Hello,
I do not have any specific ritual, exept that I will always shuffle and cut, in one way or another. Also, I like to spread the cards on soft fabric, so either I read on my bed or sofa, or I will use a reading cloth if I spread the cards on a table.
- Shuffling : I only riffle-shuffle small decks (pocket size) because a standard size deck is too large for me to riffle-shuffle. If I riffle shuffle I do it at least three times, if I overhand shuffle (most of the times because most decks are too large) I will do it more, because it takes more times to really randomize a deck with overhand shuffle. With Lenormand though, I riffle-shuffle most of the time.
- Cut : I try to do it with my left hand if possible, or at least, let my left hand dominate the process when my two hands are involved.
I have always prefered it like that, be it when reading cards or playing cards, as far as my childhood (I played the tarot game long before I read the tarot). I think that it has something to do with preventing cheating with the playing cards : the person would show their good intent by cutting with their non-dominant hand, as it is more difficult to use trick or sleigh-of-hand with your non-dominant hand. As most people are right-handed, cutting with the left hand has become the norm in playing card circles, in France at least (not very inclusive for left-handed people, but well). Also, professional magician performers are very able with their non-dominant hand, so I am not sure it means anything, really, but still. It is correct, polite, when playing cards in France, to cut with your left hand. I dont know about other cultures actually.
But, as I also know that your left hand is connected with the more intuitive part of your brain, it works very well with me to cut with my left hand, I like the idea.
- Reading cloth : anything can do, as the first fonction is to protect the cards from dirt. But, as Barefootlife said, a nice reading cloth could help you create a "reading space".
I will use a tea-towel if there is nothing else available, but most of the time I just use one of the many reading clothes I made for myself. It is very cheap to make one from a yard of cotton, or even from an old shirt. Also, any light neckerchief will work. I personnaly prefer cotton (easier to sew, easier to wash, cheaper and easy to get hold of). I also prefer solid colors or monochrome discreet patterns, so they won't clash with the cards ; on the contrary it will create a nice canvas, and the images on the cards will pop out.
If you photograph your spread for future reference, a solid color will work much better and make a prettier and clearer image.
I have several reading cloth of varying size, smallish for three cards, larger for larger spreads. If you have only one, you might want to make sure that it can house at least a celtic cross, for size reference.
You could also knit one, why not ? you could match it to your tarot bag !
And that's about it as far as I am concerned.
Sometimes when I feel like being fancy, I will set up a nice reading place, light a candle, light incense, use rocks.... in those occasions I like to have some sort of protective object, and a symbol for each of the four elements (usually a candle for fire, shell for water, incense for air, crystal for earth)
All that scenic stuff makes me feel good, and some sitters really like the atmosphere, but is really not necessary and will not influence the quality of the reading.
i will probably make more efforts if I read for someone else, and if I have enough time and space. Sometimes I treat myself to a nice reading with all the nice stuff, too. But most of the time, I dont bother.
It is like eating :
You might enjoy dressing up a nice table, putting out the pretty cutlery and tableware, having a nice tablecloth and flowers, to please your guests on a saturday night dinner.
But, during the week, when you just have 20 minutes from work for lunch break, you will meet a friend at the park and eat a sandwich with your fingers.
Both times you have fun, and both times you get your body nourished !