Past, Present... Oblivion

cavern 8gp weirdtricks 10

http://www.dragonskull.co.uk/secrets/cavern_8gp_weirdtricks_10.htm

The contents of this page have been cloned from Gene's original website within The Learned Pig Project website with the kind permission of 'Marko', it's creator and webmaster.

Previous Routine

Anyone who knows me personally, or through my writing, is well aware of my placcid, pacifistic nature; that I am not one to complain, that I avoid confrontation, that I neither grumble nor bellow disapproaval or anger. Say to anyone, "Name a saint," and the response will be... well, you know. But my reaction to what comes next is the antithesis of all of the above.

Next Routine

Past, Present... Oblivion In good conscience and justifiable disgust I must yell --where is the logic in printed identification on the faces of Tarot Cards?! "The Hanged Man", "Cups", "Wands"... huh? This is as silly as if on regular playing cards along with numerical value and suits you'd find printed: "Three of Hearts", "Seven of Spades", etc. Aren't the Tarot cards and their subsequent juxtapositions supposed to be suggestive of arcane knowledge interpreted by the Reader? Isn't it to be assumed the Reader KNOWS what they symbolize; the printed identification deflates the Reader's status to that of beginner needing near self-explanatory cards as a guide (why not in smaller type a detailed explanation of each symbol?). Absurd. Rotten psychology. Gosh, this bitching about something is a new rather interesting experience. I must try it again sometime. Now, there may be commercially available Tarot cards without the identification, but I haven't seen them. If you choose to use these for what follows it's up to you, as is the nature of the reading: a genuine interpretation of the symbols, or what you deduce by observing and chatting with the participant. The cards should look aged by time and use. It's imperative one of them have an identifying characteristic; either part of a corner torn, or a larger discoloration than the others. It must be subtly noticeable by the participant, but not so obvious that it screams "Look at me". It's preferable you make the cards if you have just a modicum of artistic talent, or hire an artist to do both faces and backs (blank both sides decks are available from magic dealers). They should look rather primitive (which explains why your semi-rotten talent would be a plus). A simple irregular design on the backs of a pentagram, or whatever, would be fine. The over-all idea being that they are handmade copies of copies of copies of the original dating back eons.

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cavern 8gp weirdtricks 10

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More details later.

Presentation: The Reader opens the lid of an ancient box, weathered by the elements, by time and use. Withdrawing a bundle of cloth, old but not tattered, and tied with a strip of leather he stares at it thoughtfully, after a moment says quietly, "What history therein... bleak and deadly in the paradox of Time. Some say the All is now. Past, Present... Future -- a simultaneous Now. Strange... discomforting." He gently unties the leather strip, opens the cloth bundle disclosing a deck of very old Tarot cards. "Tarot cards. Believed by some to be of Romany origin, the gypsies. Their roots extending back to where in history's thread? Europe... recently, yes. Egypt farther back. Yes. India to be sure in prehistory times -- but then... where? Atlantis has been postulated." The Reader places the cards in front of the participant, "Mix the Past, if you please. Imbue them with the nature of your touch." As the participant mixes the cards (never say 'shuffle', it smacks of a card trick) the Reader continues the story. "Atlantis. A continent lost -- but the wrong one for gypsy genesis. Not Atlantic waters that drowned a land and sent scant few survivors to wandering for a home. Most likely Lemuria was the place. A continent uniting Madagascar with India and Sumatra... the latter on the edge of that deadly Ring of Fire that even now embraces the Pacific to American shore. Who knows what transpired: deadly earthquakes precursors to volcanic eruptions that set aflame a continent -- and greater earthquakes still that sank that land to quench the flames in Pacific waters. So few survivors." The Reader takes the deck from the participant, "And their endless wandering for a home began, and searches for answers in... " indicates the cards, "arcane Tarot powers... as to where and when. What bleak and anguished past. May yours be of kinder times." Laying out the cards face up, the Reader gives the participant a BRIEF reading of his/her past. He says in conclusion, "A far more gentle time then that of those who came so very long before you; who wandered lost forlorn and wander still. Fate has been tender toward you." Scooping up the cards the Reader leans well forward toward the participant (this is very important) and stays in that position as he hands the cards to the participant. "Mix the oracles once more to see what the Present celebrates." Laying out the cards face up the Reader gives the participant a very

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29.07.2011 11:34

cavern 8gp weirdtricks 10

http://www.dragonskull.co.uk/secrets/cavern_8gp_weirdtricks_10.htm

positive reading, saying at the conclusion, "Twice blessed you are. Unlike those who wander still -- you walk with angels. Truly, you live in Life's all embracing smile." Maintaining the forward position, the Reader hands the participant the cards, "Mix them once again to entice the future to disclose its joys." Now as the Reader takes the deck -- his hand trembles somewhat the instant he touches it. He frowns slightly, stares at the participant, then slowly draws back. He doesn't recoil... it's far more subtle, but he draws back to a leaning back in his chair. After a subtly distressed beat, he hesitantly puts one card FACE DOWN in front of the participant, saying quietly, reluctantly, "Your... future." Leaning forward the Reader turns over the card, no matter what the card the Reader looks very disturbed, then with a false reassurance says, "One card only. More to come. It... it... means nothing. More to come." He rapidly puts out more cards FACE DOWN. "These now are the ones that speak your fate." He hesitantly turns over the next card. It is blank. Almost inaudible, "... Your... future." He turns over the next card -- blank. "Your... " next card -- blank, "... future" Distressed, the Reader rapidly turns over the remaining cards. They are all blank. Barely a whisper, "Nothing. Oblivion. If all Time is an omnipresent Now... we as they are already lost. Ring of Fire, quakes and sea... we as they are in oblivion's unrelenting grip. Pray heaven... that a few of us may survive to wander." Now, the Reader (depending on his/her degree of sadism) may slowly put the tarot cards back into the box and leave the participant feeling very uneasy; or... after a beat say, "I knew it! I just knew that damned Y2K was going to screw us up!"

Method: A duplicate deck is all blanks. The third or fourth blank card that is put face down has the identifying mark on it; either a slightly torn corner, or distinguishing stain somewhat more obvious than the discolorations on the rest of the cards. The rationale for this is that on a subconscious level it identifies the blank deck for the participant as the deck that has been used all along. It's subtle, but important. Whatever number of cards you put out, after they're turned over and seen to be blank -- DO NOT ribbon spread the rest of the deck to show those cards are also blank. Again, it's like magic trick time. Chances are the participant will pick up the deck and look at the rest of the cards. If not, good enough... the desired effect has been achieved.

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cavern 8gp weirdtricks 10

http://www.dragonskull.co.uk/secrets/cavern_8gp_weirdtricks_10.htm

The switch takes place after you've leaned back from the participant with some distress. Putting the first 'future' card FACE DOWN is a departure from the faces up to which the participant has become accustomed so already his/her attention is on that. Now as you lean forward to turn it over the hand holding the tarot deck, near the edge of the table, moves naturally to the lap or chair, switches decks and comes up to the table while you are giving the bleak interpretation of the now face up card. The other blank cards are then dealt out, and with ominous demeanor slowly revealed. The concluding remark is up to you. I prefer the latter, the laugh. I'm all for making the participant uneasy, even somewhat frightened during the performance -- but then let them go in peace, without possibly residual unease, with some even anxiety. Enjoy performing this. Gene. Weird Routines Home Page

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