Akul Pillai : Computer games, Game Cheats, Cartoon Shows, Riddles » magic tricks

WHAT IS MAGIC?

Akul — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:50:39 +0000

Magic means different things to different people. For believers in the paranormal, for example, it refers to the manipulation of events, people, and objects through supernatural means to create a desired outcome. This type of magic may involve spells, rituals, charms, and other tools to alter the practitioner’s environment. The word is also used to refer to tricks and sleight of hand which make it seem like things are appearing and disappearing, as though supernaturally.

The concept of magic has been present in human culture for thousands of years. Many cultures had versions of witches, wizards, warlocks, sorcerers, witch doctors, shamans, and other people who could supposedly harness supernatural powers for various tasks. Some religions incorporate a belief in magic, while other religions reject magic as the work of the devil, perhaps because these religions arose in opposition to the traditional practice of magic.

Most cultures assume that in order to practice magic in the supernatural sense, someone must have magical powers. These powers may allow the practitioner to talk to inanimate objects, communicate with the spirits, or harness energy in the spiritual world; beliefs vary, depending on the culture. Practitioners of magic also undergo extensive training to learn how to use their skills, and to learn when the use of magic is appropriate; some cultures also differentiate between white or good magic and black or bad magic.

In the less mystical sense, magic is a discipline in which people learn to physically manipulate their environment to create illusions. Skilled magicians can appear to make flowers bloom in mid-air, cut women in half, conjure rabbits from top hats, escape from sealed tanks, and perform other feats. This practice of magic does not involve the harnessing of supernatural forces; it requires hard, focused work and years of study to be successful.

THE REAPPEARING COIN

Akul — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:48:59 +0000

Effect:
A coin disappears and reappears.

Secret / Trick:
You show a coin in the left hand then perform A French Drop, leaving it in your right hand. Then reach into your left inner jacket pocket and take out a wand, but secretly drop the coin down your left sleeve. It will stop at the elbow. Tap your left hand three times with the wand held in your right, and show that the coin has vanished. While the audience is distracted straighten your left arm and catch the coin when it drops. This can be adapted for many objects and presentations.

SPELLING BEE

Akul — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:46:51 +0000

Effect:
The magician shuffles the deck and takes the top thirteen cards. Holding the cards face down, he proceeds to spell the first card name, Ace. “A-C-E,” and for each letter, he puts one card under the packet of thirteen cards. He then flips over the next card (the fourth,) and it is an Ace. He repeats this process for each card number, Ace through King. At the end, he has all thirteen cards face up on the table, in sequential order.

Preperation:
Remove and arrange 13 cards in the following setup, top card down: Three, Eight, Seven, Ace, Queen, Six, Four, Two, Jack, King, Ten, Nine, and Five. Put these on top of the deck.

Presentation:
The trick almost works itself. To start, pretend to shuffle the cards, leaving the top thirteen untouched. Remove the top thirteen cards as a group and arrange them like a fan, so that your audience can see their faces. Square up the cards, and hold them face down.

When you spell out each card, do it as follows: let’s say you’re spelling the word ACE. Spell A, remove the top card and place it on the bottom. Then spell C, and remove the top card and place that on the bottom. Next spell E, remove this top card and place it on the bottom. Flip the new top card and show that it’s an Ace, and place it on the table.

Continue in this manner until all the cards are face up on the table. (eh: You spell the cards in order: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K) Your audience may realize that the cards must have been set up beforehand, but this only adds to the mystery – and you can treat it as a puzzle for them to try to figure out.