Bizarre in Mentalism & Spiritism

The primary reason we are offering this work is that Ted Annemann included it in his "Five-Foot Shelf of Magic". I am assuming he included it because he felt a conjurer needed to have some understanding of black magic and be able to converse intelligently about it. It may also be a source for plots and scripts for routines.

• PREFACE
• EXPLANATION OF FULL-PAGE PLATES
• PART I THE LITERATURE OF CEREMONIAL MAGIC
  • CHAPTER I The Antiquity of Magical Rituals
    • §1. The Importance of Ceremonial Magic.
    • §2. The Distinction between White and Black Magic.
    • §3. The Unprinted Literature of Ceremonial Magic
  • CHAPTER II The Rituals of...

It talks, it answers questions, it floats, etc. The most complete treatise on the talking skull ever published. The Talking Skull is an entertaining and versatile effect that will find a place in any magician's act. It's as much at home in a Midnight Spook Show as it is in a straight magic routine. It plays as well on a nightclub floor as it does on television. The Talking Skull can be performed as seriously as the occasion requires, or it can provide much-needed comic relief in between the more serious effects in your show.

There have been a number of methods for the Talking Skull released...

A presentation for any book test that uses the flashback method.

Have you heard of the Bookbearer? This is a storytelling, bizarre presentation to be used with any book with the "flashback" principle. If you own such a book, you could use this.

I see many performers using such books, some presentations are good, but most are not as they merely riffle the pages, tell the subject to stop them and remember the first word on the page, and then reveal it. Bah. Here you will tell the brief story of the Bookbearer, and in the end, either subtly suggest you're the actual Bookbearer. Or that you're...

A performance guide for "Frozen in Time".

I've owned the original Frozen in Time by Masuda since it was first released in the 1990s. Sure, nowadays there are physical pocket watches or wristwatches controlled electronically that you can do this with, but to me what's astonishing about Frozen in Time is that it's a gosh darn photograph! That's just crazy! How can a photograph happen to be set to an hour the subject chooses?

To me, Frozen in Time is a storytelling piece, not a prediction effect. I go into more detail in the manuscript as to why. It's fair to say I initially struggled with...

In darkness deep, a chart does lie,
"Whispers of the Stygian Veil" by and by.
Penned by the Devil's cunning hand,
Wisdom you must strive to understand.

Cast the die into the abyss,
And await, the Devil's kiss.
Each outcome, a secret, sealed and true.
The Devil's advice, just for you.

With bated breath, as dice doth land,
Await the counsel, Devil's hand.
For in these "Whispers," deep and grave,
Lie devilish knowledge, for the brave.

Prepare for wisdoms to unveil,
From the haunting "Whispers of the Stygian Veil."

Unearth the Devil's own advice especially for you with every...

So what is The Accursed Letter? I thought you'd never ask ...

It's a believable, chilling, well written letter, penned a long time ago by Rollo the Rollicking, carnival clown, that when read, will curse your friends!

Imagine the fun as you say ... "Oh my God, you have to read this!" And when they do, they will realize they have relieved you of a curse that is now upon them. So fun.

I was at a party recently where this letter was passed around to about ten people. It's effective at work, too (careful with joyless HR). How about family gatherings? Halloween goes without saying. Your...

Unsettle anyone who owns a pack of cards!

You bought a box of vintage things in an estate sale and inside the box you found a creepy old cassette tape. You managed to find a tape player and what you heard was somewhat unsettling causing you to go quickly look at the pack of playing cards you have sitting on your coffee table. It's apparently a recording of some kind of preacher responding to a friend who wrote him a letter, concerned that his daughter was getting into playing cards. As you know, playing cards are sinful, evil, and the Devil's work.

They're not called the Devil's Pasteboards...

An impromptu effect of mentalism and vampire-themed bizarre magic that just makes use of six playing cards.

The title of this eBook suggests the vampire theme underlying this impromptu mentalism/bizarre magic effect. Simply by using six playing cards, it empowers the illusionist to be always ready to perform with eyes closed (while blindfolded, without any trickery whatsoever, or otherwise remaining turned to one side for the entire duration of the experiment), with no need whatsoever to see the cards.

A female spectator is chosen in the role of the first victim, the only one who survived...

Dedicated to those kindred spirits who also tread the seldom trod paths of strange and unearthly magic. This weird concoction, known as 'Witches' Brew', is offered to necromancers, sorcerers, and all those nighthawks who dabble in the strange and mysterious. Long may your midnight oil burn and your candles splutter in your pursuit of the Forbidden Arts.

• The Power Of The Pentagram
• Out Of The Body
• Ten Talons Of Taz
• Power Of The Mummy
• Ritual Of El Shaitan
• Old Mother Long Nose
• Pages From The Book Of Thoth
• Mirror Of Fate
• Dial H .....! For Hell
• Catch Me A Demon
• The Whispering Skull ...

Excerpt from the foreword:

• Foreword
• Part One: Satanic Sorcery
  • Introduction
  • Riches By Sorcery
  • Spirit Photography
  • Cards Of Horror
  • Saint Or Devil?
  • Stab In The Dark
  • Key Of Fate
  • Mentalism...

Excerpt from the introduction:

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Will O' the Witch
• Psychic Deck
• The Spirit of...

Learn how to make your own PK Pen with household items in a few minutes for about 3 dollars. It will be always ready in your pocket. No electronic, no wires, no threads.

1st edition 2023, video 7:24.

Two bizarre playing card routines.

In the Devil's Game you tell the story of a guy named Billy who finds himself in hell, he simply can't believe it. Billy just doesn't belong in hell, he lived his life honestly, he was loyal, he was a good guy, did the right things, played by the rules. What the hell is he doing in hell?! So he asks one of the Devil's minions to please take him to the devil, that he urgently needs to speak to him to figure this thing out. The minion takes him to the devil's lavish chambers, and the devil, smoking a cigar, surrounded by beautiful women, quietly hears him...

In this work, Lionel Weatherly inspects and investigates stories of mirages, prophetic dreams and the experiences of historical figures like Joan of Arc. Illusionist John Nevil Maskelyne, who exposed the fraud of a number of spiritualists including the Davenport Brothers, and who created several famous illusions which are still being performed today, examines the truth behind a number of famous Eastern magical illusions. Maskelyne also scrutinizes mediumistic fraud, questioning the credibility of figures like D. D. Home and Madame Blavatsky, in an entertaining and carefully argued investigation...

A complete spook show, how to work it, how to make it, with full presentation and patter.

• Introduction
• A Complete "Ghost - Show"
• Requirements
• Details Of Construction And Operation
• How It Is Done
• General Observations
• Presentation And Patter

1st edition 1984, 20 pages; PDF 17 pages.

A captivating 45- to 60-minute lecture-demonstration about Harry and Bess Houdini's pact to find a means of communicating with each other after Harry's death. A complete lecture script with suggested effects. Perform it any time of year, but especially during the month of October (since Houdini died on Halloween). This is sure-fire entertainment for adult, college, and high school audiences. Earn money by performing this lecture-demonstration for civic group luncheons, college campus special events, at libraries, haunted houses, spook shows, and more.

This presentation revives the age-old...

In this ebook, Nelson sets out the details for designing and framing of the ghost show, securing bookings for the act, the setup and tear-down, and finally, tips and suggestions for the operation of your very own spook show. Previously available only as part of the "Ghost Show Package" direct from Nelson. Now, many years later, this must-have reference is once again available in this revised and update edition, including additional Nelson content not found in the original manuscript: ...

In this one-hour and twenty-minute video, you'll learn every detail of the spoon bending routine Scott has performed all over Europe for the past twenty years as part of his professional act. A complete psychic spoon bending routine suitable for both cabaret and close-up using just four spoons, with an alternate handling using three spoons and even a Zoom variation, all broken down into simple, easy to learn steps.

Included is a full performance of the routine presented in front of a live audience. No special gaffs or gimmicks required, just the spoons and the techniques taught.

1st edition...

Complete show script and described effects as used in Nelson's London Midnight Ghost Show, also known under the title Century Mid-Night Ghost Show, (that originally sold for the equivalent of over $1800.00).

The Nelson Enterprises framed many spook shows for others after they launched their own, which was one of the biggest and finest ghost shows ever to take to the road. This show, in three acts, contains demonstrations of apparent spiritism, including a full-light seance, sealed message reading, clairvoyance, a slate test, thought transference, table levitation, Alla Rageh's spine-chilling...

From author's note:

Please note that these stunts are dangerous and involve toxic and otherwise harmful substances. We are offering this ebook for historical and informational purposes. Anybody who experiments with...

A tremendous amount of thought, study and development has gone into the routine and presentation of this effect, the result of many years of refinement and actual performance before paying audiences. Maurice has performed this effect literally thousands of times under all sorts of conditions, in cabaret and on stage. It has been an unfailing highlight of his performances, talked about and remembered. So many mental effects give the audience nothing to look at and use the same old plots. Certainly, from the very moment the audience see the arresting sight of a gallows before them the effect must...

Can you really send matter through Zoom? Yes! With Teleport. Perhaps the most amazing virtual effect invented yet. This is an effect for premium shows only. Do not include this in your regular gig. "Want to see me send a coin to your CEO? That'll be x-amount of dollars extra!"

In this new eBook by Vince Wilson, you will learn how to perform it and what you will need to do to prevent them from figuring it out.

1st edition 2020, PDF 6 pages.

Here are more inside secrets of the fake mediums, in this tell-all ebook for psychic entertainers, ghost hunters and anyone who's curious to learn the scams of the fraudulent spirit worker. Picking up where Proskauer's Spook Crooks! leaves off, here are 200-plus more pages ripped from the case files of Harry Houdini and the author, from their tireless search for the truth about séance mediums.

You'll learn about the investigation of so-called haunted houses, the secret of an ingenious perpetual motion machine, the spirit post office scam, and how to trap and expose spirit mediums. The mail-order psychic business...

An epic theatrical production. Includes an amazing pocket watch routine that can be used in many other performances. "When the work was discovered at the bottom of Poe's writing desk, it was in a previously unknown secret compartment. Thrilling, is it not? Baltimore Poe scholars were certainly thrilled, and a special edition collection would herald the announcement. Alas, this would not come to pass. According to friends of mine in the Poe Historical Society, strange things began to happen to those preparing the edition for publication. An editor died of TB. The first case in Baltimore for many...

HP Lovecraft was a master of the weird and horrific. The rightful heir to EA Poe. You may not even be aware of the influences he has made. From the Evil Dead movies to Stephen King, Hellboy and many, many others, Lovecraft has left a mark deeper than the most fathomless grave.

Paranormalist Vince Wilson has always been a huge Lovecraft fan and has been waiting for the right moment to release his popular Ode to Lovecraft Seance onto the world. In Wilson's original tale, Lovecraft is presented as an early 20th Century paranormal researcher who was trying to present the "reality" of his writings...

Are you honestly trying to scare people??! Yes? Good.

You need to be adept at psychological manipulation for this one. The writer and all associated parties take and accept no responsibility for the physical and mental health of those who partake in a Gloomy Sunday Séance or related event.

Gloomy Sunday, also known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song", is a song composed by Hungarian pianist and composer Rezső Seress and published in 1933. The first lyrics were written in 1932 by László Jávor, in his melancholy love poem "Szomorú vasárnap" ("Sad Sunday"), after his beloved had left him....

From the mind of Vince Wilson is his most ambitious project yet - Spirit Boxed. Vince takes very simple and forgotten pieces of magic and turns them into elegant works of storytelling art. Vince has crafted an entire “show in a box” that packs small and plays huge. He has created a new character in storytelling that moves through the decades of the 20th Century meeting historic figures like Al Capone, Emilia Earhart, Veronica Lake, Babe Ruth, Howard Thurston, Orson Welles and now you.

“I really like it! Lots of fun and a good thru story! I also like the idea of taking under appreciated...

"I really like it! Lots of fun and a good thru story! I also like the idea of taking under appreciated pieces of magic and breathing new life (well, death!) into them! Good stuff!" - Paul Voodini

"A wonderful bit of storytelling!" - Vlad

"Fun stuff!" - David Parr

"If instructions had a coherent story and a REASON to be performed, then maybe these wouldn't be regarded as back of the drawer magic. Vince has taken the little pocket tricks that have often been forgotten and given you a reason to perform them again. This would be perfect for a small walk-around set. Highly recommended." - Paul Prater ...

21 clever methods used by mentalists, psychics, magicians and fake mediums to make tables tilt, levitate and dance about the floor.

Covers methods used by famous performers, fraudulent mediums, and even the very latest floating table effects available from dealers. Also includes a method where a table - with a person sitting in the center of it - is made to levitate. And best of all, the person on table won't know how the effect was accomplished.

Whether you perform a solo act, or have a touring company with assistants and stagehands, you're sure to find a method that works for your performing...

Carlos Emesqua's unique approaches to Spirit Magic. Powerful, realistic and spooky pieces of mystery done in creative new ways.

• Essay: The fundamental secret for Spirit Magic
• 1. Fire Match: Learn how to create a self-ignite match, using any borrowed match. (No chemicals, no preparation)
• 2. Ectoplasm: Make an ectoplasm appear anytime, anywhere (Highly practical)
• 3. Emesqua Voodoo: An unique and powerful demonstration of voodoo using business cards.
• 4. Image of the Soul: A paranormal phenomena using a photo and a strange vanish.
• 5. Emesqua Spirit Writing: Just a few pieces of papers are...

Here's a collection of 35 mental and spirit mysteries worthy of performance by any psychic entertainer.

For the performer looking to present something beyond the normal, these (actually 36) effects are ones that you'll find yourself using anywhere people gather. And if you're called upon to provide seance-worthy demonstrations, the effects described in this ebook to make you a medium to be reckoned with. Inside you'll find mental magic with cards, cigarettes, silks and billets, as well as plenty of reputation-makers for the "dark" spirit seance room.

Here's a sampling of the contents: ...

Guy Bavli has followed Uri Geller as Israel's magician and mentalist who specializes in metal bending. Guy is a full-time professional, constantly performing on television both in the United States and abroad. Guy is also a three-time winner of the Israeli Gold Cup Award for "Best Magician."

These DVDs have originally been released by A1-Magical Media and are now being made available as downloads.

• Bending a Large Nail - Mind power demonstration.
• Bending a Small Nail - Very devious method.
• Shrinking Spoon - Visibly cause a spoon to shrink.
• Spoon through Table - With the handle visible, a spoon penetrates the table top.
• Stopping a Watch/Time of the Future - A borrowed watch is caused to stop working; then, under a spectator's hand, the time mysteriously moves forward several hours.
• Headline Prediction - Perform a mental miracle using the day's newspaper.
• The Perfect Clipboard - Guy's ultimate routine for the popular marketed clipboards. Just like real mindreading.

• Incredibly Clean - An easy mental masterpiece with cards.
• Question Mark Mystery - A matching pair of cards is located by a spectator using only the power of the mind.
• Fan Vision - A thought-of card, the performer names it.
• The Perfect Prediction - The ultimate book test, near-impossible conditions.
• Impromptu Card Stab - A card is selected and lost; cards are tossed into the air and the selection is impaled on a knife.
• The Lottery Prediction - Six spectators correctly pick the winning lottery numbers.

• Spoons from Card Case - Produce spoons from your card case - how do they fit?
• Bending a Spoon in a Spectator's Hand - Bend metal with your mind.
• Bag Bend - A complete act involving members of the audience; spoons bend and break.
• Melting a Spoon in a Spectator's Hand - A spoon melts and breaks while in a spectator's hand.
• Miracle with a Fork - One of the tines on a fork bends, unbends and then breaks.
• Energy Hand - By simply waving your hand over a spoon, it bends.
• Perfect Key Bending - A borrowed and signed key is bent using only the power of your mind.
• Haunted Spoon - The ultimate haunted...