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Aroma by Marcus Waldemar

Created by: Marcus Waldemar

Aroma is a unique olfactory illusion that plays with perception and expectation, blending mentalism with sensory deception. The magician writes a scent (e.g., kiwi, blueberry, mint) on a piece of paper, and the spectator can actually smell the written scent. When the word is crossed out, the scent vanishes. This interactive routine involves the spectator choosing and writing scents themselves, making the experience deeply personal and baffling. The trick relies on psychological suggestion and olfactory misdirection, offering a clean and disarmingly simple effect that leaves spectators stunned.

Where to buy

Aroma from Ellusionist
EllusionistAroma$29.98
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Aroma by Marcos Waldemar and Ellusionist from Monster Magic
Monster MagicAroma by Marcos Waldemar and Ellusionist£29.99
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Key features

  • Relies on psychological suggestion and olfactory misdirection

  • Interactive routine with spectator choosing and writing scents

  • Masterclass in pacing and natural reactions

  • Clever blend of mentalism and sensory deception

  • Portable and quick to reset

Pros

  • Unique premise that stands out from traditional magic tricks

  • Highly interactive, making each performance personal and engaging

  • Relies on the power of suggestion, requiring minimal props

  • Portable and easy to carry around for impromptu performances

  • Quick reset allows for multiple performances in a short time

Cons

  • Requires a bit of setup before performing

  • The initial phase may feel like a con to some spectators

  • Limited to the scents provided or customizable by the performer

Effect

The audience sees a magician write the name of a scent, such as "mint" or "blueberry," on a piece of paper. When the magician or a spectator smells the paper, they genuinely perceive the scent. The magician then crosses out the word, and the scent disappears. The effect is repeated with different scents, sometimes even allowing the spectator to write their own choice. The experience feels real, leaving the spectator baffled by the illusion of scent manipulation.

Full details

Aroma by Marcus Waldemar is a psychological illusion that plays with the sense of smell. The trick involves a simple setup using paper and a pen, making it appear as if the magician can transfer and remove scents at will. The routine progresses in phases:

  • The magician writes a scent (e.g., "kiwi") and smells it, confirming its presence. Crossing out the word makes the scent vanish.
  • A spectator names a scent (e.g., "blueberry"), which the magician writes. The spectator smells it and confirms the scent before it disappears when crossed out.
  • The spectator writes their own scent (e.g., "mint") and smells it, experiencing the illusion firsthand.

    • The method relies on psychological suggestion and olfactory misdirection, making the experience feel real without complex props.

    Who should consider the trick

    This trick is ideal for magicians who enjoy mentalism, sensory deception, or interactive routines. It works well in close-up performances, walk-around magic, or as part of a mentalism act. Since it requires minimal setup and can be performed with borrowed materials, it suits both casual and professional performers.

    Information on how difficult it is to perform

    The trick is not technically demanding, as it involves no sleight of hand. However, performance skills such as pacing, audience engagement, and natural reactions are crucial. The method is straightforward, but selling the illusion convincingly relies on presentation. Most magicians can learn and perform it quickly, though refining the routine for maximum impact may take practice.

    What magicians say

    • Ellusionist describes it as a "masterclass in pacing and natural reactions," praising its blend of mentalism and sensory deception. The review highlights how the spectator's genuine reactions, like Peter Turner's exclamation ("That’s sick!"), reinforce the illusion.
    • Alex Kirk (Monster Magic Shop) calls the method "devilishly clever" and notes how the psychological power of scent makes the trick deeply engaging. He was initially skeptical but found the effect "novel, baffling, and addictive."
    • Both reviewers emphasize the trick's portability and quick reset, making it practical for repeated performances.

    The consensus is that Aroma is a unique and powerful trick that stands out for its unconventional use of scent in magic.

    What people are saying about Aroma

    ellusionist says...

    Waldemar’s **Aroma** is a clever blend of mentalism and sensory deception, proving that magic doesn’t always need props—just the power of the mind. The performance is a masterclass in subtlety, with every word and gesture carefully designed to amplify the illusion.

    monstermagicshop says...

    A standout for its **unconventional premise**: transferring and predicting scents. Kirk was initially skeptical but called the method 'devilishly clever,' especially when spectators write down a scent (e.g., 'mint') and *actually smell it*. He highlighted the **psychological power** of olfactory magic, noting how smells deepen audience engagement.

    Performance videos

    Review videos

    Promotional videos