Psychomagic

Psychomagic can refer to both a kind of entertainment magic and to a therapeutic technique. The two are not related.

Entertainment magic

In stage magic the term is accredited to Chan Canasta by many magicians and mentalists. Canasta was a pioneer in the 1950s and 1960s of mentalism. He explained that the word was a portmanteau of the two words psychology and magic, much like his performances, which are considered by many to be an early form of Psychological Magic.

There are many entertainers and performers who still perform this type of 'mind magic' all over the world, often referring to themselves as psychological entertainers/illusionists or mind magicians. These performers include; Derren Brown, Max Maven, Marc Paul.

Psychotherapy

Psychomagic is also the name of a therapeutic practice used by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The technique is alleged to be useful in psychotherapy. It combines art, Eastern philosophies (particularly Zen Buddhism), mysticism and modern psychotherapy to allegedly heal patients with emotional problems. The principle relies on the belief that the unconscious mind takes a symbolic act as a fact. So a symbolic act could accordingly help solve some types of non rational conflicts. These acts are prescribed by the therapist after having studied the patient's personality and family tree.

References

• Jodorowsky, Alejandro (2010), Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy, Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, ISBN 978-1-59477-336-5.
• Jodorowsky, Alejandro (2001), La danza de la realidad, Madrid: Ediciones Siruela, S.A. ISBN 8478447350.
• Jodorowsky, Alejandro (2005), Psicomagia, Madrid: Ediciones Siruela, S.A. ISBN 8478447806.
• David Britland, Chan Canasta - A Remarkable Man, pub. by Martin Breese

See also

• Alejandro Jodorowsky
• Mentalism
• Psychosomatic illness
• Magical thinking

es:Psicomagia