Reviews: Read What Rick Kirkes Is Saying
1 ★★★★★ reviews
Tarot Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Rick Kirkes
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 16 August, 2026)
This eBook was given to me as a gift by another mystery performer.
This eBook is aimed at doing mentalism, readings & bizarre magick with tarot cards. To be honest with you, I've had this eBook for a while now. I think I got it right around the time I purchased Scott Creasey's book on tarot effects "22". So, I was still working through the effects in that book but in the last few weeks, I remembered that I have this eBook in my files.
First, I really like that the tarot effects in this PDF are for the most part very easy to do. If you have a basic working knowledge of playing card magic, some of these effects will be familiar to you.
So, let me go over some of the effects that I really like here. BTW, all of the effects in the eBook are performed with the 22 major arcana cards (if you don't know what those are he talks about that in the eBook too).
Gemini Reading based on Karl Fulves Gemini Twins but done with tarot cards & 2 business cards and using two spectators / I'll give this 4 stars.
Prophesy - This is a very cool prediction effect done with a business card and the 22 majors. This is a one-on-one effect that I really like / 5 stars.
There are two pendulum effects in the PDF one uses marked tarot cards and the other doesn't.
The effect "The Magic of the Pendulum" uses two spectators and is based on a Juan Tamariz effect is going to be my favorite tarot & pendulum routine - it's easy to do so you can focus on your presentation. I've only done this twice over the last few weeks, but I can tell it's something I am going to use a lot. The method is bulletproof and very clever. 5 stars. It doesn't require marked tarots.
Another effect I really like is "Incredible Clairvoyance" is a three-phase effect that can be performed on stage or on a platform. It does require some memory work but, in my opinion, this can be the hit of your show. You can even do it blindfolded (see 13 Steps). 5 stars.
These four effects in my opinion are worth the price of the eBook - there are other effects in there as well. Mr. Filippini's eBook does contain a few errors like spelling, but this is really no big deal.
I'd recommend the eBook to any mentalist or bizarre magician or even someone who wants to add a little spice to their readings. Overall, this eBook delivered exactly what I am looking for.
The Luck of the Tarot
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Rick Kirkes (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 21 January, 2026)
I think the presentation with tarot cards & coins is very sound and very good. You will need 4 coins that are easy to obtain (they are not gimmicked). There are two basic card "moves", if you can call them that, that are done with the tarot cards. TC Tahoe does teach them to you if you're not familiar with them.
I do a one-hour mentalism set using tarot cards & the pendulum - I don't see how I can add this to my current set, but I can see me doing this one-on-one for a spectator using an "entertainment style of reading approach". I don't see myself trying to answer big questions like "Should I quit my job and follow my bliss?" or "Should I start a Business?" because you're going to end with a surprise magical moment at the end of the presentation. The reading with this presentation should be lighthearted or even fun.
TC gives uses other than tarot cards if you'd rather go that route.
For getting only one effect on the PDF I think the price should be in the $10 range, just MHO. I bought this because of Richard Webster's recommendation. Four out of Five Stars.
Bammo Dead Rebel Angels and Demons Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Rick Kirkes (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 04 June, 2025)
Bob Farmer sort of turned me onto the Angels & Demons deck which I have been doing John Bannon's Mundo which is a short version of OOTW with lots of success. I've just read though this e-book today and I must say that I am totally impressed. I originally bought the e-book because of Psychometrick.
But there are other effects in this e-book that caught my eye too, like Spectator Cuts to The Angels and the follow up to that Angels Up.
Let me say, I haven't yet performed any of the effects in the e-book, but I plan to.
You get a lot here for your money.
Rick/Logan Five
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