Hypnognotism Magic Trick

Hypnognotism Magic Trick, This trick, “Hypnognotism,” relies on a series of cleverly disguised visual cues and codes that allow the “medium” to interpret the performer’s gestures as signals to complete various drawing tasks, seemingly without communication. Here’s how it works, broken down into each step and element:

Hypnognotism Magic Trick

Trick Setup and Initial Illusion

1. Blindfold and Hood: The performer introduces a blindfold, a bag or hood made from dark flannel and crape. Although it seems completely opaque to the audience, the crape is actually slightly transparent for the medium, allowing her to see out clearly when a specific setup is applied. To complete the illusion, the performer may briefly test the hood over a flame to prove its supposed opacity. The performer can also place the hood on a spectator, who will vouch for its impenetrability.
2. Transparent Viewing Preparation: When preparing the hood, the crape layer is sewn only halfway around the flannel, creating a space between the two layers. The performer pre-sews this open edge using a thread and bead, which can be easily pulled out on stage to remove the stitching entirely. This allows the medium to lift her head slightly and view the stage through the crape.

Communication Techniques

The performer communicates specific drawings or actions to the medium through subtle physical gestures, mainly using a finger alphabet or code system. This code includes both hand positions and body movements, allowing complex information to be conveyed inconspicuously.

1. Left Hand Gestures:
   • Left hand hanging down: Signals that numbers are coming.
   • Left hand on hip: Indicates letters are being signaled.
   • Left hand on lapel: Signals abbreviations.
2. Right Hand Gestures for Numbers:
   • The right hand plays with the watch chain, which is used as a guide to signal numbers. Each finger position on different areas of the vest corresponds to a digit. This system enables the performer to communicate the specific numbers required for drawing objects with detailed characteristics, such as coins, banknotes, or watch times.
3. Body Movements:
   • Shifting weight from one foot to the other signals the start or end of signaling.
   • A slight shift in weight acts as an unobtrusive way to cue the medium without arousing audience suspicion.

Execution of Drawings

1. Simple Drawings: For basic items (like animals or flowers), the performer indicates the request using a combination of hand and body gestures. The medium, seeing through the crape, interprets these cues and begins drawing the requested object.
2. Composite Drawings: In more complex drawings where multiple audience suggestions are combined (such as landscapes with specific details), the performer gathers each detail from the audience, transmitting each part to the medium using the code system.
3. Color Coding and Mirror Writing:
   • The medium uses different colors to indicate values of coins or banknotes.
   • For text-based requests like names on visiting cards, the medium writes them backward on the glass so they read correctly from the audience’s perspective, playing into the illusion that images appear as “reflections” in her mind.
4. Miscellaneous Requests: The performer can also transmit the face of a clock or the value and number on a banknote using pre-established code sequences, furthering the illusion of mind-reading abilities.

Practice and Performance

Both the performer and medium need to practice thoroughly to seamlessly interpret and transmit the coded signals. Mastery of this routine involves:

• Synchronizing breathing and gestures.
• Practicing the hand and body codes so well that they become second nature.
• Ensuring the medium has clear visibility through the crape without exposing it to the audience.

This trick combines sleight-of-hand, code communication, and visual misdirection to create an impressive illusion that the medium can “see” images and objects through a seemingly impenetrable blindfold.