Billet reading is a mentalist effect in which a performer pretends to read messages sealed inside envelopes by clairvoyance. It is accomplished by having the performer learn one of the answers beforehand, often through a plant, so he or she can read the other messages in advance. The performer then pretends to confirm the message from the plant is in the first unopened envelope with the final envelope actually being the one from the plant. The effect can give the impression of mind reading. Billet reading is usually performed as an entertaining parlor trick by magicians and mentalists. Psychics and mediums often use the trick to demonstrate their alleged supernatural abilities.
Famous quotes containing the word reading:
“After which you led me to water
And bade me drink, which I did, owing to your kindness.
You would not let me out for two days and three nights,
Bringing me books bound in wild thyme and scented wild grasses
As if reading had any interest for me ...”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)