Shuffling

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Jan 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Persha	15 Jan 2002
Can I ask if there are any special techniques to shuffling tarot cards? My hands hurt! -Persha

Diana	15 Jan 2002
edited

Jewel	15 Jan 2002
Quote: Diana (16 Jan, 2002 00:28): Or maybe you could invent a new technique : how about throwing them in the air, and the ones that come down face upwards are the ones you choose for your spread? (Perhaps you shouldn't take that too seriously). Why not? sounds to me like that would also fit the theory of synchronicity ... it would just be pain to pick up all the cards *LOL*. Love & Light,

january	15 Jan 2002
I had the same question a few weeks ago and I was going to post a similar thread!! I don't know if this is any help, but this what I've been doing lately. Actually, I just changed my shuffling ritual. For a while, I would shuffle, shuffle, shuffle (whew!) until the cards didn't "mesh" together. It was my sign to stop and that the cards are where they're "supposed" to be for the reading. Sometimes it happened on the first shuffle and I was ready to cut and layout the spread. But other times I could go on for several minutes. This is okay when I'm reading alone, but when I'm reading in someone's presence, I feel like its just taking too long. Besides, my finger tips and wrists began to cramp (carpal tunnel care for Tarot readers :-) ) Anyway, my new ritual is to shuffle 8 times (8 is my lifepath number, I figured it was a good choice) and then cut with my left hand three times to the left. (I also always re-pile the cards in the same pattern so the sunconscious knows me!) The first time I did a reading with the new shuffle pattern, I announced my decision outloud to my Inner Self so that this change would lodge in my subconscious and allow the "right" cards to come out. As if to say "Okay, you have 8 shuffles to search for the right cards!!" And, so I don't get caught up in counting the times I shuffle until I reach 8, I've developed a pattern, hoping that my motions will become automatic and I can focus on my question while shuffling. I shuffle twice in front, twice left, twice front and twice right, forming a diamond. So far, this seems to work! Let us know what you find works for you! ~ january

DeLani	16 Jan 2002
Ah, now that was a really intricate shuffling ritual! I do something similar, but I just shuffle till they feel "done." I shuffle by holding (up & down) the deck in my right hand and cradling the bottoms with my left, and allowing portions to drop into my left hand. Really, I tell my clients anything is OK except "riffle shuffling" like you do playing cards. I really hate that - when I see someone do it, it's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me! *Yes, I know that's really anal. But I can't help it. :) Blessings, DeLani

moonsinger	08 Aug 2003
I shuffle splitting the deck, and rotating the half in my right hand 180 degrees, then repeating the process. Rotating half the deck ensures plenty of mix with right-side-up and up-side-down. I go on shuffline till the cards feel "done". While doing this I speak out loud, sanctifying my cards to the 'wisdom from above', and inviting the Spirit of Wisdom to be present. I also invite Hru, angel of divination to be present. Maybe it's the company I keep, but most of my readings lean heavily towards spritual enlightment issues. Moonsinger

tarobones	01 Jan 2004
Sorry folks, but I have always riffle shuffled. It comes down to what works for you. I find nothing wrong with it, it is so automatic for me that i can focus inward and prepare for the reading. There are many many ways to shuffle, many many rituals, and they are all *wrong*, ..........and they are all correct!! Peace to all. Tarobones

lunalafey	01 Jan 2004
if shuffling gives you hands a work out- try choosing a number and dealing out the deck into that many piles, once delt out, pick up one pile and deal that one on top of the remainder piles- keep doing this until down to one pile..... there- all "shuffled".......If you use reversals, before you 'deal' you deck, take small sections and turn them, cut-turn-cut turn.....

The Shuffling thread was originally posted on 15 Jan 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.