Hot reading is a technique used by some psychics, mediums, and mentalists to provide seemingly accurate information about a person by using information that has been gathered in advance. Unlike cold reading, where the reader makes general statements and picks up on cues during the interaction, hot reading involves accessing specific details about the individual before the reading begins.
Hot reading can be achieved through various methods, including:
- Researching Public Information: The reader might look up details about the person on social media, online forums, or public records. For example, they may find out someone’s name, recent events, or family details by scanning their social media profiles.
- Pre-Event Questionnaires: At some psychic events, attendees are asked to fill out forms or surveys beforehand, providing information that the psychic can use during their reading. This can create the illusion that the psychic has special insight into the person’s life.
- Listening Devices and Collaborators: Some psychics have been known to use covert listening devices or work with accomplices who gather information by eavesdropping on conversations. This information is then relayed to the psychic, making it appear as though they have extraordinary abilities.
- Audience Pre-Screening: At public events, organizers may screen audience members in advance, gathering information that can be fed to the psychic during the performance. This creates the illusion of spontaneous and accurate readings.
Hot reading is often used alongside cold reading to make the insights seem more precise and credible. When a psychic starts a reading with specific, accurate details (gathered through hot reading), it can build trust and make the person more open to accepting other, more generalized statements made later on.
While some psychics genuinely believe in their abilities, hot reading is considered a deceptive practice because it presents information as if it were obtained through supernatural means, when in reality, it was gathered beforehand through more conventional methods. Recognizing the use of hot reading can help people understand how some “accurate” psychic readings may not be as mysterious as they seem.