Official Reviewer
Jun 03, 2024
Overview
S Pendulum by Steve Marchello is sold as an ESP divination routine using a pendulum. Unlike most pendulum routines whereby the performer finds a thought of ESP card with a pendulum, in this routine the spectator is holding the pendulum. The premise is not unlike dozens preceding it and this variation (at least for me) doesn’t add much to the many before it.Effect
The performer shows a participant five ESP cards. They are asked to remove the one they want, memorize it and mix it in with the others. As the participant holds the pendulum, the performer brings each ESP under the pendulum to see if is the thought of card. When the thought of card is placed under the pendulum, the pendulum starts to swing in circles.Method
The method involves marked cards and a gimmicked pendulum. When the target card is brought in proximity of the pendulum, the pendulum will move. William Gilbert is credited with discovering and writing about this phenomenon in the 1600’s and it is widely used in the magic and mentalism arenas.Product Quality
What you receive are five marked plastic ESP cards, a pendulum of less than fair quality and a gimmick to affect the pendulum which you wear on your finger. The cards seem to be nicely made however the pendulum looks like it came out of a gumball machine for 25¢. The gimmick which is supposed to be discreet appears oversized for its purpose. The instructional is in either Filipino or Vietnamese (I don’t know which) with English subtitles. The instructional is paced slow enough to read along and watch at the same time but there isn’t much to demonstrate. There are three routines, finding a thought of ESP card, finding a thought of playing card and a which hand effect.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is brief and doesn’t deviate from the actual effect. For its own sake, they should mention three routines are provided but don’t. Final Thoughts
For myself, this didn’t move the needle much for me when it comes to this kind of effect. The standard ways, which have been done over and over again work just fine.
