Psychological Forces by Lewis Le Val and Mindhaus

Effect

Psychological Forces is a mentalism technique where the performer subtly influences a spectator's choices, making them believe they have free will when in reality, their decisions are guided. The effect appears as genuine mind-reading or intuition, leaving the audience amazed at the performer's ability to predict or control their thoughts.

Full Details

Psychological Forces is a versatile tool used in mentalism and magic. It involves methods like verbal suggestion, misdirection, and subconscious cues to steer a spectator toward a predetermined outcome. The technique can be applied to various effects, such as predictions, book tests, or card forces.

Some variations include:

• Travel Buddy: A mini book test where the spectator freely thinks of a monument or country, and the performer reveals it with minimal memorization.
• Esperum/Artist Pass: A digital pass in Apple Wallet that allows for clean peeks and psychological influence.
• EasyJet/Delta Pass: Uses subtle misdirection to gather information while the spectator focuses on the pass itself.

The method is often combined with digital tools, like Apple Wallet passes, to create seamless and modern performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Psychological Forces is ideal for:

• Mentalists who want to enhance their routines with subtle influence techniques.
• Close-up magicians looking for quick, interactive effects for walk-around or bar magic.
• Digital performers who use tools like Apple Wallet for modern, tech-friendly mentalism.
• Beginners who want to explore mentalism without complex sleight of hand.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The difficulty of Psychological Forces varies depending on the method used. Some techniques, like basic verbal forces, are beginner-friendly and require minimal practice. Others, such as digital peeks or layered misdirection, may need more rehearsal to ensure smooth execution.

Roo from RoosReviews notes that the peeking methods in Passkeys feel organic but recommends practicing both variations for consistency. Reid Ferry’s performances demonstrate that strong scripting and audience interaction can make psychological forces appear effortless, even in fast-paced settings.

What Magicians Say

• Roo (RoosReviews) calls Passkeys a "groundbreaking" approach to digital mentalism, praising its real-world practicality and innovative use of Apple Wallet. He highlights the built-in safety outs, making it reliable even if a force fails.
• Reid Ferry showcases psychological forces in his street performances, using rapid-fire questioning and bold presentation to create strong reactions. His clips demonstrate how effective misdirection and audience management can elevate simple effects.
• Magic Orthodoxy emphasizes the importance of presentation in mentalism, noting that psychological forces thrive on framing and emotional engagement rather than just mechanics.

Psychological Forces is a powerful tool for magicians who want to create the illusion of mind control with minimal props. Whether used digitally or in live performances, it offers a flexible and engaging way to astonish audiences.