What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.
–Meister Eckhart
Dear Friends:
October has arrived, and harvest time is near! For those of us in love with the fine art of magic and magical performance, that means many things. One of those, of course, is that the holiday season, with all its parties and other celebrations is coming on fast—and that means many opportunities to perform. It also means we are coming up on International Magic Week, that final week of the month leading up to Halloween, and a great time to generate publicity for the art, and for yourself as a magician!
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
–Confucius
Those of us at The McBride Magic & Mystery School look forward to October each year, because some of our favorite events of the year take place then. Jeff and Mario Morris conduct their annual “Focus on Street Magic†class from Oct. 9-11. Always a popular event, the class not only provides students with a safe space, guidance, and lots of real “insider knowledge†on how to succeed as a busker, but also takes them out onto the streets of Las Vegas. Some students even wind up earning more with their newfound knowledge while they are in Las Vegas than it costs them to be here!
The second big event of the month is our annual visit from Ross Johnson, for our “Master Class on Mentalism.†The class is, once again, sold out, and I can certainly see why. This year Ross has agreed to share some of his closely held secrets learned from the great Al Koran. Always an inspiring teacher, this is a very special gift made by one of our true living masters, and those attending are in for an exciting few days!
Finally, we have our annual “Magic & Meaning Conference.†For myself, at least, this is an annual “homecoming†event where so many of our magical community gather, and share their wide variety of experiences and insights from over the past year. Many of you who have attended have been coming to the conference for many, many years, and it’s always a joy to see you again! Our special guest this year is Max Maven, who was last a special guest for us back in the early 1990’s at one of the first Mystery School retreats, WAY back when we were still at our first home, the Ananda Ashram in upstate New York. Some of those who attended that session will again be with us this year!
As we approach our 25th year of offering experiential magical learning events, I feel we can celebrate our own special harvest; all of you who make up our ever-growing community. We are indeed thankful for all of you—your wisdom, support and continuing participation in our efforts! Whether you’ve attended one of our classes or other events, helped us by sponsoring “McBride Magic Experience†outreach events, watched our Monday Night Mystery School web-casts, or just read this Muselettler—you’re one of our inside champions, and we THANK YOU!
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
         –Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788 – 1860)
Our friend Leo Diaz is working with Dirk Arthur and his wild jungle animals at The Westgate.
It seems like many of our friends at our WONDERGROUND are appearing on the Penn & Teller FOOL US TV show!
CATHY LAVEAU – African American Female Magician
Our after-party seems to be taking on a life of its own. Join us after the WONDERGROUND show at our secret after-party location (just ask me in person—and don’t tell the muggles. It’s an insider secret!)
Dear Friends:
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We are currently gearing up for all our autumn events at the Magic & Mystery School, and just wanted to check in and remind you about what’s coming:
Focus on Street Magic has become one of our most fun events. Each year it is hosted by Jeff and Marco Morris from October 9-11. At present, I see three spots still open for that class. If you enjoy busking on the streets, in the parks or at other interesting outdoor venues, this is a great chance to learn from two masters, even while you make your Las Vegas debut. Some of our students have actually covered their costs for the class and the trip by working the streets while they are here!
Master Class for Mentalism (Oct. 14-17) has already been sold out for months. But if you want to get your name on a waiting list, contact Abbi by calling (702) 450-0021 or emailing Spinner@McBrideMagic.com.
Magic & Meaning 2015 is next, from Oct. 21-24. We’re about 85% sold out for that, so if you’re thinking of coming, but haven’t registered and sent your deposit yet, now’s the time. Our special guest is the inimitable Max Maven, and we’re all looking forward to what Max has to share with us. 
Also, please note: This will take place at Sunset Station in Henderson (there was an error in the Museletter a few days ago–sorry about that). We have a special deal with them for discount rooms, but it’s only good if you register before September 15. Again: Now is the time!
Here is the info from our web site:
The 2015 Magic and Meaning Conference will be held at the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino located at
1301 W Sunset Rd
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 547-7715
A discounted room rate has been secured for attendees who reserve their room by September 15, 2015 ($39 for October 21 and 22; $109 for October 23 and 24—plus tax). To make your reservation, please call the Sunset Station Casino’s reservation number at (888) 786-7389, and tell them you are part of the McBride Magic, Inc. group, attending Magic and Meaning at Sunset Station. Please note: reservations made online will not receive the discount.
For additional information or questions, please contact Katherine Rettke, the Conference’s Executive Assistant, at mmconference@magicalwisdom.com.
That’s it for now. We look forward to seeing you all one day soon, in Vegas, or in your own neck of the woods (let me know if you think you might like to bring Jeff’s show and lecture to your area)!
Best to all.
Sincerely,
Tobias Beckwith
Greetings Magical Friends,
Abigail here, writing from the House of Mystery on a peaceful morning in the desert. I have been thinking these past few weeks, about my mind and how mysterious and magical it is.
“…the magic show takes place primarily in the spectator’s head…. Nevertheless, the wizard may exert a certain degree of control: he determines what the audience shall not pay attention to (a process known in conjuring as misdirection), and he restricts so far as he can, the ways in which each onlooker shapes his own private performance. What you must realize is that your game is angling, not shooting. You don’t propel, you lure. The “fly†is in the trout’s appetite, not on the hook.”
 -Henry Hay, The Amateur Magician’s Handbook
I’ve come to the realization, as the sages say, that I am not just my mind. Not only that, but I now know I don’t have to believe everything I think. My mind is brilliant, and finds patterns and tells stories, and remembers and plans for the future, and can be a two-edged sword, of both discernment and distraction. When I find my mind is not acting like my good friend, I remember that I have a choice.
“Words and magic were in the beginning one and the same thing.â€
–Sigmund Freud
When my mind is dragging me out of the moment, into regrets of the past, or fears of the future, I have an option. I can use my senses to get out of my head, and into my body, and back into the moment I am actually inhabiting, the present. I am embodied, alive and breathing in this moment, so I have the option of using my eyes to look around and notice what I am seeing. I can use my ears to be aware of what I am hearing. I can notice the taste inside my mouth, the scents in the air around me, the sensations I am feeling through my skin… I can notice how I am breathing, and I can choose to deepen my inhales and lengthen my exhales. When I control my breath, I control my heartbeat, and this influences my state of mind.
“It is important as a mentalist to notice small things… little things such as being able to tell if someone is right or left handed by looking at which way their belt is pointing. Looking at a book of matches will tell you if they are right or left handed by the side the matches are removed…. It’s important to notice these things because the more you do, the more you will realize that each person has little psychological nuances that tell you a lot about the individual. Doing so will tremendously sharpen your skills.”
 -Banachek, Psychological Subtleties
When I do turn my awareness to these things, I return to the actual “real†world of here and now. When I find myself not in the present moment, then, as Fritz Perls would say, I can recognize that I am in “fantasy land.†If I’m going to go into my fantasy world, then I may as well make it a good fantasy, and imagine the best possible outcomes, the nicest things happening, and how good I could feel. Of course, I can always choose to step out of the present moment, if there is something that actually needs planning, but now I know it can always be a conscious choice.
Being present is where the real magic happens. Not too long ago, I wrote a song called Right Here, Right Now. You can check it out right here, it’s #7.