Why Do Witches Use Tarot?
Is tarot part of witchcraft?
Tarot is not required in witchcraft, but many witches use it because it does two jobs at once: it shows where energy is moving in a situation, and each card's image can become a focus for a spell. It works alongside the craft rather than replacing it.
The deck itself began as a card game in fifteenth century Italy and was taken up for divination and esoteric study from the late eighteenth century onwards. Modern witches value it as a language of symbols. The Major Arcana follow the large cycles of a life, such as endings, initiations and new beginnings, while the Minor Arcana track daily shifts in feelings, work, money and relationships.
For a witch, a reading often comes before a spell. Pulling cards first can show whether the timing is right, what is blocking an outcome, or whether a different approach would serve you better.
How to Use Tarot Cards in Spells
- Spell anchoring: choose the card that best represents your goal and stand it on your altar during the working. The Empress suits abundance and creativity, The Lovers suits relationships, Strength suits courage and The Star suits healing and hope.
- Candle and card: place the card beneath a spell candle so the flame burns above the image, then keep the card on your altar until the outcome arrives.
- Lunar spreads: read at each new and full moon to set and review intentions across the lunar cycle.
- Shadow work: journal on reversed cards or difficult cards such as the Five of Pentacles or Ten of Swords to explore patterns you want to change.
- Dream work: draw a single card on waking after a vivid dream and read the two together.
A tarot candle spell for a clear goal
15 minutes. Works for almost any intention.
Choose your card. Go through the deck face up and pick the card that shows the outcome you want.
Write the intention. Write one present tense sentence on the paper and fold it under the card.
Light the candle. Set the candle in its dish beside or above the card and light it while reading your intention aloud.
Focus. Gaze at the card for a few minutes and picture yourself inside the scene it shows.
Close. Snuff the candle, leave the card on your altar and relight the candle each day until it is spent.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Tarot Spreads for Witches
Mirror spread for self discovery
| Position | Question |
|---|---|
| Card 1 | How I see myself |
| Card 2 | How others actually see me |
| Card 3 | A truth I am avoiding |
| Card 4 | My next aligned action |
Moon phase spread
| Moon phase | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| New moon | What should I plant now? |
| First quarter | What needs action? |
| Full moon | What is ready to manifest? |
| Waning moon | What should I release? |
If you are still learning the cards, our guide on how to read tarot cards covers meanings and basic spreads.
Pairing Tarot With Crystals and Herbs
Adding a crystal or herb that shares a card's energy strengthens both readings and spells.
| Card | Theme | Crystal | Herb |
|---|---|---|---|
| The High Priestess | Intuition, mystery | Amethyst, moonstone | Mugwort |
| The Empress | Abundance, creativity | Green aventurine | Rose |
| The Lovers | Love, choices | Rose quartz | Lavender |
| Strength | Courage, patience | Tiger's eye | Basil |
| The Star | Hope, healing | Clear quartz | Chamomile |
| The Moon | Dreams, the unseen | Labradorite | Jasmine |
Burning a little mugwort or anointing your hands with diluted rosemary oil before a reading is a common way to mark the shift into sacred time.
How to Cleanse and Care for a Tarot Deck
How do you cleanse a tarot deck?
Cleanse a tarot deck by passing it through incense smoke, leaving it in moonlight overnight, resting it on a piece of selenite, or knocking on the deck three times. Do it when you first open the deck, after an intense reading and whenever the cards start to feel off.
- Consecrate: when you first open a deck, hold it, speak a short blessing and look through every card.
- Bond: interview your new deck with a short spread asking what it wants to teach you.
- Store: wrap it in cloth, keep it in a wooden box or rest it on your altar.
- Personalise: some witches add a handmade card with their own sigil as a marker of ownership.
Choosing a deck
If you are new to tarot, pick a deck based on the Rider Waite Smith system. Most guidebooks follow it, and every card shows a full scene that is easier to read intuitively. Browse our tarot cards collection.
Tarot Questions Answered
Can you use tarot cards in spells?
Yes. A tarot card can act as the focus of a spell in the same way as a candle or a sigil. Choose the card that matches your goal, place it on your altar and work with it until the outcome arrives.
Do you need to be a witch to read tarot?
No. Anyone can learn to read tarot. Witches simply tend to combine readings with ritual, timing and other tools.
How often should you cleanse your tarot cards?
Cleanse when you first open the deck, after any heavy or emotional reading, and whenever readings start to feel muddy. Many witches also cleanse at each full moon.
Which tarot card is best for a money spell?
The Empress, the Ace of Pentacles and the Nine of Pentacles are the most common choices for prosperity work.
Find Your Deck
Tarot decks, crystals and altar tools for readings and ritual. Australian owned, shipping worldwide.
