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Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Hi there,
I have a few questions regarding hiring yourself out to do tarot readings at parties. 1) What is the best setup? Would you wander around from table to table? Would you have a section of the room to yourself and have people approach you? 2) How long do you perform readings for? What are the variables? 3) Could you combine magic with it? Simple things, like doing a double lift of a tarot card and placing it in their hand, then later on revealing that it has changed into "the most significant card" for them. I also had the idea of having seven small and interesting looking objects on the table. You would have them choose one (equivoque here) and give a short reading based on the object they chose, then reveal that would knew which item they would select. Thanks, Adam V
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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mystic1 Veteran user 342 Posts |
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On 2003-09-14 21:05, Adam V wrote: 1. and 2. If you have to ask these questions, you aren't ready to do readings in this venue (or perhaps in any venue). 3. Combining magic with readings....I suggest you just stick to the magic and stay away from readings entirely until you have developed a comprehension on your own of why combining magic and readings would be very foolish. Readings are not a "trick." And if one doesn't understand what readings are about, one shouldn't be doing them. |
Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Quote:
1. and 2. If you have to ask these questions, you aren't ready to do readings in this venue (or perhaps in any venue). I know, that's why I'm asking. Quote:
3. Combining magic with readings....I suggest you just stick to the magic and stay away from readings entirely until you have developed a comprehension on your own of why combining magic and readings would be very foolish. So you think it's bad but you don't want to say why? Seems to be a catch 22 here. Are you saying that I shouldn't try anything until I have the answers to these questions, but I can't be given answers until I try them out?
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Hey adam,
Dude, I'll help out. Set up a sign, with your price and the length of reading and you'll get customers. Me.... A dollar a minute. |
Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Thanks man.
Seriously though, I'm not saying that I actually want to do this, it's just I'm extremely interested in and wanted to gather some information in case I do decide to in the future. Obviously I'm looking for more practical information but I also wanted to know if anybody has had any experiences with doing readings but slipping in a bit of magic (although not displaying it as magic, obviously) and had anything to say about it.
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
I think at this stage if you want to hire yourself out to do Tarot readings then you should do the Tarot readings and stay away from "double lifts" and such.
:comply:
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Greg Owen Special user 623 Posts |
I'll give this a try. Answers/suggestions, at $1 a minute , are in situ.
- Greg Owen 1) What is the best setup? Would you wander around from table to table? Would you have a section of the room to yourself and have people approach you? I like the idea of an area set aside for the purpose. You can choose an area that is quiet and more appropriate for a private conversation. You can also theme the area with an appropriate table cloth (try a patterned silk scarf placed so the corners go over the edges of the table) and divining objects on the table. Creates instant credibility. And a sign with services and prices. 2) How long do you perform readings for? What are the variables? You can vary this to suit. I assume you know the readings/layouts you are comfortable with, so that's what you do. I find the basic Cross layout works for me for most anything. I also use a Yes/No layout when called for. 3) Could you combine magic with it? Simple things, like doing a double lift of a tarot card and placing it in their hand, then later on revealing that it has changed into "the most significant card" for them. I also had the idea of having seven small and interesting looking objects on the table. You would have them choose one (equivoque here) and give a short reading based on the object they chose, then reveal that would knew which item they would select. Waters (Mind, Myth, and Magik) has a chapter on this. I feel you have to be very clear about what it is you are doing. If you set up a table, as I suggested above, and bill youself as a reader, then the thing to do is just do readings. There are several prominant magicians who "went Psychic" when they realized it was the information that specators/clients got from the reading that was the most interesting to the spectator/client. So you knew the Hanged Man would come up - big deal. You also risk looking like a *fake* psychic with such tricks. Was the reading legit if one or more of the cards was possibly forced? Naturally, different clients will see it different ways, by why go there? AVOID using the trickery as a crutch for low confidence in your reading skills. The two activities are largely different and one can sabotage the other if you are not careful. Readings work. Know the card definitions cold - including reversed meanings - and just DO it. The meanings of the cards are so scripted that they fit almost any situation. - Greg Owen
Author of The Alpha Stack ebook - the balanced memorized stack
gobeatty@yahoo.com |
ELS Regular user Chicagoland area, IL 191 Posts |
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On 2003-09-14 21:05, Adam V wrote: Adam, You need to know what is going on around you before you can tell others what is going on around them. Get out - check out psychic fairs, check out Pagan Pride Day's or Pagan events (I just went to one this past Saturday and learned a lot by viewing the readers and having readings done). Even though they were not putting a price on their readings at the Pagan Pride day, it was nothing to see $10 bills dropped in the individual's donation box for a 10 to 15 minute reading. The reading I received was fantastic - meditation, naming of spirit guides etc.. (you better know your stuff), all done by the reader and very, very convincing and no wonder she was being paid at least $10 per donataion (no $ figure was requested or posted), and when asked, she said the readings were free, do to it being a Pagan Pride Day event. Here in the Chicagoland area - there is never a lack of finding something going on. Ed
Were the border between the natural and the supernatural will be nothing any more but fuzzy. http://edwardshanahan.com
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Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Here is a tip I strongly suggest you follow. DO NOT COMBINE any intuitive arts' reading with mentalism effects. The people coming to you are not there to see tricks. They have a reason to have you do a reading, so do a reading. If you want to do mentalism effects/routines then do a mentalism act. You can do both successfully. Hope this helps
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
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ELS Regular user Chicagoland area, IL 191 Posts |
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On 2003-09-14 21:05, Adam V wrote: Hi Adam, Here is class 101 - and it's free and an on-line course or you can download it: http://learntarot.org/ Take care Ed
Were the border between the natural and the supernatural will be nothing any more but fuzzy. http://edwardshanahan.com
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-09-14 21:05, Adam V wrote: Most of the time, when I have worked at parties in which Tarot readers were hired, they did not stroll, but they had special places set aside for them. The host would furnish a table and some chairs. Usually the reader would bring his or her own tablecloth, to add to the atmosphere. Experienced readers often have their own lamps with them, but will use what the host provides if it is adequate lighting. Most "party" readings generally last 5 to 10 minutes, although some may last as much as 15 minutes. It depends on the skill and depth of the reader, and how many people you have standing in line. If there is no one in line, read on! But if there is a long line, you'd better keep the readings fairly brisk. I'm talking about working at parties now. If you are working at a restaurant, you might be asked to come over and sit at the table of the people getting the reading. You can do a longish reading, but remember, the restaurant wants you to get through quickly so they can seat more customers. A table to the side where you can have some privacy is a plus for this. I personally feel that mixing readings and sleight of hand or other magic is not a good idea. This is especially true if you happen to get caught! Besides, if you do a decent reading, you don't NEED magic to go with it. People who want readings generally need help. They don't need a magic show at that point. How would you feel if you were consulting a counselor of some kind, and suddenly he broke into the dancing cane?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
1) Don't stroll, set up a table.
2) SHORT SHORT SHORT. You WILL have a long line. Ten minutes at the most. 3) Absolutely not. |
cupsandballsmagic Inner circle 2705 Posts |
Adam,
Forgive me if I cover ground already touched upon by others in here, I am leaving the house and I do not have time to read everything but I felt I should offer my thoughts on this. You will no doubt be aware that this is a respectful and delicate craft and quite often people visit readers for advice, help and support so I wont have to cover that ground. What I did want to mention is that as you understand that already, you will also be aware of the responsibility you will have at times and obvioulsy that does deserve some thought too. Obviously people come for a reading as they are interested in themselves and what you can tell them about their current life situation, advice etc and so no amount of impressive mentalism will be of interst to them. They want to hear about themselves, that's it. You may want to take a tip from counsellors and use the phrase REG. Respect Empathy Genuiness Best, Bri By the way, I am of the opinion that if you are PERFORMING and use a context of a reading that is a different matter, i.e. in the contextual framework of bizzare magic but then I would give a CHARACTER reading as part of the presentation. An excellent example of this would be Anabelles Reading from Seven Past Midnight for example. |
Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Thank you very much for your responses.
I suppose I should clarify what I meant by combining magic with a reading. I wasn't planning on presenting it as magic, but actually claiming it was real. I think my example of a double lift was a terrible one. When I mentioned using the equivoque force with objects I was actually talking about presenting is as if it were real. However I appreciate your answers and will take all of them into consideration.
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
Adam, I do the same thing with a Tarot routine that seems like a special type of reading that comes off as real but weird, showing just how strange tarot cards can be. In the end it becomes a reading anyway, because I interpret the cards (I know Tarot). I think you have to be subtle when using a little magic with your reading because you don't want to make a Tarot card dissappear or float around or change places or anything like that.
Anabelle Oh, and thanks for mentioning my ebook, Brian. I'm glad you think so. Anabelle |
rgranville Elite user Boston area 463 Posts |
Anabelle,
Is your ebook available now? On Alexandre's site, it still says "Available soon". |
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