The right size depends less on a rule and more on what has to fit on the cloth: a deck, a three-card reading, a full spread, candles, offering bowls, or a whole devotional arrangement. Measure the surface you actually use and lay out your usual objects before you buy.
The two sizes in the shop
The altar cloths in the New Moon Goddess shop come in two square sizes. The same illustration is printed on both, scaled to fit.
10 × 10 inches: a tarot cloth
A 10 inch square is a reading surface for a single card or a three-card pull, with a little margin. Folded, it wraps a standard deck for travel. On a shelf or bedside altar it anchors a small arrangement, such as a candle, a crystal, and a deity card, without covering the whole surface.
22 × 22 inches: a working altar cloth
A 22 inch square gives tarot cards, candles, crystals, and offerings their own space. It holds a Celtic Cross spread (ten cards) with room to spare, defines a clear boundary for a tabletop ritual, and works as a centerpiece on a reading table or dresser.
Match the size to the spread
- One card or a daily pull: 10 × 10 is enough.
- Three-card spread: fits on 10 × 10 if the cards touch; 22 × 22 gives comfortable spacing.
- Celtic Cross or any spread of eight or more cards: 22 × 22.
- Reading for a client across a table: 22 × 22, so the cloth reads as the table.
Material, care, and candles
Two fabrics appear in the shop. The Hekate cloth is black cotton twill, printed edge to edge and hemmed. The Nyx, Circe, and Selene cloths are 100% polyester twill with a fade-resistant one-sided print and hemmed edges. Both are made to order, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, no bleach, and line dry.
Keep any cloth away from open flame. Place candles in stable holders on a heat-safe surface; the cloth is a boundary and a backdrop, not a fire barrier.
Choosing the imagery
A deity-specific cloth can focus a devotional practice, but it is not required. Moon phases suit cyclical work; botanical imagery suits garden or green practice; ocean symbolism suits emotional or coastal work. The four goddess cloths in the shop are Hekate (crossroads, torches, hounds, keys), Nyx (night, owls, stars), Circe (lions, herbs, serpent), and Selene (moon, white horses, owls).
Frequently asked questions
What size altar cloth is best for a tarot reading?
A 10 × 10 inch cloth works for a one- to three-card reading or as a deck wrap. A 22 × 22 inch cloth gives larger spreads, candles, and tools their own space.
Can an altar cloth be used as a tarot cloth?
Yes. The terms overlap. What matters is a stable, clean surface with enough room for the spread and any objects you keep on it.
How should I wash a printed altar cloth?
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, do not bleach, and line dry. This applies to both the cotton and polyester twill cloths in the shop.
Does an altar cloth need to match a deity?
No. Some people choose deity imagery; others choose a color, symbol, season, or mood that supports their practice.
Is the print on both sides?
No. The cloths are printed on one side; the reverse is unprinted fabric.