Greetings magical friends,
Here are two questions that have confounded humankind for millennia!
My answer to BOTH questions is YES! and YES!
How do I know this? How is this even possible?
The power of story is the power to keep memories and magic alive.
Folk tradition says…
“That which is spoken can be written.
That which is written can be remembered.
That which is remembered never dies.â€
Eugene Burger: The Master Storyteller
One of the greatest magicians & story tellers of our age was Eugene Burger. Eugene was famous for his spirit theater performances, and Eugene’s spirit lives on here at the House of Mystery. Here is a rare clip of Eugene talking about one of his favorite subjects.
Eugene was a master storyteller, and famous for his spectacular séance and spirit manifestations. Eugene shared his secret séance techniques with only a few of his closest friends. This November, his friends and students are gathering to create a tribute to his memory and magic… and if you are reading my Museletter, then you are invited to attend!
THE LAS VEGAS SÉANCE SUMMIT: ONLINE
Raising Your Spirits in a Time of Darkness. An Online Conference Experience.
Dedicated to the Memory and Spirit Theater of Eugene Burger.
Many of the top minds in the world of Spirit Theater, Séance, and Bizarre Magick will gather in an online circle to share their stories and journey together, into a world of shadows and candle-lit mysteries… And when the candles are extinguished, these spirits will emerge enlightened, armed with messages of hope and courage for these challenging times.
Imagine yourself joining us for this 3-day adventure from darkness to light, as we explore the history and mystery of the performing arts of seance and bizarre magic, with some of world’s leading mystery entertainers.
You will meet our top teachers and performers in these areas, including Ross Johnson, Dr. Larry Hass, Jeff McBride, and Terry Tyson, along with a number of special guests, including Sylvia Sceptre, Kevin Lepine, Paul Draper, John Ferrentino & more.
Go here: https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-las-vegas-seance-summit-online
One of the gifts that I received from Eugene was an understanding of the power of storytelling…
“Your LIFE: is filled with stories
Your STORY: Is what makes you unique
Your MAGIC: Can enhance and empower your stories”
Join me for “The STORYMASTER Series.â€
I will teach you the essential secrets of enhancing YOUR personal stories with magic!
Experience the world’s greatest magicians, sharing their most meaningful stories!
Let me guide you through my video archives, personal stories, and exciting performance routines.
You will learn to illustrate and enhance your personal storytelling with magic.
In this course, we will focus on three major aspects of the creative process.
1. TELLING YOUR STORY: The Heart of the Art of Magic
Learn how to unlock your inner storyteller. We will focus on improvisation skills, scripting, and memorization techniques, and how to make a memorable story. Not all stories have words; however, every magic routine tells a story, and you will learn the secret key to help you unlock presentations for many of the magic effects you already own or perform.
2. MAGIC AS A VISUAL METAPHOR: New Ways of Seeing
Since the dawn of time, magicians have used the power of symbol to evoke deep responses, and stir the imagination. I will unlock a treasure trove of rich magical stories, symbols, metaphors and more to enhance your magical performances. Drawing on my vast experience of multicultural studies, you will learn how to apply my time-tested techniques to enrich your understanding and performances. We will also explore “The Twenty Essential Effects†of magic.
3. MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR MAGIC: Touching and Moving Your Audience
Magic is an international language. In this class, we will focus on adding “your personal touch†to your performances. You will learn a few new tricks, and you will also learn the closely guarded trade secrets for engaging and connecting with your audiences, one on one, or in crowds. Whether you are a full time professional, or a magic enthusiast who performs only for a few friends or the grandkids, we are all called on to perform magic in social situations.
Your STORYMASTER tuition includes these amazing take-aways:
Go here to get more information about “The STORYMASTER Series.â€
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-story-master-series
See you in our online classroom!
Yours in magic,
Abigail, Jeff…and “The Spirit of Eugeneâ€
Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay,
An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away,
An’ shoo the chickens off the porch, an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep,
An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread, an’ earn her board-an’-keep;
An’ all us other childern, when the supper things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an’ has the mostest fun
A-list’nin’ to the witch-tales ‘at Annie tells about,
An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you
Ef you
Don’t
Watch
Out!
–“Little Orphant Annieâ€Â - By James Whitcomb Riley
Greetings, Friends!
Tobias here, writing a few days into October. The brutal heat of summer is beginning to give way to cool nights and pleasant, sunny afternoons. Fall is arriving, and it’s time to break out the sweaters, jackets, Halloween costumes, and scary stories!
October also contains some special things for those of us who love magic:
The week of October 25-31st has been proclaimed MAGIC WEEK by the City of New York, so that it coincides with The Society of American Magicians’ annual event. The mayor recognized that “More than a century ago, a group of New York City magicians gathered in the back room of Martinka and Company’s famous magic shop to form their organization. For more than fifty years, the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special week of events to highlight the charitable work of its members throughout the year; during which magicians volunteer their talents performing in schools, veterans hospitals, senior facilities, and nursing homes, and for people who cannot afford to pay for this type of entertainment. MAGIC WEEK is when The Society of American Magicians takes its bows.â€
–Â S.A.M. Magic Week Press Page
And, of course, that spookiest of holidays – Halloween, when all the ghosts and “gobble-uns†come out in full force. On Halloween, and on the Day of the Dead (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), it is said that the “veil between the worlds is thinnest,†and the time is ripe to contact and honor our ancestors who have passed on to the other side. As magicians and séance mediums, we love to play up the spooky and frightening nature of this time. Many cultures, however, think of it as a celebratory time—time to celebrate our ancestors and our roots.
Speaking of seances—we’re preparing our Las Vegas Séance Summit, November 6-8, all online. How does one conduct a séance over the internet? Well, I’ve been in on the planning calls, and I can tell you it is going to be an innovative endeavor! It will be groundbreaking, since it’s not only the class that will be online, but Jeff, Larry, Ross, and Terry Tyson will be giving you their own best thinking for creating your own online séance experience! If spooky storytelling and séance are something you’ve been interested in, this is going to be a wonderful 3 days for you!
I started today’s Museletter with one stanza from James Whitcomb Riley’s “Little Orphant Annieâ€â€”and with the intention of talking just a bit about those “Gobble-uns.†Here’s my question for you: What are your personal goblins? We all have them. You know, the little things that frighten you and you never talk about. Fears you may have hidden from yourself, but which hold you back from becoming your highest version of yourself.
Here’s one of mine: an irrational fear of approaching someone I don’t know with a request or an idea. “They don’t want to hear from me,†I think, to justify not reaching out. In fact, I think I’m afraid, “They’ll think poorly of me,†or “They’ll reject me.†But, if I’m honest—what do I care if they think badly of me? They don’t even know me, and I don’t know them. If we make contact and it doesn’t work out, neither of us have lost anything. But if we do find common ground, and create something wonderful together, that’s a big win for both of us. But my goblin whispers in my ear, “Don’t do it! It will turn out badly!†If I listen, I never make the call or send the email.
So…what are your goblins? It just might change your life for the better if you figure that out, and send those goblins packing!
Before I go:
Check all of those out at https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/events, or use the direct links in the calendar below.
In the meantime, all of us here at the Magic & Mystery School wish you a safe, healthy and magical autumn!
Sincerely,
Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com