Traditional Ways To Knock On Tarot Cards (And Why)

The first time I witnessed a proper tarot knocking ritual was during a reading with my grandmother when I was just twelve.

Before answering my nervous question about an upcoming school performance, she carefully shuffled her worn deck, then rapped her knuckles against it three times. "To wake up the cards," she explained with a wink.

That moment sparked my lifelong fascination with the subtle energetic practices surrounding divination.

Knocking on tarot cards is far more than superstition. It's an energetic handshake between reader and deck that deserves our attention.

Let's take a look at seven traditional ways to knock on tarot cards:

1. The Three-Knock Method

The most common approach to knocking on tarot cards involves three distinct knocks on the top of the deck after shuffling.

These three knocks represent the connection between past, present, and future energies that will be explored in your reading.

Many practitioners believe this technique helps activate the cards and signals your intention to begin divination work.

Top Tip: Use the knuckle of your non-dominant hand for knocking, as this hand is traditionally associated with receiving intuitive information.

2. The Clearing Knock With Crystals

When preparing for particularly important readings, many practitioners combine knocking with crystal energy.

The vibrational frequency of specific crystals can amplify the cleansing effect of knocking, creating an energetically pristine foundation for your reading.

The Major Arcana Tarot Crystal Storage Box from Coppermoon beautifully supports this practice.

Crafted from solid pine in either natural or dark oak finish, this specialized storage solution features three compartments perfectly sized for standard tarot decks (12cm x 7cm), plus two additional compartments ideal for displaying cleansing crystals like clear quartz or selenite.

The box's thoughtful design allows you to keep your cards and supporting crystals together, making your knocking ritual more efficient and powerful.

This is just one of our beautiful tarot boxes, and you can check out the full collection here. 

Crystal Recommendation: Place a piece of clear quartz in the crystal compartment of your tarot box—it's excellent for amplifying the energy of your knocking ritual and maintaining card clarity.

3. The Four-Directional Knock

Some traditional practices involve knocking on each of the four corners or sides of the deck.

This technique acknowledges the four elements and directions, inviting balanced energy into your reading from all aspects of the natural world.

This approach creates a more comprehensive energetic alignment between reader, cards, and universal forces.

Elemental Connection:

• East knock: Air energy for mental clarity
• South knock: Fire energy for intuitive passion
• West knock: Water energy for emotional insight
• North knock: Earth energy for practical grounding

4. The Display Knock

When I attended a retreat with fellow tarot enthusiasts last autumn, our guide introduced us to a fascinating practice I'd never seen before.

She would remove a card from her deck, place it upright in a display stand, then gently knock on the remaining deck while focusing on the displayed card as an anchor for the reading's intention.

Displaying a significant card while knocking can create a powerful focal point that helps direct the energy of your knocking ritual toward specific intentions.

The Sun & Moon Oracle Display Tarot Box embodies this practice perfectly.

Handcrafted from solid pine in your choice of natural or dark oak finish, this versatile box not only stores up to three oracle or tarot decks (up to A6 size) but includes a built-in display slot at the back.

This ingenious design allows you to stand a card upright while performing your knocking ritual, creating a sacred visual anchor for your practice. The additional compartments provide space for crystals or cleansing tools that complement your knocking technique.

Practice Enhancement: Try displaying your significator card or a card representing your current spiritual focus in the display slot while performing your knocking ritual on the rest of the deck.

5. The Seven Knocks For Chakra Alignment

For those seeking deeper spiritual connection, the seven-knock method aligns your cards with your body's energy centers.

Each of the seven knocks corresponds to a chakra, creating alignment between your energy system and the wisdom of the cards.

This approach is particularly powerful before readings focused on personal growth or spiritual development.

Sequence Tip: Begin knocking at the bottom of the deck (root chakra) and work your way to the top (crown chakra) to create a rising energy flow.

6. The Altar Knock

Creating a dedicated space for your tarot practice significantly enhances the power of knocking rituals.

When you knock your cards against a consecrated altar surface, you infuse them with the accumulated energy of your sacred space.

The Sun & Moon Arch Crystal Shelf creates the perfect altar space for this practice.

This beautifully crafted shelf, available in three finishes (Oak & Brown, Dark Brown, or Matt Black), features a magical sun and moon design that honors the cosmic forces that influence divination.

The shelf creates an elevated sacred space where your knocking ritual becomes part of a larger spiritual practice.

This is just one of our beautiful collection of crystal shelves. You can find the full range here. 

Sacred Space Enhancement: Place a small piece of black tourmaline on your altar shelf to absorb any unwanted energies released during the knocking process.

7. The Intuitive Knock

After years of practice, many readers develop their own intuitive knocking pattern.

The most powerful knocking technique is ultimately the one that feels right to you and creates a tangible shift in your connection to the cards.

This personalized approach honors the unique relationship between reader and deck that develops over time.

Developing Your Technique: Experiment with different knocking patterns while paying close attention to how each one affects the energy you feel from your cards. Trust your intuition to guide you to your perfect pattern.

Whether you prefer the traditional three knocks, a directional approach, or a completely intuitive method, the practice of knocking on tarot cards serves important energetic purposes.

It clears residual energies, establishes your intention, awakens the cards, signals the beginning of sacred time, and deepens your connection to the deck.