What They Don’t Tell You About Deck Interviews: Who Are You REALLY Talking To?
Tarot is more than a set of cards; it’s a language grounded in centuries of symbolic and astrological codices, offering a structured yet endlessly profound means of communication. Each card, with its blend of imagery, number, and astrological influence, speaks through a system that transcends simple intuition. It’s a language of symbols and meanings, woven together from historical traditions and layered with astrological and philosophical depth.
When we perform a deck interview, we’re opening up a channel not just to the cards, but to the complex web of energy and information they’re tied to. While the goal is to “get to know” the unique personality or perspective of a new deck, there’s an untold side to this practice: Who or what are we truly communicating with during these interviews? Are we connecting with the deck itself, our own intuition, or even an external influence?
In this post, we’ll explore the nuanced dynamics of deck interviews, the energies they may invite, and why some decks might feel intimidating or even “mean.” By understanding tarot’s communicative nature and its potential connections, we can approach deck interviews with the awareness needed to ensure a clear and respectful exchange.
Beyond Bonding: Unveiling the True Purpose of a Deck Interview
For many, discovering a first tarot deck—or finding one with artwork that speaks to their soul—feels like meeting a magical companion. There’s an undeniable excitement, a kind of puppy-eyed wonder, and a strong desire to “bond” with this new deck. New readers often dive into rituals, eager to put their deck under their pillow, surround it with crystals, or carry it everywhere they go. These rituals are charming, offering a sense of connection and comfort for those just starting out.
But let’s get one thing straight: bonding with your deck doesn’t need to look like a Tamagotchi-care routine. Your tarot deck isn’t going to “die” if you don’t charge it every night or wave it over smoke every morning. While these rituals are lovely if they resonate with you, they’re not essential. There’s no pressure to treat your deck as a high-maintenance friend or to carry it around like a lucky charm for it to “work.”
The true purpose of a deck interview reaches far beyond simply getting a sense of the deck’s “personality.” While it may seem like you’re just figuring out how the deck “speaks”—whether it’s light and gentle, blunt, or intense—there’s a deeper process at play. When you conduct a deck interview, you’re not only getting to know the deck’s voice; you’re inviting a presence or energy into the deck, an entity that will be your communication partner. This energy will shape the messages you receive, often influenced by the creators’ intentions, the imagery, and the energy infused into the deck during its creation.
Anything we create carries a spark of the creator, and tarot decks are no exception. Deck interviews reveal more than just tone or style; they uncover layers within the deck itself, exposing the energies woven into it and how they resonate—or clash—with your own. By interviewing your deck, you’re opening a channel to its spirit and design, inviting a unique interplay between its essence and yours.
A simple deck interview spread can tune you into these layers, offering a glimpse of what energies are at work within the deck and how they align with you. Think of it as asking, “What forces are at play in this deck, and how will they guide my readings?” This approach shifts the focus from treating the deck as a mere object to engaging with the energies it carries, setting the foundation for a deeper, more insightful tarot practice.
Who or What Are You Actually Inviting?
When conducting a deck interview, it’s easy to assume that the responses you receive come solely from the deck itself or your subconscious mind. However, the truth is far more complex. Tarot decks, like any tool for divination, can act as conduits—open channels for a wide range of energies. What you’re connecting with during a reading isn’t limited to the deck’s design or your internal intuition. It could be something far beyond.
Decks, especially those that are pre-owned or have been used extensively, often retain energetic imprints from their history. If a previous owner worked with a specific entity or intention, those influences might still linger. Before diving into a reading or interview with such a deck, it’s crucial to cleanse it and set clear boundaries for the energies you want to invite. A simple cleansing ritual, whether through smoke, sound, or visualization, can help reset the deck and prepare it for your personal use.
Even with a brand-new deck, it’s important to recognize that anything can attach itself to your deck if the space is left undefined. This could range from a curious fae to the spirit of the nice old lady down the street who recently passed away. Energy is opportunistic, and without clear intentions, the “guest” who joins you in your readings might not be who you expect.
This is why setting intentions is everything. Before using your deck, ask yourself: Who do I want to communicate with? Some tarot practitioners connect with deities, angels, or their Higher Self, while others prefer to work with ancestors, their Future Self, devas, or even planetary energies. There’s no right or wrong answer—it all depends on your own practices and comfort level. By setting the intention before a reading, you create a boundary for the types of energies you welcome into your deck.
Approaching your deck with this mindset allows you to take ownership of your practice, ensuring that the energies you connect with align with your goals and values. Remember, a tarot deck is a tool, but the energy it channels is determined by you.
The Danger of Unintentional Attachments
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “This deck is so mean to me!” or “My first readings felt harsh and terrifying,” there’s often more at play than just the deck’s “personality.” These experiences can often stem from unintentional attachments or interference—energies that slip into the space between you, your intended question receiver, and the paths you’re seeking to uncover.
Attachments can occur when the space around your reading is left undefined, or when a deck hasn’t been properly cleansed and aligned with your intentions. Decks carry layers of energy from their creation, use, and environment. If this energy isn’t reset or directed, it can distort the messages you’re trying to receive, much like static in a radio signal.
This explains why some decks feel “mean” or overwhelming, while others seem light and supportive. It’s not just about the deck’s artwork—it’s the energies flowing through it. A deck with lingering attachments might give overly harsh or manipulative responses, while a cleansed, aligned deck better reflects your intentions.
Interference can take many forms. A deck may still carry a previous owner’s energetic imprint, channel passing energies, or even mirror your own fears or doubts. Such interference disrupts clarity and can create unsettling experiences, especially for new readers.
To avoid unintentional attachments, take proactive steps to clear and set boundaries for your deck. A cleansing ritual—using smoke, sound, or meditation—removes lingering influences. Once cleansed, set a clear intention for who or what you want to communicate with, inviting only energies aligned with your goals.
The energy your deck channels can either align with or disrupt your practice. Keeping your deck energetically clean and setting firm intentions ensures your readings feel clear, empowering, and free of interference.
Protecting Your Deck and Intentions
Once you’ve cleansed your deck, the next step is deciding who or what you want to communicate with during your readings. Intention-setting is crucial here—it’s how you create boundaries and align your practice with the energies you wish to channel. For each session, take a moment to consciously decide who you want to speak with, or assign your deck to a specific channel for long-term use.
For example, you might dedicate one deck exclusively to readings for others, channeling their energies, their intended connectors, and the planetary forces best suited to their questions. Another deck could be set aside entirely for your personal use, acting as a private channel between you and your Higher Self, guides, or chosen energies.
Consider tailoring your decks to the themes they resonate with. A deck with love-themed artwork might become your dedicated tool for love readings, channeling Venus’s energy to guide your queries. An angelic deck could serve as a channel for Archangel Michael or another entity you feel drawn to work with. The beauty of this approach is that it’s entirely up to you—there’s no wrong way to assign your decks, as long as the intention is clear and purposeful.
By assigning roles or intentions to your decks, you create a structured and energetically clean practice. This not only enhances the clarity of your readings but also strengthens the connection you feel with each deck, deepening your relationship with the energies you choose to invite into your tarot work.
Deck interviews are more than just a fun ritual—they’re an opportunity to uncover the layers of energy within your deck and establish a meaningful connection with the forces you wish to work with. By understanding the potential influences behind your readings, cleansing your deck, and setting clear intentions, you can create a practice that is both empowering and aligned with your goals.
Whether you’re exploring the energies imprinted during the deck’s creation, connecting with specific entities, or tailoring your decks for unique purposes, the key is to approach your tarot work with awareness and intention. This ensures that your readings are not only clear and insightful but also truly reflective of the energies you wish to channel.
Ready to deepen your tarot practice? Check out my blog post on Setting Intentions for Your Readings to learn more about crafting a focused and intentional space for your tarot sessions. Start building the foundation for transformative insights today!
