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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Mayan (by Yves Doumergue) arrived in yesterday's mail. With all of the recent interest in Mayan culture -- the latest Indiana Jones movie, several recent specials on A&E, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, etc., this may be a very good item for the walkaround mentalist or for a reader who works to small groups.
It is best suited for use one on one. The person who is being read is given a nice, plastic wallet-sized card which has 42 symbols, each numbered. Each of these represents a sign of the Mayan Zodiac. The person is asked to find their sign. This involves some very simple calculation that normally won't even require a pocket calculator or even a piece of paper to do the work. The reader does not see the calculations, so he has no idea what the results are. When the person has located their sign, the reader knows exactly what it is, without "fishing," without fumbling around or anything else like that. From this point, the reader has multiple choices. He can do a reading, then reveal the Mayan sign. He can reveal the sign, then do the reading. He could even draw the sign or do a prediction. There is a lot of open territory as far as the way to conclude the reading is concerned. To use this effectively, you should know something about doing readings. MAYAN simply serves as a catalyst and/or a point around which to work the reading. Yves gives some sample lines to use as the basis of the reading, and he also gives some suggestions about where to obtain more information to use in the reading. One of the greatest advantages of this item is that few people know much about the Mayan zodiac, so you can say just about anything you want! Cons -- the print on the folder that contains the card is a bit small for my poor eyesight, but you should be able to read it without any difficulty at all. Because of the nature of the way the sign is determined, it really isn't suitable for large groups -- one on one is the best venue. Neither pro nor con -- the text needs a little work, but I will give him some suggestions, as will all the other reviewers, I think. It's an attractive, interesting item, and it will give you a basis to use for a cold reading. It takes up less space than a Tarot, and is very timely.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
Thank you Bill
I love the pun too. Tony |
Floyd Collins Inner circle Ohio 1633 Posts |
Bill,
I was very happy to see you as one of the reviewers,, as always you look at everything openly. Thanks for the preliminary review.
No one said it would be easy, or did they?
Check out my all new book "Chicken Scratches" visit my lulu store for more information. http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thecenterstage http://www.collinscomedymagic.com |
DrTodd Inner circle 1976 Posts |
This sounds lovely. As one who has a published journal article on the rise and fall of the Mayan city state system (International Studies Quarterly 1999, well before the book by Jared Diamond ), I think Mayan history offers such a rich background for mentalism and bizarre magic. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Bill. Any chance you could point us in the direction of acquiring one?
Cheers Todd |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
It's not for sale yet; however, as soon as Yves has made whatever changes he needs to make, and has a final product, I'd be willing to bet you that he will let you know. His web site is at http://www.magicby.com .
Let me repeat -- it's not for sale yet, but soon will be.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
DrTodd Inner circle 1976 Posts |
That's great. I found his original post and will now bookmark his site!
Cheers Dr T |
Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
MAYAN is a very practical effect for walk around mentalism. The first thing that struck me was how little space this will take up.
Yves has developed some brilliant hi-tech releases in the recent past including Kronos and Psi Key however Mayan is more of a low-tech effect. What you get: It is basically 42 different 'Mayan horoscope signs' printed on a colorful single credit card sized plastic card. It can be carried in your wallet easiy and has no breakable parts or anything to replace. Very practical for those who need instant resetting, low maintenence effects with impact. You also receive 2 pages of instructions. Speaking of impact, this will be largely derived from the cold reading skills of the performer and as Yves so clearly points out, the main thrust of Mayan is to deliver a solid cold reading (see Brad Hendrson's 'The Dance') along with the sure fire 'Mayan horoscope sign' revelation to boot. The instructions that come with Mayan are in very small print, I needed good light to read them. I found that I also had to think about the working a bit before I understood it all. I'm sure Yves wouyld be open to making some minor changes to clarify the instructions. It is a very easy, no brainer effect to perform once you get it. The cold reading requires more skill than getting the sign. Just to be clear the revelation is not of a traditional zodiac sign. Instead of this, it is the revelation of a 'Mayan horoscope sign' as per the ones on the card. There is certainly NO pumping, NO fishing and the sign is revealed with NO questions at all. There are 42 possibilities for the Mayan signs and you can reveal their exact chosen one. For further study I would recommend Charles Gaucci's 'Numerology' or Bill Goldman's 'Brain Waver' and the Cold Reading work of Richard Webster, Ian Rowland and Brad Henderson. It would also help to have an understanding of Mayan culture to embelish the presentation (not necessary for the method). Mayan is a very impresive and practical effect! I look forward to seeing what Yves comes up with next. Cheers, Al Straker
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
MagicMan1957 Inner circle 1445 Posts |
MAYAN by Yves Doumergue - Another Review
As stated by Bill and Al above, you receive instructions and a very convenient hard plastic credit card size Mayan Zodiac chart. This is something you can carry in your wallet at all times and will last forever. The effect itself is best done one on one or possibly for a small group with the group choosing one person for the reading. Obviously this type of material should be done in a calm and quiet environment. Their Mayan Zodiac sign is easily determined by a super simple equation they do themselves. The real beauty in this effect is you hand them the card, give them a few very simple directions and then reveal their Mayan Zodiac sign from a chart of 42 without asking a single question! You can present this as quickly as you want or really take your time and build up the reveal. As always, your presentation is key to making this a stronger effect. Although not necessary at all to perform MAYAN, it would be helpful if the performer has some cold reading experience for a stronger impact. Yves does supply some general cold reading lines in the instructions. I have now done some performances with MAYAN and each time it went over quite well with excellent reactions. MAYAN is compact, easy to perform and can always be in your pocket. This is another excellent effect from Yves Doumergue. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
This is true. As a matter of fact, it is intended simply to be a starting point for a cold reading. If you don't have any cold reading experience, Yves gives you a few suggestions as to where to obtain some basic material.
I think most of us on the forum here know where to get what we need for this.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Smoking Camel Inner circle UK 1039 Posts |
Had posted this elsewhere but just to nmkae it a complete thread with all 7 reviews:
For someone who has delveloped an interest in mayan culture I found this little routine to be really fascinating. To begin with, as Yves himself states, this is best suited for a performance to a small group in an impromptu setting - or as I have found, some time after a close up performance when the inevitable discussion about all things esotric begins to surface. To get the nitty gritty out of the way - The effect comes with a nice set of colour instructions and a small plastic card about the size of a credit card. the instructions are of the highest quality. Ok the english is a tad off but I still found there to be no problem in understanding them. The card itself is wonderfully produced. It contains all of the mayan star signs - the names and what the look like. Again as Yves himself says, it looks like something you would find in a gift shop. I agree with this and no one I have shown this to has questioned it. The routine itself. Effectivley Mayan is a way of telling someone what their sign is with no questions or fishing. Ok there is a tiny bit of maths involved for the spectator but it is far from difficult nor is it out of place. Of course, it wouldnt really make sense to do so without giving a little reading at the same time. For experienced readers this little item can go right into your wallet and is ready to use when the time is right. Having had this for little over a week I have performed it a number of times. What I have found is that the spectators find it to be increadibly interesting. Of course the character reading does what is says on the tin, but its the mayan aspect that gets peoples excited. Anyone experienced in readings will find this to be a nice addition to their arsenal. People who are not experinced in readings will, no doubt, find this an easy way to begin the process of learning. Overall, I really really like this.
I no longer smoke camel cigarettes.
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DrTodd Inner circle 1976 Posts |
I wonder if this could be produced as a deluxe item, aged and on stone, like a proper Mayan Stellae?
Todd |
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Dr. Todd - we think alike (run!!!! run!!!!)
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Yves Doumergue Regular user 112 Posts |
Thanks everyone for taking the time to discover MAYAN. Thanks for taking time to test it in real world.This is really something that matters also.
Matt, Bill,Bob, Al, I'll be very happy to get your suggestions. They are welcome. Todd : Yes I'd be able to engrave it on an aged stone. Unfortunately, you would have to buy a bigger wallet to carry it...(but nothing is out of reach...) Yves
Yves DOUMERGUE.
[email]yves@bluesource.fr[/email] |
Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
Yves PM'd you.
Al
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
DrTodd Inner circle 1976 Posts |
Quote:
Todd : Yes I'd be able to engrave it on an aged stone. Unfortunately, you would have to buy a bigger wallet to carry it...(but nothing is out of reach...) The stellae are over Southern Mexico and Guatemala, and a presentation using an artefact of this nature would be great. I realise that you are shooting for pocket mentalism, but it is worth considering. For a nicely surreal bit of narco-tourism, read Daniel Pinchbeck's 2012, which might have some nice tidbits to enhance the performance of Mayan... Hope it is released soon!!!! |
braunmagic Veteran user 373 Posts |
I would like to start out by thanking Yves for allowing me to be one of the lucky few people who received this for review.
The effect, props, method and instructions are top quality. There is a downside that you should be aware of. I think this tricks begs to be repeated, as everyone is interested in learning their Mayan sign. As soon as you show it to one person they will ask you to show there friend. Not to bust your balls but because people are truly interested in this kind of thing. There in lies the trouble, you either refuse to let this person learn there Mayan sign or you risk the method becoming obvious. This is not something you can perform for a small group, but only 1 and 1 and then you can only perform it once a night. If people start to share info about what Mayan sign they are, you could be on a slippery slope to ohshit land. This could easily be solved by supplying multiple cards and would make the effect a knock out piece of mentalism. I hope Yves thinks about doing this even if it raises the retail price $10-$15 it would be worth the extra cash. All around I think this is a great piece of mentalism as well as a great cold reading tool. But as it stands I think it is best left to someone looking to pick up someone of the opposite sex or if you prefer same sex. The instructions even seem to hint at the fact that this should be used as a pick up ploy. That being said if Yves added a few extra cards I would use this to do private Mayan horoscope readings all night long. I could honestly seeing booking myself to do only this effect. A quaint corner, a small table and a sign reading get you Mayan astrological reading here $20* In closing this effect is super strong but the lack of repeatability weakens it to an okay pick up ploy at best. Just my thoughts, Brent Braun *For entertainment purposes only in no way is Brent Braun, Braunmagic or any of it associates real or implied claiming to have powers that go beyond that of the normal person with a 9th grade education. Mayan Astrology has not been scientifically proven to predict past, Present, or future events. In the event that any of this reading is true or does become true it should be written off as dumb luck or a coincidence. |
Silvio Solaris Inner circle Xtreme Magic 1110 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-09-10 16:52, DrTodd wrote: I agree. Story goes that when you were on an expedition in Mexico....you discovered and entered an ancient Mayan pyramid...while entering a chamber suddenly a secret compartment opened and the (miniature) stone gazed upon you bathed in a gleaming streak of sunlight which entered through a tiny crack in the wall. Next to it was a riddle that you deciphered on how to use the stone wisely before the year 2012. If abused, like picking up girls with it, you will be struck by Moctezumas revenge.
Magical Wishes
Silvio Solaris 'Is all that we see and seem but a dream within a dream?' E.A.Poe |
pegasus Eternal Order United Kingdom 10537 Posts |
[/quote]
I agree. Story goes that when you were on an expedition in Mexico....you discovered and entered an ancient Mayan pyramid...while entering a chamber suddenly a secret compartment opened and the (miniature) stone gazed upon you bathed in a gleaming streak of sunlight which entered through a tiny crack in the wall. Next to it was a riddle that you deciphered on how to use the stone wisely before the year 2012. If abused, like picking up girls with it, you will be struck by Moctezumas revenge. [/quote] HaHaHa, you might get away with that story if you're Harrison Ford. |
niva Inner circle Malta (Europe) 2970 Posts |
This is out of print right? Cannot find it anywhere.
Yours,
Ivan |
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