From Shaman to Showman

Earlier this month, I attended the Centenary Convention of the Australian Society of Magicians. This convention has reignited my passion for performing magic, albeit in a different direction.

The amazing Jeff McBride used the phrase 'from shaman to showman' several times during his performances and lecture. The shaman, or medicine man, used to perform a central function in prehistoric and primal cultures and incorporated the philosopher, healer and entertainer. In contemporary culture, these functions have, however, been separated and the philosopher, healer and entertainer are different people and the magician usually only functions as the entertainer, working for children, performing close-up in restaurants or more traditional stage acts.

Performing magic can be a powerful experience for the spectator as well as the magician and is, in McBride's words, a 'mood altering device'. Experiencing well crafted magic releases positive chemicals in the brain and magic becomes, following Eugene Burger, a way of transcending the human condition, even if it is only for a fleeting moment. In this way the magician becomes a healer.

The magician becomes philosopher by providing meaningful context to the magical experience. The philosophy expressed by performing magic is not about providing a solution to the life's problems. In magical thinking the world is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be experienced. By providing the spectator with a sense of mystery, magicians can integrate the philosopher back into their performances.

Unfortunately, most magic has not elevated itself from triviality and remains a fringe form of entertainment. Magicians try to provide people with puzzles to solve, rather than with mysteries to absorb. Hearing Eugene Burger and Jeff McBride speak and seeing them in action has greatly inspired me to attempt to attempt to create some meaningful magic, combining my passion for philosophy, skill in magic and knowledge of psychology.