May 27, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** TAROT READERS NOTEBOOK by Ron Martin
*** FOGEL CARD COLLECTION by Maurice Fogel
*** FOGEL MIRROR by Maurice Fogel
*** MIND MYSTERIES GUIDE BOOK by Richard Osterlind
*** BRAZEN BLINDFOLD by Tom Jorgenson
To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
please go to
http://www.MarketplaceoftheMind.com
and use the shopping cart. If you're unable to do
this, you may respond to this e-mail.
To make sure you've not been missing any newsletters, check
out my blog, which is accessible from the main page. All of
the recent past newsletters are archived there.
*********
Here are five items recently added to the Marketplace. In
the newsletter I sent out yesterday, I mentioned I'd send
out another e-mail with these items. And I've repeated much
of the news included in yesterday's newsletter just in case
you didn't get it.
For those in the States, have a safe and happy Memorial Day
weekend.
*** MAURICE FOGEL: IN SEARCH OF THE SENSATIONAL
This book is not due out until about June 21 (according to
Hermetic Press' website), but I'm taking pre-orders now for
it. If you're a Marketplace Member, then log in to the
Marketplace Members' page and you'll find an additional
pre-order discount on this book. I haven't seen it yet, but
anything mentalism related by Hermetic Press has always been
a must-have. Why should this be any different?
*** CELLULAR I.D.
I'm also taking pre-orders on Larry Becker & Lee Earle's new
effect, which should be out soon. For details about this
effect, which uses cellphones and business cards, go to the
website and you'll find more information.
*** IMPORTANT NEW POSTAGE INFORMATION
In Mid-May, the United States Postal Service raised their
rates and changed policies. The major change, though,
occurs with non-U.S., Mexico or Canada orders. The small
Global Priority Mail envelopes are no longer being used by
USPS. And Global Priority mail prices have gone way up.
The price for shipping in a larger envelope by me is now $13
(I use to charge $11). It can be cheaper through regular
airmail, and if the weight isn't much (under 2 lbs, I
think), I will use that. If it doesn't fit in the large
Priority Mail envelope, or it's pretty heavy, it could get
rather costly. I'm still trying to figure it all out,
because, as usual, the USPS doesn't have a user friendly
quick-start rate manual. For now, though, disregard the
postal information on the site. I'll try to have it updated
by this week.
***** TRIO AND THE MEMORY PILL ACT
The creator of the classic Blister effect, Jack Kent Tillar,
has a new book destined to be a mentalism classic. TRIO is
a book comprised of three complete knock-out mentalism acts.
And THE MEMORY PILL ACT, one of Bascom Jones' favorites, is
a complete act, as well. Getting paid to do any one of
these acts will more than cover the cost of both. Step on
over to the Marketplace of the Mind and check them out, if
you haven't already. And, if you have and have not ordered
them, do so. I know that you'll be glad you did.
Incidentally, the second volume of The Private Files of
Jack Kent Tillar will be out soon. Those who purchase TMPA
will be receiving an e-mail about how to obtain the next
e-book before anyone else and at a special sale price.
***** MARKETPACE MEMBERSHIP CLUB
The next issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights
Maurice Fogel, the subject of the new book by Christopher
Woodward and Richard Mark entitled Maurice Fogel: In Search
of the Sensational. That issue should be out next week as
I'm a little behind. To get it, you need to buy a membership
in the Marketplace of the Mind. For the $37 cost you get a
subscription to the 2007 issues of Jheff's Journal of the
Mind, an all-new e-zine for mentalists, and an additional
5% discount off merchandise from the Marketplace of the
Mind. There will also be specials and other stuff
throughout the year. Check out the preview edition
of the Bonus #0 issue featuring Jack Kent Tillar. Go to
the website and click on the banner at the top. Or use
the link below.
Check it out here:
www.marketplaceofthemind.com/jmmc.html
***** THE FRIENDS OF THE MARKETPLACE
Don't forget to check out the new Friends of the Marketplace
section. This is for those creators who are producing
wonderful products that I don't carry. This is because, to
save overhead, I order as needed from my distributor, and
these creators aren't mass distributing it. If you'd like
me to review your product and help you sell it, then you'll
find details about the Friends of the Marketplace program on
the website. There's a button on the left hand side for you
to click on.
Brand new to the section are Ron Martin's THE TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot readers; Alan Strydom's
Palmistry Quickies, a must-have for palm readers; Loren
Tindall's beautiful new THE DELPHI PORTAL, which is a
must-have prop for anyone who is a reader; and Gene
Nielsen's THE MAGICK YEARS, a jam-packed e-book filled with
over 70 professional and varied routines.
Remember, I don't make a dime on this stuff. I do this
because I think the stuff is very good and worth it.
http://www.jheff.com/friendsofthemarketplace.html
Until next time. -- Jheff
*********
RON MARTIN
TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK
Suggested Retail Price: $75
Available at:
http://www.mevproshop.com/tarot-readers-notebook.html
THE BLURB:
A Detailed Course in Giving Satisfying
and Profitable Tarot Card Readings
(But keep reading to find out why it's not just for Tarot
readers. . .)
The Classic Text on Readings
If you've been in the mentalism and psychic entertainment
community for any length of time, you are probably aware
that in the early 1990s, there were primarily three main
authors the aspiring psychic reader had to study -- the "Big
Three", so to speak -- Richard Webster, Herb Dewey and Ron
Martin. Between these three thinkers, the very nature of
psychic readings was transformed (and some readers, as well,
I would wager) and brought into the modern era.
As one of the "Big Three" authorities on psychic readings,
Ron Martin is especially qualified to teach you everything
you need to know about readings, including the best way to
prepare for a session, the right things to say, and how to
make a real impact on your clients. With over 30 years of
experience as a reader, it's interesting to note that Ron
continues to work as a full-time professional, presenting
both private readings and public workshops, as well as
entertaining at exclusive high-end private parties.
When talking with fellow readers, it's noteworthy that one
single book is often mentioned as being perhaps the most
influential: Ron Martin's TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK. Although
I'm only speaking for myself here, I know many others who
share my view that this book changed how I presented Tarot
readings to my clients. The curious thing is, however, that
the book isn't about the Tarot cards themselves, but how to
transform mediocre (perhaps even boring) Tarot readings into
something entirely meaningful and entertaining.
The scope of the TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK covers everything
from the moment the client sits down to long after the
reading is over . . . and everything in between. Ron reveals
how to turn a run-of-the-mill Tarot reading into a small
theatrical masterpiece, and explains in detail not only what
to do, but all of the psychological reasoning as well.
Take a look at this partial listing of contents:
Foreword by Tony Razzano • Preface • Creating and Learning
the Meanings of the Cards • Various Card Designs • The El
Cheapo Stage Setting • Music? • Tip on Tips • Some
Theorizing • Belief • I Am Not A Psychic. . . Exactly • At
the Table, Part One • Quick Philosophy Break • At The Table,
Part Two • Checking Questions • Flattery • A Few Sour Notes
• The Future Row • Overall Patterns • A Second Layout? • A
Few More Random Thoughts • Mechanical Magick • Psychological
Magick • Cousin of The Home Factor • Mood Drama •
Philosophical and Psychological Stuff • Useful Information
Gained • Client Commitment and Involvement • Maybe
Psychometry • On Being A Psychic Expert, and Giving Advice •
Listening • The Client's Chair • Letting Them Know You're
Listening • Reflections • Pausing Before Reflections •
Mirroring • Language Analysis and Mirroring • The Most
Magick Words Of All • Don't Forget Ears • Other Language
Clues • The Client's Need To Act • A Psychological System •
Real Advice • Meditation • Learning Your Lines • For the
Mnemonically Addicted • Emergency Psychometrics • General
Lines • Specific Lines • Personality Lines • Out-of-the-Blue
Lines • What is it? • Their Opposite • The Alphabet • Clues
• Energy • Generating Energy • More Clues • Color •
Handwriting • Sign-In Sheet For Your Tarot Reading • Still
More Clues • Marital Difficulties • Clothes Clues •
Bibliography
There is a LOT of information in this book, and it's all
straight from a recognized master of the art.
NOT A TAROT READER?
No problem. Although the focus of the TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK is on Tarot readings, a little bit of thought will
reveal to you how to apply Ron's ingenious techniques to any
type of reading system. The psychological and presentational
principles taught in this book work for every style of
reading, which means that regardless of the system you use,
you will be able to improve the effectiveness of your
readings in a very short time.
However, if you've been thinking about taking the plunge and
beginning to give Tarot readings, you couldn't pick a better
place to start. While Ron doesn't cover the individual
meanings of the cards, he does provide you with a fully
annotated list of books to learn from, and let's you know
which ones are worthwhile picking up (as well as which ones
aren't!).
WHAT IS MECHANICAL MAGICK?
Using Ron's system for readings, you will be able to weave a
magical spell by hardly lifting a finger. However, if you
really want to go the extra mile and convince your clients
and audience that there is something, well . . . special
about you . . . that you really have "the goods" . . . Ron
shares his special bag of tricks that will leave no doubt in
anyone's mind. You'll learn about . . .
• The All-Purpose Box of Envelopes
• A No-Gimmick Question Discovery
• The Notebook
• Business Cards
• Pure Suggestion Magick
• Emotional Intuition
• Table Tipping
• The Pendulum
BIGGER . . . BETTER ... AND NOW ON CD!
Originally published 15 years ago, an authorized edition of
the TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK has been difficult to obtain for
some time now. As you might imagine, when Ron decided to
release the new edition, he was eager to add all of the new
ideas, tips and techniques he's come up with since the
original 137-page edition came out, and as a result the new
edition is considerably larger (206 pages larger!).
Not only that, but the new and improved TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK now comes exclusively as an Adobe PDF e-book.
Many people will immediately recognize the main benefit of
having the TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK in digital form . . .
Searchability!
Now when you want to find all of the references to the word
"pendulum", for example, all you have to do is enter the
word into the Search field, and Adobe Reader lists all
occurances of the word, with the surrounding context as
well. Talk about a time-saver . . .
Of course, some people prefer the printed page over the
computer screen, and there's nothing to prevent them from
printing out some or even all of the book. Luckily, it's
easy to print an Adobe document, either from your own
computer's printer or the nearest Kinko's.
Oh, and there's another distinct advantage to a CD release .
. .
THE BONUS AUDIO INTERVIEW
In the Preface to the TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK, Ron writes .
. ."Another thing I find useful when I read an author's work
is to flip to the photo of the author inside the cover and
read the paragraph or two about the author. It gives me some
idea of what kind of person this information is coming from.
It may have a bearing on how I evaluate what is being said."
Well, with the use of a CD as a publishing medium, it's a
snap to include an audio file, and that's exactly what we've
done. After we'd finished the editing of the new edition,
Ron and I spoke over the phone, covering not only subjects
from the book, but other material that isn't in any of Ron's
books.
Things like . . . his childhood experiences with
Spiritualism . . . how he got started in psychic fairs . . .
how he runs them now . . . philosophical insights into
readings . . . plus a whole lot more.
What a great opportunity to hear someone with Ron's
background and experience -- it's just like if you were to
pick up the phone and shoot the breeze for an hour or so
with one of the greatest thinkers in the field.
"If I had to choose one book that influenced me dramatically
in my reading career, it is the book that you have in your
hands right now. This book changed my professional reading
life from one that got several readings a month for a few
dollars each, to one that now has several full length
readings a week at a very high price per reading. Add to
that a few home parties a month and some corporate gigs, and
I have become one of the busiest and highest paid readers in
the NYC area."
Tony Razzano
Professional Reader
By following Ron's advice, you too can go from doing just a
few low-paying readings a month to whatever level you aspire
to.
MY COMMENTS:
This is probably the most complete examination of one
reader's techniques you'll ever find. Even better, it's an
updated edition of a work which has been out of print for
some time. And it's in electronic form so that you can
easily search the text or transfer it to a PDA, flash-drive,
etc., in case you want to have it with you for easy
reference. The blurb above is definitely accurate in each
description of all the great info you receive. The only
quibble I'll make is that one should understand that this is
one reader's opinions and techniques and you don't need to
agree with all of them. There were some points that I
didn't agree with. For example, Ron merely respects Rachel
Pollack's books on the Tarot, while I think much more highly
of them. But this is not a drawback, just a difference of
opinion. His points, regardless of whether one agrees with
them or not, are well-respected and based on years of
experience as a successful reader.
Without a doubt, this is a must-have for anyone who is a
reader or plans on being one. That's really all you need to
know.
*********
RICHARD MARK & CHRISTOPHER WOODWARD
THE FOGEL CARD COLLECTION
Suggested Retail Price: $30
Available at:
http://www.MauriceFogel.com
THE BLURB:
It has been 25 years since The Amazing Fogel (1911-1981)
passed away. He was a brilliant showman, magician,
daredevil, mentalist, and illusionist. Nominated as the
best lecturer at the Magic Castle. He performed in
vaudeville, cabaret, cruise ships, and had his own
full-length show, which toured the British Isles. His
telepathic radio broadcasts in England created great
controversy and sensational publicity followed him where
ever he traveled. His bullet catching and Russian roulette
presentation set high marks for mystery and excitement. A
book describing his life and secrets - In Search of the
Sensational: The Secrets of Maurice Fogel - will be released
shortly by the Hermetic Press. Co-authored by Chris Woodward
and Richard Mark.
Here his friends and admirers have provided their own card
effects of the sort that Fogel would have enjoyed. Some of
these were published in a Fogel Tribute in the Linking Ring
Parade July 2006 and are included here with permission of
the creators. Included in this collection is FOGEL'S
favorite close up card routine that he included in his
lecture notes.
ROUTINES BY:
Burton Sperber
Jon Racherbaumer
Sandy Andron
Patrick Page
Marc Salem
Richard Mark
Max Maven
Chris Woodward
Maurice Fogel
MY COMMENTS:
This 16-page, 5.5" x 8.5" booklet is a nice anthology of the
type of card mentalism that Maurice Fogel would have
enjoyed. It contains nothing new in terms of methods,
principles, or routines, but it's solid, practical material
and a worthy tribute to one of the most compelling
personalities in mentalism in magic.
The collectible cards have the photo of Maurice Fogel on
its back. You can certainly use these as one-way backs, or
for a routine involving past, great mentalists and
magicians, etc.
*********
MAURICE FOGEL
FOGEL LIMITED EDITION MIRROR
Suggested Retail Price: $20
Available at:
http://www.MauriceFogel.com
MY COMMENTS:
This is a very elegant mirror, 3" in diameter. One side has
the image that you see above; the other side has the mirror.
Included with the package is a one-page sheet that contains
two routines, Fogel Spirit Mirror and Fogel Spirit Mirror
II.
In the first routine, spirit writing on a pad reveals the
name of a thought-of person. The second routine involves
a message appearing on the mirror itself. These routine
ideas are a very nice bonus when purchasing this limited
edition mirror.
*********
RICHARD OSTERLIND
MIND MYSTERIES 4: GUIDE BOOK
JMOM Price: $27
Suggested Retail Price: $30
THE BLURB:
"You will learn more from these pages than from the
countless tricks of the day you are probably buying."
- from the foreword by Greg Arce
In this fourth guide book, Richard dissects the powerful
magic and mentalism items that brought the first installment
of the Mind Mysteries series to such a smashing conclusion.
Besides his usual insights into the material that was
presented on Mind Mysteries Volume 4 - More Assorted
Mysteries DVD, you'll also find:
An exposition of ways to make the effects in your own show
much more powerful.
The real way to do pre-show work.
The necessary ingredients for strong magic.
The real history of many of Richard Osterlind's most
powerful creations.
Mind Mysteries Volume 4 - More Assorted Mysteries presented
some of the strongest material Richard Osterlind has ever
created and in this fourth volume of the Mind Mysteries
Guide Book series, you'll gain some valuable insights in how
to inject this power into your own work.
Pages 88 - Softbound
MY COMMENTS:
This is the must-have companion to Volume 4 of Richard
Osterlind's Mind Mysteries. There's more discussions, more
tips, more invaluable instruction, and more updates to the
routines presented on his classic DVD. Yep, I said the
same thing about the other volumes, but that's because it's
no different and no less invaluable. As usual, Richard adds
a few essays about the art. In "Strong Magic," Richard
discusses what will make magic contrived and weak. In the
second essay, "Why Now?," Richard explains why he's
releasing material and now and laments the current state of
mentalism on the Internet and the marketplace, in general.
Now, do you really need me to say that I recommend it for
anyone who has Richard's DVD series? I didn't think so,
but, just in case, I'll say it for the record: I highly
recommend it.
*********
TOM JORGENSON
BRAZEN BLINDFOLD
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $20
THE BLURB:
Previously, you have been bending a bit, and have collected
the parts and pieces of forks and spoons in a cutlery tray,
box or some such. Later on during the set, you are going to
be blindfolded for an experiment. When that time comes, you
use two of the broken off tablespoon bowls from your spoon
bag/cutlery tray, box or etc. You and a spectator tear off
strips of black electrical tape, cloth adhesive medical tape
(or even use large Band-Aids), and tape a spoon bowl tightly
over each of your eye sockets. Small strips may even seal
the bottom and top of each spoon bowl, precluding any light
of sight.
And yet you are able to have almost perfect vision.
MY COMMENTS:
What a devilishly clever prop! Tom has discovered a type of
spoon that looks exactly like a regular everyday table
spoon, however it has unique properties that allow you to
use it deceptively and effectively in a blindfold routine.
The drawback is that these spoon bowls cannot be examined
closely by the participant and you must also have done some
spoon bending in your act. Otherwise, pulling out spoon
bowls would be incredibly suspicious. If you perform metal
bending earlier in your act, the audience will assume the
bowls have already been examined and are ordinary.
The package comes with one page of instructions, which is
all you need. It also includes two spoon bowls to get your
started and eight extra spoons, which should last a good
while. Remember, the spoon bowls are already broken when
you pick them up so you're not using up spoons during each
show. The spoon bowls, if handled carefully, should last
for many shows. I should also mention that the price is
incredibly reasonable. If you do metal bending and
blindfold work, this is highly recommended.
*********
To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
please go to
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and use the shopping cart. If you're unable to do
this, you may respond to this e-mail.
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