A Card Trick

The theme for this months Magic Bunny competition was Playings Cards. Although my favourite effect is effectively a card trick, I am terrible at handling cards. I learnt a few card tricks years ago but never really persevered past the Royal Road To Card Magic and Michael Ammars Easy To Master Card Magic.

In an attempt to push myself I tried to learn a thought of card to pocket routine in a month. I tried it on a couple of unsuspecting onlookers and it flew by and got decent reactions. When filmed however the cracks began to show. Video cameras are really unfogiven and i fumbled my way through a few times before abandoning for something a little different.

So here is this months effect. Thanks again to my lovely assistant

I fluffed a few lines and ummed and ahh'd my way through this. I find performing in front of even  close friends stressful I do wonder if tightly scripting is the way to go?

Hopefully next week we will move away from cards slightly. Next post may be a Tarot reading if anyone wants a reading doing please comment and I will post one up or even by email if you prefer.

Monday Reading

I thought I would post up a Tarot card spread today. The cards for today are in the image above. Death. The Two of Cups and The Hermit.

Being a magician I have always had an interest in playing cards. Playing cards have been used as divinatory tool since the 16th century whereas evidence for Tarots cards being used comes much later in the 18th and 19th century although the cards were used to tell stories and create poems before then.

I think they make a great story telling tool. The Rider-Waite deck I use has great imagery and learning a system for reading the cards is fairly straightforward.

People seem to connect with Tarot cards almost as if the cards themselves have an air of authority. Also certain cards such as the Tower and Death can cause actual fear.

The spread above is weighted to the Major Arcana which in my mind points towards recent occurrences. So recent past and upcoming future. Death in the past really isn't a scary card just shows recent lifestyle changes or transitions. The Imagery on the two of cups screams out new relationship. Combined with the Death card this symbolises to be possibly a re-kindling of a old romance. Finally in this spread is The Hermit. This may mean that the romance or relationship may not be a lifelong relationship but you should still grasp life with both hands when given the opportunity

My Favourite effect

This video was for June's magic bunny competition

It's based on a Daniel Madison method I learned years ago which I love because it’s so hands off. Thanks to my lovely assistant for helping me film this. I realised that I rushed this slightly. I also sound really northern on film (but also possibly in real life too). I felt really self-conscious as soon as a camera is pointed at me which I need to get over J I’m hoping this blog will help with that.



I had a positive reaction from the video and this month a fellow poster on the forum has used my effect for his entry. If anything this makes me want to perform more original material. This is difficult when starting out so for now I’ll try and personalise the effects I know and get comfortable performing in front of sentient beings.


For my next post I will switch things up and post a sample Tarot reading.

Whats in a name?

About my name

My name is Michael Fox. A name I have been blessed with for *cough* 20 ish years. The URL for this blog comes from the question that has been asked of me for a lot of these years. No my middle name isn't James Jeff or even Jay. My middle name in case you were wondering is Danger :)

Introduction to Me

Hello!

I am Michael Fox. I decided to write this blog as a kick up my own ass to progress my magic. I have been into Magic for about 7 years on and off. I had a long break but recently found a renewed interest. I love mentalism and mental magic. If I’m honest like a lot of people I was introduced to mentalism through Derren Brown. Since then I have come to appreciate all forms of magic.

A few years ago, through magic I also found an interest in readings. Currently still gaining confidence and only do the occasional Tarot reading for friends and family. I view this as a form of storytelling and claim no psychic ability. I merely read the cards. It’s quite interesting how engaging Tarot cards are. It’s a subject I plan to write about in the future

I am a member of the Magic Bunny forum. They run a monthly competition which was my inspiration for this blog. I am committing to enter this each month to push myself to perform more magic

I plan to post the videos of me performing the routines every month with other content added willy and indeed nilly