The Yule Totem

This folk-art style totem sits happily among your Christmas décor, but don’t be fooled: it’s far more than a carved ornament. The Totem decides who’s been good, and who’s due a visit from Krampus.

Simple to perform, visually striking, and designed as this year’s Studio Christmas Market feature piece, the routine is intentionally straightforward — a perfect slice of winter wonderment, and a brutally effective deterrent for any misbehaving child.

Every copy also includes a free copy of The Deck of Souls which consists of 30 vintage photographs -  a grim gallery of sorry-looking children, hollow-eyed, with winter-worn faces that look as though they've already crossed paths with the Krampus.

Printed in an antique style, these cards are poker-sized with a textured finish, making them perfect for sleights, shuffles and smooth handling during performance.

The Effect

Give a child (or a willing volunteer) the Deck of Souls and ask them look at the children, especially noting the best-behaved and the naughtiest.

The cards are mixed and placed face down.

The Totem is then held over each card, and the judgment begins.

Using a clever variation on Robert Harbin’s classic “Dippy Magnet” principle, the Totem mysteriously identifies:

• One “Nice” name, chosen from the entire spread

• One “Naughty” name, revealed with equal authority

The performer never needs to touch the cards during the revelation. The Totem does the work — or, as the tale goes, Krampus & Santa Claus do.

You will receive:

• The Naughty or Nice Totem

• Gimmick

• The Deck of Souls

• Routine & handling instructions

Dimensions - H 16cm