Magic as a Hobby
Why Magic Is a Hobby for Life
When people think about magic, they often picture a stage illusion, a television special, or a magician producing a rabbit from a hat. What many people never discover is that magic is also one of the most rewarding hobbies anyone can take up, whatever their age or background.
At The Order of The Magi, we regularly meet people who first became interested in magic as children, alongside others who only discovered the hobby after retirement. Some members perform professionally, while many simply enjoy learning new skills, meeting like-minded people and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from entertaining friends and family.
Magic is unusual because it combines creativity, practical skill, psychology, performance and lifelong learning in equal measure.
Building confidence, one performance at a time
One of the greatest benefits of learning magic has very little to do with tricks.
For many people, standing in front of others and speaking confidently is one of life’s biggest challenges. Even introducing yourself to a room full of strangers can be daunting.
Magic offers a gentle way to overcome those fears.
Most magical performances begin with just one spectator. As confidence grows, that audience might become a family gathering, a workplace, a social club or eventually a theatre full of people. Each successful performance builds self-belief, helping performers become more comfortable communicating with others.
Many magicians will tell you that they were once painfully shy. Magic gave them a reason to engage with people and, perhaps more importantly, a reason for people to engage with them.
Learning to communicate
A good magician is not simply someone with quick hands.
The best performers know how to tell a story, create suspense, use humour, ask questions and guide an audience’s attention. These are valuable communication skills that can be useful far beyond the world of magic.
Whether speaking to customers, giving presentations at work or simply becoming more confident in everyday conversations, many of the techniques developed through performing magic naturally transfer into daily life.
In fact, experienced performers often say that audiences remember how you made them feel long after they have forgotten exactly what happened.
Keeping the mind active
Learning magic provides a healthy challenge for the brain.
There are routines to remember, presentations to develop and performances to refine. Many magicians also enjoy reading books on psychology, theatre, history and storytelling alongside their practical studies.
Unlike many hobbies, there is always something new to learn.
Even performers with decades of experience continue discovering fresh ideas, improving old favourites and learning from fellow magicians. It is one of the reasons magic remains such a fascinating pursuit throughout life.
A hobby that grows with you
Some hobbies rely on physical fitness or expensive equipment.
Magic can be enjoyed almost anywhere.
A deck of cards, a few coins or even everyday objects can provide countless hours of practice and enjoyment. As interests develop, some people become fascinated by close up magic, others by stage illusion, comedy magic, mentalism, children’s entertainment or the rich history of the art itself.
There is no single path through magic, which means the hobby can evolve as your interests change over the years.
Making lasting friendships
Ask almost any magician what they value most and many will mention the friendships.
Magic has always been a social art. Ideas are shared, performances discussed and experiences exchanged. Watching another magician perform can often be just as inspiring as learning something yourself.
That is why magic societies have played such an important role for well over a century.
Founded in 1909, The Order of The Magi has welcomed generations of magicians from across Manchester, Greater Manchester and beyond. Club evenings bring together experienced professionals, enthusiastic amateurs and complete beginners, all with a shared appreciation for the art of conjuring.
Many lifelong friendships have begun with a simple conversation over a pack of playing cards.
Magic for every generation
One of the pleasures of attending a magic club is seeing different generations learning together.
A younger member may introduce the latest ideas they have discovered, while someone who has been performing for fifty years can share stories and knowledge that cannot be found in books.
Both have something valuable to offer.
Magic has a remarkable ability to bring people together through curiosity, creativity and a shared sense of wonder.
More than entertainment
Although audiences see only the finished performance, magic offers much more than entertainment to those who practise it.
It encourages patience, develops resilience and rewards careful practice. It teaches performers how to think creatively, solve problems and connect with people in memorable ways.
Perhaps that is why so many people who discover magic never really leave it behind.
Whether you are eight or eighty, learning magic can become a lifelong journey of discovery, friendship and personal growth.
If you have a genuine interest in the art of magic, whether you are an experienced performer or someone keen to develop your skills, The Order of The Magi would be pleased to hear from you. Prospective members are welcome to contact the Society to discuss visiting a meeting as a guest and discovering what membership has to offer.
What Happens at a Magic Club? A Look Inside a Magic Society
If you have ever thought about joining a magic club, you have probably wondered what actually goes on behind closed doors.
Is it all top hats and secret handshakes? Is there some sort of magician’s oath? A mysterious initiation? A hidden room beneath Manchester where members gather around candlelight discussing card controls?
Well… not quite.
Despite what some people imagine, joining a magic society is nothing like joining the Freemasons, and sadly rather less like Hogwarts than many of us might secretly hope.
At its heart, a magic club in the UK is simply a place where people with a genuine interest in magic come together to learn, socialise, share ideas, and occasionally fool one another with a magic trick they absolutely insist is “still a work in progress”.
So… what actually happens at a magic club?
The answer is: quite a lot.
At The Order of The Magi, our meetings range from professional magic lectures through to social nights, practical sessions, competitions, fundraising shows, and plenty of opportunities to learn, collaborate, and build friendships with others who share a passion for magic.
A typical year might include:
- Guest lectures from some of the biggest names in magic
- Club nights to perform, practise, and share ideas
- Friendly magic competitions
- Informal “jam nights” where members session together
- Fundraising shows and performances
- Social events including BBQs and our Christmas Party Pub Crawl
- Sales, discussions, and occasional surprises
In short, there is usually something happening for every kind of magician.
Whether your interest is close-up magic, stage illusion, comedy magic, children’s entertainment, mentalism, bizarre magic, escapology, hypnosis, or simply an appreciation for the art, there will almost certainly be someone who shares your enthusiasm.
Do you have to perform?
Not at all.
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about joining a society for magicians.
Some members perform professionally. Others are enthusiastic amateurs. Some have been studying magic for decades but rarely perform at all. And some simply enjoy collecting books, learning about magical history, or discussing methods and presentation.
Nobody is forced to stand up and perform.
Of course, if you want to try material in front of a friendly audience, you will usually find plenty of encouragement and constructive advice from people who genuinely want to help.
Is it all about secrets?
Yes… and no.
Let’s be honest, magicians do enjoy secrets. It comes with the territory.
But if your only interest is discovering “how tricks are done”, you may find joining a magic society a little disappointing.
The real fascination of magic goes far beyond methods.
Presentation, timing, psychology, performance, scripting, audience management, comedy, storytelling, character, misdirection, and even stagecraft often matter far more than the mechanics of a trick itself.
In many ways, the secret is usually the least interesting part.
A good magic society is really about developing an appreciation for the art of magic and sharing ideas with others who genuinely enjoy it.
What happens at The Order of The Magi?
Founded in 1909, The Order of The Magi is one of the oldest magic societies in the world and has been bringing together Manchester magicians for well over a century.
We typically meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at our headquarters:
The Irish World Heritage Centre,
Irish Town Way,
Queens Road,
Cheetham Hill,
Manchester M8 0RY
Across the year, members enjoy a varied programme of lectures, club nights, competitions, social events, fundraising shows, and plenty of opportunities to talk magic with like-minded people.
Some members are full-time professionals, others perform occasionally, and many simply enjoy magic as a fascinating hobby.
The one thing most members have in common is a genuine love of the art.
Thinking of joining a magic club in Manchester?
If you have a genuine interest in magic and would like to meet others who share it, why not come along and experience a meeting for yourself?
Visitors are welcome to selected meetings and lectures by prior arrangement, making it a great way to see what a magic club in Manchester is really like before deciding whether membership is right for you.
Whether you are an experienced performer, a complete beginner, or simply someone with a serious interest in magic, you will always find a warm welcome at The Order of The Magi.
Find out more about membership, and our upcoming lectures & events.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Order of The Magi
Do I have to be a professional magician to join The Order of The Magi?
Not at all. Our members include full-time professionals, part-time performers, hobbyists, collectors, and people with a serious interest in magic. What matters most is a genuine enthusiasm for the art of magic.
I am new to magic. Can beginners join?
Yes. While some members have been involved in magic for many years, others join to learn more and develop their skills. The Order of The Magi welcomes people at different stages of their magical journey, provided they have a genuine interest in magic.
Do I have to perform at meetings?
No. Nobody is required to perform. Some members love getting up to demonstrate routines or ideas, while others prefer to watch, learn, and enjoy the atmosphere. Participation is entirely up to you.
Can I visit before applying for membership?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to selected lectures and meetings by prior arrangement. Visiting is a great way to experience The Order of The Magi and see whether membership is right for you before applying.
When and where does The Order of The Magi meet?
The society usually meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Manchester. Meetings include lectures, club nights, competitions, practical sessions, and social events.
What kind of events do members enjoy?
Alongside our regular magic lectures and club nights, members enjoy competitions, jam nights, fundraising performances, BBQs, our Christmas Party Pub Crawl, Dealers Days, and other social activities throughout the year.
Is The Order of The Magi just about learning secrets?
Not really. While magic naturally involves secrets and methods, most members quickly discover that presentation, psychology, audience engagement, humour, timing, and performance are often far more important than simply knowing how a trick works. If you have a genuine interest in magic, you will find plenty to enjoy. If you are simply looking for secrets, you may find the reality rather different from what you imagined.
How much does membership cost?
We offer several membership categories, including town, country, student, and partner membership options, making joining one of Manchester’s oldest magic societies affordable for a wide range of people.
How do I join The Order of The Magi?
You can apply online through our membership page or download a printable application form. If you are unsure whether membership is right for you, we are always happy to answer questions or arrange a visit to one of our meetings.