Clearing your cards

How do you clean/clear your cards and how often do you do it?

Lex

Every time I shuffle, I do it with the intention of clearing. But for that pesky, heavy-duty auric build-up, I keep a crystal on the decks, between each use. (I make sure the crystals get cleared every Full Moon, or if needed sooner, I keep lunar-charged waters on hand).

If there is some particularly icky energetic goo (which I may just feel when handling the deck or else am "told" about, through the repeated appearance of a couple of personal warning cards that I have learned over the years), I smudge the deck with sage, or leave all the cards spread out individually on a table that gets moonlight, or else I may tone them with a singing bowl.

Very little muss or fuss!


What about you? Other ideas?? This is a really interesting topic!
- Beth

I'm with Beth -- every time I begin a reading, I shuffle the deck repeatedly with the intention of clearing away past associations and setting up the matrix for the new.

I very rarely smudge or do anything else to my cards. Although now I'm thinking, that would be an excellent part of a New Moon practice, to regularly smudge or spray them with scented, special water. Thanks!

Spray them with water?? Really??

Ever since I got a DruidCraft deck with the 10 of Wands manufactured funky (making it cut there EVERY time!! It was VERY disheartening, let me tell you, till I figured out what was happening!), I am ultra paranoid about anything that might "mark" my deck!

Hmmm.. I would really have to think about that!
- Beth

Hmm . . . what I meant and didn't express well, was spraying the AIR with one of those little mister bottles of aromatherapy or flower essence waters . . . high above the cards so that not much spray actually gets on them . . . just the "essence" of the scent or water.

Haven't had too much of a problem with marks but then you know I like decks that look well used.

Oh, right! Of course! This makes total sense!

Not sure if anyones would be intersted or not, but I have a lot of Mugwort on hand right now. It's magically associated with prophetic dreams, divination, relaxation, tranquility, protecting, banishing, and consecration. It's good to store devinatory items in to enhance psychic abilities. Most people just put it in their bags loose. I think it's easier to just take some, sew it into a small bag with any of your other favorite herbs, and place it with your cards. I have enough to give everyone some. I'll bring some to the meeting just in case anyone would like any. I love white sage for smudging. The place I usually buy white sage is out right now. If anyone knows a good place around that sells any I would really be interested. I ran out.

Hi Christa,
I'm sure just about everyone would appreciate some home grown mugwort! Thanks for your generous offer. Please bring some on the 14th!

I've grown my own (English) sage in the past, not the eastern WA wild variety. Not sure where you can find that right now. Does anyone know?

Suzanne Jordan http://www.goodnature... has a space at the Bellingham Farmer's Market on Saturdays and she just made a trip to Eastern WA recently and had sage for smudging available. I have been really pleased with everything I have gotten from her; including the herbal classes I have attended.

I don't worry a lot about clearing my cards; and I let the querent shuffle them. I feel that shuffleing them is what clears them. I think I have only purposely cleared them a couple of times; and I held them over the incense--sage or cedar most likely. I have kept a crystal with my desk in the past; not to clear the deck; but to have it available to me at my readings. To help hold the circle safe; to bring clarity.

Deb

Thanks for the web site. It's not like I know too much about smudging (although when I spelled it smugging it made more sense to my 'cartoon' head ...) and also about the 'mugwort' person, old member. I type in mugwort and get 'Harry Potter' - good grief! IF I wanted to see the movie I wouldn't have killed my TV the day I joined the Tarot group...) So, what is mugwort and who do I reach you? Thanks Claire PS just contact Joanna and she'll get your contact info to me (hope that's okay with you Joanna? I just added you to 'MY PEOPLE' ... you know, that commercial of Ellen Degeneres "I got people?" - saw it before I killed the TV