Exploring Reader Bias

2 of Swords, Tarot Made Easy

Committed tarot readers continually develop skills and examine their own judgments in order to grow as readers. Our goal is to provide clear, clean information for the highest good of the client without contamination from our own prejudices. 

Sometimes we aren't aware of how those biases show up in our work. This exercise is an interesting exploration of ways in which our judgments about a client potentially influence our readings. 

This technique requires being comfortable with reading for someone who is not present, specifically public figures. 

If you are not comfortable with reading for public figures, perhaps you would be reading for fictional characters. Some people who don't read for those not present or without permission are okay with ideas like this because these are practice techniques, meant for your learning only. 

The idea was born when one of my students did practice readings for public figures. She admitted that when she read for Trump that she had trouble finding anything positive to say because of how she felt about him, because of her judgment of his character and his choices. As readers, we know that not all our clients share our beliefs and are walking differnt paths than ours. When we feel very strongly about their paths, it can be hard to give an objective reading free from our own ideas about what is best. 

You may wonder if you have such biases. This activity can help throw some light on that question. It does not solve the problem but rather is simply an experiment to explore potential biases, perhaps illuminating a tendency that you might not have been aware of. 

Step 1: Select 2 "clients"
Pick one public figure that you admire, like, or respect. Pick another one, someone who you don't like. 

Step 2: Decide on the question
Develop one question that would be appropriate for both clients.

Step 3: Decide on the spread
Pick one spread that will address the question and use it for both readings.

Step 4: Create the blind testing environment
Write each name on small pieces of paper and fold them up so that you don't know which is which. 

Step 5: Do the first reading
Pick one piece of paper, without looking at the name. Do the reading. Make notes or record it. When done, do NOT look at the paper.

Step 6: Do the second reading
Follow the same instructions as Step 5. Note: unless there was some miracle in shuffling, you will have different cards for each reading. 

Step 7: Journal or reflect
Note how you felt, not knowing who was the client. Did you have moments where you wished you knew who the reading was for, thinking that it would "help" you with the interpretation? Did you consciously think about how you might interpret the reading differently if it was for one client rather than the other? Were there any moments of cognitive dissonance? 

Step 8: Reveal the names
Unfold the papers and learn which reading was for which client. Note your reactions.