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Tarot & Divination

What to Do With a New Tarot Deck: Crucial First Steps You Need To Know

You’ve just received a new tarot deck—congratulations! My first deck was the original Rider Waite deck. It’s literally one of my most favorite and coveted possesions.

It’s not just a collection of cards; it’s a gateway to unlocking the subconscious, a tool for personal insight, and a path to mindfulness.

Read: The Powerful Yet Simple Way to Use Tarot Cards

What To Do With a New Tarot Deck of Cards

First, take a moment to appreciate the artistry. Each tarot deck is a masterpiece, encapsulating symbols and meanings that date back centuries. This tactile and visual introduction primes your intuition for the readings to come.

And if possible, a great way to start is by connecting with your new deck during a full moon. This is a time when energies are high and intuitive readings can be particularly insightful.

Setting Intentions: A Good Idea for Positive Energy

It’s always a good idea to set intentions for positive energy. This can be a little bit like aligning your inner compass—crucial when you embark on a journey with a new deck of tarot cards.

Initial Cleansing: Making Your First Deck “Yours”

Before diving into readings, it’s essential to cleanse your deck—a practice not unlike rebooting a device to its factory settings.

This isn’t about removing physical dust, but rather cleaning off any residual energies. It then allows you to align the deck’s energy with yours.

Methods vary from passing the cards through incense smoke to a simple yet focused shuffling while envisioning a white light washing over them. Choose a method that resonates with you.

Cleansing Your Space: Sacred Smoke and Crystals

If you feel it’s necessary, you can also cleanse your reading space. To do this, you can use sacred smoke from palo santo or sage to “smudge” the area.

Or, crystals like black tourmaline are known for their protective qualities and can help to absorb and transform negative energy into a more positive state. You can even place these crystals near your deck when not in use or during a reading to act as a shield.

Bonding with Your Cards: The First Shuffle

Shuffling your tarot cards isn’t just about randomizing them; it’s the best way to bond with them. As you shuffle, concentrate on your breathing, your questions, and your intentions.

It’s a dance, one where your energy intertwines with the cards, making each reading uniquely yours.

Building a Relationship: The Interview Spread

The tarot deck interview spread is a fantastic first thing to try with your new deck. It helps you understand the personality of your deck, from the court cards to the minor details, solidifying first impressions and guiding you on how to work together.

I had not actually heard of this at the time I bought mine. So, it’s not required but it can be helpful.

set of tarot cards and glowing candles on desk, what to do with a new tarot deck
Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

The Language of Tarot: Understanding Symbolism

Each card in a tarot deck is rich in symbolism, colors, and numbers, all of which carry specific meanings. Start by studying the Major and Minor Arcana, getting to know each card like a new friend.

Journals are great for recording your thoughts and impressions, which will deepen your understanding over time. I did this everytime when I got my first new deck.

Spreads and Readings: Crafting Your Narrative

Tarot spreads are the frameworks for the stories the cards tell. Begin with simple spreads, like the Three-Card Spread, which can represent past, present, and future or body, mind, and spirit.

As you grow more confident, you can experiment with more complex spreads that provide a broader narrative scope.

Related: Questions to Ask Tarot Cards About Love: A Guide for Beginners

Unveiling Insights: The Top of Your Deck

Paying attention to the top of your deck before a first reading can offer a prelude to the messages that await. It’s like a sneak peek into the themes that might emerge. 

When I’m doing my daily draws, I will also try to watch out for cards that accidentally land face up — like a card that fell out of the box or one that I dropped on accident while shuffling.  I always assume that my higher self or guides made that happen because it’s a message they want me to have along with the card I pull.  

When the Cards Challenge You: Embracing the Unknown

Not every card draw will be sunshine and rainbows. Tarot reflects life’s full spectrum, including challenges. When difficult cards appear, view them as opportunities for growth and reflection.

Remember, the tarot is a guide, not a dictator of fate. They also aren’t fortune tellers. I like to think of these messages as how things could be if I don’t make a change.

Integrating Tarot into Daily Life: A Reflective Practice

Tarot isn’t just for the esoteric moments of life. It can be a reflective practice, like a daily draw, which sets the tone for your day or offers a meditation focus.

Your journey with tarot is as unique as you are. It can be a spiritual tool, a psychological aid, or a creative prompt. Over time, this daily ritual becomes a checkpoint, offering insights and highlighting personal growth trajectories.

Let your practice evolve naturally, and the tarot will find its place in your life, offering insights, reflection, and a deeper connection to the world around you. I used to use them every day, but now I typically use when I feel it’s necessary.

Tarot in Modern Times: The Digital Shift

In the digital age, tarot has found new forms. Apps and online readings have brought tarot to our fingertips, making the practice more accessible. These modern tools can complement physical cards, offering a way to engage with tarot when you’re on the go.

Sharing Your Tarot Journey: Readings for Others

a cartoon of a woman conducting a tarot card reading, what to do with your first deck of tarot cards

As you gain experience, you might feel drawn to read for others. This step should be approached with respect and ethics.

Reading tarot is an intimate and vulnerable experience. Always ask for permission, and provide readings with compassion and openness.

Ethical Considerations in Tarot Readings

Always be a tarot reader with an ethical mindset, especially when reading for others. Respect their autonomy, keep confidentiality, and maintain a non-judgmental stance to ensure a safe space for exploration.

Continuous Learning: Expanding Your Tarot Knowledge

Tarot is a lifelong study. Attend workshops, read books, and join communities. The learning never stops, as each interaction with the tarot offers new insights and layers of understanding.

Choosing Your Tools: Different Decks and Methods

Dive into the minor arcana to understand the subtleties of daily life, or explore an oracle deck for intuitive guidance. Both can be essential tools for your tarot readings. I don’t always need to, but I use my Oracle deck to try and get clarification around the tarot card I pulled.  

​Connecting with the Tarot Community

Engage with others who share your interest in tarot. Online forums, social media groups, and local meetups provide opportunities to learn from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.

Final Thoughts: What To Do With A New Tarot Deck

Now you know what to do with a new tarot deck! Remember, the true magic of tarot lies not in the cards themselves but in their ability to help you tap into your intuition and inner wisdom.

As you embark on this journey, remember that each card reflects life—its cycles, mysteries, and the universal truths that bind us all.

Don’t worry about the learning curve, just let your curiosity guide you to a deeper understanding. May your new tarot deck be a trusted companion on your journey of self-discovery.

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