Strong Magic is a book written by Darwin Ortiz that explores the principles and techniques behind creating strong and effective magic performances. Ortiz, who is a renowned magician and magic consultant, shares his insights and experiences from years of performing and studying magic. In Strong Magic, Ortiz emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology of the audience and the performer. He argues that magic is not just about fooling people, but about creating a meaningful and memorable experience for the spectators. He believes that a strong magic performance should be more than a mere trick; it should tell a story, evoke emotions, and engage the spectators on an intellectual and emotional level. One of the main ideas in Strong Magic is the concept of the Dramatic Arc, which refers to the structure and flow of a magic routine.
Winter Solstice Wiccan Rituals and Traditions
Winter Solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. Solstice marks the start of winter. It is also known as the returning of light. After the shortest day the sun starts to return and slowly but surely with it, the return of warmth and light.
Winter Solstice is December 21st, when the sun moves into Capricorn. Solstice is celebrating the rebirth of the sun and a pivotal point on our seasonal cycle
The Seasonal Cycle of the Year is Created by Earth’s Annual Orbit Around the Sun.
Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest. On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes. We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster around these same natural turning points.
December 21 Solstice/Winter: returning of the light—Kwanzaa (African-American), Soyal (Hopi), Jul (Scandinavian), Cassave/Dreaming (Taino), Chanukah (Jewish), Christmas (Christian), Festival of Hummingbirds (Quecha). Goddess Festivals: Freya (Norse), Lucia (Italy, Sweden), Sarasvati (India).
"The longest night gifts us with time to enter the darkness, fully. We hold our breaths with nature, where life is suspended, waiting in extremis. The stillness behind action gathers as we empty and trust in our renewal. What will you give/lose to the night?"
Oak Chezar © Mother Tongue Ink 2019
The holy days are our soul’s watering holes where we ritually recalibrate ourselves, express our full palette of colours, our innate wholeness, delight and reverence through self-styled ceremonies and celebrations.
They infuse our energy with joy and sublime gratitude, make our chosen actions more potent. They are how we open the weave, bring in all the tender ways of the sacred, give unbroken ancestral connection back to ourselves.
Half of the Earth's quest for regenerative healing takes place in dormancy and darkness. She needs our fallow with the land and trees as much as she needs our activism.
Dark holy days are where we restore our depth, "see" the most far-reaching solutions especially during our bodies' times of heightened consciousness which include menstrual bleeding, giving birth, menopause, Elder age and dying.
One of the main ideas in Strong Magic is the concept of the Dramatic Arc, which refers to the structure and flow of a magic routine. Ortiz argues that a magic performance should follow a narrative structure, with a beginning, middle, and end. He advises magicians to carefully consider the order of their effects, the pace of the routine, and the overall presentation in order to create a compelling and cohesive performance.
2023 Winter Solstice Hibernacula
Rejoice! For the Light is birthed once more, and we discover anew that the body and divinity are made of the same things. There is the breath of the holy across every lip, the kiss of renewal on every brow, the new-birthed cry of awareness in every throat, the fresh taste of wonder on every tongue, the touch of joy beneath each fingertip, rebirthed this day.
In the depths of cave time, when the silver glow of moonshadow and the leaping heartfires of home comfort us, we gather fibers to knit our communities whole.
There may be stripes of uncertainty and patches of pain, long gray stretches and bursts of color, but each of us contributes to the pattern of the World Soul.
Let's give up our notions of too late, never, and not enough time, and let our fingers trail through our lives, gathering experiences of last year and holding them tenderly, both the sweet and the spiky.
Breathe easy. Keep your eyes on those irrepressible silver linings, and keep your hands open. There is much work yet to be done.
Molly Remer © Mother Tongue Ink 2022
from We'Moon 2023 pg 168
Mushroom Magic ¤ Diane Norrie 2020
Another key idea explored in Strong Magic is the concept of naturalness. Ortiz argues that magicians should strive to make their magic routines as natural and believable as possible. He believes that false and exaggerated movements, unnatural patter, and obvious tricks can ruin the credibility of a performance. Instead, he encourages magicians to focus on subtleties, misdirection, and audience management techniques to create the illusion of real magic. Throughout the book, Ortiz provides practical advice and techniques for improving one's magic performance. He discusses the importance of scripting and rehearsing, the effective use of humor, the use of props and gimmicks, and the psychology of spectator management. He also shares anecdotes and examples from his own performances to illustrate the concepts he presents. Overall, Strong Magic is a valuable resource for any magician who wants to create powerful and memorable magic performances. It offers a deep understanding of the psychological and technical aspects of magic, and provides practical techniques and advice for improving one's skill and performance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced magician, Strong Magic offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enhance your magic performances..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Darwin Ortiz: How Strong Magic Continues to Impact the World of Illusion"
1. Emma - 2 stars
As someone who loves magic, I was really disappointed by Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz. While the book claims to provide valuable insights into the art of magic, I found it to be overly complex and overly technical. The author seemed more interested in showing off his knowledge and skills rather than providing practical advice for aspiring magicians. The explanations were convoluted and difficult to follow, and I felt like I needed a PhD in magic just to understand the concepts. Overall, I found the book to be frustrating and not very helpful in enhancing my own magic performances.
2. John - 2 stars
I really wanted to like Strong Magic, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author tried to cram too much information into the book, making it overwhelming and confusing. I found myself getting lost in the technical jargon and complex explanations, which made it difficult to apply the lessons to my own magic performances. Additionally, the book lacked clear examples and illustrations, leaving me struggling to visualize how the techniques should be executed. While it's clear that the author has a deep knowledge of magic, his approach in this book made it inaccessible for beginners like myself.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
Personally, I didn't find Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz to be as groundbreaking as many others claim. The book covers a wide range of topics related to magic, but I felt that it lacked depth in each area. It seemed like the author was just scratching the surface of each concept, leaving me wanting more. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dry and lacking enthusiasm, which made it difficult to stay engaged. While there were some interesting insights scattered throughout the book, overall, I found it to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
4. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for Strong Magic, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to its reputation. The book is filled with lengthy explanations and technical jargon that made it a chore to read. Instead of providing practical advice that can be easily applied by magicians, the author seemed more interested in intellectualizing magic. I found myself losing interest quickly and struggling to gain any useful insights or techniques. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of practicality and the excessive focus on theory in this book.