Going Up!

Effect: Two tumblers are suspended from a newspaper balanced on a magic wand.

Secret: Bend a paper clip around your magic wand to form a U shape. Tape the wire to a newspaper. The newspaper is shown and then folded into a long flat tube. The secret wire should be on the side of the newspaper nearest to you. Place the newspaper across two tumblers, making sure that each prong of the wire goes into the tumblers. Place your wand between the tumblers and lift it towards the newspapers. The newspaper will be lifted – but so will the tumblers.

Sticky Wand

Effect: This effect is similar to "Palm the Wand" but takes a little more practice to do it correctly.

Secret: A combination of holding the wand or pencil in different ways will give the impression that it has become magnetised and is sticking to your fingers magically.

Presentation: Hold the wand between your hands (see figure 1). Lift one thumb (see figure 2). The audience will still think that your other thumb is holding the wand. Then lift the second thumb (see figure 3). They will be amazed! Study figures 4 and 5 and you will see how the trick is achieved. Carefully interlace your fingers so that one is folded inside your palms (see figure 4). The wand is held behind this hidden finger (see figure 4). Pull your hands apart quickly and let the wand fall when the trick is over.

Reverse Loops

Effect: A cord, coiled around a magic wand or pencil and tied through a ring, is pulled free of the wand and yet the ring remains securely tied.

Secret: As you wind on the cord, you secretly reverse the direction.

Props: A magic wand or pencil, a ring and a length of cord.

Preparation: Practise coiling the cord around the wand until you can do it without hesitation.

Presentation: Take the cord and wind it around the magic wand in one direction for the loops then stop as if counting the loops with the first finger of the hand that is holding the wand. Leave the tip of the finger on the wand, just past the third loop (see illustration). Then add three more loops but in the reverse direction. Practise this carefully and try to get the ends of the cords to hang down about the same lengths. Cover all of the loops with your free hand, now have someone tie a ring to the two loose ends of the cord. As you say a magic word, have him pull straight down and the cord will come free from the wand.

Palm The Wand

Effect: To prove that you have magical powers, place the wand or pencil across the top of the palm of one hand, with the back of the hand towards the audience. Slowly open your fingers and the wand apparently sticks to the hand as if magnetised (see figure 1).

Secret: Grip your wrist with your other hand (see figure 2). Unbeknown to your audience, your right index finger is holding the wand. Don't ever let the audience see the way you hold the wand.

Rubber Wand

Effect: The magician's solid wand or pencil seems to turn to soft rubber. On command, it turns solid again.

Secret: Hold the wand horizontally in front of you between thumb and forefinger about a third of the way from the end. By moving your hand up and down in short quick moves, the wand will seem to become flexible and appear as if it were made of rubber (see illustration). This is an excellent optical illusion.

Presentation: Tap the wand on something to show that it is solid. Say the magic word and now demonstrate that it is wobbly and flexible. Another magic word and it turns solid again.

Appearing Wand

Effect: From a small purse you produce a large solid magic wand or pencil.

Secret: Obtain a small money purse and cut a small hole at the bottom.

Presentation: Have the wand partly up your sleeve and the other end inside the purse, through the hole. Show the purse, then open it and slowly pull out the large wand. This impressive illusion should be practiced in front of a mirror. It is a real fooler and worth the extra trouble in obtaining a suitable purse.

Wand Power

Effect: The magician makes some mysterious passes around a wand or pencil which uncannily starts to move on its own.

Secret: The magician secretly blows on the wand, which causes it to roll.

Props: Use a wand or pencil. A smooth, firm surface is essential.

Preparation: Practice blowing toward the wand gently and secretly.

Presentation: Lay the wand on the table and very slowly trace circles around the outside of the wand with a finger. Then, as you move the finger away, the wand seems to follow. You claim to have created a static field that pulls plastic like a magnet. The trick is that as you draw the finger away from you and from the wand, you blow gently on the wand. The audience is so busy watching the movement of the finger, they won't notice that you are blowing towards the wand, which causes it to roll easily on the flat surface.