Price$27.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedJun 21, 2024
Horrorscope
MR. Darkness
(Based on 1 review)
The Horrorscope method eliminates the need for guessing letters through progressive anagrams, participant reactions, questioning, or using cribs. It removes the requirement to write anything down or keep track of any binary calculations.
This ethereal creation contains essential information about the Zodiac to present you, as an astrological authority. It employs an everyday carry card that conveniently fits in your wallet. Simply present the card, have the participant silently read their Horrorscope, while you mysteriously reveal their Zodiac sign.
Professional Reviews:
"Horrorscope is a highly effective impromptu way to tell someone their sun sign without using anagrams or advance information"
- Richard Webster (Mentalist, Author, Magician, Hypnotist)
"I am impressed and highly recommend your work, a new fan!"
- Millard Longman (Mentalist, Acidus Novus)
"No questions, no fishing, no kidding. It's that good."
- Andrew Gerard (Mentalist, Creator)
"This is one of the most direct star signs reveals that I've ever seen. Zero questions, 100% accuracy, amazing!"
-Marc Paul (UK Mentalist and Lecturer)
"Wonderfully subtle and sure-fire, no way anyone is backtracking this. A rock-solid addition to the lineage of zodiac effects."
- Mark Strivings (Mentalist, Creator of the SUC Wallet)
"Horrorscope is a lovely tool to incorporate a touch of astrology as a way of increasing engagement for walk around or doing readings. People will remember you."
- Todd Robbins (Magician, True Nightmares, Play Dead)
"I've seen different approaches to this idea, this beats them all, cleverly disguised, and deceptive."
- Scott Creasey (Mentalist, Paperwork, Author of MMM)
"Of the previous similar approaches that I've come across, this is probably the most direct. Swift with no questions asked, all in a card that fits in your wallet."
- Nique Tan (Mentalist)
"This is a go anywhere tool that is an immediate way to connect to a spectator. No set up and immediate wow factor."
- Mysterion (The Sentimentalists, AGT Finalist, Fooled Penn & Teller)
"Horrorscope is simple, sure-fire, and most importantly, cunning!
- Kaleb Wade (Frankenstein/Treasure Island Book Tests, Occult ESP)
"A wonderfully direct horoscope divination. A fool proof method which will make you smile."
- Steve Dela (2-Time UK Close Up Magic Champion, Creator)
"Combined with a reading, you have an effect and entire experience for everyone."
- Reese Goodley (Navigator, The Traveler)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
1 overly dramatically named product, 1 plastic zodiac wallet card, 34 pdf pages, $27 and 1 Horrorscope magic review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect
Simply: You divine the spectator's zodiac sign.Specifically: They look at a wallet zodiac card, and read about their sign. They say nothing out loud. They write nothing down. You give a brief reading-ish, and tell the their zodiac sign.
If you're familiar with Paul Carnazzo's effect, Birthright, you'll spot many similarities in effect, and in method.
Method
A combination of learning a "system" and a cleverly designed card. The way they handle the card gives you the information you need. You just have to rely on knowing the system. The system is in two parts. One part is knowing how to interpret the way they handle the card. The other part is being able to remember 4 groups of 3 zodiac signs each their own unit. In other words, you must remember that, for example, Aquarius, Pisces, And Capricorn go together. Here are the four groups (roughly based on the seasons of the northern hemisphere).- Aquarius, Pisces, Capricorn
- Aries, Taurus, Gemini
- Leo, Cancer, Virgo
- Scorpio, Sagittarius, Libra
Learning the system of how to interpret how the participant handles the card is easy. It takes a few minutes of focused reading of the instructions. But once you understand what you've read, that part is super easy and won't easily be forgotten.
But it all relies on you having memorized the four groups above as 3-unit groups. The included pdf teaches a visual mnemonic with brief (2 sentence) stories to help you remember them. However, that system relies on you knowing which symbols are associated with the signs (e.g., crab = Cancer, 2 fish = Pisces, scorpion = Scorpio, etc.).
If you're familiar with the animals and imagery then the included mnemonics will do nicely to help you learn the grouping. However, if you take a look at the groups, and you already do memory work, then you'll likely know if learning the above groups is above your pay grade or not. I think with minimal effort along with a few other things (beside the mnemonics given) in the book, it's well within the grasp of anyone willing to put in the time.
Product Quality
The included wallet card is the exact dimensions of a poker-sized playing card. Same height, width, and thickness. The card is made out of a plastic-ish material. It kind of reminds me of the material used to make those fake credit cards you get in the mail from Capital One, et al. (Yes. I know that's not the exact proper usage of "et al.").Some plastic, when folded in half will break. Others will actually fold and you'll end up with a crease in the card. The zodiac card is the latter. That means it will eventually get a little beat up if kept in your wallet, but I think it will last quite a while. Also, you get replacements for $10.00 if need be.
The instructions included are a 34 page pdf. The first few pages are kind of ridiculously trying to spin some dark and scary tale of the zodiac. It comes across as, well, ridiculous. Mr. Darkness (the author) has his name spelled out like the typical death metal band fonts. After you get past that, you get about 10 pages explaining how the card works and how to interpret the participant's handling of said card. This part is a bit deep to get through, but a large part of it is images, so it's not a lot of text, and after about 15 to 20 minutes, you'll fully understand how the card "works." It's well written and explained quite well, especially considering that's it kind of like writing a tech-manual.
The next 4 or 5 are the short mnemonics. Each page is a large image and a brief "story" to help you remember the 4 different groupings discussed earlier. Again, well-written and well-presented.
The next 6 ish pages are plain text of the actual text found on the pocket card. Then a few pages of scripting and presentational pointers followed by deeper information about the zodiac which takes up the last 10 ish pages of the pdf.
The whole thing is well thought out, and it gives you plenty of information, tips, tricks, ammo, etc. to up the presentational aspect of the prop.
Ad Copy Integrity
Putting aside goofy language like "This ethereal creation . . ." and " . . . cautionary message that not all alignments are harmonious . . . " the ad copy is accurate. It feels like Mr. Darkness is trying to live up to an image (dark and mysterious and creepy, etc.) that isn't quite the right fit for this effect.That said, however, the ad copy is accurate, and the ad trailer is exactly what the effect looks like. It's solid for sure.
Final Thoughts
- Effect: Good. Surprising.
- Method: Solid. Small Learning Curve.
- Product Quality: Excellent.
- Ad Copy Integrity: Cheesy. True.
If you like the effect (and it is as clean as the trailer presents it to be, and if you don't mind putting in a little bit of one-time memory work, you'll be happy you go this.
Again, it's a two-part system. Part one relies on part two. Part one is super easy once you spend a few minutes analyzing that part of the instructions. Part two is the part that will take the memory work. The part where you have to memorize the 4 triples mentioned earlier.
So, again, if you like the effect, and you can see yourself learning the triples, you'll dig this product and be happy with your purchase.
Final Verdict:
4.5 stars with a Stone Status of gem.