Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep within the enchanted forest, there lived a strange old witch. She was known by the villagers as the "Strange witch" due to her peculiar habits and mysterious powers. The Strange witch lived in a small cottage at the edge of the forest, covered in ivy and hidden from view. It was said that she could communicate with animals and had a deep connection with nature. People would often seek her help when they needed a remedy or had a problem that seemed impossible to solve. The Strange witch had an aura of mystery surrounding her, with her long silver hair and piercing green eyes.
I am happy to teach socially distanced lessons in your home or garden. However, what lockdown has taught us is that almost anything’s possible in the virtual world. And magic lessons are no exception. I’m also happy to teach via video link which, of course, means that you don’t have to be local(ish) to me. So, wherever you are, you’ll be able to take advantage of my skills as a world-class magician and an experienced teacher of magic. After that, how much practice you do is up to you, but as a rule of thumb, the more practice you do, the more likely it is that you’ll master a trick well enough to make it look effortless.
If you enjoy your magic lesson and want to continue, we can arrange a block of lessons to help you master the initial tricks and go on to learn many more. If you want to have a look at the magic I do, take a look at my videos on my YouTube channel, and see for yourself the sort of tricks you might be able to learn.
The Strange witch had an aura of mystery surrounding her, with her long silver hair and piercing green eyes. She would often be seen carrying a bundle of herbs and roots, collecting ingredients for her potions and spells. Many believed that she possessed the ability to see into the future and had prophetic dreams.
Train Tracking By Atlas Brookings
If I had to list my top 5 mentalism releases of 2014 then Train Tracking by Atlas Brookings would certainly be in there and very close to the top.
Train Tracking, for anyone who hasn’t heard of it, is a method of being able to reveal a spectator’s thought of word. This can be ANY word, and the word is NEVER written down. It’s about as close to real mindreading as I think you can probably get.
The method for Train Training is printed inside a nicely produced hardbacked book which runs to 175 pages. The method is nothing short of genius but I do have to say that it’s not something you will be doing as soon as you have read the book. This is something that is going to take a lot of work to get right. But, if you put in the effort to learn it properly, you have something that very few other people will be able to do, that is completely unbelievable. Something that can be done at any time, any place with no props at all.
The book is broken down into sections, or tracks as they are referred to in the book. Atlas starts off by explaining how the idea came about, and how it developed into what it now is. This isn’t something that Atlas simply thought of in the middle of the night. This is something that has taken years to develop. Some of the early examples explained are not that difficult to do and are actually very good in themselves. It is advised that each section be read, and learned thoroughly before moving onto the next.
As you progress through the book you learn techniques which help you build up the thought of word, through a series of seemingly innocent questions. The first couple of chapters start of relatively easy, but It does get progressively harder as the the book goes on. I have read the book several times now and I have the first couple of chapters down. I am still working of the final puzzle that completes the method though. I am just about to start reading it again from the beginning. At the end of each section there are diagrams which will help you visually see how each process works. These at first do look a bit complicated but once you have studied them for a while you soon see how they work, and they are actually a real help. A I read each section I found myself smiling when the methods were revealed
As a bonus, at the back of the book, Atlas has included his ‘Wish You Were Here’ routine which is a holiday prediction type effect that is brilliant. The video clip at the bottom is of Steve Haresign (who printed Train Tracking for Atlas) performing own his version of it. It really is a brilliant routine and worth a read.
One thing I really admire about Atlas is that he didn’t print thousands of copies of the book and sell them cheaply. He limited the numbers printed and set the price so only people really interested in it would buy it. If Atlas didn’t know the person who wanted to buy a copy he would find out about them and if he felt that Train Tracking wasn’t for them then he would not sell them a copy. These are the actions of someone who really values his magic.
It is always difficult trying to review and explain something without giving away too much of the method. All I can say is, that if you are lucky enough to have been able to get hold of a copy of this and you are willing to put in the effort it deserves then you will have a real miracle in your arsenal. This is a book to read, absorb and keep in your magic library for ever!
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The best way of starting out is to take magic lessons. If you want to try it out or give a lesson to someone as a gift, you can hire me for 1-2 hours to teach you a few classic magic tricks using cards, coins, ropes and other objects you might have laying around. You could, of course, find a pre-recorded video tutorial and struggle to master things on your own, but learning is far more effective with a tutor on hand to show you the ropes and, crucially, to help you when things go a bit (or a lot) wrong.
Despite her eerie appearance, the Strange witch was kind-hearted and always willing to lend a helping hand. She would cure ailments with her potions, teach the lost art of herbal medicine, and offer guidance to those in need. The villagers respected her and considered her an integral part of their community. However, not everyone trusted the Strange witch. Some believed her powers stemmed from dark magic and accused her of casting curses on unsuspecting victims. These rumors only added to her enigmatic nature, making her an object of fear and fascination. Legend had it that the Strange witch had a hidden room in her cottage, filled with ancient scrolls and spell books. Only the brave dared to venture into this room, seeking knowledge and understanding of the witch's powers. Many left with more questions than answers, forever in awe of the strange witch's abilities. As the years went by, the Strange witch's legend grew, passed down through generations, becoming a beloved and integral part of the village's history and folklore. When she finally passed away, her cottage was transformed into a museum, preserving her legacy and allowing visitors to experience the magic she once possessed. The Strange witch may have been unusual and mysterious, but she was a pillar of wisdom and hope for the villagers. Her presence added to the enchantment of the forest and left a lasting impact on the lives of those who crossed her path. The tale of the Strange witch continues to be told, inspiring others to embrace their eccentricities and explore the world of magic and wonder..
Reviews for "The Strange Witch and the Moon: Lunar Influences on Magic"
- John Doe - 1 star
I found "Strange Witch" to be incredibly boring and confusing. The plot was all over the place and I had a hard time understanding what was going on. The characters were also very one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
- Jane Smith - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Strange Witch" based on the reviews I read, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The writing style was disjointed and hard to follow, making it difficult to engage with the story. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself losing interest before reaching the halfway point. I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't click for me.
- Peter Johnson - 3 stars
While I didn't hate "Strange Witch," I also didn't love it. The story had potential, but it felt underdeveloped and rushed. The world-building was lacking, and I struggled to connect with the fantastical elements. The protagonist was meant to be a strong and empowered witch, but her actions and decisions often left me frustrated. Overall, I think this book had some interesting ideas, but they weren't executed well enough to make it a memorable read.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
"Strange Witch" was a disappointment for me. The characters felt like caricatures, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy and unrealistic. I found it hard to relate to any of the characters or care about their journey. The plot twists were predictable, and the final resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. I had hoped for a thrilling and magical read, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.