Satan's Ashes
Satan's Ashes
For parties & small gatherings, this is a startling effect that will long be remembered. Steal into the lavatory at the first opportunity & find a small bar of soap. This prop will make you seem like the Devil's apprentice.
Dampen a corner of the soap. Pull back your sleeve & write the name of a card on your arm just above the wrist. Pick a simple card such as The King of Diamonds so that you have room to write clearly. This will leave a soap film on your arm when it dries. Roll down your sleeve & you're ready for the show.
Your King of Diamonds must be on top of the deck when you're ready to present the effect.
"May I borrow a handkerchief? Thank you."
Shake the handkerchief to show that it is empty.
"Will you place it over the pack please?"
As soon as the deck is under the handkerchief, turn it upside-down, the bottom card facing up.
"Please cut the deck anywhere at all so that we can find a card at random."
As soon as he lifts a portion under the cloth, turn your cards over again, & bring them out front, offering him the top card {push it off with your thumb}.
"This is the card you cut to."
Take the handkerchief from the spectator & remove the cards, turning them the right way as you replace them on the pack. Hand the spectator a small piece of paper {or flash paper - DB}.
"Please write the name of your card on this paper & fold it so we cannot see it." {You will already know he has The King of Diamonds}.
He will return the card to the deck himself. Place the paper in an ashtray {or another demoniacal receptacle} & have someone light it so that it burns to an ash {You may wish to use a dagger}.
"This trick was taught to Me by The Devil Himself."
Pull back your sleeve & pick up the ashes, crumbling it into a powder.
"Please tell us the name of your card."
As he does, rub the ashes on your arm. The soap will pick up the black ash. The name of his card wil be written in black on your arm.
--- From "Magic With Cards" by Frank Garcia & George Shindler / pp.140 & 141.
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As an addition to the preceeding, I recommend dressing up in a black or red robe, &/or cape, or donning a "continental" Satan aesthetic - i.e., top hat, coat-tails, & cane. You may wish to have a skull on the table, with candles there-abouts.
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