This is where you may think I’m strange…If I use a deck for a large spread during the day, I will spend a half hour shuffling and remixing the deck while watching tv that night!

There is just something very calming and soothing about having a deck in my hands. It’s almost hypnotic!

I ‘set the scene’, as well…Spread cloth, crystals, candles, and good music!

When I shuffle the cards for myself, I focus on the question. Then I cut the cards a specific number of times.

When I give the cards to a person to shuffle, I have all the cards in order and facing the same way. I give them the cards sideways and tell them to “mix” the cards any way they like while focusing on the question, and continue until they get a feeling it’s time to stop. This way they have complete control over whether cards will be mixed end for end to produce some upright and some reversed. Also, some people have a predetermined idea of what shuffling is, and by saying “mix” instead of shuffle, they aren’t limited to one form of shuffling the cards.

When they give the cards back to me, they almost always give them to me short-end first rather than sideways. I interpret the cards that way. When someone does, on occasion, return them sideways, I use my intuition on which was to turn the cards. I give them explicit directions on how to cut the cards.

@Catherine: I like how you called such things “talking points.” Makes it so much more approachable and takes the idea of right/wrong out of the picture.
@Douglas: I love the idea of shuffling being about relaxation and cutting about focus. It makes perfect sense; don’t know why I didn’t realize it before.
@Rose: if Douglas is right and shuffling is for relaxing and a client feels awkward, as they sometimes do, then it wouldn’t be relaxing…a good reason to not have them shuffle. Interesting.
@James: we could discuss what we mean by “magical” But I think we agree on the importance of touch. Have you used fanning powder on your cards. Now that’s magic.
@Nancy: “change the order” — nice phrase
@Arwen: I am also a flake and know what you mean by “pushing back.”
@Zanna: I like the 9th card idea and will have to try it sometime.
@Annie: perhaps a “magic formula” and “pleasant routine” are the same thing
@Theresa: I agree with you. When structure or ritual provides a sense of comfort and safety and other benefits, then it’s fantastic. When it become oppressively rigid, then it’s best to do without. I also have my clients cut with their left hand.

The one ritual I do favor is more related to the cutting of the cards – after shuffling, I have the client put the deck face down. With their left hand, they cut the cards into three piles and then put them back together any way they want.

The left hand is closest to the heart, so I feel this way the reading comes from the heart. If a client is hell bent on using the right hand, I don’t stop them as I feel it is them following their own instincts.

A little structure is necessary – rigidity is not.