Can Magic Heal?

WARNING: This email may offend you.

There is a story from a recent show I wanted to share, but I’ve been worried I’d get attacked by the moral watchdogs out there.

Finally, I decided today, “Screw it.”

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let me set the stage.

A few weeks ago, I was performing my “Psychics & Mediums” show for one of my long-time library clients.

It’s a fun show that highlights some of the most well-known psychics in history. The second half of the show demonstrates a few things you might see at a traditional séance.

After the show was over, I was packing up when I was approached by an attendee.

Lips trembling, she told me how her mother had passed away four years prior and how she still hadn’t been able to move on.

She came to my show to see if there was a way to communicate with those who had passed.

I get this kind of reaction from time to time when I perform my spooky shows for adults. This, even though I always state I’m performing a show and merely recreating theatrically what happened in the past.

I placed a business card on my table, wrapping it and a small pencil in a black cloth. We both laid our fingertips on the edges of the folded bundle.

After a few moments, the pencil appeared to stand up on its own, moving back and forth as if writing something.

Once the pencil lay to rest, I opened the folded cloth and showed her the back of my business card.

It said one word: PEACE.

She started crying and asked me if she could hug me.

After the hug, she asked me, “Was that my mom?”

I shrugged and said, “All I know is I think that message is for you. To find peace.”

She left, feeling relieved, as though a great burden was lifted.

The ‘how’ is very simple.

Sensing this woman needed something, anything, in this moment, while we talked, I casually wrote the word ‘peace’ on the back of my business card.

I did it pretty openly, too, while we talked.

The rest were a Glorpy and a pencil stub.

Why did I do it? I had my hypnotherapy hat on, feeling as though I could give her some form of relief in that moment.

I never said the note was from her mom, only that the message was intended for her.

It clearly gave her what she needed in that moment.

I imagine some folks reading this may hate that I ‘deceived’ her in some malicious way.

Me? I was just using magic to help a broken woman take a first step toward healing.

We forget, many of us, just how powerful magic can be when presented correctly for the right audience.

It can touch people, move them. Give them joy. Laughter.

Or healing.

Here’s another quick story.

25 years ago, I was living near Pittsburgh, PA, eeking out a living performing magic and being miserable at my day job.

I was booked for a child’s birthday party at a country club.

I was set up and ready to go. Just as I was about to begin, the mother had a complete meltdown. I forget why.

The husband (ex?) yelled a lot and stomped off.

A few kids, upset by all of the commotion, started crying.

In the middle of the chaos, the grandfather points at me and says, “Okay, Cris, GO!”

All eyes were on me. Somehow, I started the show, though I wanted to be anywhere else.

Within minutes, everyone was laughing and having a good time.

It wound up being one of my favorite shows that year.

I’m sure most of you reading this have similar stories about how your magic made a difference during a difficult time. Or touched someone in a profound way.

That’s why I have such a hard time accepting magicians who use put-down lines. Or that damn bra trick.

Shame on every magic company that still sells that damn thing.

The message today is simple. Comb through your scripts. Look critically at all of your tricks.

Do you do anything that makes anyone sorry they invested time watching your show? Or anything that makes an audience member regret getting up in front of the group to help out during a routine?

If so, cut it.

Just stop.

I can’t speak to other countries. But here in the States, people are suffering.

Use your magic to bring joy to people’s lives.

Respect their time. Make them glad they watched your show. Make them feel thankful they volunteered for a trick.

Use magic for what it should be – to create wonder.

Have a great week.

--Cris

P.S. Today, I was busy recording several episodes of The Professional Magician Podcast: The Resurrection with my new co-host, Zeke Powers. More details to come as we get closer to the relaunch.

 
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