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maxnew40 Elite user 402 Posts |
I did a short performance at Thanksgiving after I performed using Lun@ one of the guests an older lady pulled me aside. She then told that she doesn't tell many people this but since she could tell I had a connection to the spirit world and she felt I would understand. She told me that she is constantly surrounded by spirits. She told me every time she feels a waft of air that she is feeling a spirit.
I really didn't know what to say to that. What I did was talk about the mediums of the past and the trickery used by them. -Max |
Voodini Inner circle 1783 Posts |
If you do bizarre and mentalism often you will occasionally get this response. I once had a lady get quite angry when I told her I wasn't a medium. She claimed I was denying my gift and the spirits were annoyed with me for not letting them in. I'm *always* very sympathetic, listen to them with interest, and thank them for their time. I *never* attempt to debunk their beliefs. After all, they may be right...
Voodini - cold reading, past life regressions, remote viewing, Q&A, palm reading, bizarre & seance...
www.readerofminds.co.uk |
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Heck, its part of the terrain - even when I've said I'M A FRAUD - THIS IS THEATRICAL - I AM USING CHARLATANISM etc... people still say "yeah, but the spirits don't care what you say - you are still in contact with the forces by doing what you do..." and like Mr. Voodini, I never challenge a person's belief system - heck, I've had people during a presentation start telling me aliens were real and not a belief and the whole coverup of project bluebook... but hey, people are free to believe what they want so long as it doesn't involve causing harm IMHO
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Stoltz Veteran user 400 Posts |
Agreed with the above.
People will believe what they want to believe regardless. They have already made up their mind, (One way or another) and I personally feel no reason to argue anymore. I say, use their beliefs to your advantage... Allow them to feel like you "get them" and don't make them feel stupid. Take the opportunity to set yourself up as being approachable (If that is your style) and the authority on the subject. Disclaimers I suppose serve to make the performer feel better, and to keep other magicians from a modern witch burning. But I really don't care what other people think, so long as they don't light me on fire. |
maxnew40 Elite user 402 Posts |
We talked for a few minutes and I related to her a few experiences that I have had that I can't explain. I then told her about the mediums that Houdini exposed and that many did not believe that the séance was real but found it very entertaining and would hire them purely as entertainment. I did not try to talk her out of her belief and I think she left thinking that I was surrounded by spirits also.
-Max |
Tim Dowd Special user ...Making the Magic Happen! 942 Posts |
Quote:
She told me every time she feels a waft of air that she is feeling a spirit And the smell...
Timothy Dowd
...Making the Magic Happen! http://www.timothydowd.com These are my points of view; I accept no responsibility for your interpretation of what I just said... |
Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
I was talking to Eusapia Palladino last night and she is ashamed of you all for being frauds.
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ThatsJustWrong! Special user My flying monkeys are perched on 629 Posts |
Rose McGee says her boy Johnny is legit. She also said I can stay up late and have a cookie. No, two cookies.
Joe Leo
All entertainers can benefit from some help from an experienced stage director. How about you? www.MisfitMysteries.com |
Dreadnought Special user Athens, Georgia 836 Posts |
I have had this response many times. I don't ever deny it. I just hedge it by getting them to talk about their experiences.
Peace and Godspeed.
Peace
"Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum..." Scott Would you do anything for the person you love? |
JessicaSilver New user 49 Posts |
If this was the first, it won't be the last. Figure out what approach you'll take in the future, so you can be prepared for it next time. I think you took the right approach, sharing your own experiences (everyone likes a good ghost story,) while not attempting to challenge her beliefs. People are going to believe what they want to believe, no matter what you say or do.
I'm curious, what do you guys do for a disclaimer? Anything? |
Michael_MacDonald 1964 - 2016 Washington 2034 Posts |
I personally do not use a disclaimer. People come to me for magic and mystery so I give them what they want and need. People will ask you questions about the mystical and paranormal as it relates to how they believe. Some will even ask advise from you as they would a "real" psychic. It is the nature of this type of performance. The quickest way to alienate your participants is to tell them your doing tricks.....turn it from magical entertainment to challenging trickery. It ruins it for them.
Just a personal view on this so take it with a grain of salt. Michael |
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
My disclaimer ranges from none where the setting gives it away ie a stage performance vs intimate gatherings in which it is I'm a fake!!!! Really!!!! And in the end it makes no diff - but the key is I always express I'm there for education and entertainment purposes.
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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maxnew40 Elite user 402 Posts |
I think as long as you don't challenge or ridicule someone elses belief system you should be OK. I shared an experience that I had that I could not explain which probably made her think we had even more in common. I did also bring up the mediums that Houdini exposed, but did not try to make it a general dismissal of the "Spirit World"
-Max |
YitzhakNoDice Special user Portland, Oregon 517 Posts |
My favourite comment after a performance was from a young woman (18 to 20) who came up and asked me "were you born this way?" I said "no, it takes a lot of hard work, study, and practise", which is true enough (and fine a misdirection). I only hope I inspired her to do the same, what ever direction her life took her.
A wise man's question contains half the answer. - Solomon ben Judah, Philosopher
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