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jamiesalinas Special user Houston 728 Posts |
I was away for the weekend with a small group of family members at a vacation home. The other family was hosting several kids 17 to 20 years old. I sometimes am asked to perform something. The family has just lost a family member just six months ago so I was not planning to do anything spooky or dark but they asked for something scary Saturday night.
So I told them that we would do a seance at midnight. It was 11:15 PM so I did not have a lot of time to prepare anything. The only "prop" I had on me was a p**k wallet and there was a deck of cards at the house. I found a small votive candle, a pad of paper, a wine glass and a pen. I began with a very brief introduction of the history of contacting the afterlife and the use of playing cards for fortune telling. I then transitioned to some card readings using a pack of cards. I did a few readings that set the mood and were said to be very accurate. This was nothing special, just three cards, past present and future. I then took the pad of paper and wrote the alphabet on small strips of paper that I tore from the pad. I laid them out in a circle complete with yes and no pieces as well. I then sprinkled salt around the circle to protect us from evil spirits. The candle was lit and all of the lights were turned off. It was VERY dark as the small candle did not give off much light. I then took another sheet of paper from the pad and tore it into 9 small pieces. These pieces were handed out and I asked everyone to write the name of someone living while one person write the name of someone who had passed and whose memory would not cause them any great pain. I asked them to not let any see what names were written including myself. As I had one of them gather the slips and mix them face down, I had one of the guys remove a shoelace from his shoe. I then hung the pen that was used to write the names on the shoelace in a make shift pendulum. The slips were laid out face down inside the circle as I asked the spirits to join us and find the soul of the person who had crossed over to the other side. The pen was used to write the names so what better a tool to use for the spirits to indicate the deceased. This revelation was very strong. In my mind, I would then use the p**k wallet and wine glass to reveal some information but it was way to dark so I skipped that idea. I also thought of having a card selected at random without anyone seeing it's identity and using the "Ouija" to reveal the selection. I did not want to convey magic tricks so I decided to not do anything more with the cards. I then had two of the teens work the "Ouija" with the wine glass. Asking if there were any spirits present, the glass indicated a yes with my instruction on how to work with the spirits. I then asked of there were more than one spirits present, the glass indicated no. I then asked the spirit to identify themselves by name and we got "Y" and "I" and then no more communication. I then said that we were going to see of the spirit could make physical contact with one of us. I used two of the girls in a variation of PK Touches. This really went over well. There was one girl that was 12 and I could tell that this was getting a little two strong for her even though she is an avid horror movie fan. Yes her parents were there and they were fine with what I was doing. At this point, I had them really freaking out about what was happening so I decided to end the seance with a joke where I spoke softly about how I experienced a near death experience and some visions I had during that time that came true. I then moved on to how a psychic was drawn to me saying that I was sensitive to the paranormal and that I had been reincarnated several times. Once I was a dog that was abused by my owner and that was why I had that large bump on my right shoulder blade. I had one teen feel the bump and they said they could feel it. When I asked the second, young female, to feel the bump, I barked loudly like a dog. She screamed, everyone jumped then laughed. I then said the seance was over and the spirit could go in peace. I would have ended on the joke if the 12ish year old girl was not there but under the circumstances, I thought it was appropriate. What would you have done under these circumstances?
Jamie Salinas
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jamiesalinas Special user Houston 728 Posts |
Correction - I would NOT have ended on the joke if the 12 year was not there.
Jamie Salinas
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
An amazing story, Jamie. I really enjoyed reading it!
Thank you. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
Aaron E Special user 756 Posts |
Very cool.
I feel you did the right thing. We were not there, so I can't really say I would have done it differently. Sounds like a great time for all. Aaron |
weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
If you had been reincarnated into a rabid dog some alca-seltzer could have really played big.... Great job.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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jamiesalinas Special user Houston 728 Posts |
Thanks David. My goal was to provide inspiration for those that have not been in this type of situation and how it worked for me. The home is very remote and I was hoping that we would hear some "strange sounds" that are often heard with a house in the woods. My biggest issue with what I did was that I did not let enough time to build up some of the suspense for example, when I asked the spirits to join us, I should have waited longer to see if something would happen like a noise, creek, etc.
I am also hoping to generate some dialog about what to do in this type of situation. Weeponwil, very good suggestion about the alca-seltzer for the finish. I will lock that idea in my memory bank for the next opportunity.
Jamie Salinas
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Paul Prater Elite user North Little Rock, AR 483 Posts |
Jamie,
Thanks for relaying this experience. This is a good example of how a working pro can take what is available to him and think on his feet. This is very inspiring and nice that you are in this type of situation. A center tear would have worked well for the peek and could probably be used sucessfully. The pencil could move by lightly blowing on it. We all know that one. It could probably also work well to make the candle flicker if everyone was concentrating on the flame. Maybe scratch a message in the pencil. Show it normal ala paddle move, then reveal message after the pencil sits on the table. This could work well right after the flame flickers, showing contact. I usually end up at parties where everyone is drunk and they want to "see something." This weekend my brother threw seventeen cents on the table and said "hey, do some magic." That is my usual experience. Maybe that is an indication I need to hang out with a different crowd! |
EddiefromEugene New user Eugene, Oregon 83 Posts |
Very inspiring!
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Jon W. Loyal user 228 Posts |
I definitely enjoyed your story Jamie and agree on it being inspiring how you quickly thought on your feet to do something effective. Paul, I like your additions as well which would be good for quick thinking creative work. Weeping Willie, I always get a kick out of your ideas to add to the atmosphere. I'm already picturing in my mind the reincarnated rabid dog with alka seltzer.
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Godzilla Inner circle Tied & Untied Witches on 5316 Posts |
Dog story...LOL
I have used that several times ! I was telling Café member about it a few months ago. David as matter of fact! I also use the ring on rubber band with dog tags from collar ...good dog(molly) bad dog(stranglehold) two stories,on stranglehold's tag it also say's "I'll be back" Fun to do, but be prepared to get hit!!! with the reincarnated dog .
"If you watch Godzilla backwards, it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Thanks Jon.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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Jon W. Loyal user 228 Posts |
You're welcome. Sorry I put a g at the end of Weepin in my last post. Don't send the reincarnated rabid dog or a Godzilla after me.
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jamiesalinas Special user Houston 728 Posts |
Paul,
The center tear is a great suggestion! I just thought of several variations on the ashes on the palm/arm. Jamie
Jamie Salinas
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Paul Prater Elite user North Little Rock, AR 483 Posts |
Jamie-
Ashes on arm with the center tear. That could be pretty killer in an on the spot, impromptu show. |
gmeister Inner circle 1588 Posts |
Love the "on the spot"/spontaneous creativity, Jamie. Reminds us that principles trump pre-fab props every time!
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duanebarry Special user 883 Posts |
Jamie, I'd love to read a regular column from you in a magazine.
Richard Kaufman, are you out there? |
weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-05 19:30, Jon W. wrote: Don't worry about the g Jon, Death is never having to say you're sorry.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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jamiesalinas Special user Houston 728 Posts |
Duane,
Thanks for the compliment. I do write reviews for MUM and try to contribute here from time to time. I am just a working guy who has a passion for the art. I perform as often as I can. I produce monthly shows at a hotel, perform for kid's birthday parties, I am a table hopper, trade show performer, perform at corporate events and my new found passion with the spooky and bizarre side of magic has kept me very busy. I am married with two kids and a full time job in addition to the magic. So writing for another publication? Sure why not?
Jamie Salinas
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