Every color tells a story—yours is about to be revealed!
Here’s a routine you can use if you have one of Iarvel’s Mental Cubes and like the colors option (rather than numbers, ESP symbols, etc.) — it adds a set of cards (the PDF file has a “Print Your Own Props” section) and a way to make this something other than “guess the color.” I think this presentation can create a real connection between you and the volunteer, making this more than just a “trick.”
While it requires the Mental Cube prop, take a look at it even if you don’t have one — it could spark an idea for use with another prop. Experiment!
The Color Cards
The front of the six cards have three keywords each. The back of each card has a color. When you are using them during the effect, don’t flash the colored backs, just focus on the faces — it doesn’t matter if your audience sees the different keywords on each.
You’ll use the card that matches the color that is sent to the receiver. I just always keep my cards in order from Red to White, but I’ve also marked the faces in case they get mixed up. Take a look at the lower-right corner of the card…
There’s a letter for the color of the card, as well as a number, so you shouldn’t ever pick the wrong card by accident.
Presentation
You can get into this routine pretty organically, because when you see somebody wearing a really bright piece of clothing or jewelry, it’s natural to comment on it.
“I’m really fascinated by colors. Each one feels like it has its own personality, almost like it holds a piece of who we are. Have you ever noticed how certain colors just speak to you? I think, deep down, we’re all drawn to a color that captures something true about us. Let’s dive into that together.”
Then, as you bring out the cube:
“On each side of this cube is a color, each with its own unique energy. Don’t think too hard about it—just look at the cube and “feel” the energy of each color. When you’re ready, choose the color that feels most ‘you’ right now — it might not even be what you think is usually your favorite color — then place it with that color face up on your hand and cover it with your other hand, and keep that color’s energy in mind. I’m going to turn away from you so I don’t see what you’ve chosen. Tell me when you’ve done that.”
This intro frames the color choice as a kind of personality exploration, setting the stage for the reading while making the color selection feel meaningful. When they tell you they have chosen a color and covered it, and you have “received” their choice, turn back around and bring out the cards…
“Just like one of the colors spoke to you, one of these cards will speak to me.”
Look through the cards until you find the one you need. Maybe hem and haw over a couple of them before finally settling on one.
“Yes, this is the one that’s drawing me to it, and it’s telling me something about you…”
Based on the color that was transmitted to you, you’ll choose one of the keywords on the card and then use that to give a quick one or two sentence reading — what you can say for the reading is shown below. (If you think you have to memorize everything, don’t worry, I have you covered with a section about that later.)
After the reading…
“That’s what I’m seeing about you. Those things are typically found in someone who chooses [name the color and turn the card over to show the color]. Show me, which color did you choose?”
They show the color and everybody bursts into applause and asks if they can buy you a drink.
What Do I Say For The Reading?
Following are short readings (one or two sentences) for each of the keywords on the color cards. Most of the time you’ll only be using one keyword, but sometimes, depending on how the person responds, I might also use one of the other keywords from that same card.
The mini-readings are written in a style that may not match your performing style, so feel free to rewrite them or just paraphrase — get the meaning out and call it good.
Red
Keywords: Passion, Power, Burnout
Passion: “You have a fire within that drives you toward your goals with intense focus. Your passion inspires those around you and keeps you moving forward, even in challenging times.”
Power: “You possess a natural strength and authority that others admire and respect. With your ability to take charge, you’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
Burnout: “You’re someone who puts your all into everything you do, but remember to take care of yourself along the way. A little rest can help you reignite your energy and come back even stronger.”
Yellow
Keywords: Intellect, Creativity, Thought
Intellect: “Your sharp mind allows you to see patterns and solutions that others might miss. Your intelligence helps you approach life with clarity and insight.”
Creativity: “You have a unique ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas. Your creativity adds a special touch to everything you do, making you stand out.”
Thought: “You’re someone who puts careful consideration into your decisions, always weighing the options. Your thoughtfulness brings wisdom and balance to your life and those around you.”
Green
Keywords: Stability, (Slow) Growth, Work
Stability: “You bring a steady and grounded energy to any situation, providing a sense of calm and reassurance. People rely on your consistency and strength during uncertain times.”
Growth (Slow): “Your progress may be gradual, but it’s steady and built on a strong foundation. Patience and persistence will ensure that your efforts lead to lasting success.”
Work: “You have a dedicated work ethic that allows you to tackle any challenge with determination. Your focus and commitment ensure that you always move closer to your goals.”
Blue
Keywords: Freedom, Change, Laid Back
Freedom: “You have a strong sense of independence and thrive when you’re able to make your own choices. Your free spirit encourages you to explore life without limitations.”
Change: “You’re open to new experiences and see change as a natural part of life. Your ability to embrace the unknown leads you to exciting opportunities for growth.”
Laid Back: “Your calm and easygoing nature helps you take things as they come, reducing stress for yourself and others. You have a gift for keeping things in perspective, allowing you to enjoy life’s moments.”
Purple
Keywords: Intuition, Mystery, Vision
Intuition: “You have a natural ability to sense things beyond what’s visible, guiding you with an inner knowing. Trusting your gut often leads you to the right path.”
Mystery: “There’s an air of intrigue about you, and you tend to see things in a deeper, more enigmatic way. People are drawn to the sense of wonder and the unknown that surrounds you.”
Vision: “You have a clear sense of where you’re headed, able to envision possibilities that others might overlook. Your forward-thinking mindset helps you create a bright future.”
White
Keywords: Acceptance, Composure, Balanced
Acceptance: “You have a calm acceptance of life’s ups and downs, allowing things to come and go without clinging too tightly. This ability to let go helps you find peace in situations that others might struggle with.”
Composure: “Your balanced and steady mindset keeps you composed, even in the face of challenges. You maintain a sense of calm that others admire, allowing you to approach life with grace.”
Balance: “You have a unique ability to remain impartial and see situations from a balanced perspective. This detachment helps you make clear, unbiased decisions without getting swept up in emotions.”
Do I Really Have To Memorize All That?!
Spoiler alert: No.
Here’s the secret — you have a brain and at least some life experience, so if you were asked what someone who was creative was like, you’d be able to say. Or someone who seems like they have a balanced life, etc. The reading you’re giving them is, in general, a description of that keyword as it applies to a person.
You do NOT need to memorize the keywords for each color, because the cards act as a cheat sheet, or crib, right out in the open. You will know the color, so that means you will know which card to use — and you can choose any one of the three keywords from that card that you like.
And then you tell the person you’re reading what that means for them. And you make it good, so if Laid Back is the keyword, don’t say something like, “You’re always laying on the couch and never want to go anywhere and do anything.” It may be true, but it’s not what anybody wants to hear. 😉
Have I memorized all 18 of the readings? Nope. Here’s what I’ve done…
I read each one more than once, and really thought about how it applies to the keyword. And then, when I’m doing a reading, I just wing it. I can see the keyword, I know what it means, I’ve read the sample reading, so I can pretty easily give them a version of the “real” reading.
One thing you could do is memorize just ONE of the keyword readings for each card and then always choose that keyword. Pretend to be undecided about which keyword at first, then settle on the one you’ve memorized.
Misc Stuff
There have been times when the person chooses a color on the Mental Cube and I get NOTHING from the receiver. Zip, nada, nothing. The last time that happened I asked them to turn the cube over so their chosen color was face down, thinking that I’d then get the opposite color and would be able to figure out their chosen color, but still NOTHING came to the receiver. 🙁
What do I do in that case? I just pick any color I want and give them a reading based on that, and then don’t say I knew the color. I’d end with…
“That’s what I’m seeing about you. Show me, which color did you choose? Yes, perfect, I thought you looked like the kind of person that yellow would speak to.”
If you look at the presentation, it’s all about colors and what they say about us — I never tell someone, “Let me show you a trick about colors” or “I’ll guess which color you have chosen” and that’s by design. I don’t need them to know where we’re going to end up, they can be surprised.
If it turns out that my connection with the cube is blocked somehow, I’ve still done what I talked about — being drawn to colors that say something about us.
And if I just happened to use a keyword from the card that matches their chosen color, I can turn it over after they reveal the cube.
Finale
If you are doing this routine for someone with others watching, don’t be surprised if others pipe up after you’ve done it and want to try — people love getting readings (more than you think). If you want to do it again, just ask them to choose a color that hasn’t been chosen yet in that session, that way you can give a different reading.
I hope you enjoy using this presentation. If you’ve never given any kinds of readings before, this is an easy way to get into them.
Professional Cards
If you’re interested in buying professionally printed cards they are available from a “print on demand” company using the link below.
They are poker-card sized and printed on the same paper used in major trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering. It is a 12pt 320gsm black-core matte card stock. They are printed double sided with rounded corners.
Each pack comes with three sets of six cards, just so you don’t have to worry about crunching one. 🙂
