Welcome to Season 14 of Every Day Tarot! This season, I’m answering your most frequently asked questions about tarot, witchcraft, and divination.
Today’s question: How do I shuffle the cards?
One of the most common beginner questions I hear is: how do you shuffle the cards? Shuffling is just mixing the deck. It sounds simple, right? But when you’re holding your first tarot deck in your hands, it can feel a little intimidating. You might wonder if there’s a “correct” way, if you’re doing it wrong, or if the way you shuffle affects your reading.
In this episode, I'll share the many ways you can connect with your deck through the simple act of shuffling.
What we explore in this episode:
The difference between bridge shuffling, overhand shuffling, and mixing cards by hand
Why deck size, shape, and texture might influence your shuffling style
How intention and energy matter more than the mechanics
Why there’s no “wrong way” to shuffle as long as it feels aligned
Shuffling Until It Feels RightI grew up playing card games with my family, so I learned to shuffle the way you’d shuffle a standard deck—using the bridge shuffle. That’s the one where you split the deck, bend the cards into an arc, and let them fall together in a neat snap.
My personal routine:
I shuffle at least three times when starting fresh.
I cut the deck with my left hand and place half to the side.
Then I draw cards from the remaining stack in my right hand.
Shuffling randomizes the deck, but it’s also ritual. It’s your moment to breathe, focus on the question, and let the deck tune in with your energy. Some readers invite the querent (the person receiving the reading) to shuffle, others keep it personal—it’s all about what feels true to you.
Here are a few alternatives:
Overhand shuffle - Holding the deck in one hand and pulling small stacks into the other.
Mixing on the table - Spreading cards out on a flat surface and mixing them around with your hands.
Hand-to-hand shuffle - Shifting cards back and forth between your palms until you feel ready to stop.
💭 Today's Tarot Pull:
From Norse Goddess Rune Oracle, I pulled Hagalaz (Hel) - Chaos, Destruction, and Renewal.
Transformation often begins in chaos. By surrendering to destruction, we open the door for resilience, healing, and rebirth.
Reflective prompts on this card:
Where in your life are you experiencing upheaval?
What habits or patterns are ready to be broken down?
How can you hold trust in the renewal that follows chaos?
Ways to Connect & Support
12 week Tarot for Transformation Live Course: In this offer we will be deep diving into the Major Arcana to Discover Our Best Selves and Create a Life Worth Living. Full details here!
Tarot Card Creation Workshop: Get the full recording, examples of the tarot cards I’ve created, journaling questions, and PDF to walk you through it for just $33. Click here to purchase now!
Patreon: For individual readings, and behind-the-scenes peeks, join the Every Day Tarot Patreon family.
Newsletter: Get my FREE 2025 5-Card Tarot Spread PDF + magic straight to your inbox.
If you’re Local:
Check out my Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup group. Come chat with other tarot enthusiasts, bring your favorite decks and play with tarot and oracle decks with us!
If you’re interested in celebrating the Full Moon I will be holding Full Moon Womxn’s Circles for the rest of 2025. Join my colleague, Izzy, and I under the glow of the full moon for an evening of connection, reflection, and ritual. This gathering is a space for all womxn. We will be meeting at Threshold’s Collective in Tacoma, the first Sunday of the month to welcome in the full moon together. Upcoming dates: 10/5, 11/2, and 12/7.
Book a Consultation: I’m a sex & relationships therapist and coach working virtually from my home office. Let’s see if we’re a fit: camilleasaunders.com
