Shuffling and Cutting Your Cards

Below are two different ways of shuffling your cards.  There is no right or wrong way to shuffle your tarot cards.  Do it the way you wish, the way that feels most comfortable for you, and the way that feels 'right' to/for you.  Cutting the cards goes right along with shuffling.  Some people cut their cards while others do not.  You do what's right for you.

Riffle Shuffle

Overhand Shuffle

Overhand Shuffle -- A shuffle where you hold the cards in your right hand and you pull them off a few at a time into your left hand (assuming you are right handed).

Scatter Method

• Go ahead and use reversals (upside-down cards - See The Newbie and Reversed Cards)
• Or ... Turn the card or cards upright.

There are other ways to shuffle your cards but the above methods are the most common.  Be aware that the Riffle shuffle tends to 'bend' your cards.

Cutting Your Deck

Here is the way I do it!

• Shuffle your tarot deck until you feel it's right and time to stop shuffling.  Usually for me that means 3 or 4 riffle shuffles and 3 or 4 overhand shuffles.
• Place your tarot deck down on the table or floor and cut to the left until you have three piles.
• Then starting from the right 'reassemble' the deck going right to left.

Pulling The Card

Pulling a card can be done either by taking the card from the top of the tarot deck and pulling it as if 'turning the page of a book';

Or if you have fanned the deck after cutting, or messed the cards about on a flat surface, then you simply select cards at random.

NOTE
I recommend doing deep breathing exercises while you shuffle and cut.  Breath in through nose and out through your mouth.  This works for me but may not work for others.  I find it both relaxes and exhilarates me.  My recommendation is that you pick a way to shuffle, cut, and pull cards and stick to it!

Don S.