Magic by misdirection is a technique often used by magicians to create illusions and deceive their audience. It involves directing the attention of observers to one thing while another, usually the intended trick or manipulation, is happening in a different area. This misdirection is crucial to the success of any magic trick as it distracts the audience from the actual moves and actions being performed by the magician. Misdirection works by exploiting the limitations of human perception and attention. Our brains are naturally inclined to focus on one thing at a time, often missing important details or actions happening in our periphery. Magicians take advantage of this by using various techniques to divert our attention away from their true intentions.
Gunnhild's feast clothing was already spread out on her bunk: a linen dress soft from years of use; a woolen apron-dress, faded and threadbare but woven in a fine diamond pattern; and a pair of tarnished oval brooches with a simple string of beads. All had been handed down to Gunnhild from her older sisters.
Ketil and Ozur had stopped to talk with the Sámi in their language, and Gunnhild heard Ketil s roaring laugh from across the room as the largest of the men clapped him on the back with a grin. She opened it and added the bead Signy had given her to the little pouch full of smooth skipping stones, seashells, and other baubles she d won over time from the Ketilsdottirs.
Magicians take advantage of this by using various techniques to divert our attention away from their true intentions. They may use verbal distractions, such as engaging in witty banter or telling interesting stories, to keep our minds occupied. Additionally, magicians also utilize physical misdirection to direct our gaze and attention elsewhere.
Read an Exclusive Excerpt From Genevieve Gornichec's "The Weaver and the Witch Queen"
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December 14, 2022 by Genevieve GornichecThe national bestselling author of the award-winning novel "The Witch's Heart" (2021), Genevieve Gornichec, delivers another subversive reimagining of Norse mythology in her new novel "The Weaver and The Witch Queen" ($27) — publishing from Ace (an imprint of Penguin Random House) on July 25, 2023.
Like Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology," Gornichec's novels breathe new life into the more obscure characters of myth and history. "The Wall Street Journal"'s Tom Shippey wrote that Gornichec's debut, "The Witch's Heart," "subverts the mythology from inside, knowledgeably and provokingly," detailing the story of a banished witch who fell in love with the trickster god Loki.
In "The Weaver and the Witch Queen," Gornichec crafts another sweeping, feminist tale, this time exploring the powerful bonds of sisterhood — both by blood relation and by sworn blood oath — through a striking new take on the story of the Viking Queen Gunnhild, Mother of Kings.
This excerpt from "The Weaver and the Witch Queen" introduces us to Gunnhild when she was still just a child, long before establishing her legacy as Viking Queen.
A horn sounded across the water in two short bursts.
Upon hearing it, Gunnhild Ozurardottir dropped her spindle and distaff and ran, ignoring the admonishments of the other serving women sitting under the awning, where they'd been spinning all afternoon. They would scold her later, but she cared little.
Her friends were about to arrive. And at such times, she found it hard to care about anything else.
Gunnhild rounded the corner of the longhouse and sprinted up the hill, making for her father's watchman on the eastern side of the island. He was stationed on a small platform overlooking the water and always had a blowing horn on hand.
"One ship!" he called over his shoulder at the other men milling about, not even noticing as Gunnhild hiked up her dress and scrambled up the platform's short ladder. "It's Ketil's!"
Before he could protest, Gunnhild grabbed the horn off its peg and blew it twice. Below, she could hear disappointed noises coming from the children on the ship, and she grinned.
"Oi!" the man said, snatching the horn. "That's only for emergencies!"
"This is an emergency," Gunnhild replied with gravity. She pointed to a dark shape in the water. "As soon as they pass that big rock in the bay, they blow the horn. And if I don't respond before they dock, I owe them a trinket. Two blasts for hello, three for goodbye."
"Aren't you a little old for games, girl?" He hung the horn back where it belonged with an air of reverence.
"Not when I know I can win," Gunnhild said, still grinning. She descended the ladder and ran for the shore, leaving the watchman shaking his head.
As she got closer, she could see Ketil and his son, Vestein, and his men tying up their rowboat at the rickety wooden dock, which would soon be full. Three others disembarked: Ketil's wife, Freydis, and their daughters, Oddny and Signy, whom Gunnhild practically tackled in a hug as she ran up to them. After sighing and shifting the bedroll in her arms, Signy rummaged in her rucksack and handed over a single glass bead, which Gunnhild snatched up with an air of triumph and stuffed into the pouch at her belt.
At twelve years old, Gunnhild was exactly between the sisters in age—Signy a year older, Oddny a year younger—and the girls rarely got to see each other except at gatherings like this, which made the day even sweeter.
"You're too fast," Signy complained as Gunnhild threw an arm around each of her friends and herded them up the hill toward her father's hall.
"Or maybe you're not fast enough," Gunnhild said, "because when I visit you I still always win. I have a collection to prove it."
Oddny, the younger of the two sisters, sniffed and picked at one of the furs rolled up in her bedroll, thin shoulders hunched, her usual pinched expression looking even more so than usual. "It would help if Signy ever paid attention instead of daydreaming all the time."
"Hush, you. I pay attention," Signy said lightly, tossing one of her chestnut-colored braids over her shoulder. Her green eyes were, as always, brimming with mischief. Gunnhild always appreciated that about her: whether it was stealing oatcakes from the cookhouse or pulling a well-timed prank on the farmhands, Signy was always up for a little fun, where Oddny was more likely to sit back and give them a disapproving look from whichever of her chores she was dutifully performing. Oddny wasn't much fun, but at least she never tattled on them.
As they entered the longhouse, Gunnhild saw that preparations were well underway to receive the völva, the wise woman who would soon be visiting. A small, square platform had been raised at the far end of the hall, near her father's high seat, for the witch to use as she performed the ritual to peer into the other world and reveal the future. It sat just under the wooden statues of the gods Odin, Thor, and Frey which loomed from the jutting lintel above the entrance to the antechamber where Gunnhild's family slept.
Gunnhild had never seen her father's hall looking quite like this: buzzing with activity, the air charged with excitement. It felt like a much-needed rainstorm was about to blow through.
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They might make exaggerated gestures or movements, use flashy props or costumes, or create a spectacle that captures our attention. By creating a diversion, magicians are able to perform their tricks or manipulations without arousing suspicion or scrutiny from the audience. One of the most common techniques used in misdirection is called "patter". Patter is the continuous flow of dialogue and actions that the magician presents to the audience. By engaging the audience with conversation, the magician is able to draw their attention away from the mechanics of the trick. This is often used in card tricks, where the magician engages the audience with a story or a game while secretly manipulating and controlling the cards. Another common technique is the use of props or assistants. Magicians frequently incorporate props into their acts, which serve as visual distractions. For example, a magician might use a top hat or a wand, waving it in the air to capture the audience's attention while their other hand performs the trick. Similarly, assistants can be used to divert attention or create confusion. By having multiple people on stage, the magician can create more potential sources of distraction for the audience. In conclusion, misdirection is a fundamental technique used in magic to create illusions and deceive the audience. By skillfully diverting attention and manipulating perception, magicians are able to perform amazing feats that appear impossible. Through a combination of verbal distractions, physical movements, props, and assistants, magicians create an immersive and captivating experience for their audience, leaving them amazed and mystified..
Reviews for "The Magic Within: Unlocking the Secrets of Misdirection"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were predictable and lacked the wow factor that I was expecting. The magician's performance felt lackluster and his patter was unconvincing. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this show.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I can't express how much I disliked "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were so simple and poorly executed. It was obvious to me how the magician was performing his tricks, and I felt like I could have done a better job myself. The entire show was a letdown, and I regretted attending.
3. David - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic by Misdirection", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The tricks were repetitive and lacking in creativity. The magician's stage presence was also underwhelming, and I found myself getting bored halfway through the show. It was a disappointing experience overall.
4. Rachel - 1 star - "Magic by Misdirection" was a complete disaster. The magician seemed to fumble through his tricks, and I could see all the moves he was making. It was evident that he lacked the skill and practice necessary to deliver a truly impressive performance. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone.
5. Mark - 2 stars - I regretted attending "Magic by Misdirection". The tricks were basic and easily figured out, which took away all the excitement. The magician's personality also seemed bland, and his attempts at humor fell flat. I was bored throughout the entire show and left feeling unsatisfied.