How To Shuffle Cards

Shuffling might seem like a small part of reading tarot, but it’s actually one of the most important steps. It helps you mix the cards, connect with your deck, and focus your intention before asking a question. Whether you’re pulling a single card or preparing for a full spread, shuffling is where the magic begins.

Why Shuffling Matters

More than just a way to randomise the cards, shuffling helps you slow down and prepare. It creates a moment to tune in — to your question, your energy, and the guidance you’re seeking. That connection is far more important than perfect technique.

If your deck is brand new, the cards will likely be in order — grouped by suit or with the Major Arcana all together. Before you do any readings, it’s a good idea to break that order up and give the cards a good shuffle. This also helps you become more familiar with handling the cards.

How to Shuffle Your Tarot Cards

Shuffling your cards is how you mix them up and get them ready to answer your question. It also helps you focus and connect with your deck.

Here are a few easy methods to try:

• Overhand Shuffle (most popular):
  Hold the deck in one hand and use the other to take small chunks of cards from the top or bottom and move them to the other end. It’s gentle, quiet, and easy to control.

• Mix on the Table:
  Spread all the cards out on the table face-down and swirl them around with your hands. When you feel ready, gather them back into a neat pile. This is especially helpful if the deck feels too big to hold.

• Cut and Stack:
  Once you’ve shuffled, split the cards into two or three piles. Put them back together in any order — or let your client do this part if you’re reading for someone else. This helps reset the deck and signals that you’re ready to start.

Don’t worry if a card or two fall out while you shuffle — we call these jumpers. Some readers set them aside and read them first. Others prefer to shuffle them back in. Either is fine — do what feels right to you.

The most important part of shuffling? Focus on your question. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just breathe, quiet your mind, and hold your question in your thoughts as you shuffle. That’s the connection you’re aiming for.

A Quick Word on Practice

If you’re brand new to tarot, shuffling can feel a bit awkward — especially if you have small hands or a large deck. Don’t worry. Like anything else, it gets easier the more you do it.

And if you find your cards slipping or flying out of your hands, that’s totally normal at first. Just gather them up and keep going. There’s no need for perfection — only intention.

When to Stop Shuffling

Eventually, you’ll feel like the cards are ready. That might come as a sense of calm, a nudge of intuition, or simply the feeling that you’ve shuffled enough. At that point, it’s time to stop and either:

• Cut the deck in two or three piles and reassemble them

• Fan the cards out on the table and draw from the spread

• Take the top cards and lay them into your chosen spread

Whether you do this part yourself or invite your client to take over is completely up to you. Some readers prefer to keep their deck in their own hands; others like their client to cut or pick the cards for more involvement.

Final Thoughts

Shuffling your tarot cards is more than a practical step — it’s part of the ritual. It sets the tone for your reading and helps you create a quiet moment of connection. Don’t overthink the method. Choose what feels comfortable, stay focused on your question, and allow the process to become your own.

Once you’ve found your flow, shuffling becomes second nature — a quiet pause before the cards begin to speak.