Can someone please share with me their experiences in performing this on others. How does it go over - what are your opinions on the effect and routine?

Also, what are the similarities/differences to Max Maven's Contimental?

THANKS!!!

Well, one big difference between Contimental and Sign language is that, with Sign you divine a person's zodiac sign, with Contimental, you divine a European country that the specator is thinking of.

s

Max Maven himself also had an astrology sign version, to be found (I think) in his book Thavant, where Contimental first appeared.

T. A. Waters has an astrology sign version in Mind Myth and Magick, Al Smith in England marketed one. The first marketed version was Ray Grismer's "What's My Sign".

However, having read Doug's "Mindsights" I have no doubt his take on this effect would be worthy of study for anyone interested in it.

Paul.

One of the best things about Doug's version is that he has some very well thought out ruses for turning the obligatory misses into hits.

--Andy

MagicalDesignPro asked:
For what it's worth, some of the users' quotes listed on the Website (The Deceptionary) discuss their experiences doing this for various audiences. In fact, there are more than two dozen opinions to be found there, and I encourage anyone interested to peruse them.

Incidentally, Grismer's version was called "What's Your Sign?", though for some reason almost all magicians refer to it as "What's My Sign?"

... Doug

Users of Sign Language who might be interested in a French language modification of same can find it on the Deceptionary Website (it can be accessed from the "information" page). You'll need a password from your copy of the book.

... Doug

I like Gary Kurtz' verison of "What's My Sign". He seems to be able to work it into lots of his routines right were it is needed.

Lee

"Sign Language" is a great effect. However, you can only do it correctly or not at all. Anything less than a "correct" performance results in a real stinko routine. It is not an easy routine to perform correctly. Actually, it can be an easy routine to perform correctly--but only if you really practice and practice and practice until you can do it smoothly. Anything less than perfection, will reveal the method and make you look really dumb.

Another great manuscript by Doug is "Mindsights".

If you memorize and practice Sign Language and two or three of the effects in Mindsights, you will have a great impromptu routine for when you are asked to perform and you have brought nothing with you. (Note, by impromptu, I don't mean it takes no effort or preparation. All of Doug's effects take lots of "preparation"--but that preparation is in the practicing.)

Turk

P.S. here are the URL links for these two Doug Dyment effects:

http://www.oratory.com/mindsights/mindsights.html

http://www.oratory.com/mindsights/signlanguage.html