Best Crystals for Tarot Readings: 9 Stones to Boost Your Intuition
Crystals and tarot are natural partners. The right stone amplifies your intuition, grounds your energy, and brings clarity to even the most confusing spreads. Here are the 8 essential crystals every tarot reader should know.
Luna
love & relationships specialist
In This Guide
Why Use Crystals with Tarot?
Tarot works through intuition—your ability to receive and interpret symbolic messages. Crystals interact with your energy field in ways that can sharpen that intuitive channel. They don't "make" readings accurate; they remove the static that blocks clarity.
Practically, crystals serve three functions in tarot practice: they amplify your receptivity during readings, protect your energy when dealing with heavy topics, and cleanse residual energy from your deck and space between sessions.
Amplify
Heighten intuitive reception
Protect
Guard your energy boundaries
Cleanse
Clear residual energy
If you're new to tarot, start with the beginner's guide to reading tarot first, then add crystals once you're comfortable with your cards. Crystals enhance an existing practice—they don't replace learning the fundamentals.
8 Best Crystals for Tarot Readings
These eight crystals cover every type of reading you'll encounter. Listed from most essential to most specialized:
Amethyst
The Intuition Amplifier · Air Element
The most essential crystal for tarot work. Amethyst opens the Third Eye and Crown Chakras, heightening psychic awareness and bridging the material and spiritual worlds. Its violet frequency calms an overactive mind while sharpening intuitive reception—exactly what you need when interpreting symbolic messages.
From the Greek “amethystos” meaning “not intoxicated.” The ancients believed it prevented drunkenness and excess—symbolizing the clarity that comes from seeing truth beyond illusion.
"I trust my intuition. I see with clarity and wisdom."
Clear Quartz
The Master Healer · Spirit Element
Known as the ‘master healer,’ clear quartz amplifies the energy of any reading and any crystal near it. It clarifies muddled messages, strengthens your connection to the cards, and can be programmed with specific intentions—making it the most versatile stone in your tarot toolkit.
The word “crystal” itself comes from the Greek “krystallos” meaning “ice.” The ancients believed quartz was water frozen so deeply it could never thaw—eternal clarity in solid form.
"I am clear. I receive messages with precision and truth."
Rose Quartz
The Love Stone · Water Element
The essential companion for love and relationship readings. Rose quartz opens the Heart Chakra to all forms of love—romantic, familial, and self-love. Its gentle pink energy dissolves emotional wounds and invites compassion into your interpretations, especially when the cards reveal difficult truths about relationships.
A symbol of love since 600 BC. The Greeks associated it with Aphrodite, believing it could prevent ageing and heal heartbreak. It represents the truth that self-love is not selfish—it is essential.
"I am worthy of love. I give and receive love freely."
Black Tourmaline
The Psychic Shield · Earth Element
The ultimate protection stone for tarot readers. Black Tourmaline creates an energetic shield around your aura, absorbing negative energy and transmuting it into positive vibrations. Essential when reading for others or exploring heavy topics like grief, trauma, or karmic patterns—it prevents you from absorbing the querent’s emotional weight.
In crystal healing tradition, Black Tourmaline represents the guardian—the stone of empaths, energy workers, and anyone who needs to walk through the world without absorbing everything around them.
"I am protected. Only positive energy enters my space."
Labradorite
The Magic Stone · Air Element
A powerful stone for awakening psychic gifts. Labradorite’s iridescent flash—called labradorescence—reveals hidden colours just as the stone reveals hidden truths. It strengthens the connection between conscious thought and intuitive knowing while creating a protective barrier against energy leaks.
Inuit legend says Labradorite fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis. It represents the magic that exists just beneath the surface of ordinary reality—visible only to those willing to look from the right angle.
"I see beyond the surface. I trust the magic of transformation."
Moonstone
The Cycles Stone · Water Element
Connected to lunar energy and feminine intuition, moonstone is ideal for readings about timing, cycles, and emotional transitions. It enhances receptivity and helps you trust the messages that come through—particularly during new moon intention-setting and full moon release readings.
Named for its moon-like sheen (adularescence), moonstone has been sacred to lunar goddesses across cultures. Hindu tradition considers it formed from solidified moonbeams, while Romans believed it was born from rays of light.
"I flow with the cycles. I trust divine timing."
Citrine
The Merchant’s Stone · Fire Element
The go-to crystal for career and financial readings. Citrine radiates warm, energizing Solar Plexus vibrations that boost confidence and attract prosperity. Uniquely among crystals, citrine doesn’t hold negative energy—it’s self-cleansing, making it low-maintenance for regular tarot work.
Historically called the “Merchant’s Stone,” citrine was placed in cash registers and wallets to attract wealth. But its true power runs deeper—it represents the solar energy within you, the fire of purpose and the courage to pursue it.
"I am powerful. Abundance flows to me naturally."
Selenite
The Purifier · Spirit Element
Selenite purifies the energy of your tarot space, your deck, and your other crystals between readings. Place your cards on a selenite plate overnight to clear residual energy. Its exceptionally high vibration connects you to higher guidance while washing away what no longer serves the reading.
Named after Selene, the Greek moon goddess. Just as the full moon illuminates what’s hidden, selenite reveals and clears energetic blockages. It is the reset button of the crystal world.
"I release what no longer serves me. I am cleansed and renewed."
Carnelian
The Courage Stone · Fire Element
The stone of courage, vitality, and creative fire. Carnelian grounds your ambitions into action during readings about career changes, creative blocks, or life decisions. Ancient warriors wore it into battle for bravery—today it’s the stone for anyone who needs to stop overthinking card meanings and trust their gut.
Egyptian architects wore Carnelian as a mark of status and power. It was placed in tombs to guide the dead and worn by the living to fuel ambition—representing the sacred marriage of vision and action.
"I take bold action. My creative fire burns bright."
Starter Kit
If you're buying your first crystals for tarot, get amethyst + clear quartz. These two cover all reading types and cost under $15 together. Add rose quartz next if you do love readings, or black tourmaline if you read for others.
Many of these crystals correspond to specific chakra energy centers. Understanding the chakra system deepens your ability to choose the right crystal for each reading.
Crystal + Reading Type Pairings
Different readings benefit from different crystal energy. Here are tested combinations for the most common reading types:
Rose Quartz + Moonstone
Heart-opening energy meets emotional intuition for honest love guidance.
Citrine + Clear Quartz
Abundance energy amplified by the master crystal for practical clarity.
Black Tourmaline + Amethyst
Grounded protection meets deep intuition for safe inner exploration.
Clear Quartz + Amethyst
Clean amplification paired with intuitive insight for everyday guidance.
Moonstone + Selenite
Lunar energy doubled for powerful release and illumination work.
For twin flame readings, try labradorite + rose quartz—psychic depth meets heart energy. Learn more about twin flame cards in our twin flame tarot guide.
Crystals for Protection During Readings
If you read for others or explore heavy topics (grief, karmic debt, toxic relationships), protection crystals are non-negotiable. They prevent you from absorbing emotional energy that isn’t yours.
Black Tourmaline
Creates an energetic shield around your aura. The #1 protection stone for empaths and professional readers.
Labradorite
Protects against energy leaks while keeping your psychic channels open—protection without disconnection.
Amethyst
Guards against psychic overwhelm by calming the third eye. Prevents “information overload” from intense readings.
Crystals for Love Tarot Readings
Love readings require heart energy—the ability to hold space for vulnerability, honesty, and sometimes painful truths. These crystals open the heart without losing objectivity.
Rose Quartz
Opens the Heart Chakra to compassion. Essential when cards reveal difficult relationship truths—it keeps the reading gentle.
Moonstone
Enhances emotional intuition and sensitivity to timing—critical for “will he/she” and “when” questions.
Carnelian
Adds courage to love readings. Helps readers (and querents) face relationship fears rather than sugar-coating.
Crystals for Anxiety & Calm Readings
Anxious energy distorts readings—you project fear onto neutral cards. These crystals ground nervous energy so messages come through clean.
Amethyst
Calms an overactive mind and reduces the mental chatter that muddles card interpretation.
Selenite
Creates instant mental clarity and washes away accumulated stress before you even touch the deck.
Clear Quartz
Amplifies calm intention. Program it with “clarity and peace” before anxious readings.
How to Cleanse & Charge Your Tarot Crystals
Crystals absorb energy from readings. Regular cleansing keeps them effective. Here are four reliable methods:
Moonlight Charging
Place crystals under full moon light overnight. The most gentle and universally safe method for all crystal types.
Selenite Plate
Rest crystals on a selenite charging plate for 4+ hours. Selenite never needs cleansing itself and continuously purifies.
Sunlight (Brief)
10-20 minutes of morning sunlight re-energizes solar stones like citrine. Avoid prolonged exposure—it fades amethyst and rose quartz.
Smoke Cleansing
Pass crystals through the smoke of dried herbs like rosemary, cedar, or palo santo. Effective for clearing heavy residual energy after difficult readings.
Water Warning
Not all crystals are water-safe. Selenite dissolves in water, and black tourmaline can crack with sudden temperature changes. When in doubt, moonlight and selenite plates are the safest universal methods.
Getting Started: Your First Crystal-Enhanced Reading
Ready to try crystals with your tarot cards? Follow these steps for your first session:
Choose one crystal
Start with amethyst. Hold it in your non-dominant hand for a few minutes to attune to its energy.
Set an intention
State what you want from the reading—clarity, honesty, guidance. The crystal focuses this intention.
Place and shuffle
Set the crystal near your deck or on the reading surface. Shuffle as you normally would.
Read as usual
Don't overthink the crystal. Let it work in the background. Notice if messages feel clearer or more specific.
Cleanse after
Return the crystal to its resting place. Cleanse it if the reading was emotionally heavy.
Track how crystals affect your readings in a tarot journal. Note which stones you used, how the reading felt, and whether the messages were clearer. Over time, you'll develop personal preferences that go beyond any guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need crystals to read tarot?
No. Crystals are enhancers, not requirements. Many skilled readers work without them. Think of crystals as tools that support and amplify your existing intuitive abilities—like a good reading lamp supports studying, but isn't the knowledge itself.
Where should I place crystals during a reading?
Common placements: on the reading table near your deck, in your non-dominant hand while shuffling, beside specific card positions for focused energy, or in a circle around your entire spread. Experiment to find what resonates with you.
How often should I cleanse my tarot crystals?
After every reading for others, weekly for personal readings, and immediately after emotionally heavy sessions. If a crystal feels 'dull' or your readings feel foggy, that's a sign to cleanse. Trust your intuition on timing.
Can I use multiple crystals at once?
Yes, crystal combinations are powerful. Start with 2-3 that complement each other (like amethyst + clear quartz). Too many can create conflicting energies. Our reading pairing guide above suggests tested combinations.
What's the best starter crystal for tarot?
Amethyst. It's affordable, widely available, works with all reading types, and directly enhances the intuitive channel you use in tarot. If you only buy one crystal for your practice, make it amethyst.
Free Cheat Sheet: Card Meanings + Spreads
Keep this 44-page PDF open during your readings. All 78 card meanings plus 8+ spread layouts in one guide.
- All 78 upright & reversed meanings
- Love, career & money interpretations
- 8+ popular spreads included
- Print it or use it on your device
Find Your Crystal Match
Take our crystal quiz to discover which stone resonates with your energy.
Take the Crystal QuizWritten by
Luna
Love and relationship tarot specialist. Luna guides seekers through matters of the heart with compassion and clarity.