut into piles – Divide the deck into three stacks, then choose the one that feels right.
5. Restack and draw – Place your chosen pile on top of the others, then begin drawing cards from the top.

✔ This method keeps your intention clear, ensures randomness, and prevents card damage.

Why Is Shuffling Tarot Cards Important?

Shuffling is more than a randomizing process—it’s a sacred reset for your deck. Each shuffle:

• Clears energy left over from previous readings.
• Centers your intention, linking the cards to your specific question.
• Opens intuition, helping you tune into subtle nudges.
• Resets the deck, creating fairness and randomness in the draw.

Without shuffling, readings can feel stale or tainted by old energy. With shuffling, every reading begins with a clean slate.

What Are the Best Tarot Shuffling Methods?

There’s no single “right” way, but some methods are safer for the cards and more consistent in producing clean results. Let’s break down the three best approaches in detail:

1. Overhand Shuffle + Three-Pile Cut

The classic. Smooth, reliable, and easy on the cards.

How to do it:

• Hold the deck upright in one hand.
• With the other hand, pull off small groups and drop them back into the deck.
• Keep going until the cards feel shuffled.
• Lay the cards into three piles, one card at a time.
• Choose the pile that feels right.
• Restack the deck starting with the chosen pile.

Why it works:

• Randomizes the cards while protecting cardstock.
• Introduces an intuitive choice in the pile selection.
• Simple enough for beginners but trusted by pros.

When to use:

• With older or delicate decks.
• For everyday readings where clarity matters more than flair.

2. Pile Shuffle + Intuitive Selection

This method focuses on flow and intuition.

How to do it:

• Deal the deck into three (or more) piles, one card at a time.
• Keep your question in mind while doing this.
• When finished, choose the pile you feel most drawn to.
• Stack that pile first, followed by the others.
• Draw cards from the top.

Why it works:

• Gives the reader a tactile, intentional process.
• Avoids overhandling the cards.
• Intuitive selection adds a deeper layer to the shuffle.

When to use:

• With clients (it allows them to be part of the process).
• When you want a “softer,” more reflective reading.

3. Spreading on the Table

The most visual and freeing method.

How to do it:

• Spread the cards face down across a flat surface.
• Mix them around gently with both hands, focusing on your question.
• Reform the deck when you feel ready.
• Begin drawing cards.

Why it works:

• Ensures maximum randomness.
• Lets you “feel” the energy of the deck as you move the cards.
• Great for stiff, oversized, or new decks that are hard to shuffle traditionally.

When to use:

• With very large decks.
• For ritual readings where you want full energetic reset.

How Long Should You Shuffle Tarot Cards?

There’s no magic number. Shuffle until one of these happens:

• The deck feels “settled” in your hands.
• Your question feels fully clear in your mind.
• Intuition nudges you to stop.

Some readers shuffle three times, others until a card “jumps” out. Both are valid.

Should You Let Other People Shuffle Your Tarot Deck?

This is a personal choice.

• Yes – Many readers let clients shuffle to imprint their energy.
• No – Others prefer to shuffle themselves to protect their cards.

👉 A compromise: let others cut the deck instead. This involves them without risking wear and tear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Shuffling

1. Riffling too hard – Tarot decks are thicker than poker cards and bend easily.
2. Overthinking – The shuffle is about focus, not perfection.
3. Skipping intention – Randomness alone isn’t enough; clarity matters.
4. Turning it into theater – Unless ritual adds meaning, skip unnecessary theatrics.

FAQs About Shuffling Tarot

Q: Can tarot cards be shuffled like playing cards? A: You can, but riffling (casino-style) often bends or damages cards. Safer to overhand shuffle or spread on a table.

Q: Should reversals be shuffled in? A: If you read reversals, rotate small sections of the deck while shuffling. If not, keep cards upright.

Q: Is there a wrong way to shuffle tarot? A: Only if you damage the deck or ignore your intention. Beyond that, any method that feels right to you works.

Q: Do I have to shuffle before every reading? A: Yes. It clears previous energy and aligns the deck with your new question.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Clear

Shuffling tarot cards doesn’t need to be complicated. The most effective approach is:

1. Set your intention.
2. Choose a method that protects your deck.
3. Trust your intuition to know when it’s ready.

Tarot isn’t about performance—it’s about clarity. When you shuffle with focus and respect, your readings flow with honesty, randomness, and depth.