Love and Magic

Dear Friends:
 
While the weather is cold, this love story can warm your heart. Our guest contributors this month are the husband-and-wife team Yan and Rin Ozzi, also known as “Married by Magic.” Together, they focus on the age-old story of love as we get ready to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day. 

Love and magic are two concepts that enchant and captivate the human spirit, often intertwining in ways that elevate our experiences, and deepen our connections. In our act, Rin exclaims that “I love love! Love is magic!” At first glance, love may appear to be just an emotion, and we think of magic existing in the realm of illusion. However, both share a profound ability to transform, spark joy, and create unforgettable, magical moments. Together, with the right story, they create an enchanting tale that mesmerizes and inspires.

What Does Love Mean to You?

For us, love is passion, commitment, trust, surprise, excitement, wonder, kindness, and intimacy. It helps shape our identities, influences our decisions, and provides a sense of awe and purpose. Whether it’s the flutter of butterflies or the comforting warmth of your long-time love, these feelings have a way of making the mundane feel extraordinary. It encourages vulnerability, allowing us to connect with others on a profound level, sharing our dreams and fears and  joys and sorrows. Is this love or magic? We say both!

When love and magic intersect, they create a powerful synergy that can enhance connections with you, as well as between your audience members. One of the most enchanting ways to celebrate love through magic is by incorporating themes of romance and connection into your magic effects and stories. We can customize our magic performances to reflect the unique nuances of a couple’s relationship, turning an ordinary evening into an unforgettable experience. 

For instance, design a routine that symbolizes the journey of love from one of the classic story archetypes–star-crossed lovers, soulmates, a princess and frog, opposites, and twin flames. The story arc starts with initial attraction and weaves in elements that reflect the challenges and triumphs of a relationship. Moreover, you can personalize your magic to commemorate significant milestones in a couple’s journey, first date, wedding day, or anniversary. 

A classic example is the linking rings, which can symbolize the connection between two people, representing how their lives are intertwined. We use linking hearts in our Speed Wedding Routine and profess that, if it is true love, the rings are inseparable. You can see a performance of that routine here – https://youtu.be/40iQ7qO3GdM.

Create Your Own Magic

Following are some go-to effects and recommendations to transform everyday magic into love stories. 

• Keepsakes: Keepsakes leave lasting impressions, and are free marketing and advertising. Keepsakes hold immense sentimental value, serving as tangible reminders of cherished moments. Some examples of keepsakes are signed cards, billets, paper hearts, origami objects, and flowers
• Healing Hearts: Start with Jeff and Abigail’s beautiful rendition of love and transformation with “Healing Hearts,” a torn-and-restored effect focusing on the healing power of love. https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/l/digital-video-downloads/healing-hearts-by-mago-martin-mcbride-burger

• Anniversary Waltz: This is a well-known card trick where it appears that two cards, each signed  by members of a couple, becomes one. Doc Eason calls Anniversary Waltz “the strongest card trick known to man.” There are many versions but you can create your own love story with any deck of cards or create or buy specially gaffed cards. I use a double-sided King and Queen of Hearts. 
• Gemini Twins: This easy to perform effect allows you to focus on the couple and their story. We use it with Post-it Notes as the markers, and ask each couple to write a special note or a feeling of love they have for the other. The note is placed on top of each special card. You can make your own cards that read “Bride” and “Groom,” or have the couple’s names prepared ahead of time, or just use a King and Queen. Alternatively, you can simply use a Cross-Cut Force to mark your special cards.

• Out of this World:A wonderful effect, but why not use special cards to make it focused on love? I love Larry Hass’s handling (My Way Out Of This World). We use a blank deck of cards and write “True” on half of the cards, and “Love” on the other half of the cards, so the end result comes out that the couple found “True Love.” You can also use Bride/Groom or Heart/Smiles.
• Rope Effects or BEKOS: Customize your favorite Professor’s Nightmare routine or BEKOS into a love story. In many cultures, tying the knot symbolizes unity, implying that people are together in an unbreakable bond or promise.
• Flowers: Never underestimate the power of flowers. A simple rose production can be meaningful, and a beautiful keepsake, especially on Valentine’s Day. 
• Sweets: Become the sweetest for your sweetie by making it special. Instead of just giving a box of chocolates, create magic using a simple appearance with a dove pan or production box. 
• What can you make love themed: Think about the story first, but there are so many easy ways to customize your magic and mentalism. Think of celebratory items such as confetti, champagne, balloons and have fun bringing happiness to others.

Ultimately, love and magic are about connection, transformation, wonder, and shared experiences. They invite us to explore the depths of our emotions, while reminding us that life is meant to be fun and full of surprises. When we embrace the magic of love, we open ourselves to a world where anything is possible. 
 
The month of February in general, and Valentine’s Day in particular, are reminders for us to love all year long. We are fortunate to believe Love is Magic and Magic is Love. This is inspired by how we think of and deliver our magic, driven by the philosophy of “The love you give away is the only love you keep.” Love is Magic because Magic is Love! 

Cheers!
Yan and Rin Ozzi – “Married by Magic” 
 
Yan and Rin Ozzi launched their act “Married by Magic” at the McBride Magic & Mystery School’s Master Class in 2024. They have since gone on to  win the Gold Medal at the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) convention, performed Recipe for Love at the Magic & Meaning Conference, and have been performing shows across North America. They are not only magicians but also licensed marriage officiants and ordained ministers, focusing their unique comedy and magical style on the power of love. Go to https://marriedbymagic.com/ to find out more.

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