How to Store Tarot Cards
8 storage methods and card care tips to keep your deck protected, energetically clear, and ready for your next reading.
By LunaHow you store your tarot cards matters more than most beginners realise. A deck tossed loose in a drawer picks up scratches, bent corners, and - if you believe in energy work - residual energy from everything around it. The right storage keeps your cards physically pristine and spiritually ready for your next reading.
Key Principle
There's no single "correct" way to store tarot cards. The best method is one that protects your deck physically and feels right for your practice. Simple is fine - a £5 drawstring bag protects cards just as well as a £40 hand-carved box.
How to Store Tarot Cards Properly
Store your tarot cards in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep them in a box, pouch, or cloth wrap to protect the edges and artwork. That's the short answer - and for most readers, it's enough.
The most common mistakes beginners make with tarot storage are leaving cards loose on a desk (edges get dinged), storing them in direct sunlight (artwork fades), or keeping them in a damp room (cards warp). Avoid those three things and your deck will last for years regardless of what you keep it in.
If you want to go deeper - choosing a method that matches your budget, space, and spiritual practice - this guide covers eight options from free to fancy, plus physical care tips to keep your cards in top condition for years. Already have storage sorted? Make sure you also know how to cleanse your deck and the best ways to shuffle. Together, these three skills form the complete deck care routine.
Why Storage Matters for Your Tarot Deck
Tarot cards are printed on layered cardstock with coated finishes. Without basic care, they degrade - and a damaged deck is harder to shuffle, less pleasant to handle, and can even affect readings if marked cards become recognisable from the back. Good storage solves two problems at once:
Physical Protection
- Prevents bent corners and creased edges
- Blocks UV light that fades artwork
- Shields from humidity, dust, and spills
Energetic Maintenance
- Keeps the deck's energy clear between readings
- Creates a ritual boundary around your practice
- Strengthens your personal connection to the deck
Signs your current storage isn't working:
Card edges are visibly worn, bent, or fraying
Artwork colours look faded compared to when you bought the deck
Cards stick together or feel tacky when you try to shuffle
You notice slight warping - cards don't sit flat in a stack
The deck smells musty or feels damp to the touch
If any of these apply, upgrading your storage method will stop further damage. Most of the options below cost under £20 and take seconds to set up.
8 Ways to Store Your Tarot Cards
Each method has trade-offs. Some are free, some add ceremony, and some are built for portability. Choose what fits your life.
The simplest option - keep your deck in the box it came in. Most tarot decks ship in sturdy tuck boxes designed to protect the cards during transit and storage. If it works, there's no reason to change.
Wrap your deck in a square of natural fabric - silk, cotton, or velvet. This is one of the oldest and most traditional storage methods, and many readers believe natural fibres help preserve the deck's energy between readings.
A small wooden box or chest provides excellent physical protection and a touch of ceremony. Many are hand-carved with moons, pentagrams, or tree-of-life designs specifically for tarot storage.
Drawstring pouches made from velvet, cotton, or satin are the most popular storage method among tarot readers. They're affordable, protective, easy to carry, and available in hundreds of designs.
Store your deck upright on a bookshelf, just like a book. This is the most practical option for readers with multiple decks and keeps cards accessible for daily pulls without any setup.
Dedicate a shelf, table, or corner of a room as sacred space for your tarot practice. Place your deck alongside candles, crystals, and meaningful objects. This turns everyday storage into a ritual.
Store a small crystal on top of or next to your deck. Clear quartz, selenite, amethyst, and black tourmaline are popular choices. The crystal is believed to continuously cleanse and protect the deck's energy between readings.
A padded case or hard-shell box designed for travel. Protects your deck from bumps, bends, and weather when you're reading on the go, at events, or visiting friends.
Best Storage for Your Situation
Not sure which method to pick? Match your situation to the right storage:
| Situation | Best Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just starting out | Original box | Free, already have it, works fine |
| Want something traditional | Silk wrap | Classic, elegant, portable |
| Multiple decks | Bookshelf | Organised, accessible, no cost |
| Daily reader | Tarot bag | Quick access, easy to carry |
| Spiritual practice | Altar + crystal | Ritual meaning, energy care |
| Travelling / events | Travel case | Padded, secure, weatherproof |
| Gift or display piece | Wooden box | Beautiful, protective, lasting |
Mix and Match
Many readers use multiple methods - a silk wrap at home and a travel case on the go, or a bookshelf for the collection and an altar for the daily deck. Use whatever combination works.
How to Protect Tarot Cards From Damage
Storage is only half the equation. The four main threats to tarot cards are humidity, sunlight, skin oils, and physical bending. Here's how to handle each:
Humidity & Moisture
The biggest enemy of cardstock. Moisture causes warping, mildew, and that "sticky" feel when cards cling together during shuffling.
- Store in a dry room - never a damp basement or bathroom
- Add a silica gel packet to your storage box or bag
- If cards warp, press under heavy books for 24-48 hours
Sunlight & UV
UV light fades card artwork permanently. This is especially noticeable on decks with rich colours or gold foil accents.
- Keep decks away from windowsills that get direct sun
- Use an opaque box, bag, or wrap - not a clear display case
- If displaying, rotate which deck is exposed to limit wear
Skin Oils & Dirt
Natural oils from your fingers transfer to card surfaces with every shuffle. Over months, this builds up and makes cards sticky, discoloured, and harder to handle.
- Wash and dry hands before handling your deck
- Avoid eating, drinking, or applying lotion before readings
- Use a reading cloth to keep a clean surface under the cards
Bending & Physical Wear
Tarot cards are larger and thicker than playing cards, which makes them more prone to creasing from aggressive handling.
- Use gentle shuffling methods - overhand or pile shuffles
- Store decks upright or flat - never at an angle that bends
- If a card bends, place it under a heavy book overnight
For a deeper dive on handling techniques that protect your cards, see our guide on how to shuffle tarot cards without damaging them. And if your deck feels energetically stale after sitting in storage for a while, a quick deck cleanse will reset it before your next reading.
Should You Store Tarot Cards With Crystals?
Many readers store a crystal on top of or next to their deck. The idea is that the crystal continuously cleanses and protects the cards' energy between readings. There's no scientific evidence for this, but it's a widely loved practice across tarot communities - and at worst, you get a pretty crystal on your shelf.
The most popular crystals for tarot storage:
Selenite
The most popular choice for tarot storage. Selenite is associated with clarity, purification, and crown chakra energy. It's believed to be self-cleansing, meaning you don't need to recharge it. A flat selenite slab makes a perfect permanent "charging plate" for your deck.
Clear Quartz
Known as the "master healer," clear quartz amplifies intention and energy. It's a versatile all-purpose crystal that pairs well with any type of reading. Cleanse it monthly under moonlight or running water.
Amethyst
Connected to intuition and the third eye chakra. Amethyst is ideal if your readings focus on inner guidance, spiritual development, or dream work. Its calming energy is said to keep the deck's vibration steady between sessions.
Black Tourmaline
A protective stone popular for shielding the deck from external or unwanted energy. Readers who do frequent readings for others often pair black tourmaline with their deck to create an energetic boundary.
How to use crystals with your deck: Simply place the crystal on top of the stored deck, or beside it if the crystal is too heavy. Cleanse the crystal before first use and re-cleanse it monthly - moonlight, running water, or sound all work. If you're using a selenite slab, the deck can sit on it permanently with no maintenance.
Want the full breakdown of which crystals pair best with different types of readings - love, career, shadow work? Our crystals for tarot guide covers nine stones in detail with specific pairing recommendations.
Deck Stored Safely?
Now put it to use. A well-stored deck gives cleaner, sharper readings.
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Free PDF: Complete Tarot Reference Guide
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- All 78 upright & reversed meanings
- Love, career & money interpretations
- 8+ popular spreads included
- Print it or use it on your device
Complete Your Deck Care
Storage is one piece of the puzzle. Master the full deck care routine.