When you think of tarot cards, chickens and robots probably don’t come to mind. Yet, an unusual scientific experiment involving newly hatched chicks and a randomly moving robot might hold a surprising clue to understanding how tarot can feel so accurate and meaningful.
This experiment, often discussed in parapsychology circles, tested a peculiar hypothesis: Can the focused intention of a living being influence the movement of an inanimate object? Let’s break it down.
The Chicken and the Robot Experiment
In this fascinating study, conducted by René Peoc’h, baby chicks were imprinted (a natural process where chicks form a strong attachment to the first moving object they see). The researchers introduced a robot programmed to move randomly across an enclosed space. The chicks, believing the robot was their “mother,” showed a strong emotional focus on it. And then, something strange happened.
The robot, which should have moved in completely random patterns, appeared to be drawn toward the chicks, spending significantly more time in their vicinity than chance alone would suggest. The results hinted at a mysterious interaction between the chicks’ focus and the robot’s movement.
The robot’s random movements (Image A) begin to shift, gradually approaching the chicks when a chick is introduced (Image B) into the cage.
You can read more about the experiment and its implications here.
What Does This Have to Do with Tarot?
At first glance, this experiment might seem worlds apart from pulling tarot cards—but the underlying principle connects them in fascinating ways.
When you shuffle a tarot deck or select a card from an AI-based reading, it may feel random. Yet, much like the chicks’ focused intention seemed to influence the robot, your own intention and energy could subtly guide the process.
- Focused Intention: When you think deeply about a question or situation before drawing tarot cards, you’re doing something similar to the chicks’ emotional focus. Your mind and energy become a kind of invisible “signal” that interacts with the system, whether it’s a deck of cards or a random number generator behind an AI reading.
- Influence on Randomness: Just as the robot’s behavior shifted in response to the chicks, tarot cards seem to align with the questions or emotions you bring to the reading. Studies have shown that human intention can affect random systems, supporting the idea that focused attention can influence outcomes.
A Mirror for Your Mind
Tarot is more than just randomness—it’s a symbolic tool that can help interpret your subconscious. The card you’re drawn to or the one that appears might feel uncannily appropriate, but this doesn’t necessarily mean magic is at play. Instead, it could be a mix of:
- Your Intention: Just as the chicks’ intention influenced the robot, your focus could guide which card feels “right” or appears.
- Symbolic Resonance: Tarot cards, rich with archetypes and universal imagery, tap into the same collective symbols that shape our thoughts and emotions.
- Science and Subconscious: Your subconscious, constantly absorbing information from your environment, emotions, and inner thoughts, processes patterns and meanings far beyond conscious awareness. When you engage with tarot, your subconscious may draw your attention to parts of the card’s meaning that resonate with your inner state or question. This is why, for example, the Sun card’s interpretation might feel uniquely personal to you and simultaneously different for someone else. Both interpretations are valid, as the subconscious highlights aspects of the card’s meaning that are most relevant to the individual’s current circumstances or emotional state.
The Takeaway
The Chicken and Robot Experiment demonstrates that focused intention can influence even random systems. Could this principle also explain why tarot feels meaningful? Perhaps. Whether you’re working with physical cards or using AI for a tarot reading, it’s worth considering that the power of tarot lies not just in the cards but in the energy and focus you bring to the experience.
So, next time you shuffle your deck or try an online tarot reading, remember the chicks and their robot. Your intention might be doing more than you think.
