Number 9
by P. Craig Browning

Admittedly, it’s a peculiar title for a New Year’s article… but only if you aren’t hooked into the “real” – that aspect of Mentalism that’s steeped in the subtle, the surreal and what some might call “the arcane”. The Number 9 however, is very important to us in that it is the numeric vibration of the year 2007 i.e. 2 + 0 + 0 + 7 = 9; A year in which the following “themes” might be found viable; Charity, Humanitarianism, Community, Wisdom, Compassion, Romance, Selflessness, Generosity, Philanthropy, Love, Idealism, Artistic Expression, Spiritual Healing.

This is a year in which a significant display of Virgo-like traits will be noticed along side significant masculine attitudes within people and society on the whole. In other words, the esoteric theories holding out, we are going to see a great deal of foundation-laying and organizing; the tightening of the proverbial purse strings and the cleaning out of more than just a few old closets. In fact, we should expect to see some rather interesting skeletons coming out of more than just a few of those closets and you can take that concept and interpret it in any number of ways in that most all its implications will hold true.

“So”, you’re thinking to yourself, “what’s all this got to do with Mentalism?”

Well aside from the fact that I just gave you an interesting, albeit brief, Reading on what this New Year may have in store for us event and focus wise, it likewise lends to me some perspective from which to branch outward in this months column, planting some seeds as it were, about the future – your future, my future and the future of this craft.

As many of you know I reach out and boldly solicit materials from various creative minds, distributors, etc. so I can mold this new adventure we call “Cranial Consternations”… a venture that has proven to be a far greater challenge than I’d imagined. Not because of the difficulty in getting material, but more in regards to being able to sift through these submissions and do them justice. For an example Michael Sibbernsen’s new book, "Frame of Mind"; try as I may, there’s next to nothing I can say that would be detrimental to this simple 44 page, spiral bound tome other than I selfishly wish Michael had never put it out, even at the very limited level he has planned on releasing it in (100 total copies @ $100.00 each).

Before you moan too terribly much over that price, keep in mind that you aren’t getting a dozen or so “tricks” you are receiving insights to material that is nothing short of miraculous in most cases. For an example; if I were to tell you to sit down around mid or late afternoon looking into the sky just above the horizon as part of an experiment – a test to see if I can send to you some sort of undeniable “sign” based on Astrological science and telepathy and… as you are sitting there for the brief 3-5 minute period in question you see, during broad daylight, a shooting star that becomes brighter and brighter and then fades out… all within the parameters of our agreed upon test period… now, if you were to have just such an experience, wouldn’t you say that is a bit more than a “trick”?

This genius concept is just one of the more amazing miracles offered in this particular book; a mysterious demonstration of our artistic passions that can be used to incite strong romantic or even compassionate connections if staged properly with a loved one you may be miles from. A simple effect that covers some of those Number 9 qualities mentioned earlier (of course Michael’s actions lend strong support of some of those other qualities as well… fortunately, he’s not alone in such acts of grace and I will be forever grateful for his kindness in this instance.)

"C’mon Craig, stop kissing up!" moan my critics

Well, I hate to disappoint you, but that’s not the case. My gratitude is genuine but not entirely for the reasons you might suspect. You see, the graciousness of those who have been supporting me in my efforts in transfiguring this column is part of a community effort and not just something for my own ego feeding. The contributions I’ve seen by dozens of folks I’ve yet to be able to even mention, let alone do a feature on, are coming about so that we can help you when it comes to being informed as well as inspired. My “partners” in this effort are not the heroes and celebrities some of you envision them as being. Rather, they are very down to earth, hard working and concerned husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers that recognize the need to educate those that have aspirations to become what they are when it truth, you’re already about 75% of the way there.

I guess that brings us to the issues of Passion & Wisdom and how we need to work with that in as a special state of awareness during the 2007 season; considering not just our own welfare in life, but more about what we can do as entertainers and more important, as that “thing” the public perceives us as being due to our “unique talents”: psychics!

When you forget the idea that you are a “magician doing tricks” and look at what you do from the lay-audience’s point of view, a very awesome thing can dawn upon you that is both, frightening and exhilarating at the same time; the realization that even when you post disclaimers everywhere, a large number of folks will still believe you are the real deal!

That my friends is a most amazing position to be in, but with it comes some potent bits of obligation, which brings us to the wisdom behind it all; recognizing this peculiar truth and accepting the fact that you are seen as an “expert” in what you do within your community and market regions. As the local “expert” you must be showing your compassion for your fellow citizens by philanthropically reaching out to the community and freely sharing your knowledge, your experiences and your acquired sense of wisdom around such things.

“Who said I was an expert at anything? I’m just a guy that likes doing mentalism.”

Oh! You obviously missed the fine print… the part that seems to get “misplaced” in our minds, that says (more or less), “Unlike the magician, the Mentalist is ‘on’ at all times; everything we do adds to or detracts from both, the public’s perception of us as well as the psychological dynamics that sustain what it is we do. For no other reason we do not have the luxury our magician cousins have, of being able to pack up ‘the show’ and live a quasi-normal life. No, unlike the magician we can be called upon in a second’s notice to comfort the distraught, to help guide or direct someone dealing with indecision, to render something that feels like hope to those that feel hopeless. We must be there completely within the whole of our invented self, when law enforcement officers seek our expertise in solving a crime or investigating a possible hustle, or when it is discovered that predatory operators are trying to set up shop within your community region, taking advantage of the local youth and seniors. Or worse, they are seeking recruits for one of the larger, more established cult-like operations that slowly encroach upon communities like some sort of subtle cancerous growth.

“Unlike our Magician cousins we live with one foot firmly planted within the auspices of the theater while the other is set firmly in the world of the charlatan; though we are moralistic in attitude and practice, we know the game and some of his (very few in truth) have the balls to play it and play it well; forever trodding that fine line in which we neither admit to nor negate the idea of our being what the public would call ‘the real deal’”.

Many years ago Stephen Minch pointed out, I believe it was in his "Book of Thoth", that few who cross over from the magic side of things and into mentalism have the guts to exploit any and every opportunity that comes along and take credit for the seemingly unexplained sense of manifestation. Stephen referred to this as “Magician’s Guilt” in that it stems from this deluded idea of being a cheat, scoundrel and con-artist is “wrong” and as a “Magician” you cannot allude to the idea that what you do might be real…

Horse Pucky!

Solid mentalism demands an investment of belief and if you as a hobbyist or full time working pro aren’t doing what it takes to sew those little psychological anchors into place that invoke that investment from your patrons, then maybe you need to reconsider why you’re dabbling in this side of the craft. Mentalism ain’t for pansies or the weak of spine!

No, I’m not saying we are to go out and become predators of the public. I am saying however that "old school mentalism", as in that which was done prior to our current era of hype and commercial whoredom, left the audience uncertain and deliberately set into the recesses of their minds just a hint of the fantasy of “what if he/she really is what they seem to be?” Rick Maue refers to this as being a cerebral affect or, as he terms it “Cerebral Magick”.

Sure, you can find some sense of contradiction to this idea and yet, you will see it in the works of Larsen, Boarde, Nelson, Hull and numerous others that wrote on this amazing topic well into the 1980s, that this is how Mentalism was to be done; it wasn’t walking out and doing magic tricks and a bunch of poor acting with the claim of being something you most definitely are not; to open with a classic Chavez styled manipulation act and move directly into Mind Reading and mutilating perfectly innocent flatware is not Mentalism… masturbation, self-will gone out of control (lack of self-discipline and respect to the arts), but it is not “Entertainment” nor is it anything but an insult to both, magic and the mentalist’s worlds.

Mentalism is not the same as magic in that we, as Mentalists have it within our ability to literally start religions… last I checked, no one really believes that assembling Aces or pulling cute little bunnies from top hats fit into the miracle maker mold. Though our prestidigitital cousins are in fact “conjurers” chances of them being seen in the same light as someone who can seemingly cause a star to fall from the sky on cue or divine the secrets of your life by merely touching you upon the shoulder… well, one is just “Magic” while the other is Magick!... that is, within the public’s eye such is the case.

In November of this past year I managed to get into a bit of a row (imagine that… people wanting to gang up and pick on little ole me…) with members of a forum in the UK that is jokingly referred to by some as "The Magic Café-London" in that it has devolved to levels similar pettiness and party games as the top heavy slime pit we all know and love. Nonetheless, one of the members began a rant that other’s of course fed off of: “No one is going to tell me I can’t do this or that trick! I’ll do whatever I please and how I wish!”

And then people wonder why “magicians” are looked down on so readily by both their working fellows and the laity.

The I.Q. level of this particular forum was proven to the world it would seem, as one or two members of its management team ran about other forums here and there trying to expand on the issue and taint my image (forgetting that I honestly could care less in most cases) simply because they and their cronies don’t like hearing the colder, harder facts of life; like spoilt children, they hate the word “NO” But I feel it is far more responsible for those of us that have been there, done that and have more than a few worn-out T-Shirts to show for it to explain to the wannabes and dreamers just where the bear does take his dump in the buckwheat. Not to be “elitist” about it, as I’ve been accused of being, but simply to help the less experienced to avoid the pitfalls and embarrassment they will encounter when they don’t listen and insist on having their cake and eating it too vs. following the paths of least resistance that have been proven to work the best time and time again; Which brings us to just a few more simple points…

One of the key terms associated with the Nine Harmonic 2007 exhibits is community followed with things like compassion, artistic expression , and healing. Terms that are very special to many of us within the deeper regions of the Mentalists & Bizarre Magick worlds because we are in fact, part of a very special and unique community and the majority of us are very deeply compassionate when it comes to the issue of need and in this instance, the need for healing; Healing the rift that has been set within our world that has created limitations and weaknesses when it comes to our ability to be artistically expressive. In other words, there are those like Michael Sibbernsen, Bill Palmer, Borodin, myself and several others, who are pulling back in what we allow “out” and into the hands of the general market. It’s not such a new thing, it has been much the practice within the PEA for decades and I can’t count the number of quiet backroom deals I’ve seen done on methods and systems that will never become a common part of magic world access.

The wannabes of the world think this is wrong. Then again, we have folks in that category that think it should all be free in that we are all part of the same craft and thus, it’s perfectly fine to post material that is not yours to a File Share network and use it as a kind of currency; breaking several laws not to mention the essence of what morality, ethics and honor might imply around such things. But some folks just don’t think WE, the guys that actually work in this business, are being generous enough… yea, another one of those words tied to the 2007 harmonics. The idea however, is for YOU to learn how to be more generous and selfless and in so doing, understand that we can be far more giving and gracious based on your support versus the rampant acts of theft, disrespect and abuse we have seen so rife in magic these past few years and most especially in these forums.

Healing of the community is what we all need to consider as we move into this New Year. We all need to stop worrying about what we want or how to “have it all” and start looking at how to simplify and in so doing, get out of our own way and just possibly create a program, though simple, it’s practical and appreciated. We need to look at the metaphysical idea presented herein and not host venom in our hearts or minds because I’ve deliberately taunted you with ideas of things found in a book that is exceptionally exclusive.. we need to learn to take that deep breath, smile and recognize that such things are “cool” but it is not something we “need”… we just “want” it so we can learn how something works and more importantly, gloat over the fact that we have it… we were one of the fortunate few. But then, not everyone qualifies… not everyone is “worthy” and too, when it comes to material that is as exceptional as found in "Frame of Mind", most will not be responsible enough to understand the dynamics – the psychological impact – this kind of magic can have. Just like Docc Hilford’s "Murder by Mail" so too this material could be and after some three and a half decades in this business, I’ve yet to see any traditional bit of stage magic come even remotely close to similar potential. So think long and hard on that point the next time you want to say that Magic & Mentalism are one in the same thing and how “it’s all just tricks…”

Think about what you regardless what aspect of magic you may study and prefer working in… what is your part in this year of healing and community? How are you going to change in way of attitude and approach when it comes to such issues and correcting the damage that’s been done over the past couple of years, to the whole of this industry?

Happy New Year everyone!

Craig Browning