Tarot cloths are really a personal choice (like most of your practice for that matter).
You can start using one whenever feels right, or skip them entirely! Growing up, I remember my grandmother doing readings right on her worn wooden dining table, while my cousin preferred using a silk scarf. When I began my Tarot process, I read anywhere and everywhere - park benches, kitchen counters, even on top of stacked books.
These days, I’ve settled on using a dedicated cloth, mainly because I’m constantly doing readings and teaching friends the basics. It helps protect my deck from wear and tear, especially when I’m letting newcomers practice shuffling and laying out spreads. Some of my students enjoy the ritual of unwrapping their cards in a special cloth, while others prefer the simplicity of reading on any available surface. There’s no wrong way, just about what helps you connect with your cards.
honestly getting a cloth saved my cards from sticky caf tables and rough surfaces (never thought about protection until I saw scratches on my favorite deck! plus shuffling on fabric feels SO much smoother than on hard surfaces, the cards just glide better. oh and pro tip: thrift stores have amazing scarves and fabric remnants for like $2-3 if you’re on a budget
My cloth isn’t just for show, it actually has specific spread patterns printed on it that help guide where to place cards, while my friend uses hers more as a protective barrier for her deck, and another reader I know treats laying out the cloth as part of their whole ritual to get into the reading mindset.
I started using a black cloth after noticing how much easier it made my readings, coming from playing cards where I’d read on any surface, I found with tarot the bigger cards and detailed artwork really benefited from a consistent background.
The black especially helps because it doesn’t compete with the imagery and I don’t have to worry about whether the coffee table has weird patterns or scratches that might distract during a reading. It’s funny how such a simple thing made me feel more focused, and my querents seem to appreciate the defined reading space too.
Plus (like others have said) it protects both my tarot and playing card decks from questionable surfaces when I’m reading at cafes or friends’ houses.
Has anyone used a cloth and found it helped with impostor syndrome when reading for others? I’m curious if clients took the readings more seriously with the extra setup.
Since I’ve been reading more frequently for others, I’ve noticed how the energy shifts depending on the surface - my kitchen table has this warm, grounded feeling that actually enhances certain readings, especially when working with earth suit questions.
I’ve seen people say they give proper readings in spaces like coffee shops, but I don’t get it. I don’t think I could bring myself to really do a serious reading on their cheap and impersonal tables.
I see where everyone’s coming from with the ritual and protection aspects, but I’ve found that going without a cloth can create a more personal connection with the cards. Some readers get really focused on setting up everything perfectly with cloths and crystals, and I think they miss out on that immediate energy. There’s something about reading on a bare wooden table or even outside on the ground. Just you and the cards.
No judgment, though.
Everyone reads differently.
I use a cloth when it suits the deck (and/or when a client expects it). So if I’m using a dark gothic tarot deck for example, I would probably use a dark black or purple cloth on the table.