The Modern Mystic League
OCTOBER 2025
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
It was a joy to welcome back our good friends Rick and Carol Tynan. Dr Rick, a former student of Applied Biology, began by explaining the rationale behind his ‘Alchemy’ talk, which is aimed largely at Year 11 pupils approaching their GCSE examinations.
His lecture was full of flashes and bangs and scientific experiments, proving Arthur C Clarke’s contention that ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Demonstrations included a hydrostatic glass which threatened to soak Donald the Average (adorned in a fetching shower cap) and a zipper version of the Mobius Strip, known magically as the Afghan Bands. There was also a bit of ‘body magic’, to determine which hand was holding an object and to show how arms could be made to rise involuntarily.
Along the way, we met ancient magicians who had harnessed some of the basic principles of science, such as Heron of Alexandria who, among other things, caused temple doors to open – apparently at the sound of pipes but in fact by employing basic scientific principles unknown to ‘the masses’ at the time. We were also introduced to St Jacques and the Magician Hermogenes – the iconic 1565 painting by Pieter Brugel the Elder which prefigured the illustrations to be found later in Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft.
His lecture was full of flashes and bangs and scientific experiments, proving Arthur C Clarke’s contention that ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Demonstrations included a hydrostatic glass which threatened to soak Donald the Average (adorned in a fetching shower cap) and a zipper version of the Mobius Strip, known magically as the Afghan Bands. There was also a bit of ‘body magic’, to determine which hand was holding an object and to show how arms could be made to rise involuntarily.
Along the way, we met ancient magicians who had harnessed some of the basic principles of science, such as Heron of Alexandria who, among other things, caused temple doors to open – apparently at the sound of pipes but in fact by employing basic scientific principles unknown to ‘the masses’ at the time. We were also introduced to St Jacques and the Magician Hermogenes – the iconic 1565 painting by Pieter Brugel the Elder which prefigured the illustrations to be found later in Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft.
STAR LECTURE
RICK TYNAN PRESENTS:
'ALCHEMY'
RICK TYNAN PRESENTS:
'ALCHEMY'
Defying gravity, Isaac Newton (with ‘Newton’s Nightmare’) and Ernest Rutherford got a look-in, and Rick caused his own head to reduce (and later swell again) by means of the popular optical ‘spinner’ illusion. The linking rings also featured, along with an experiment employing ESP cards.
It was all very entertaining as well as educational, proving Alan Shaxon’s observation that what begins with science ends with magic.
During the afternoon, our newest member, Kay Muray, was presented with her MML certificate by President Paul, and Carl once again produced his legendary feast of pork pies, pickle and cakes.
Brian Lead
It was all very entertaining as well as educational, proving Alan Shaxon’s observation that what begins with science ends with magic.
During the afternoon, our newest member, Kay Muray, was presented with her MML certificate by President Paul, and Carl once again produced his legendary feast of pork pies, pickle and cakes.
Brian Lead