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Tarot Cards

The Tarot Cards trick is a versatile piece of magic that can be adapted for various performances, including close-up, parlour, and mentalism acts. It involves the use of tarot cards, which are instantly recognizable and engage the audience with their mystical allure. Performers can use these cards for readings, psychometry, and other mystical effects, making it a powerful tool for creating an immersive and intriguing experience. The trick can be customized with repositionable glue for added creativity and adaptation, allowing magicians to tailor their performances to their unique style and audience.

Key features

  • Versatile for various magic genres including mentalism and bizarre magic.

  • Engages the audience with the mystical allure of tarot cards.

  • Can be customized with repositionable glue for creative adaptations.

  • Instantly recognizable across different cultures and languages.

  • Suitable for close-up, parlour, and stage performances.

Pros

  • Highly adaptable to different performance styles.

  • Strong audience engagement and intrigue.

  • Customizable with additional tools like repositionable glue.

  • Portable and easy to carry for impromptu performances.

Cons

  • Requires familiarity with tarot card meanings for certain effects.

  • May not appeal to audiences unfamiliar with tarot symbolism.

  • Customization with repositionable glue may require additional preparation.

Effect

The Tarot Cards trick involves using a deck of tarot cards to create an illusion of mind reading, prediction, or supernatural insight. The performer may ask a spectator to select a card, which is later revealed in an impossible or uncanny way. Some versions incorporate psychological techniques, forcing methods, or hidden gimmicks to enhance the mystery. The effect can range from simple card revelations to elaborate storytelling routines with deep emotional or mystical themes.

Full Details

Tarot cards are often used in magic for their visual appeal and cultural associations with mysticism. Performers can adapt standard tarot decks or use specially designed versions with repositionable glue, allowing for creative modifications. Some routines involve:

  • Psychometry: The performer "reads" a spectator's energy by handling a tarot card they selected.
  • Predictions: A chosen card matches a previously written prediction.
  • Transformation: A card visibly changes or reveals hidden information.
  • Storytelling: The cards become part of a narrative, enhancing the theatrical experience.

Chris Mallon mentions using tarot cards as a tool for adaptation and creativity, while Alan Jones highlights their use in psychometry routines inspired by Luke Jermay.

Who Should Consider the Trick

  • Mentalists who want to incorporate mystical themes into their acts.
  • Bizarre magicians looking to enhance storytelling with symbolic imagery.
  • Close-up performers who enjoy interactive, psychological magic.
  • Tarot enthusiasts who want to blend divination with magic.

Difficulty

The difficulty varies depending on the routine:

  • Beginner-friendly: Simple forced card revelations or basic prediction effects.
  • Intermediate: Combining tarot with psychological forces or billet work.
  • Advanced: Integrating sleight of hand, gimmicked cards, or multi-phase routines.

Most tarot-based magic relies more on presentation than complex techniques, making it accessible to performers of different skill levels.

What Magicians Say

  • Chris Mallon describes tarot cards as a versatile tool for bizarre magic, noting their ability to engage audiences through storytelling and psychological influence.
  • Alan Jones uses a partial tarot deck (Major Arcana and Four Aces) for psychometry routines, emphasizing their effectiveness in creating mystery.

Both performers highlight tarot cards as more than just a prop—they serve as a bridge between magic and the audience's imagination.

What people are saying about Tarot Cards

Alan Jones says...

Tarot cards not a full deck but the major Arcana and the Four Aces used for many routines and readings but set for my version of luk J's tarot psychometry.

Chris Mallon says...

Tarot cards with repositionable glue are a useful tool for adaptation and creativity.

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