When I shuffle my deck, I like to say randomize it, it allows energy to flow into the deck; my energy, environmental energy and if allow someone to touch my deck, their energy too. I know of 2 generic techniques, in you hand or on your pallet.
For me, the decision on which shuffle to apply lies in if reversals will be used in the reading. If they are, I use the pallet shuffle because randomizing direction is much harder in the hand. When the cards are on the pallet and I move them in a circular motion while twisting my hands. Every so often grab some cards from the bottom and place on top...repeat until it feel good. Straighten the deck and cut. The deck is ready.
The closer a reading is to the current time, the cards native energy becomes more dominant until the reserved meaning has almost no effect. This is when I hand shuffle. I feel when taking the cards for the drop, if you take from the middle 3 times then split the deck for the 4th drop provides better randomizing and an easier reading to interpret. Remember, the split drop is essential. As before, straighten the deck and cut. Your ready to go.
I am always interested in learning new techniques or variations people use. Please share you experiences in the comments.
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face
And stars fill my dream
I'm a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race
This world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait
All will be revealed
I read for myself and have a couple close friends I help find their life paths. I use 2 decks, the Rider Deck for daily energy readings and the light seer deck to help shine light on my path.
My opinion on reversals is:
card meanings and the alternates are inherently in each card.
direction of the card implies leaning in that direction. When considering the full spread and comparing overall card direction is an indication of the overall tone of the reading.
I believe spreads where the number of cards is a prime number are more effective.