Psychomagic
Encyclopedia
Psychomagic can refer to both a kind of entertainment magic and to a therapeutic technique. The two are not related.
by many magicians and mentalists. Canasta was a pioneer in the 1950s and 1960s of mentalism
. He explained that the word was a portmanteau of the two words psychology
and magic
, much like his performances, which are considered by many to be an early form of Psychological Magic.
There are many entertainers and performers who still perform this type of 'mind magic' all over the world, often referring to themselves as psychological entertainers/illusionists or mind magicians. These performers include; Derren Brown
, Max Maven
, Marc Paul
, Twig Harper.
. The technique is alleged to be useful in psychotherapy
. It combines art, Eastern philosophies (particularly Zen Buddhism), mysticism
and modern psychotherapy
to allegedly heal patients with emotional problems. The principle relies on the belief that the unconscious mind
takes a symbolic act as a fact. So a symbolic act could accordingly help solve some types of non rational conflicts. These acts are prescribed by the therapist after having studied the patient's personality and family tree
.
Entertainment magic
In stage magic the term is accredited to Chan CanastaChan Canasta
Chan Canasta was a pioneer of mental magic in the 1950s and '60s. Born in Kraków, Poland, he was the son of a Polish-Jewish educator...
by many magicians and mentalists. Canasta was a pioneer in the 1950s and 1960s of mentalism
Mentalism
Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may appear to include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid...
. He explained that the word was a portmanteau of the two words psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and magic
Magical thinking
Magical thinking is causal reasoning that looks for correlation between acts or utterances and certain events. In religion, folk religion, and superstition, the correlation posited is between religious ritual, such as prayer, sacrifice, or the observance of a taboo, and an expected benefit or...
, much like his performances, which are considered by many to be an early form of Psychological Magic.
There are many entertainers and performers who still perform this type of 'mind magic' all over the world, often referring to themselves as psychological entertainers/illusionists or mind magicians. These performers include; Derren Brown
Derren Brown
Derren Victor Brown is a British illusionist, mentalist, painter, writer and sceptic. He is known for his appearances in television specials, stage productions and British television series such as Trick of the Mind and Trick or Treat...
, Max Maven
Max Maven
Max Maven is an American magician and mentalist. He often appears on television magic shows to perform "interactive" mind reading tricks that work for the television audience....
, Marc Paul
Marc Paul
Marc Paul is a UK-based award-winning mentalist and magician.Voted "Best Mind-reader" at the World Magic Awards 1999. This show was filmed in Los Angeles and shown on international television....
, Twig Harper.
Psychotherapy
Psychomagic is also the name of a therapeutic practice used by Alejandro JodorowskyAlejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
. The technique is alleged to be useful in psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
. It combines art, Eastern philosophies (particularly Zen Buddhism), mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
and modern psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
to allegedly heal patients with emotional problems. The principle relies on the belief that the unconscious mind
Unconscious mind
The unconscious mind is a term coined by the 18th century German romantic philosopher Friedrich Schelling and later introduced into English by the poet and essayist Samuel Taylor Coleridge...
takes a symbolic act as a fact. So a symbolic act could accordingly help solve some types of non rational conflicts. These acts are prescribed by the therapist after having studied the patient's personality and family tree
Family tree
A family tree, or pedigree chart, is a chart representing family relationships in a conventional tree structure. The more detailed family trees used in medicine, genealogy, and social work are known as genograms.-Family tree representations:...
.
See also
- Alejandro JodorowskyAlejandro JodorowskyAlejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
- Magical thinkingMagical thinkingMagical thinking is causal reasoning that looks for correlation between acts or utterances and certain events. In religion, folk religion, and superstition, the correlation posited is between religious ritual, such as prayer, sacrifice, or the observance of a taboo, and an expected benefit or...
- MentalismMentalismMentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may appear to include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid...
- Psychosomatic illnessPsychosomatic illnessPsychosomatic medicine is an interdisciplinary medical field studying the relationships of social, psychological, and behavioral factors on bodily processes and well-being in humans and animals...