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The magic that you see magicians performing today is really truly amazing. It seems like every year the bar is being raised to put the challenge on the rest of the magic community to come up with the next “big thing”. Magic shows are getting bigger; they’re getting more elaborate; they’re getting extreme. But is bigger always better?

Think about it. What would you rather see, David Copperfield on stage performing one of his unbelievable elusions with all the lights, pretty assistants, and fire and smoke or some ordinary Joe walking up to you on the street and asking you to pick a card, any card?

What’s your first reaction? Of course, who wouldn’t want to go see David Copperfield? He is the man, well known for all of his mind blowing magic that he has performed on stage and seen by millions on TV. Hey, if I was asked this question, I’d be the first to admit, I would choose David Copperfield in a heartbeat.

But let’s take a step back and think about this question, David Copperfield or Ordinary Joe. You’ve got the glamour versus the struggling street performer. Why would we choose Copperfield over Ordinary Joe? Is it because we know what Mr. Copperfield can do and we know whatever he does is over the top and we will enjoy it? Most likely, but what about Ordinary Joe? Why not give him a chance?

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\\ tags: Magic, Magic Trick

The Twenty One Card Trick is a trick illusion effect where the conjurer deals twenty one playing cards onto the table, and into 3 card value face up piles of 7 cards each, & asks the observer to try to remember any of the cards viewed. The viewer is not supposed to tell the magician which card is being thought of, but advises the conjurer which stack the card is in. This is executed three times & the conjurer is able to tell the spectator which card they had in mind. The cards are doled out into the piles one after another, like when dealing out hands in a playing card game. Every time they are dealt, after the observer indicates which stack contains the thought of playing card, the illusionist places that pile between the other two. After the first time, the playing card will be one of the ones in positions 8 to 14. When the cards are dealt the second time, the choice will be the third, 4th, or fifth playing card in the stack it finds itself. In picking up the stacks, the conjurer places this stack between the other two again. This guarantees that the choice will now be one of those in position ten to twelve. The third occasion the playing cards are dealt out, the choice will be the fourth playing card in which ever pile it ends up in. On the third deal, as soon as the spectator points out which stack contains the choice, the magician knows that it is the 4th, or centre, playing card in that stack. If the magician collects up the piles again, as before with the pile comprising the selection in the middle, the choice will be the eleventh card in the 21 playing card packet.

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\\ tags: Magic, Magic Trick

Music is part of our lives. Babies are comforted by lullabies, we learn to speak and communicate through song, teenagers first rebel through rap, and communities are brought together through hymns. Music defines who we are, and allows us to concentrate on tasks by providing rhythm to our daily tasks, and a melody can dredge up memories long thought forgotten.

Although we’ve had access to portable music for decades, the iPod has revolutionized how we think about portability itself; songs can be downloaded in a few minutes and be played until they have been replaced. As permanent media are not needed, such as for compact disk players, and the songs can be downloaded again (in case of accidental deletion) there is no need for protecting the songs themselves. This makes iPods the most portable music source, as other players require not only the player, but the medium itself. In other words: You don’t need to drag tapes or CD’s along, and worry about how you will carry them or keep them safe.

Unfortunately, iPods do not support all kinds of audio formats. Luckily there is iPod AudioBook software that will make audio books out of your .flac or .ogg or any other files.

You can also do something you can’t with other players: You can transmit the music to other players. Thus sharing music or trading songs is just a matter of having the right cords. You can also place the iPod in a dock, allowing it to play music in a better sound system. Whereas other players were limited to transferring the media itself, the iPod becomes the media.

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\\ tags: iPods, Magic

Robert-Houdin who was born in Blois is often credited as being “the father of modern magic”. Before him, magicians performed in marketplaces and at fairs, but Robert-Houdin performed magic at private parties and in theatres. He wore formal clothes, like those of his audiences. Many magicians today mimic this by wearing tail-coats, though some magicians consider this as old-fashioned and prefer contemporary clothes. He is widely considered the pioneer in the modern performance art of illusion. The stage name of Harry Houdini was taken in tribute to him, though Houdini later denounced Robert-Houdin.

Robert-Houdin made mechanical toys and machines and he was a watchmaker. From an early age he had been interested in sleight of hand and juggling, and in 1845 he began to exhibit his skill, soon becoming famous for his tricks.

The Arabs of Algeria were said to be excited to rebel against French colonialists by false miracles performed by their religious leaders. In 1856, the French government led by Napoleon 3rd sent Robert-Houdin there, hoping that he might perform tricks that were far more impressive, thereby dissolving the excitement of the rebels. It is said that Robert-Houdin’s tricks, succeeded in breaking up the influence of the priests. Moreover, the Arabs became afraid of Robert-Houdin.

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\\ tags: Magic

I have researched talismans & amulets for many years, I have a fascination with symbols and the power they are given. A recent find in France has unearthed an Earth Mother charm used in fertility rites that is estimated to be around 25,000 years old. This is an indication that symbols have been used for as long as Gods have been worshipped.

Talismans and amulets are usually an item that is worn or carried, and is given some kind of function to perform. They can be made from virtually any material and be used for almost any purpose. For instance; a four-leaf clover to attract luck, a Chinese lucky coin to bring wealth or a piece of snowflake obsidian to repel negative influences.

The power given to an object can be entirely of personal choice or can use the principles of sympathetic magick, in other words, to use something that relates to or resembles the required outcome. You could find a stone that you like while walking and this might become your ‘lucky stone’. Someone you care about may give you an item (ring, jewellery, photo etc) that suddenly holds power for you or you may use a more traditional form of amulet.

Traditional charms include; Rabbits foot (bad for the rabbit), the Crucifix, A piece of jade, garlic (to repel vampires and demons), Holy relics, dried flowers and herbs, metal talismans (often from ceremonial magick), astrological symbols, crystals, the Evil Eye, the pentagram (5 sided star, used for protection), the Star of David and countless thousands more.

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\\ tags: Charm, Magic, Talisman

Learning how to hypnotize somebody will require patience and practice. For someone with the dedication to learn the ropes, however, the process won’t be all that terribly difficult.

The options to learn how to hypnotize somebody will generally involve some type of formalized training. This can be obtained in the following places:

·Books, videos or online sites. It’s possible to learn how to hypnotize somebody by doing nothing more than reading and watching. Whether this is the best route to go or even a legal one will depend on the person in question and the state in which a person resides. While it’s more than possible to learn how to hypnotize somebody this way, subtle techniques might not be fully mastered in this manner.

·Hypnotism schools. There are actually schools that specialize in this. These schools tend to offer certifications to show others their students have properly learned how to hypnotize somebody. They can be beneficial for professional career choice and even for adding on to an already established career. They also work well for those who want to learn self hypnosis.

·Universities. Many degree programs include courses that involve lessons in how to hypnotize somebody. Whether it’s for clinicians or psychologists, the lessons in how to hypnotize somebody will often be quite intense and include a variety of different techniques.

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\\ tags: Hypnotize, Magic