by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: February 28, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

Looking for a great way to break the ice at parties? Want to add a little fun at a reunion? Want to mystify your friends and family with just a plain deck of playing cards? Then learn how to tell fortunes. It's all for fun and for entertainment purposes only.

Everybody loves to hear about their futures, whether they tell you or dismiss you. A little card magic (which comes from how the cards are selected) and a little explanation (the future is really created in the mind of the person getting the reading) and your turn as a fortune teller can begin.

IT'S ALL IN THE CARDS All you need is a quiet space and and regular deck of cards. No jokers. If you are at a party try to find a quiet spot like an available side room, kitchen or table. When you are doing your reading, you want to try to be one on one with the other person. There will always be gawkers and naysayers around you, but it seems more mysterious when you are talking low and directly with the other person.

CREATE INITIAL ILLUSION To build up the mood and a little suspense, have the person (we will call the Readee) guess the color of the top card. Either Red or Black. This will create the illusion that they are in tune with the coming fortune being detailed by the cards. If they guess wrong, either stop for a moment or pick someone else from the crowd and have them guess the color of the next top card. If they are correct, have them switch seats with Readee who has guessed wrong.

THE EXPLANATION OF THE CARDS This is the easy part. If the Readees can understand what the cards mean (you will probably have to explain this quite a few times) then they will create their own fortunes and misfortunes in their own mind. It is an easy deception and you do not have to manipulate any of the cards for some magical result. This is easier to learn that any magic card trick. The cards are based on suits and numbers (Royal face cards and Aces mean a higher number). The suits are explained as follows: Hearts mean something you like or you love. Diamonds mean money or good fortune. Clubs mean getting something, but paying a price. (Clubs are best explained that you may have had a great time at a New Year's Eve Party, but a hangover is the price. Or the new dress you bought looks great, until the credit card bill arrives.) And finally Spades, a warning or time to halt or stop what you are doing. The number of the cards is explained as: The higher the card, the more intense the situation or level of happiness (or difficulty)

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