Seriously, why shuffle tarot cards? I always just cut the deck quick before pulling cards. Felt fine. Then I kept seeing folks online saying you need to shuffle, really mix them up, for better results. Made me wonder: was I doing it wrong?
My Lazy Habit & The Experiment
So yesterday, feeling kinda stuck during my morning card pull, I decided to test it. Properly. First, I did my usual lazy thing: grabbed my Rider-Waite deck off the nightstand. Gave it three quick cuts – you know, splitting the pile, putting the bottom bit on top. Drew three cards: reversed Page of Cups, upright Seven of Swords, and The Hierophant. Honestly? Made zero sense for my question about a work project. Felt muddy, confusing. Like the cards weren’t talking.
Alright, time to shuffle for real. I scooped all the cards back into one pile. Started actually shuffling them like playing cards, messy overhand style. Cards kept flying out! Took maybe a whole minute? Felt way longer than my usual three-second cut. Kept going until my hands felt kinda tired. Then I did a few more decisive cuts for good measure.
The “After Shuffling” Pull
Took a breath, focused harder on my work project question, and pulled three cards again:
- Upright Ace of Pentacles (first card)
- Upright Knight of Wands
- Upright Three of Cups
Whoa. Immediate difference. Clear as day! The Ace – a solid new opportunity. Knight – gotta move fast, be energetic. Three of Cups – maybe teamwork or celebration? Instantly clicked with my project situation about launching a new collab. Way less confusing than the first pull.
Why Bother Shuffling?
Here’s what clicked for me:
- Mixes the Deck Properly: My quick cuts weren’t really mixing the cards. Same clumps stayed together. Proper shuffling actually randomized everything.
- Forces Focus: That minute shuffling? It wasn’t just moving cards. It made me calm down, stop thinking about my coffee, and actually focus on my question. By the time I stopped shuffling, I was fully present.
- Feels More Deliberate: There’s a weight to it. The act itself signals you’re serious, committing energy. The reading feels more “earned” somehow.
- Better Card Spread: The cards I drew made actual logical sense together! Before, it was like grabbing random words from a dictionary.
So yeah, I get it now. Shuffling isn’t just some ritual for show. It physically mixes the cards better, sure, but it also mentally mixes you – gets you out of your head and focused on the question. My lazy cuts are officially retired. That minute shuffling? Totally worth it for clearer answers.
