The Alchemists Square

The book contains a complete reading

system in it’s own right (this is to be much
expanded upon in a future AM release). The
‘Little Book’ is also intended to be used as a
‘back-room sales book’. You have our
permission to print off and sell as many
copies of this to sell at what ever price you
decide upon. (PDF’s is included in the
download folder).
3. A set of 20 cards to get you started. You will
notice that there are two designs.

First of all let me thank you for supporting my work

and purchasing The Alchemists Square.
The first design is the standard one that
This is my retake on the much maligned Magic
depicts the force number nine.
Square. Originally an ancient talisman depicting the
relationship of frequencies in sacred energy, it seems
to me nothing short of criminal that the ‘effect’ has
been reduced to an annoying demonstration of the
magicians superior skills of calculus.
The Alchemist Square is an attempt to redress this
and bring back the magic.

What you get:

In your set you will receive:
1. The Performers manual. This will detail the
two alternative performance routines. The The second card is made to look a little subtler - it
first one is designed for a quick and simple has the numbers from the traditional Durer Magic
single reading, the second describes a full Square. The idea here is that you circle the number
twelve card reading that can be used in a nine prior to performance. This makes it look a little
more formal setting. less pre-printed. Play with them and see which one
you like best.
2. ‘The Little Book of Number’. This is used
during performance and as an aide-memoire.
 You will also notice that there is a small You will notice that there is a ‘magic slate’
space under the image. This can have in a pocket made by the last page being taped
multiple uses. For example, a summery of to the back of the pad. There are two easy-to-
the reading, your contact details (and for grip lugs stuck onto the magic slate. So the
those familiar with the Kadar system) a slate slides in and out real easily.
‘Practical Affirmation’.
In performance, you open the pad so that a
The aim of the performance is to hand these single page lays over the back pocket, then
out with each reading. The download folder you hand this to the sitter and ask her to
contains the graphics for back and front of think about ‘what is on her mind’, or what
both cards, as well as for the twelve card question she would like answered etc. You
reading and many other variants. These are then ask her to simplify her thoughts into a
given to you in two formats; jpg ( easier to few words and write these clearly and boldly
print off at home) and pdf (preferred by on the paper. You then ask her to rip the page
online printing companies). I strongly urge out, scrunch it into a ball and hold it in her
you to get a batch made up with either a local first as you perform the reading (this makes
printer or an online service. The cards are logical sense in the performance - as you will
formatted to standard postcard size to make see, as you are ‘reading’ the energy that
this easier, and it is both cheap and less comes from her hand - the one holding the
hassle to get a batch made up. paper). You take the pad from her and secure
it with the band (do not allow the sitter to do
You can purchase more sets by contacting this, or it may inadvertently reveal the
me on the MOON (or email: gimmick).
alchemytalk@[Link]) - but really, you
will pay more in postage that it would cost Have the lid of the box propped up, so that it
you to get them printed locally. forms a cover.
4. Wooden display card on easel. This is really Then simply move the pad behind the cover
just for display purposes - with the box and a of the box lid - feel for the lugs (keep your
few cards spread it forms a sort of mini-stage eyes on the sitter) and pull the slate out,
on the table you are working at. However, depositing it hidden in the box.
the back of the card has a helpful crib-sheet.
You can of course hold the card so that the Continue the move and simply deposit the
sitter reads the ‘poem’ as you read the crib. still closed pad on the table, the other side of
However, this is not very convenient. Again, the box. This should all be done in one fluid
the file for this is in the download folder - so move. From the sitters point of view, all you
you can have a copy of the crib sheet printed have done is taken the the pad from her (as
and just leave it lying in the box, if you need far as she is concerned, it is empty) - secured
it. it and tossed it down on the table. It is of no
consequence to her.
5. The Moonskin Peek Wallet. This item is not
needed for the performance. However, it is a Hint, do not look down into the box
effective way of getting additional immediately, give it a beat or two, then you
information, so that you can focus the can glance down (perhaps as you are
reading around the sitters current concerns. retrieving the card from the box for the
reading. You will have all of the time in the
How does it work? world to look at what she wrote.
I will be uploading a short video onto the One note - if you have used impression pads
Alchemy Moon forum in the users section: before, this will all be second nature and you
will be pleased about the logic of this pad
[Link] and how innocuous it is in performance.
[Link]/board/70/alchemists-
square If you have not used an impression pad
before, I suggest you practice with is first, as
However, it’s use is simplicity itself. you need to be confident with you audience
management so that the sitter does not
 inadvertently dislodges the gimmick as she However, like most AM products, our aim is that
handles the pad. the routine helps to develop aspects of your own
performance. The real value of this routine is to be
You may think that the wooden ‘lugs’ are too found in the depths of the performance manual, and
big and will be spotted by the sitter. This is there is plenty of useful information that you should
not the case, she is not expecting a magic digest and use in the extended notes.
trick and will assume that it is part of the
design - in reality, she will not even think The Quickstart routine can be downloaded direct
this far. The lugs could have been made here.
smaller, but for me, ease of handling is more
important. In performance I want things easy [Link]
and do not want to be fumbling around.
Download Folder.
Also, I would familiarise yourself and reach
a point of confidence in the actual routine (so This is pretty important as it contains all of the files
that performance is automatic) before that you need.
bringing the pad into play. It is a nice piece
of seasoning, but not the main meal. At first this may seem like a bewildering amount of
files. This is for two reasons. First all of the files are
Replacing the pads. Like the cards, the pads uploaded in both jpg and pdf format, so you can
will get used up pretty soon. Replacement choose which format suites you the best. Again jpg
sets will be available from the MOON. is easier for home printing, pdf best for commercial
However, if you look at the pads printing.
construction, it is stupidly simple. So again,
you will save yourself a lot of money by The second reason is that I want to put a few
simply making your own replacements. My variants of the card up there so that you can play
local printer made me a whole box of these around and see which design card suits you the best.
for just a few pounds. The magic slate
gimmick is also very simple to make and You will find a folder with the quickstart cards, the
should also serve you for many, many one card routine and the full twelve card routine.
performances before it will need to be You will also find the pfd of the ‘Little Book of
replaced. Number’. If you are a professional performer, you
should get a stock of these printed up, as they have
the possibility of earning you a substantial amount
Quickstart Guide. of cash. If you are thinking of doing this and would
like to have your contact details printed in the book,
Both suggested performances are simple enough, contact me and I will do this for you.
and even a amateur will have no problems
There is also a addendum document in the download
understanding the mechanics.
folder (or there will be, it may still be ‘under
However, I have also included a ‘quick-start’ guide construction’ at the time you read this). This is not
so that you can get your head around the basic only to correct any remaining typos - but more
mechanics in what will be no more than a few importantly. It will contain additional information,
minutes. ideas and routines over time. (As if you did not have
enough!). If the secret forum for the Alchemists
Remember, this is a very basic version, and one Sqaure takes off, and users start posting ideas (there
should only use it as a step up to the full routine. is already some fine content from the playtesters up
there) - then this will be added to the book. So this
However, it does have its own uses. I carry around a document will organically grow over time - or at
wallet full of the quickstart cards (files in the least this is my hope.
download folder) - then I am always ready to do a
very speed version of the Alchemists Square in an There is a handy text file in each folder to explain
informal setting. You should do the same! what you will find there - I would read this first.
Performing the basic routine in the quickstart guide, The download folder can be found here:
or performing either of the full routines in a basic
manner makes few demands on the performer. [Link]
Keep your eye on the forum. genuine review posted on one of the forums not only
helps us, but helps others who want an informed
[Link] view from another user.
[Link]/board/70/alchemists-square
It is also totally fascinating for me to hear of your
The Password is: melancholy experiences with any of the MOON’s artefacts.

…for many reasons. If you have any question, I A Shout-Out for the
would prefer you post them here, as your question
may be shared with other users
UNDERGROUND.
You will also have the chance to chat, meet and Alchemy Moon is much more than a shop - this has
share experiences with other users. always been so. We like to think that we are doing
something for the community and the art, beyond
It is my hope that users will start contributing their selling you stuff.
own ideas and content (which will eventually make
it to the ‘addemdum’ book. If this happens, I will As part of this strategy, we have opened The
share more ideas of my own. UNDERGROUND to people on the mailing list and
to all of our customers.
You can join in the fun here:
Feedback [Link]
[Link]/board/85/underground
…is valued; more than you would think. As a
creator, it is essential to have feedback from users, The password is: shadowmen
how else can one grow as a creator?
At the moment, we have a very small, but beautiful
Reviews. group discussing some exciting ideas and topics that
are of real importance to the serious performer.
Alchemy Moon has a strict policy of not paying for
reviews, or of not making false accounts to ‘bump’ This small but dedicated band has already provided
threads on forums. We do this out of respect for our a lot of genuinely interesting content.
customers. Every review of every AM product is
100% genuine. No one wants to read hype by My concern is that these few will not be able to
suspect reviewers. It does not lead to the customer sustain this level of commitment. Join us, and not
having an informed opinion of the product that they only will the project become more viable, but you
are about to spend (what could be a substantial will gain a lot from the experience too.
amount) of cash on. Personally, I am very suspicious If we are to evolve the art, we all have a part to play.
of dealers who hype their wares without and genuine
reviews. As intelligent people, you will feel the
same way.
Finally
However, this policy costs us - a lot.
Thank you again for buying The Alchemists Square.
If we went into the game of creating false accounts We hope that you not only enjoy performing it, but
and promising ‘sweeteners’ in exchange for positive also appreciate the ‘sub-text’ of what we are
reviews and bumping threads, we would have more attempting to achieve with this project and with the
‘heat’ on our products, and we would make far more MOON in general.
money for our efforts than we do.
For the sake of our integrity and from respect for
our customers, the policy stands. Regards
However, if you like this product, you would be Christopher J Gould
helping us out immeasurably by getting the word
out. This in turn makes the whole operation more
feasible for us, as most of the time, profits barely
cover costs. We are not touting for hype here, but a