Divination square

The spectator places a pawn on one card among 9 arranged in a square. The magician will play an audio file that anticipated all spectator’s choices.

Tadaki Cadabra
Tadaki Cadabra
Divination square

Presentation:

The spectator places an object / pawn anywhere on one of the 9 squares.

He can only move it in rows or columns (no diagonal movement)

A recording or a written note (or any other medium that cannot be modified by the magician during the trick) will describe a series of movements to be made by the spectator as well as the squares that will be removed by the magician.

The spectator’s final position will have been predicted by the magician’s recording.

Explanation:

The squares can be of any type: playing cards, personalised cards, storytelling, etc…

Depending on his movements, the spectator will be in one of the following zones

  • Zone × : The 4 corners and the central square
  • Zone + : All 4 sides only

An even number of moves will keep the pawn in the same zone while an odd number of moves will always make change between zones.

You explain the rules to the spectator:

  • Move only horizontally or vertically (no diagonal movement)
  • Move only if requested by the magician

The spectator places their pawn in the position he wants.

“Checking” that the spectator has understood the rules also allows you to force him to move to the area of your choice:

  • If you want the spectator to change zone, ask him to move 3 squares.
  • If they are already in the right zone, ask them to move 2 squares.

Then simply ask the spectator to move an even or odd number of squares to control the zone you want them to be in.

You can then turn over/remove the cards that are part of the zone the spectator is not in.

You are free to personalise the trick as you wish: For example, the final square could be a card that has already been drawn by the spectator or the final situation of a story that has been told.

An example of the effect would be to turn over the squares as you go along and then reveal to the spectator the last square that was known in advance (for example, the different back of the final card).

Example

9 playing cards (face up) are placed in a square.

The magician explains the basic rules of movement to the spectator and then starts playing an audio file.

Step Board preview
To simplify the explanations, the squares will be described by letters.
A D G B E H C F I

The spectator places the pawn in position H
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 4 squares

Then the magician turns over the card I (showing a blue back)
X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 1 square

Then the magician turns over the card F (showing a blue back)
X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 3 squares

Then the magician turns over the card A (showing a blue back)
X X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 4 squares

Then the magician turns over the card C (showing a blue back)
X X X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 3 squares

Then the magician turns over the card B (showing a blue back)
X X X X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 2 squares

Then the magician turns over the card H (showing a blue back)
X X X X X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 1 square

Then the magician turns over the card E (showing a blue back)
X X X X X X X
Audio recording requires the spectator a move of 1 square

Then the magician turns over the card D (showing a blue back)
X X X X X X X X

The recording announces that the spectator is on G.

The G card is then turned over, the back of the card is red

The spectator is impressed
X X X X X X X X X

Practice and enjoy 🙂

TC 🪄