Mentalism & Spiritism in Magic & Conjuring: page 8

Bob is a professional mentalist with a unique humorous style. In this limited edition ebook he shares his approach to mentalism in his 'Principia Mentalia' - a work in four parts: fire, earth, air and water. You will also find a recording of a radio talk show where Bob is the celebrity guest, running 13.5 minutes. And the complete recording of his appearance on KOMO-TV's "Northwest Afternoon", 22 minutes long, is included as well. Particularly these two recordings will show you Bob Cassidy's unique style. Also included is his very interesting Art of Mentalism 2 ebook. On top of it you will find...

"I consider this my best and most favorite ebook I ever wrote." - Bob Cassidy

The foundations of mentalism. Acclaimed as "a definitive resource for all who are interested in mentalism and probably for most in magic generally." Bob's list of 39 most important books to read, which is included in this ebook, is by itself hugely valuable, because you not only get a list of books but the reasons why each one of them is so important. This allows you to judge for yourself if you should read a particular book or not. Fundamentals can be seen as Bob's extraction of the most important concepts from...

Brad Henderson taught it to Dance. Kross put it Into the Deep Freeze and Herb Dewey made it Red Hot. In The Real Work of Cold Reading Cassidy makes it explosive and blows it into another dimension.

A good deal of what has been written about cold reading is theoretically and practically wrong and/or misinformed.

Learn the 'real work' in this exclusive ebook.

1st edition 2004; 58 pages

The Universe focuses upon one primary method, indexing, and several of its applications. While the effects all appear to be different from an audience’s perspective, they are, in fact, all variations upon the same methodological theme.

1st edition 2005; 27 pages

Secrets of the billet king as told to the author.

Most modern mentalists were first introduced to billet technique in the pages of Theodore Annemann's Practical Mental Effects, which describes a single-handed switch, a two-handed version, and variations with a thumb tip. The techniques are very effective, but require a good deal of practice and careful handling to perform undetectably.

The Moldavian Switch is a technique that effectively removes the "difficulty factor" from billet work. With its several variations it can be used to present any of the many billet routines and effects published during the last hundred years. You...

In Appendix One of The Real Work of Cold Reading Bob included a cursory overview of a numerological system that could also be applied to the tarot or to regular playing cards. In The Psychic Tarot he has expanded on that and provided a detailed system of interpretation that will be accepted by those who have a general familiarity with the cards. As suggested in The Real Work of Cold Reading, the interpretations of the individual cards are derived - with the exception of the Major Arcana - by combining the general meanings assigned to the cards' suits with the numerological meanings assigned to their values. This is not only simpler and more practical...

You will learn five things:

• The Circle of Synchronicity
• The Vision
• The Third Method
• Doctor Crow’s Deck Switch
• Doctor Crow’s Complete Reading System

History - "Laboratory Conditions" - Bob's first commercial effect - was originally released in 1976 by Frank Pazel. Supplied with the effect were two pieces of plexiglas, rubber bands, some aluminum foil and a specially gimmicked pen. Except for the foil, none of the other items were necessary to accomplish the effect, but Frank felt that the effect wouldn't sell unless it came with props.

The late Ed Mishell gave the effect a very favorable review in Genii magazine - but, then again, Ed gave favorable reviews to just about everything. That, together with the fact that nobody in the magic world...

Everything you need to know about pendulums:

• The Principle of Ideomotor Movement
• Dowsing with Pendulums
• Using the Pendulum in Mentalism
• The Horizontal Pendulum
• Mikame Blue
• Flipchips
• A Rat in the Desert

[For beautiful pendulums and other resources for the mentalist visit Magic Pendulums.]

The premise of Hanussen's Proof, and Bob's search for an effective method, were inspired by an event that took place in the spring of 1930. The mentalist/psychic Erik Jan Hanussen was indicted and tried on charges of criminal fraud arising from a public demonstration of alleged "clairvoyance". As the trial neared its conclusion and the evidence against Hanussen grew, he concluded that his only chance of acquittal would be to demonstrate his ability to the court. His offer of proof was accepted, and, under the watchful eyes of the judge and prosecutor, the demonstration proceeded.

Hanussen asked his inquisitors...

You will learn the following effects:

• The Zener Effect
• The Black Book of Light & Dr. Crow’s Post Box Prediction
• The Medium’s “Office Switch”
• The Juice
• Dr. Crow’s Billet Routine

The "Swami Gimmick", aka "Nail Writer", "Thumb Writer", "Ghost Writer", "Medium's Secret Device", et al, has often been referred to as one of the most useful secret devices in mentalism. And it is - provided, of course, that no one knows the mentalist is using one.

While the existence of the Swami may be widely known, very few performers actually use one on a regular basis and even fewer have truly mastered the device. Used properly, even those who have heard of a nail writer (or "that little piece of lead under the thumbnail"), will have no idea that the mentalist is using one.

In Swami...

There is no argument about the dilemma faced by many newcomers to mentalism. Are mental effects best presented as natural phenomena of the mind, or as examples of rare paranormal or supernatural abilities?

Most of today's mentalists use the "mental skill" as opposed to the "psychic gift" approach, but only rarely are they particularly consistent about it. Even Joseph Dunninger, the pre-eminent mentalist of the twentieth century, sometimes made conflicting claims. While he stated that his thought reading skills were "scientific" and not those of a fortune-teller or psychic, his promotional materials often...

One of the inherent difficulties in presenting effective mentalism is that it generally lacks the element of surprise. The performer states that he will read a thought and proceeds to do so. He says he will predict tomorrow’s headlines and he does. Many would-be mentalists infallibly demonstrate so many different alleged mental powers that the element of believability is lacking as well.

By applying the "Side Effects" principle, the element of surprise is returned to the art and variety is introduced into a performance without sacrificing believability. Bob's good friend Ross Johnson, one...

Make any small object appear inside a sealed and locked envelope. Print template is included.

Your spectator signs the sealed envelope before the routine starts. Perform an effect with any small object and then... as your big finish... ask them to tear open the signed envelope and they will find their object inside. They get to keep everything.

Blake will take you through how to make this incredible utility device, plus a load of really cool routines and ideas. When you purchase Envelock, you will receive a PDF file (download from your lybrary digital shelf) which will allow you to print...

“For those interested in furthering their skills and knowledge in mentalism Air Writer is a must read and I feel is destined to become a classic in this aspect of our art.” - Neil Somerville

“It can be put to so many uses the mind boggles.” - Stephen Young

“The beauty of the technique is that’s its impromptu and propless – these are very valuable attributes.” - Dr. Steve Murray

Imagine asking a spectator to write something in the air, while you honestly close your eyes and do not peek while they are writing it. Yet you still know just what they wrote. With the...

A collection of effects that deal directly with thoughts. Only three of them need anything tangible, and only one requires writing; the rest can be performed naked. Combat with your thoughts, divine birthdays, scam bar mates, use two different cold reading presentations, make your spectator see words they never saw, verbally force cards in seconds, psychologically force thoughts, bend the wills of an audience; let your spectator read your mind, another spectators mind, or even speak life into being.

• Part 1: Hacking the Mind
  • Thought Dueling: Duel a spectator with your thoughts, and get...

• MindJack – Mentally glance at thought of numbers or words. Without writing or fishing of any sort.
• Notes – Ideas on MindJacking, and theory galore.
• Book Test – More impromptu MindJacking with words.
• Other Languages – German, French, Spanish, and Italian modifications of MindJack.
• The Fairer – A one or two choice number force. Designed for use with the Fair.
• Cold Reading Justification – My personal terms with Cold Reading.
• Under Thin Ice – On Thin Ice expanded.
• Personality Profiling – A dash of cold reading, mind reading, and Q&A? I think yes.
• Through the Looking Glass...

This is the third and last part in Bill Dekel's "MindCraft" series.

Mene, Mene, Dekel (MMD)
MMD allows you to gain access to a number, some words, or names that a spectator writes down, all thought of by a spectator. The effect is completely impromptu, and you need nothing to perform it other then yourself. Without peeking, you turn your head or look away as your spectator writes a number from 1 to 100 in the air. You then know what number they are thinking of. You can apply this to book tests, drawing duplications, PIN number revelations... The possibilities are limitless, and with some...

A spectator raises a number of fingers behind their back. You instantly know what that number is, without reflections, assistants, or gimmicks.

"When used as a tool within another effect (a reading or the Sympathy idea) most folks would consider this to be real mind reading." - Donald Rackley

"Dirt easy and simple which is what we all yearn for in an effect." - Giani the Mentalist

• 100% Impromptu
• Limitless Possibilities
• Rock Paper Scissors
• ESP Symbols
• Sympathy
• Numbers
• Words
• Cards
• Colors

"This is an ingenious principle that is entirely reliable and realistic. Everyone...

"I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see this employed as standard practice with psychological forces in the years to follow – It would be ridiculous not to use it. If there is a PS4, this deserves a chapter in it." - MagicAtlas from the Magic Cafe

"Bill was kind enough to send me a copy of Direct, and I must say I like it very much. I tried it few times and it worked each time." - northerwarrior from the Magic Cafe

"Well thought out. I think it's one of those things that many can put into their arsenals and use at the appropriate moments." - Greg Arce

"I enjoyed reading through Direct...

What is "Bending Minds"?

In this ebook, which will be structured in three volumes, you will see us use cards and simple pieces of paper, to develop mentalism effects that can be conducted live in person, or proposed at a distance, with a video connection or just audio (Zoom, Skype, Meet, etc., or even just on the phone), without the performer being able to see the cards, which are always handled by the viewer.

All descriptions come with a presentation, which is also original, very detailed, and inspired by movies, games, books, or just a simple emotion. A precious dress to be worn whenever...

With Bending Minds 2 continues the collection of effects centered on the principle of the binary system, according to a new and innovative vision. From this second volume on, not only playing cards will be used to tell our magical stories, but also simple notes or some business cards.

We present four more effects, two with cards and two with notes, with a number of elements varying from 4 to 8. Throughout the course of the effect, the cards are subject to a dynamic, the positions are constantly changing, each time in a different way. Even more than in the first volume you will be able to...

Bending Minds Vol. 3 ends the collection of effects centered on the principle of the binary system, according to a new and innovative vision. In this third volume, not only playing cards will be used to tell our magical stories, but also tickets or some business cards.

You will find 4 new effects and an extra bonus one, using cards or just some tickets, with a number of elements varying from 3 to 7. Throughout the course of the effect, the cards are subject to a dynamic, the positions are constantly changing, each time in a different way. Even more than in the first two volumes you will...