🌿 Preparing your path

Whether you are starting your studies in Tarot, Lenormand, or another oracular system, one of the first questions is usually the same:

"Do I need to perform a ritual before using my deck?"

The answer is simple: it depends on the approach you choose to follow.

Throughout history, different cultures and traditions developed their own ways of working with oracle cards. Some consider the deck a sacred instrument that must be prepared through specific rituals. Others see the cards as a tool for study, reflection, and developing intuition, without the need for any ceremony.

There is no universal consensus on a single correct way to prepare a deck.

What matters most is understanding that the quality of a reading does not depend exclusively on a ritual, but on the knowledge, practice, ethics, and intention with which the oracle is used.

Each person is free to build a practice that makes sense for their own journey.

✦ Different approaches

Traditional Approach

In the traditional approach, the deck is treated as a symbolic instrument that deserves a special moment of preparation before being used.

Depending on the tradition followed, this preparation may include:

• a prayer or intention of consecration;
• passing the cards through incense smoke;
• symbolic use of the four elements (earth, water, fire, and air);
• leaving the deck under the light of the Moon or Sun;
• storing it in a dedicated cloth or box.

The goal of these rituals is not to "activate" the cards, but to create a moment of connection and mark the beginning of the practice.

This approach is common among esoteric schools, occultists, and some spiritualist traditions.

Psychological Approach

In the psychological approach, the focus is less on rituals and more on building the relationship between the reader and the symbols present in the cards.

Here, the deck is understood as a symbolic language capable of stimulating reflection, perception, and self-knowledge.

Instead of performing a consecration, many people prefer to:

• carefully observe each card;
• study its symbols;
• record impressions in a journal;
• develop a clear intention before readings;
• build familiarity with the chosen oracular system.

This view holds that the greater the reader's knowledge of the symbols, the deeper their interpretations tend to be.

Spiritualist Approach

In the spiritualist approach, the deck is used as a tool for intuitive and spiritual connection.

Each person may develop their own rituals according to their beliefs and personal practices.

Some examples include:

• meditation before readings;
• breathing exercises;
• use of crystals;
• incense;
• candles;
• prayers;
• connection with spiritual mentors, ancestors, or guides;
• moments of silence and concentration.

These elements are not mandatory. Their role is to help the reader create an environment that fosters presence, calm, and connection with oneself.

Practical Approach

The practical approach is the most straightforward.

It starts from the idea that learning happens primarily through experience.

The process is usually simple:

1. Get to know the deck.
2. Observe the cards.
3. Study their meanings.
4. Shuffle.
5. Choose a spread method.
6. Practice regularly.

In this perspective, the development of reading happens naturally as the student gains experience and familiarity with the oracle.

🃏 How to shuffle the deck

Another very common question is whether there is a correct way to shuffle the cards.

Just as with preparation rituals, there is no universal method.

What matters is that the cards are thoroughly mixed and that the process allows the reader to focus their attention on the reading.

Some widely used methods are:

Traditional shuffle — the cards are shuffled the same way as a regular playing card deck. It is a simple, fast method used widely in both Tarot and Lenormand.

Table mix — the cards are spread on a clean surface and gently mixed with circular movements. This technique is favored by those who want to preserve larger or more delicate cards.

Deck cut — after shuffling, the deck may be divided into two or three piles before being reassembled. In some traditions, this cut is performed by the querent; in others, by the reader.

Intuitive selection — some readers prefer to spread the cards on the table and intuitively select those that seem to "call" their attention. This practice is found in different oracular systems and can be used whenever it makes sense for the chosen method.

❓ Is there a "right" way?

No.

Each tradition developed its own practices over time, and none of them can be considered the only correct way to use an oracle deck.

More important than following a specific ritual is developing a consistent, ethical, and conscious practice.

Knowing the symbols, understanding the system used, and maintaining a posture of continuous study tends to bring far better results than searching for a perfect preparation.

🔮 Our philosophy

At Bruxa Maria, we believe that different paths can lead to a meaningful practice.

Some people find connection through elaborate rituals. Others prefer a symbolic, psychological, or entirely practical approach.

None of these choices makes a reading more or less valid.

Our invitation is simple:

Know your deck. Observe its images. Study its structure. Practice with curiosity.

Allow your relationship with the cards to develop naturally, respecting your beliefs, your experience, and your own pace.

In the end, the deck is only the beginning of the journey. The true learning happens in the relationship built between the reader, the symbols, and the willingness to keep learning.