Soulmate Sorcery
I’ve just published the latest edition of Tricks, Tricks & More Tricks in Marty’s Magic Ruseletter (my monthly magic newsletter for amateur and professional magicians). In it, I share new trick tutorials, all based on soulmates—a concept that most people believe in. According to a widely cited 2011 poll, 73% of the American public believes in soulmates.1 You might assume that women are more inclined to believe in the concept of “One True Love”, but that’s not the case, according to the data; 74% of men believe in soulmates, compared with 71% of women. In addition, 80% of those under 30 believe, compared with roughly 65% of those in their senior years (over 65).
However, more recent polls, such as one conducted by YouGov in 2021, tend to show a slight dip in overall belief (to around 60%) and a return to the more traditional split, with women slightly more likely to believe (64%) than men (55%).2
Another fascinating survey shows that, while single people are more sceptical, being in a romantic partnership often “reactivates” a person’s belief in soulmates.3
Because of the strong public interest in the topic, it makes an excellent way to frame a romantic card trick.
π Read Tricks, Tricks & More Tricks #4: Soulmate Sorcery ❤
Unsurprisingly, divorced and single individuals are the least likely to believe (dropping to roughly 50%)! Even so, this still makes a soulmate-themed card trick particularly resonate with modern audiences, even if people don’t believe in soulmates.
From the Devil to Dating: 13 New Romantic Card Tricks for Your Repertoire! πΏπ₯°
I decided to concentrate on this theme because it would provide a good contrast with the previous article in the column (see Tricks, Tricks & More Tricks #3: Satanic Sorcery). However, although the tricks differ dramatically in theme, the methods used are very similar, taking advantage of the Count-Back Force, the Principle of Nine, the Swindle Shuffle, and the Under-Down and Down-Under Deals.
This is a massive instalment featuring thirteen new romantic routines designed specifically for couples. Whether you are a professional magician looking for feature material for weddings and anniversaries, or a hobbyist wanting to perform an extraordinary miracle for friends in love, this collection has something for you.
Why Focus on “Soulmate Sorcery”?
All of these presentations were inspired by “Soul Mates” in Magic for Dummies by David Pogue (see page 200). This was one of the first magic books I read as a youngster. “Soul Mates” is a romantic redressing of Karl Fulves’ “Gemini Twins” and the presentation framing the brainchild of Jon Racherbaumer (1940-2024).
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| Magic for Dummies by David Pogue. Image Credit: Magic for Dummies. |
Wedding magic is a major market for professional magicians, particularly here in the UK. However, performing for the bride and groom requires a different approach from your standard card set. You need magic that resonates emotionally, involves both partners, and leaves them with a lasting memory—and maybe even a souvenir—they will cherish forever. A moment of pure magic created just for them.
The routines in this collection move away from “pick a card, any card” and toward cartomancy, “love rituals”, and “compatibility tests”. While the themes are deep and meaningful, the methods are surprisingly easy and accessible, making them perfect for beginners. By removing the need for knuckle-busting sleights, you are free to focus entirely on making a deep connection with your audience.
While the method is an essential element of any trick (e.g., it must be deceptive), in this case, it is secondary to the story: two soulmates finding each other against all odds. This story takes several simple, self-working card tricks and turns them into a profound experience about destiny, fate and connection.
What’s Inside?
I’ve framed the various mathematical methods in several interesting ways: as an interactive demonstration of Chinese numerology, as a “Love ritual” to prove a “cosmic connection” between a couple, and as a nostalgic childhood game, e.g., “she loves me... she loves me not...”. One is even inspired by a pop song!
Here’s a list of the new tricks included in this edition of Tricks, Tricks & More Tricks (the links will take you straight to the tutorial for each trick):
- Surefire Soulmates - This is a paid subscriber-exclusive. It uses a thirty-two-card Piquet pack. A couple locates a matching King and a Queen using a randomly selected number. The presentation was inspired by Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser. π©❤π¨
- Soulmate Synchronicity - This is my handling of “Double Disclosure” by Karl Fulves. It’s a very deceptive coincidence effect in which a couple locate the King and Queen of Hearts in a shuffled and cut deck. π
- The Joker and the Queen - Another romantic coincidence effect using the Count-Back Force with a surprise kicker ending. Inspired by the romantic ballad of the same name by Ed Sheeran! ππ
- Australian Dating Service - An easy yet highly effective version of Hofzinser’s Royal Marriages plot. π¦πΊ
- Soulmail - A two-phase card routine with a romantic theme using the Si Stebbins stack and an envelope. π
- Date of Destiny - A playful, humorous and romantic card routine for couples using a “save-the-date” prediction in an envelope. The date of a couple’s anniversary (or engagement) is used to locate the King and Queen of Hearts in a thoroughly shuffled deck. π π
- Wedding in Wonderland - A romantic location and Royal Flush production effect inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. π
- Loved Eightfold - A poetic packet trick based on the eight ancient Greek types of love. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
- Soulmates in the Snow - A combination of Karl Fulves’ “Gemini Twins” and Dean Dill’s classic card routine, “Blizzard”. π°π€΅π¨
- Snowblind ❄ - A streamlined, packet-trick variation of Dean Dill’s classic effect, “Blizzard”, designed specifically for couples.
- Star Sign Soulmates - A highly personalised romantic routine that uses a couple’s own zodiac signs to “program” a packet of cards, creating a seemingly impossible coincidence. ♈♉♊♋♌♍♎♏♐♑♒♓
- Lucky in Glove - A sophisticated parlour routine that transforms a mathematical principle into a romantic “test of love”. By using a Piquet pack, a pair of dice and a glove purportedly owned by the legendary Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser, you invite a couple to channel the magical spirit of the “Father of Modern Card Magic”. π§€ππ²π²π²
- Raffle of Romance - An engaging and interactive routine designed to be the centrepiece of a wedding performance. It uses a tombola (riffle tickets), a “love token deck”, and a beautifully wrapped wedding gift (as a novel prediction). π
But Wait... There’s More!
If this still isn’t enough romantic card magic for you, here’s a reminder of some of the other soulmate-inspired tricks I’ve published recently:
- Paradox of Love - This is another paid subscriber-exclusive.
- Sixpence Ceremony - A romantic approach to “Will the Cards Match?” by Larry Becker, using silver sixpence pieces, perfect for a performance for a couple, or at a wedding or engagement party. ππ°π»π€΅π»π
- Split Soul Theory - A romantic retelling of Hofzinser’s Royal Marriages plot that blends Greek mythology, psychology, and poetic symbolism to explore whether two hearts might truly share one soul. πππ
- Red Thread of Fate - A romantic routine using a red string and a small packet of blank cards explicitly designed for couples.
- Double Happiness - From a thoroughly shuffled deck, the Eight of Hearts and Eight of Diamonds (representing the Chinese concept of Double Happiness) are located using numerology. The presentation centres on a “Hangbao”, a red Chinese lucky envelope. π§§ε
That’s a total of eighteen new tricks to learn (if you haven’t read any of these articles already)! So, make yourself a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate (maybe accompanied by a mince pie) and dig into these routines.
π Read Tricks, Tricks & More Tricks #4: Soulmate Sorcery
A Special Holiday Offer
While plenty of my magic is available for free (I do wonder if I’m being too generous!), paid subscribers to Marty’s Magic Ruseletter gain access to exclusive routines I have been refining for some time.
In this issue, paid subscribers unlock Surefire Soulmates and Split Soul Theory. You’ll also get direct access to all the hidden trick tutorials on this blog (seventy-one and counting).
To celebrate the release of this mammoth article (and the festive season), I am offering a 25% discount on annual subscriptions until the end of December.
π Festive Discount: Get 25% Off!
If you want to expand your romantic magic repertoire and ensure you are ready for the 2026 wedding season, now is the perfect time to join. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! ππ₯³
Yours Magically,
Marty
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