Light in the Darkness

Dear Friends:
 
We’re delighted to have the following piece from Abigail McBride for our “into the dark time” of the year. The coming months typically bring lots of emotional highs and lows, and this year promises to amplify both. So I think some kind words from our resident light-bringer are likely to be particularly welcome! And now, Abigail:

When I was very young, I shared a bedroom with my little sister. She was scared of the dark, convinced that monsters would rise up from under the bed to eat her once the lights went out, and no matter how many times Daddy would show her that there were no monsters, still, every night, she was scared. 

I, being the kind big sister that I was, had a good idea. I would paint pictures for her with my words when Mama would leave the room after singing night-time prayers with us. The light would go out, and the picture-painting would start.
 
“Imagine… we’re outside in the backyard, and it’s a sunny warm afternoon. What are we wearing?” …and she would answer. Then I’d continue, telling her what we were doing, what games we were playing, what animals came by to visit… every so often asking her to fill in the blanks about what color the cat was, or what was growing in the garden… and eventually, she’d drop off to sleep and the picture would be complete for that night. For me, ever since I was a child, helping people to relax through creative visualization and guided meditation has been a way I’ve brought light to the darkness.

And now, we are going straight on into the darkest time of the year, when the nights get longer and longer and warm summer days seem like a distant dream. What light will you bring to keep you warm and bring illumination? 
 
These days, one of my favorite ways to bring light, is to share Mindful Moments on our Mystery School Monday program. In each of these segments, I offer a technique, or a breathing practice, or a brief visualization, to help us grow into awareness and presence in the moment. I’m also enjoying working with a few clients as a Mindfulness Coach. For a little taste, if you haven’t joined us yet, please consider this your invitation, every Monday at 7pm pacific time.  My Mindful Moment happens just before we close the class:  
https://zoom.us/j/685273864
 
We are also posting these shows at our virtual Magical Wisdom site, 
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/i/mystery-school-monday-ep-list

I hope you will join us!

Keep shining,

Abigail

P.S. I am creating new music, magic and mysteries… 
Join me on Patreon to learn more, and thank you!
https://www.patreon.com/AbigailSpinnerMcBride

Death & Beyond… Do the Spirits Return?

Greetings magical friends,
Here are two questions that have confounded humankind for millennia! 

• DO THE SPIRITS RETURN?
• IS THERE LIFE BEYOND DEATH?

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.”

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.

• Celebrate the spirit theater of Eugene Burger.
• Explore the rich possibilities of “raising spirits” in dark times.
• Focus on tricks, techniques, manifestations and Special FX for creating this kind of magic, light and dark

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.”
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:

• 9 new and original magic effects, routines, and presentations you can add to your performances.
• Video recordings of the entire 3 class series for you to watch on demand, or if you miss class.
• Performances, lectures & personal Q & A time with Jeff.
• The McBride master key video and pdf archive of all topics, routines, and discussions from all three classes.
• Access to the exclusive mystery school online discussion group.
• Certificate of participation.

Go here to get more information about â€œThe STORYMASTER Series.”
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-story-master-series

See you in our online classroom!

Yours in magic,
Abigail, Jeff…and “The Spirit of Eugene”

The Goblins

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 Annie”  -  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.”
– 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 Annie”—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:

1. There is still time to register for Magic & Meaning, and it’s going to be a memorable one!
2. The Séance Summit is filling fast. I’m not sure when we’ll offer this again. Jeff is busy procuring some very special “special guests” for that one, and it’s going to be fun.
3. The Master Class for Mentalism still has a few non-performing spots available.
4. We’re just putting the finishing touches on Beyond Deception – Acting, Stagecraft and Innovation for Magicians and Jeff’s new offering The Story Master Series, both for late November into early December.

• 

• 

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

The Mantle of Magic

Dear Friends:
 
Our guest columnist this month is team member Daryl Rogers. Daryl performs close-up, strolling, parlor, and stage magic in a variety of venues, including birthday parties, private parties, fairs, festivals, schools, and libraries. He was recently named as an Instructor of the Magic & Mystery School and is a recipient of the Eugene Burger Legacy Award. He has taken numerous classes, acts as Assistant Media Manager to Scott SteelFyre for the school’s online classes and broadcasts, and occasionally hosts Mystery School Mondays

Discovering the Mantle of Magic

Mantle – noun 1. a loose sleeveless cloak or shawl  2. an important role or responsibility that passes from one person to another 

When I was 12 years old, I discovered magic and pursued it as a hobby for three years. The community I grew up in did not have a public library, and there were no magic stores nearby, so my knowledge of the art of magic was very limited. Forty years later, my interest in magic was reignited, and access to information was plentiful. The public library near me was large, and it didn’t take me long to discover the 793.8 section, and check out every item available.

One of the first books that caught my eye was The Illustrated History of Magic by Milbourne Christopher. I was fascinated to read about the long and rich history of magic. I was intrigued by the stories of past magicians like Robert-Houdin, Alexander Herrmann, Harry Kellar, Chung Ling Soo, Howard Thurston and other illustrious performers. I finally understood the reason for all the red tin tubes and boxes with fake Chinese lettering on them that I saw in the magic stores! Within that book I discovered the story of the Mantle of Magic.

The History and the Symbology
 
Harry Kellar became the premier American magician after the death of Alexander Herrmann. Toward the end of Kellar’s career, he started grooming a protégé to carry on in his footsteps. The original choice was a magician named Paul Valadon, but personal conflicts between Kellar’s and Valadon’s wives, in addition to some of Valadon’s personal actions, soured the deal. 
 
Howard Thurston stepped into the breach and made a bid to buy the show. He was accepted as Kellar’s heir apparent and performed with Kellar during his final tour. Kellar’s last show was held at Ford’s Opera House in Baltimore on the evening of May 16, 1908. At the end of the show, he gave a brief farewell speech, called Thurston onto the stage, and formally introduced him as his successor. 
 
At this time the passing of the Mantle of Magic was a metaphorical symbol, but it was soon depicted in a fanciful poster Thurston had created to promote his own show tour the following year. At the end of his career, Thurston passed the mantle to Harry Jansen, who performed under the name Dante. Dante passed the mantle to Lee Grabel, and Grabel passed it on to its current holder, Lance Burton, a close friend of the Magic & Mystery School. 
 
The Mantle of Magic is symbolic in a number of ways. At the surface level the mantle symbolizes a continuous lineage of master magicians. It is an outward designation of a person who has mastered all of the aspects of performing theatrical magic, and has reached the pinnacle of the art. It is the physical embodiment of a level of ability worthy to strive for by anyone serious about performing magic.
 
On a deeper level, it touches on the concept of a Jungian archetype. Indeed, the magician is one of the twelve brand archetypes in the Jungian aesthetic. The image of the classic magician in a white tie and tailcoat, tuxedo, top hat, cane, and cape is instantly recognizable as depicting a person of mystery, ability, and power. Even the youngest person getting involved in magic instinctively understands the meaning of this symbol.

Earning Your Mantle

Though you may not perform in the traditional Robert-Houdin inspired wardrobe of the magician, another kind of mantle exists that you can wear. It is a mantle in your mind, and of your spirit. It is that never-ending quest to perform to the best of your abilities, and to raise the appreciation of magical performances in the eyes of the public. It doesn’t matter whether you are doing card tricks for one person at a bar, or performing for thousands of people on stage in a formal theater. The goal is the same.

There is no secret formula for reaching this level of performance ability. It comes from reading good books on magic history, theory, and philosophy. It comes from focused, conscious practice, and rehearsal. It comes from knowing your character, choosing the correct wardrobe, scripting your routines, and blocking your performances. It comes from your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to continual improvement. 

Perhaps most important of all is your connection to your fellow magicians, your mentors. and your teachers.

• Whose writings and teachings do you learn from?
• Who do you choose to have review and critique your act?
• Whose business advice do you listen to? 
• What actions do you take based on what you learn? 

How you answer these questions will have a profound impact on how you perform your magic, how your audiences will perceive your magic performances, and ultimately on your foundational relationship to the art of magic. 

There is no better place to make connections with people you can trust, and that have a deep understanding of the art of magic than at the Magic & Mystery School. The entire faculty and supporting staff are dedicated to the school’s mission of “improving the art of magic one magician at a time.” 

All skill levels are welcome. You will be connected to some of the friendliest and most generous magic teachers and mentors working today. As you deepen and strengthen your relationship with the school, you will be joining prior students like Shin Lim, Mat Franco, Bill Cook and many others. What it has done for their careers, it can do for yours as well, and soon you will find a Mantle of Magic that fits you. 

Learn more about the Mantle of Magic in the books The Illustrated History of Magic by Milbourne Christopher and The Last Greatest Magician in the World by Jim Steinmeyer.