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How to Shuffle Tarot Cards (For Beginners and Beyond)

👤 Aaron J. Cunningham⏱️ 5 min read📅 6/27/2025
How to Shuffle Tarot Cards (For Beginners and Beyond)

Tarot Is Simple—but Not Careless

Tarot isn’t about ritual theater—it’s about clarity. As Dion Fortune wisely stated:

“Magic is the art of causing changes in consciousness to occur in accordance with the will.”

Shuffling is your first step in that conscious shift. Get it right, and everything that follows feels meaningful.

Set Your Intention First

Hold your question or purpose in mind. Don’t say it out loud unless it matters to you—just keep it present. Your intention gives the shuffle direction and meaning. Overthink? Skip it. Be clear, be direct.

Two Solid Ways to Shuffle

1. Overhand Shuffle + Three‑Pile Cut

Hold the deck in one hand.

With the other, pull small sections off and restack.

Stop when the cards feel “mixed” — no set number of shuffles.

Lay the deck in three piles—deal one card at a time, cycling through each pile.

Choose the pile that resonates most with you or your client.

Stack the piles: the chosen pile on top, then the others in any order.

Draw your cards from the top.

This is smooth, focused, and reliable for most readings.

2. Pile Shuffle + Intuitive Selection

Spread cards face-down into three piles, one card at a time.

Stay with your question mentally.

When done, pick the pile you feel drawn to.

Stack that pile first and draw from the top.

No gimmick, just intuitive flow and clean randomness.

Why These Methods Work

Keeps your intention centered.

Ensures randomness without damaging cards.

Simple and repeatable—builds consistency in your readings.

Avoid Clutter and Performance

Skip any added steps—no tapping, chanting, or theatrical gestures unless they hold real meaning for you. The shuffle is about mental clarity, not showmanship.

Final Advice

Understand these three elements:

Mindset: Stay present and focused.

Method: Use either shuffle above.

Draw: Choose intuitively, move on to your spread.

That’s it. Grounded, effective, and respectful of the cards.