The Guru of Mentalism:
Meet the Incomparable Richard Webster
by P. Craig Browning

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Long before the present day proliferation of Mentalism came to the fore, things were much more quiet and, as has been said by others, one would be hard pressed to find more than 200 full-time mentalists on the planet. For the most part, the magic community was still obsessing over the latest in Steinmeyer or Woodbury contributions and of course street-styled performance was still seen as we worked quietly in order to cover the rent instead of it being an actual vocational goal (as some seem to envision it to be now days). We are talking about the good ol' days of the 1970s and early 80s and what would be known as the birth of the New Age Movement, a period of time in which metaphysical-based spirituality and “consciousness” was in vogue and aggressively challenging the auspices of traditional religion. In the mind of some, it was the reprise of the 19th century Spiritualist and Theosophy movements with a new coat of white-wash set around it and to others still, it was pure opportunity!

The “visionaries” of that era included many names we are all at least semi-familiar with, but two in particular really stand out: Brian Flora and Richard Webster, contemporaries who seemed to transform the whole of late-20th century Mentalism by lending to it a sense of memory based on where it originally came from and blending that truth with then present-day factors – the income needs of the professional mentalist and market demand.

I personally know of no other source in the late-20th and early-21st century that has been as gracious and prolific as these two gentlemen. Aside from the writings of the late Robert Nelson, all others pale starkly when set side-by-side with Richard Webster. Not only has he given us over two dozen solid titles to pull from when it comes to “making it” in the Psychic Entertainment field, he is a renown author on numerous other subjects and one of the New Age culture’s more recognized authorities, a matter that has caused him reason for both, celebration as well as grief; elements within the magic and even mentalists communities being rather unforgiving when it comes to such alliances, with many equating Richard’s work to charlatanism.

Then again, a lot of these opinions are being expressed as the result of personal ignorance and misunderstanding as to what the "old school" mentalists did and didn’t do as well as the biased agenda of certain cynical orders that simply want the world to not believe in anything but science and man’s own ego. There could be however, another reason for the sense of “slight” toward Richard and his contributions: the fact that nearly half of the tomes he’s composed over the years, show directly how to build a career as an expert, free and clear of all the headaches attached to conventional show biz.

Some would have you believe that the only reason anyone does Home Psi Parties and Readings is because they simply cannot get “legitimate” work in the commercial sector. Though I will fully acknowledge the fact that the majority of us are by nature, lazy as hell when it comes to doing what needs to be done for the sake of carnal glory and obtainment, I am likewise aware of the fact that some of us choose to do lower profile work because it’s convenient, fits our personal circumstances in life, it’s fun for us and most important, we can actually mold our schedules so as to fit our needs and desires. In many ways it is a Bohemian lifestyle in which a very lackadaisical attitude can be maintained. Individuals like Richard Webster, Brian Flora, Mark Strivings and Ron Martin recognized this truth long ago and in so doing, lent to this industry tools by which we could live our dreams – have our cake and eat it too, so to speak.

Though several of Richard’s books deal with the art of cold reading, don’t let that limit your perspective. Richard’s books "How To Make Money Giving Free Talks", "Using Your Intuitve Edge For Fun And Profit", and even "King of the Small Towns" reveal to you alternatives that still allow you the Psychic Entertainer’s advantage and the creation of a public image that is of our being an “expert” but there are now suggestions of boogiemen, personal readings or any of that other muckety-muck.

There are individuals, many of whom you have probably heard of, that have been using these known of techniques for decades now and in so doing garnering annual six-figure incomes while living the good life, free of the headaches of constant travel, agents, club owners, etc. But likewise they have learned how to blend the conventional routes of business practice (marketing) with Richard and Brian’s “softer” modes of thought.

Richard offers many anecdotal tales in his various books about the frustrated magician that can’t afford to attend a convention or lecture due to the lack of income and yet he reveals how, with exceptionally little effort, the psychic entertainer is capable of pulling in that extra money almost at the drop of a hat, his insights revealing the nuts and bolts of our reality when it comes to the average Jack or Jill attempting to walk this particular path.

Call me suspicious, but I almost believe that many of Richard’s detractors simply don’t want anyone to know about this time proven money making methods: what better way to keep a secret than to cast aspersion? Granted, the whole “morality” issue comes into play for some, especially those of you that have been “programmed” by the biases of those experienced personalities who’ve put forth information in a manner that is deliberately biased and designed to detour you and even keep you fearful – ignorant – of the older aspect of true mentalism and the crux of being a Psychic Entertainer.

Larceny and corruption can be cultivated out of any system; it all depends upon the individual and their own moral code. Being a Reader is not the lowliest of jobs though some see it as being “beneath” them. Viciously, I could belittle their position simply by pointing out that most who negate the value of the Reader’s art and skill, as well as their position in this craft, do so as a matter of misdirection. That is to say, they can’t, for one reason or another (typically, magician’s guilt) do effective Readings, let alone make a living at it. Too, there is a legitimate fact that some folks simply can’t justify it within their own sense of ethics. That’s perfectly fine… for them! It is not so for everyone, nor is everyone that does Reading work a thief, liar, or scam artist… or a “loser” as has been suggested.

However, that is not the issue…. not directly.

It has been the contributions of people like Richard Webster, Robert Nelson, and many others -- far too many for me to list but nearly all are “old timers” -- that come from the philosophy and perspectives of Mentalism as it was vs. the poorly white-washed veneer it has become in recent years (the past ten in particular). It’s almost reminiscent of the old Minstrel Revues and how, as the American black community progressed along social lines, that part of their past was carefully swept to the side and buried beneath a rotting rug. Our contemporaries striving to conceal if not obliterate the essence of what Mentalism was, where it came from and how it was originally presented (and I do mean free of disclaimers!) rarely, if ever, pointing the young and curious to resources that are as solid and sound (not to mention proven) as what was given to us through the likes of Richard Webster and Brian Flora so long ago.

For about what you would pay for one of those new marketing books that everyone’s been raving about, you could have most all of Richard Websters books listed below and with that more than sufficient information for building a career, a business enterprise that can, with little effort, net a solid six-digit income annually if you but apply yourself a little. That is the trick to all of them though, be it a $35.00 book from Richard or a $350.00 book from some used car salesman that’s reworded Dale Carnegie so as to meet the greed and desire of the up-start magician: we do have to apply ourselves at our craft on the business side if we are to get anywhere.

Yes, I do realize I’m endorsing the “competition” given the recent release of my own marketing manual. I’m even pointing you in the direction of materials that are, technically speaking, less expensive than my own current offering. Know however, that my "two-cents worth" both mirrors and expands upon what Richard has so freely shared with our community for the past three or so decades. This article is simply my way of thanking him for his amazing sense of grace, honor, and genuine integrity. Though I’ve never met Richard face to face I do see him as being one of my mentors – one of the more influential personalities in my life and how I look at this trade. Between he and Bob Cassidy there is absolutely no reason for anyone to “fail” in this art if they really want to make it.

Catch you next year!

Craig Browning