Hi, I was wondering if anyone could recommend any effect (or story that could be made into an effect) that might involve Mythology (preferably Greek or Roman) Thanks

I found this nearly perfect for your request. As a matter of fact it is better, due to the overwhelming content suited to your particulars.

I don't know.. If you wanted to make up a story, than.....

There is 13 different values in playing cards.. This could be 13 months in a year

(Early nursery rhymes stated there were thirteen months in a year because of the natural moon cycle that was used to count the lunar year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_(number)

Red represents day, Black represents night, etc, etc, blah , blah..

or you can look up some history on playing cards and find something

http://www.usplayingcard.com/gamerules/briefhistory.html



WOW, I'm tired... night

I'm afraid I've forgotten where I read about this, but it is freely available out there on the net someplace (wish I could recall where). In addition, I use it, and can attest that it works (for me, at least).

Pandora's Box!

I have a wooden box with a camel and a palm tree engraved on the lid. When someone asks about the box on the table, I indicate a long story in the making and make sure they have time to listen. Then I tell the tale of Pandora's Box, pulling a deck from the box, but leaving one inside, the card of hope. The atorytellee selects a card from the deck, magic ensues, and their selected card, the card of hope, turns out to have been in the box all along.

When I work, I'm usually at a table at the farmer's market. People wander up and I do magic with them. The box sits on the table conspicuously, but I ignore it the entire time unless someone remarks about the box.

It's fun.

One I like to do is a hindu thread routine talking about the 3 fates.

You might find something in this or that here:

http://www.usgamesinc.com/product.php?pr......mp;page=

Guy Hollingworth's Cassandra comes to mind...

I suppose the four suits could reresent anything you like, the four winds, the four elements, or whatever. The court cards could represent gods or heroes, etc.
The danger is in getting it all too complicated to follow.
Maybe an ambitious card routine related to the labors of Hercules, or something like that.
You might try posting this in the Once Upon a Time forum.

I don't know this one but there is a trick that I think is called "Oracle, Moracle, Miracle, Clocked!" -Paul Gordon-

I only mention it as it mentions "Oracle"

Really, playing cards are not the best venue for mythological-age themed magic. Their history only dates back from the 1300s or thereabouts. Like DStachowlak suggests, you could probably take an existing effect and alter the patter to revolve around some popular myth (The Decision of Paris...Maybe?), and if you went that route, I'd suggest an older-looking deck such as a tarot deck.

But actually, there are other areas of magic far more suited to mythological patter. Ring or rope magic for example. Just think of the kind of things the ancients posessed, make up some test for the hero with the appropriate prize, and have him perform a miracle to win the prize.

Bill

If you were willing to put in the time and effort, Guy Hollingworth's Cinderella might be an interesting model to follow. There are tons of myths and legends that involve magical transformations along these lines.

You'd have to make the cards and adapt the story yourself, though. On the other hand, if you did do this, you'd certainly have a unique effect.

Tamariz had a packet effect where the cards had pictures of centaurs and mermaids on. It was called (surprisingly) "Centaurs and Mermaids" and was marketed in Spain. Whether or not it appears on any DVD's or in any of his books I'm not sure. You could try doing a web search for it.

Paul.