Something I learned the hard way, you gotta set boundaries before cleansing other people’s decks. I started doing this visualization thing where I imagine a golden bubble around me. Otherwise you end up absorbing all that heavy energy from their cards.
Earth cleansing might work for you. I’ve heard of people wrapping their deck in natural fabric and burying it in potted plant soil overnight. Something about the earth grounding out bad energy. Worth a shot if nothing else has worked.
Cleansing feels like hitting the reset button for both me and the deck. The readings turn out clearer and lighter, and the cards seem to work more effectively. It’s like they come back to their purpose of providing guidance.
This made me laugh because I once spent three full moons trying to cleanse a deck with elaborate rituals involving crystals, herbs, and probably too much incense for my tiny apartment. The cards still felt weird. Then my cat knocked over my coffee on them and I had to actually clean each card… turns out they were just grimy from the thrift shop. Sometimes I get so caught up in the mystical side of things that I forget to check if the cards just need some good old-fashioned soap and water first.
This is sooooo relatable! I had to do something similar with a deck I bought at an estate sale. Every night before bed I’d cleanse it a different way - smoke one night, moonlight the next, sound cleansing after that. It was like peeling away layers of old energy.
Salt cleansing really is powerful when you’re dealing with stubborn energy. If burying the whole deck feels like too much salt or you’re worried about the cards, try starting with just placing them on a bed of salt in a shallow dish - you’ll still get that purifying effect without needing as much.
How long after cleansing did it take for these distinct personalities to emerge in your decks?
Had something similar with a deck my ex gave me - turned out the energy wasn’t just from them but also all the unresolved stuff between us that was still attached. Objects can hold energy patterns, especially when there’s strong emotion involved.
If this person brought negativity into your life, the deck might be carrying both their energy and the energy of that whole dynamic.
For stubborn energy like this, I’d go beyond the basic cleansing. Try this: hold the deck and visualize cutting any energetic cords connecting it to that person. Like, actually see golden scissors cutting invisible threads. Then imagine violet flame transmuting any lingering negativity into light.
Honestly, if the energy is that bad, just get a new deck. Sometimes objects hold trauma so deeply that no amount of cleansing helps. I tried for months with a deck from a toxic relationship and finally accepted it was better to start fresh. Your peace of mind is worth more than salvaging cards.
I tried cleansing a deck once by throwing it as high as I could. Thought maybe if it got some air it would feel better lol. Sometimes decks just feel heavy and uncomfortable. I used to try to cleanse that feeling away but now I just sit with it. I ask myself what the deck might be trying to tell me. It’s helped me work through some stuff I was avoiding.
Reiki the cards! If you’re not attuned, find someone who is. I had a deck that felt completely dead after my divorce, and one reiki session brought them back to life. The practitioner said they could actually feel the heaviness lifting off the cards during the session. Worth every cent.
It usually takes about 2-3 weeks of regular use before a freshly cleansed deck reveals its true nature. The first week is all about that Death card energy - the old patterns dissolving and making space for something new.
My Marseille deck went through this when I first got it. Right after the salt cleanse, it felt blank, almost like The High Priestess keeping her secrets behind the veil. But after about ten days of daily draws, it started showing this sharp, direct personality - very Magician-like in how it cuts straight to manifestation issues. Now it’s my go-to for practical matters.
I think the key is patience and consistent interaction. You can’t rush this process any more than you can rush The Star’s healing waters.