How I Prepare for a Tarot Reading (Ritual + Decks)
hey everyone, I'm Grace! (If you didn't know!)
I've been asked a bit about my pre-reading rituals: what do i do to "get in the zone" or "connect with spirit"? some non-readers seem to imagine this super complex, hour-long ceremony. but sometimes, it's just me and other readers talking about how we function, so I thought I'd share how I function here too!
the truth is, my process is a lot more like a pre-flight check or a system boot sequence. it's less about elaborate magic and more about making sure my own system and my hardware are clean, calibrated, and ready to run a clean diagnostic.
so, here's my personal boot_sequence.exe.
// STEP 1: INITIALIZING THE USER (ME)
before i can run a diagnostic for someone else, i have to make sure my own system is running clean. for me, this means two things:
Running a Self-Clean. This is usually just washing my face or using a face wipe (the rose water ones!). I'm not just getting the literal grime of the day off; for me, it's an energetic reset. I pay special attention to my forehead, where my third eye chakra is located. My third eye is basically the primary sensor, the psychic WiFi antenna that helps process the card's data. Giving it a quick, intentional cleanse helps make sure the signal is clear and free of my own personal static. I also will concentrate on my temples, because I see the energy as almost a band that goes around my forehead- think the Sailor Moon tiara! This is me drawing on my tiara and getting ready for tarot, my own magical girl transformation.
Setting the Environment. I always light a candle and some incense. This isn't just for spooky vibes, lol. The candlelight helps my eyes and brain focus, creating a dedicated workspace. The incense smoke is like an atmospheric purifier. It signals to my brain, "okay, we are now in a clean network environment. it's time to do the work."
// STEP 2: SYNCING THE HARDWARE (THE DECKS)
this is another area where my process is probably less mystical than you think. because of how I store my decks, they don't need a massive, deep-cleanse before every single reading.
my decks live in what I call the server room—a dedicated shelf where they're all organized and respected. they're stored with a bunch of cleansing crystals like selenite and clear quartz, which act as passive, 24/7 antivirus and defragmenting programs.
so when i pick a deck for a reading, it's already running pretty clean. all it needs is a quick sync with my current session. i just give the deck a quick pass through the incense smoke I've already lit. it's like the final handshake before a data transfer, ensuring we're both on the same secure connection. and that's it. the hardware is ready to go.
// A QUICK NOTE ON DECK STORAGE
this part is actually super important to my process. i'm a stickler for how my decks are stored.
every single one is in its original box or a dedicated tarot bag. and my one big rule is: the bags can't have holes or be made of lace.
this is for two reasons. the practical reason is that i am a human who eats Cheetos, and i don't want Cheeto dust (or cat hair!) getting on my Knight of Swords, thank you very much. a sealed bag keeps your physical hardware clean.
the energetic reason is that it acts as a firewall. it keeps the deck's energy pure and prevents stray data packets from the rest of the house from getting in. when i put a deck away, its job is done. it's powered down and in its secure charging dock.
and that's my boot sequence! it's simple, it's practical, and it works for me. the most important thing is to create a ritual that makes you feel focused, clean, and connected. your ritual is your source code; feel free to write one that's perfect for your own unique system- or share it with me in the replies!
