The first time I bought Symbol Minded, way back in the late 1990's, I loved the method and effect, but I was a bit disappointed that the cards were printed on stock that made them difficult to handle -- they had a tendency to "friction-stick" as you spread them.   But later I guess Mark Strivings figured out that this was a problem, because he re-issued the trick with cards printed on an easy-to-handle stock.      This set is one of those later "improved" versions, on that easy-to handle card stock.  

 (So if you see this trick sold elsewhere, make sure to ask whether the cards are easy to handle...  if you get one of the early editions, you will need to spend some extra $$ getting the cards laminated for practical performance use.)

The effect is a strong symbol divination, using a fairly simple method.  But spectators don't know about methods -- only effects.   And when she takes out a random symbol from a "deck" of 32 different symbols (printed on business-sized cards), and then she hides it from everyone's view, and then you instantly can tell her which symbol she is thinking of, it is a strong effect.

Strivings also provides 40 extra cards that have all 32 symbols printed on them, so you can reveal her symbol by circling it, and then give her a souvenir.  (If you use a Swami gimmick, you can "predict" her chosen symbol in advance!)    Put your contact info on the back , and you can get some extra business from handing out this souvenir.  (Strivings also provides a template for having a printer put the symbols on the back of your business card.)

If you are familiar with other symbol deck effects (like Max Maven's Vision Version), you can expand on the simple routine to do more elaborate divinations.

Also, I find that this is one of those rare "good for the kids, too" mentalism effects, because of the very simple, elemental aspects of the symbol designs, and the clarity of the effect.  So although the props are completely appropriate for a grown-up audience, kids can relate to this one as well.

Excellent and memorable mentalism.   And in the better, easy-to-use and easy-to-handle version, with high quality deck of symbol cards.

From new-old dealer inventory, so in unused condition, with original instruction sheet. 

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