A term used by sleight-of-hand performers to describe the phenomenon that something in black tends to disappear when placed against a black background and physical dimensionality tends to flatten out. For example, a conjuror can make himself seem to disappear by jumping behind a black panel in front of a black background, the action covered by a flash of light or smoke. This is now enhanced through the use of ultraviolet or black lights. Although rarely used as a full act, it is a popular technique in Prague. Fradulent mediums often used this technique to make things appear or disappear in dimly-lit séance rooms.
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Sandra Kynes, author of several books, including The Herb Gardener's Essential Guide, Plant Magic, and the new Witches' Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, among many others.
Although a few old books...