Sep 21, 2016

Oracle Review: Mystic Pyramid



I received this fun little gem from US Games last week. The Mystic Pyramid is the new millennium's version of the classic fortune telling Magic 8 Ball we all enjoyed as kids. There's no shaking or flipping over required with the Mystic Pyramid. You simply place it on a flat surface, ask your question, and gently press down. Then sit back and watch the magic. The four edges of the pyramid light up (blue), and an omnipotent male voice delivers your answer.

My kids and I have had a lot of fun playing with it. At first we asked reasonable questions.

Q: Is tomorrow going to be a great day?
A:Embrace your bliss.

Q: Will June be extra magical for me?
A:Accept life's gifts with gratitude.

Q: Will we successfully move within two months?
A: Be prepared to be dazzled.

Then we got a little silly:

Q: Will I marry NFL Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez?
A: Things are not going well.  (LOL!!!  Love it!)

Q: Will the Jets win the next Super Bowl?
A: Get ready to celebrate your achievement. (Though an appropriate sounding answer, this did not turn out to be true.)

But my favorite question so far was asked by my 7 year old daughter:

Q: Will I be lonely with a bunch of cats when I grow up?
A: Happiness is on the horizon. (To which she responded excitedly: "Yay!!! Cause that's my dream!")

There are over 100 programmed responses, with 50 of them being positive messages. Which leaves slightly over 50 messages which are negative or neutral. But the negative ones always crack us up, so it's not a downer or anything. Here are a few more sample messages from the Mystic Pyramid:
  • Your hard work is about to pay off.
  • All the elements seem to be in your favor.
  • Dedicate yourself to your greatest goal.
  • More work needs to be done.
  • The outcome has not yet been determined.
  • Seek an answer at a later time.
  • You'll have to wait for answers.
  • The outcome is not what you hope for.
  • It's your turn to celebrate.
  • It's not in the cards.
  • It may not be in the cards.
  • A difficult situation is about to improve.
  • The outcome will surpass your expectations.
  • Your voice of hope has been heard.
  • Major obstacles stand in the way.
  • Nothing is standing in your way.
  • Ill winds are blowing.
  • Revisit the issue at a later time.
  • Embark on a new path with confidence.
  • It will get worse before it gets better.
  • Your difficulties will soon be over.
  • Seize the opportunity at hand.
  • Your fate is still unclear.
  • You will receive all you deserve.
  • The outcome is doubtful.
There is no on/off switch... the pyramid conveniently turns itself off when not in use.  It requires 3 AA batteries, which are included.

The Mystic Pyramid has been a big hit in our household. Though I'll always have a special place in my nostalgic heart for the classic Magic 8 Ball I adored as a kid, the Mystic Pyramid offers a great many more potential outcomes, and it's pretty groovy that it actually answers  you in voice!

2016 Update: Recently my daughter was alone in the garage, where the Mystic Pyramid sits on a table, far from where she was sitting. Out of the blue, it spoke: "You will receive all you deserve." She freaked out and ran into the house. Something must have fallen on it, or the batteries were glitching out or something, but that was a pretty hilarious scare she had. And while that particular message could be taken as a positive or a negative, having it spoken when it wasn't even pressed, and when she was all alone in the room, it came across as very ominous!

Product Update: As of this update in 2016, it appears that US Games is no longer carrying this item.

This oracle review was originally published on my previous blog (Tarot Dame) on 6/3/11.