The Curse of the Four Sons

"Great Horus, divine falcon,
Judge of the dead, son of Isis,
Send forth your children to weigh the names.
Let flame reveal the cursed."

The Curse of the Four Sons - an Egyptian twist on the classic Dead or Alive test.

Unearthed from the sands of a forgotten tomb, The Curse of the Four Sons invites your audience into a chilling ritual of ancient justice. Using the legendary canopic jars of Imsety, Duamutef, Hapi, and Qebehsenuef, you summon the eye of Horus to reveal the name of a cursed participant.

A name is placed into each jar. Candles are lit. The invocation is spoken.

Then, you wait.

One candle will falter. One name will be revealed.

Even after over a hundred years, the curse prevails.

Inspired by Charles Cameron's "Dead or Alive" test I once witnessed at Doomsday performed by Roni Schachnaey, The Curse of the Four Sons is a chilling two-phase routine that merges timeless old-school bizarre magic with atmospheric storytelling. Set against the backdrop of a doomed 1920s archaeological expedition, the effect allows the performer to divine the name of a cursed individual. Then, it lets the spirits confirm it in fire.

The performance begins with the Obelisk of Judgment, a beautifully aged relic that seemingly reacts to the presence of evil. Using a clever variation on Robert Harbin's classic "Dippy Magnet" principle, you allow the obelisk to mysteriously indicate one name from among the cards — a deeply engaging piece of close-up magic in its own right.

Without revealing the selected card, it is placed inside one of four canopic jars, each representing one of the sons of Horus. The remaining jars receive other names, and a candle is lit in front of each.

Then, the incantation is spoken.

Three candles will flicker. One flame will fail.

The jar that holds the cursed name is revealed — not by sleight of hand, but by ritual and ancient justice.

It is an unforgettable piece for those who walk the line between magic and mystery.

Includes:

• 4 museum-quality canopic jars
• 4 aged candle holders
• 1 ritual Obelisk of Judgement
• 1 snuff candle
• Photographic ephemera and billet templates
• Full performance script