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Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
This may not be a new idea for those in the know, but it came to me as a new idea and thought it might be of some interest. It seems that quartz crystals would be among the tools used by some bizarrists. If that is the case, then it would be natural to attribute magical powers to the energy of the crystal. The nice thing is that you can show your audience the energy by striking the root of two crystals in a manner that is similar to having two oversized matches and striking or rubbing one, with a quick movement, against the other (complete darkness is needed). The entire inside of both crystals will light for just a moment. The ones I am using are about 3 inches long. After this procedure of "charging" the crystals with energy (which a participant could even do in their own hands)you could move on to the magic. For example, adapting the mental heat idea...you could place the piece of aluminum foil into their hand and bring the point of the crystal close. Explain beforehand how the energy of the crystal cannot be felt as HOT unless you create something that will serve as a storage unit, blah, blah...thus the foil. If using a purely suggestive approach, the crystal provides a strong visual component, and it seems that showing the energy would help to blur the line between fact and imagination (or to help with the pace-lead aspect for those who follow NLP thinking). Or, to adapt the old trick where the head of a match is popped by an invisible hair...charge the crystal and, as the energy is focused closely upon the head of a burnt match, it suddenly pops off. Or, why not let the participant charge the crystals and then, as they bring them close to a crumpled piece of paper laying on the table, it starts to wiggle, etc (thanks to you-know-what that rhymes with miserable Fred). At any rate, it seems that there is a lot that could be done with the idea of "crystal energy" that seems closer to what I would imagine to be "real magic." So, I'm wondering if there are any other ideas out there as to how this crystal energy concept could be used to effectively modify an existing trick or to create something new. I'd also be interested to know whether or not anyone else has developed similar (or not so similar)pieces using quartz crystals. I don't believe I have ever heard much conversation about crystals in any of the forums.
Nicholas |
montz Special user 576 Posts |
Hi Nicholas,
There are some effects using crystals around... I personally use a few, although I'd call myself more of a new age magician than bizarre. For published routines, Robert Neale has a couple in Tricks of the Imagination, and Capricorn Tales by Christian Chelman features an idea in the routine Psychostasy where a crystal turns black as it cleanses the spectators soul, essentially. An internet search will also reveal that all gemstones have healing properties, and the colours can be used in any effect with them to add some cold reading, based on Colour Therapy. Hope that helps. Liam. |
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
Crystals are a 'natural' in New Age philosophy; crystals being seen as psychic energy 'storage batteries' (references to quartz crystal in computer hardware make nice referwnces in connection with this). From 'crystal energy' to scrying, crystals can be used for many reoutines. I might remind here that many novelty producers put out crystal skulls, smaller versions of the famous South American 'Atlantean' crystal skull.
Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Liam,
I'm glad to hear that someone else is using crystals as part of their magic. We also have a website wherein gemstone jewelry is offered that is based upon gem lore and properties of gemstones. So, they have always been very "magical" to me and, I guess I'm surprised that there isn't more talk about them as a tool within magic circles. But, you made a good point when you said that you may consider yourself (who does use crystals) as more new age than bizarre. New Agers have a capacity to make magic without gimmicks. I've done whole evenings (3 hours)of new age stuff but without any gimmicks, etc. So, the other thing that intrigued me as of late was the idea of adding that extra element (goimmicks) to extend the "magic" capacity (as in my example where an object is moved via crystal energy). Therefore, I'm glad to hear about some other sources that you mentioned. I have often wondered about Chelman's work and am now all the more tempted, based upon your response, to see if I can get a copy of Tales. If anyone else knows about furhter examples of magicians using crystals in their performances, I would remain interested. Thanks for your response. Nicholas Steve, You must have been posting at the same time I was writing. Thanks for your response. I do remain intrigued why new age thinkers have so little trouble "living the magic." Within the magic "venues" that are discussed at the Café, we have to work so hard with performance philosophy, technique, etc. in order to, as Richard Osterlind would say, "make magic real." Nicholas |
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
That's partly what "Bizarre Magick" is all about.
A good magician makes people ask, "How did he do that?" A good bizarrist or mentalist makes people ask, "Was that real?" Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
I like your differentiation on that! I guess I'm more interested in people asking the latter.
Nicholas |
Magickman Elite user St.Petersburg, Fl. 402 Posts |
Eugene Burger's Strange Ceremonies has a clever little "Gem" called Crystal Clear. It draws it's power from a coin effect. This would be some great magick for the new agers!
As a thought Take a cystal, place it in a spectators hand (ala Sponge balls) turn their hand plam down. Whip out the invisable deck. Tell them to hold the gem tight and name out loud the first playing card that "Pops" in their mind. Show it to be the only face down card in a face up pack. When spectator opens their hand they find the stone now has a deeper color! Looks like you drew your strenth from the crystal it's self!
What man knows he calls Science
What he has yet to learn he calls Magick Both are real! _Tony Andruzzi_ |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Magickman,
I like the little gem you offer as well. Thanks for that one! I guess it shows that there are some crystal-minded folks at the Café. Now that you've mentioned your idea, I suppose you could do the same but use Kolossal Killer instead of the Invisible Deck. I could also see another little twist. You do the same effect as you indicate, but say that the energy of the crystal may take a few moments to reach a level that will allow thought transmission and amplification. When it does reach an appropriate level, the crystal will heat up, vibrate, or whatever (using appropriate suggestion). When that happens, they are to call out the first card that comes to mind. Now, what you have is the physical sensation of the energy, the physical change in the crystal as a result of what has happened, and the proof that they have received the absolutely correct thought. Again, thanks to Magickman, Steve and Liam for getting the creative juices flowing. Now, it is a matter of trying some of these ideas out to see how they are received. Nicholas |
scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Hi Nicholas,
I posted something last week entitled "the scrying game"/aurora "ball"ealis on this forum (http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=92202&forum=14&2). It was a new effect I was working on using crystal balls but I'm now thinking that rough quartz crystals might be better. They are more mysterious than the balls (so to speak!) I have a cupboard of old gimmicks that I'm trying to incorporate into "bizarre" effects and whilst I appreciate your sentiments about the power of suggestion, I find that some of the simplest "tricks" and gimmicks can produce very powerful effects with the right presentation, as is evident from the suggested use of the invisible deck. There is also a nice looking effect available from Viking called the Sorcerers stone set (www.vikingmagic.com). If you're interested also check out their crystal venetian wand - I have this and its a wonderful accessory for any bizarrist. I use it for locating some shimmed objects in one of my routines. Simon |
Gede Nibo Inner circle 2447 Posts |
Ok, I cant help myself...and PLEASE don't bash me for this one...but...once I used two crystals, and dare I say, a pair of D'lites..to make them red! It got the desired response, though I admit it may seem rather corny...
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Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Simon,
I don't know how I missed "The Scrying Game." So, I checked it out and I like the sound of it. As I read your description, it conveys the kind of atmosphere that I find myself gravitating towards. (Hey, maybe I'm undergoing some kind of strange metamorphosis...and...becoming...a bizarrist...or even a...New Age Magician! I say that in jest, but I am also serious in that the tone of the performance is so different from what I have grown up with. In the past, I always seperated my crystal-work from my magic. Now, if that isn't crazy I don't know what is.) I also checked out the Sorcerer's Stone. With a little adaptation, it would be something I would use frequently. Thanks for pointing me in that direction as well as in the direction of your own creation. babakali, Hey, whatever gets the audience stirred up is great in my book. I only have one d'lite in the old drawer...but if I had two, as you suggest, I could imagine some good stuff. Thank you all for sharing your ideas. The creative juices are flowing like gang-busters now. |
scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Nicholas, you may also want to check out http://www.dragonskull.co.uk. There is a an effect discussed where a crystal ball and an old ball vase is used. I think it was developed by Kotah. I've been trying use this for a while but the vase I have is a little larger than any of the crystal balls I own. If you use your imagination though you could have some kind of alchmemy effect where a wooden ball changes into a crystal right in the mystic vase. You can then lead into another effect with the crystal.
You'll find this effect (Spheres of Influence) and many others in the secret passage section of the website. This is a great resource for bizarre magic by the way! Simon |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Simon,
I agree that Dragonskull is a great site. I visited it before but kind of lost track of it. Thanks for pointing me back in that direction. I can see the value in the routine by Kotah. And I've often wondered what good twist could be given to the old ball and vase. However, I've never seen a vase for this purpose that looked really good. I'll pay more attention to that possibility the next time I'm in Pittsburgh, PA visiting the Cuckoo's Nest magic shop. Nicholas |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-25 10:10, Nicholas wrote: I don't understand what you mean by "New Agers having trouble living the magic." Maybe you don't hang around enough new agers. New agers who are not magicians don't live much different from anyone else. They may have a few different decorations around their houses, but they still have television sets, sofas, chairs, basically all the same things you find anywhere else. Basically, all of us try to fit into society. And shouldn't we have a place to go that we don't bring other people into? Quote:
On 2004-11-25 11:24, Dr_Stephen_Midnight wrote: But a great magician doesn't even raise the question. The audience doesn't want to know. And a great bizarrist or mentalist leaves no doubt as to the fact that it is real.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Hi Bill.
I'm not quite sure I understand what you are saying. However, some of my posts may be a bit warped right now as a result of some cognitive disonance that I am wrestling with. I am trying to sort through my experiences as a psychologist, hypnotist, and magician and come to terms with how I define magic, real magic, magic that isn't magic because the individual doesn't believe that "x" is impossible, the magic of working within the perceptual framework of an individual and the magic of changing the perceptual framework of the individual, etc., etc,. The result is that I may be expressing things rather poorly and using overgeneralizations in an attempt to clarify my own thinking. This, in turn, is seeping into my posts. Maybe I better just stop. As you can tell, I have some things to sort through. However, if it helps, what I meant by what I said earlier was that individuals who attend new age gatherings do not have any trouble thinking magically. Then again, perhaps they are just mentally prepared in the same way that many of those attending hypnosis shows are mentally prepared to have certain experiences. But then, why aren't people prepared to experience real magic when they come to a magic show. Instead, they are prepared to be tricked. I've experienced less applause and more enchantment during new age gatherings than at magic shows. It gets confusing deciding what it is I am really wanting out of all this. (Gee, I guess I didn't stop, did I!) I don't know if these ramblings make sense. But,you certainly got me thinking all the more. Nicholas Ah-ha! The power of confession! I may have just re-learned something that I already knew. The key word is...entertainment! It's all the same magic, it's the purpose that changes. Just like there is the hypnosis of daily life...therapeutic hypnosis...stage hypnosis...etc. Whew! Thanks again Bill! Nicholas |
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