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MIND GAMES
Suggestion, prediction and influence games that mess with expectations
1 OF 5 THIS SESSION• RANDOMLY SELECTED
YOUR TRICK
THE MIND CONTROL PENDULUM
Make a borrowed ring move in different directions without consciously moving it.
01
WHAT THEY SEE
A ring hanging from a thread, chain or necklace begins to swing forwards, backwards and in circles while the participant insists they are keeping their hand still. The eerie part is that the movement seems to follow the imagined direction rather than a deliberate command.
02
WHAT YOU SAY
Hold the chain between finger and thumb and let the ring hang completely free.
Keep your hand as still as you comfortably can.
Now imagine a straight line running from you towards me. Do not deliberately move the ring — just picture it beginning to swing along that line.
That’s it. Notice the tiniest movement and let it become a little clearer.
Now forget the straight line and imagine a slow circle instead... round and round.
Good. And now imagine the circle stopping completely.
Watch what your hand does when your imagination changes.
03
HOW TO DO IT
- Use a light pendulum, necklace, key on thread or borrowed ring on a chain. The weight should hang freely with enough length to swing.
- Have the participant support their elbow if possible so the arm stays comfortable and small muscular movements are easier to see.
- Ask them to hold the chain lightly between finger and thumb and look at the hanging object rather than at you.
- Start with one simple imagined direction, such as forwards and backwards. Tell them specifically not to make it happen deliberately.
- Wait. Tiny unconscious movements in the fingers and hand usually begin to amplify into a visible swing.
- The moment you see movement, reinforce what is already happening: ‘That’s it — let it become clearer.’
- Once the first direction is established, ask them to imagine a different direction such as a circle and allow time for the swing to change.
- Finish by asking them to imagine the pendulum becoming completely still, then lower the hand and relax.
04
MAKE IT LOOK RIDICULOUSLY GOOD
THE SHOWMAN’S EDGE
01Borrow the ring or necklace if you can. An ordinary personal object makes the effect feel much less like a prepared trick.
02Do not touch their hand once the pendulum is hanging. The lack of contact is part of the mystery.
03Ask everyone to watch the pendulum, not the participant’s fingers. The tiny ideomotor movements are then much less noticeable.
04When the direction begins to change, reduce your talking. The visual change is stronger than another paragraph of explanation.
05Use a different imagined direction only after the first one is obvious. Trying to change too early weakens the effect.
06For the final stop, become very still yourself and lower your voice. The contrast makes the stopping point feel deliberate.
07Do not claim supernatural mind control afterwards. Let the participant enjoy the strange feeling and move on.
Keep the arm supported and comfortable. Stop if the hand, wrist or shoulder becomes tired or strained.
SAFE • RESPECTFUL • SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE