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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Warm greetings everyone. I hope you all are safe and sound.
My magical journey started 6 years ago. Slowly slowly, diving into the pool of Magic, I started studying it more and more. As cards got me into Magic, I started with and studied(still do) Card Magic for the majority of my initial period. Later jumping to sponge-balls, cups and balls, rope and so on. Mentalism and readings sparked my interest for a long time but it's as of now that I decided to dive deep into this field and study properly. Though I know tad bit of Mentalism, it's nearly on the surface level. As far as it goes for readings, I am absolutely beginner. As everyone knows, there's abundance of resources out there. Infact so much, that it becomes hard to decide what to pick. So I would be very glad if any experienced one can guide me out on where to start. I don't want to cause trouble of writing down tons of Books/Video names so a resource or two would be good enough as well as recommending authors/creators worth checking out would also be appreciated. Even though I prefer books but other formats are also welcomed. Thanks, Zeppeli P.S. If you are curious about my setting, I do close-up magic mostly. |
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charlie_d Loyal user 247 Posts |
This is a very deep and expensive rabbit hole.
I’m not a mentalist but I’ve explored it quite a bit. The stuff below is the small amount of stuff I’ve bought in this area that I’ve actually found useful, and that fits my style. For readings, Ian Rowland’s books on cold reading are the absolute best. Also, I very much enjoyed Doug Dyment’s recent book “Calculated Thoughts”; it has a really great star sign reading, as well as a lot of other great treatments of classic mentalism effects, with really great references, notes and credits. If you want to get more trick-based, then maybe a zener match routine? Or a more long-form routine with zener cards. Many card plots can work really well with zener cards, like “do as I do” style effects; if you already do close up with cards, zener effects are a natural way to use those skills. Or you could do a straight up ESP experiment; you can get the background, cards and experiment sheets from the rhine institute. At the right time, with the right people, it’s entertaining even if you do it entirely straight. We can get into specific routines and sets of zener cards if you like, but the rhine deck, book and notes are just great background and props, because they really are the actual props. I also really like Rasmus’ “Steel”, and propdog’s easy bend keys; both are really great and leave the spectator with an impossible object. |
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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Thanks charlie_d for your valuable input. I'll make sure to check out Ian' work on cold reading and Doug Dyment' work.
As for Doug Dyment, I have heard nothing but positive reviews for Calculated Thoughts. So I am excited and will check it out asap. Sorry, as of now, I am least interested in bending routines of any kind. I just can't convince myself to perform it. Don't know, just doesn't fit with me. Rest, I'll be adding your recommendations to my list. Thanks:-) Zeppeli |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
I’m not the most experienced reader on here, but I was one of the in-house readers for the local witchy shop when we had one, pre-Covid. I did palmistry, tarot, playing cards, and runes. I only ever had paying customers for the first two, but offered the others. My response comes from this perspective.
For readings, learn a system. I suggest Julian Moore’s books on palm reading and cartomancy. Very highly recommended. And affordable, which is a bonus. Ian Rowland’s Full Facts book is excellent for stock lines, but not for private readings. If you want to seem more psychic in performance, it is a great resource. If you want to sit down and tell fortunes, less so. For tarot, get one basic book on tarot meanings. Avoid titles that claim you can learn in one hour. Pick one that tells a bit of a story for each card and looks like you’ll remember it easily enough. Put in the time if you want to sell tarot readings. Just that simple. But one book can be cheaper than the deck, so this won’t break the bank. Pay for a couple of professional readings, too. Make a recording. Write notes afterwards about what you liked or didn’t like in the reading. This is very valuable. If you want a good intro to mentalism, I suggest Corinda’s 13 Steps. It has an off-putting cover and initially struck me as outdated, but is still filled with excellent material. It isn’t complete, since other aspects of mentalism have been added in recent years. I like to suggest Ross Johnson’s Simply Psychic dvd as a great example of a performance for a tough group and the material is good. The price is excellent. Bob Cassidy’s dvd is also excellent. And if you get into using paper, you’ll need Elliott Bressler’s Switchcraft. So, to sum up, pick one sort of reading to specialize in at first and get one good resource. For mentalism, learn to fake sincerity and buy 13 Steps. If you dig out your wallet, this rabbit hole costs a lot. But if you just want to put your toe in the water, it can be affordable. Patrick |
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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Thanks Mr. Woolery for your valuable input. I'll note down Julian Moore.
I am looking for some tarots that I feel comfortable with. I don't want it to be too glossy or too colourless. If nothing works then Rider Waite tarot deck is there for me. I will surely take my time with tarots. Also, I can't find tarot readers here. I guess it's not a thing in here. But, I am interested to have private readings so I will try to figure it out. Would be very helpful in learning indeed. I was waiting for someone to pin point Corinda' 13 Steps to Mentalism. So then, I will kickstart my journey from it. Ross and Bressler are new names to me and I'm surely noting them down too. Yes, I agree, that was the reason I started this thread. Now that I know the resources to start from, I will start studying and practicing them slowly slowly. Thanks for the guidance again. Zeppeli |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Also, if you want to see a few things from 13 Steps performed, there’s a YouTuber called Dan Trix who is currently doing material from that book. He’s more of a goofy magician, but already has me looking at one of Corinda’s tricks with renewed interest. Older books often have all-text descriptions that don’t really tell you how good a trick is. I’ve made the mistake more than once of dismissing something because I didn’t see the potential in it.
Patrick |
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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Just checked a video of him and I ENJOYED it. Thanks for the recommendation, have subscribed and will check out more of his videos later.
Well, that happens quite a lot. Sometimes it doesn't click my brain how much potential an effect has until I see someone presenting it with/without some changes. Thanks for the help again Mr. Woolery. I hope you won't mind me troubling you in future regarding my journey in mentalism and readings. Zeppeli |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Feel free. I’m no expert, but I do love mystery performance.
Patrick |
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TomB Veteran user Michigan, USA 331 Posts |
You read or watch osterlind?
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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 27, 2021, TomB wrote: I neither read or watch him. Not yet, but I will. Zeppeli |
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Rhewin Loyal user 250 Posts |
Penguin Live lectures from mentalists can be gold mines when it comes to the price vs what you get out of it. Banachek, for example, shows how to do PK Touches, fork bending, a killer prediction/mind reading effect called Unlimited, a good three envelope test, and a bunch of smaller effects. Many of them also include sit down interviews that cover theory.
Personally I believe Max Maven’s Multiplicity to be one of the best resources for not just learning but mastering equivoque… if you really do listen to what he has to say and don’t get caught up on the effects. The effects are only shown to demonstrate a point. If you can get good at equivoque, then you always have something ready to go and can get out of a lot of situations. |
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mel1601 New user 2 Posts |
Quote: He is great he has 6 DVD's on taking his updated version and approved by Corrinda. "Corrinda's13 13 step by Richard Osterlind
On Nov 27, 2021, TomB wrote: |
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Chaikuni New user 74 Posts |
Read Derren Browns Pure Effect if you can find it somewhere. It really goes into the theory of how to perform a trick and make a basic method into something magical. I think the best mentalism comes from story telling, so you'll probably find it valuable
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waynet New user Central Valley, California 63 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 3, 2022, Chaikuni wrote: So much of mentalism is how it is presented. Thank you for the recommendation. |
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dawnzubair New user Singapore 82 Posts |
You should give "Calculated Thoughts" by Doug Dyment a shot and then also check Sibyl. you'll love both.
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ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
Indeed a lot of mentalism is technically easy to do, what really matters is how its presented, but you have to be willing to do it, I find that some people are afraid of looking "real", they make excuses for it, you just have to go for it. You never say "let me show you a trick" when doing mentalism, I always recommend "here's an experiment" or "here's something weird, let me show you" or similar things.
In regards to readings, yes, learning a system is key, but don't get too hung up on established meanings, what the cards mean to you intuitively is of major importance, and also how the cards might apply to whoever is in front of you. This can be a pretty deep subject, if you need some guidance, send me a PM. I've been a reader for decades and have worked as a reader in the biggest metaphysical store in South Florida, and I was hired to do readings at the Super Bowl right before the pandemic here in Miami in 2020. Here are some things to look at ... Astragalomancy: Readings with dice (or without) you'll learn literally overnight - https://www.lybrary.com/astragalomancy-p-5730.html Cartomancy Overnight: Readings with playing cards, also literally overnight - https://www.lybrary.com/cartomancy-overnight-p-818.html In regards to effects with readings ... Cards of the Dead - The Egyptian One Card Reading, A Self Working mentalism routine - https://www.lybrary.com/cards-of-the-dea......835.html Here are some dead easy, highly effective mentalism routines that can get you going ... Life and Zen: Strong storytelling mentalism with a nice message - https://www.lybrary.com/life-and-zen-p-925069.html Psychics Are Simply Individuals: Clever method, impromptu, self working, super easy, test your subjects intuition, then demonstrate yours - https://www.lybrary.com/psychics-are-sim......078.html Remote Viewing is very popular and these are ridiculously easy to do ... Dr. Wendy Woo's Black Swan: In here you'll find Dr. Wendy Woo's Remote Viewing Experiment V2 which you can even do over the phone, strong - https://www.lybrary.com/dr-wendy-woos-bl......707.html Dr. Wendy Woo's Remote Viewing Experiment: Another strong one with playing cards, can also be done over the phone - https://www.lybrary.com/dr-wendy-woos-re......899.html And keep an eye out for The Mystical Cartomancy Chart coming very soon on there, you'll be the life of the party with this. Go For It!
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
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dawnzubair New user Singapore 82 Posts |
My recommendations
- Calculated Thoughts - Sibyl - Peter Turner's mentalism effects |
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Zeppeli New user India 8 Posts |
Thank you everyone for your recommendations. Specially ALEXANDRE for providing me with recommendations from every sections.
Much appreciated. Zeppeli |
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epoptika Elite user Florida 477 Posts |
Check out Doug Dyment's valuable site at;
deceptionary.com |
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DragonLore New user Toronto 78 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 7, 2021, Rhewin wrote: Fully agree. Paul Draper’s lecture on cold reading, to single out merely one, is excellent. Also noteworthy is that Doug Dyment’s book, Calculated Thoughts, contains two reading approaches, the Natal Square —which uses a magic square with the subjects birth date and Zenermancy, which uses Zener cards for a more question oriented/situational reading. |
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