If we regard either hand closely, we notice that the surface of the fingers and palms consists of elevations, depressions and lines. The ancients gave these different formations separate names to which they attached certain meanings.

For the purpose of divination the science of palmistry is of great importance, because it is these selfsame lines and elevations in the palm which betray the character and disposition of its possessor. The old notion that they also disclose his future has been discarded by modern authorities.

The lines on the palm remain unchangeable and irremovable. This has been often proved in the cases where through accident the palm happened to become disfigured; even where the entire skin came off, it was observed that these delicately indented lines which seemed to be only in the superficial layer of the skin were in reality indelibly stamped into the tissues of the hand, and the new skin bore them in the same manner.

The Line of Life and the Line of Fate are the only ones to undergo any change, and they are also the lines which, though unable to hint the future, clearly show the earliest past and the direction which the possessor should pursue. But despite some pretensions to the effect, it is impossible to tell whether the objects sought for will be reached. When it is desired to do that the other lines which are unchangeable must be called to assistance. For instance, if the Line of Character is strong and well defined, the palmist assumes that the object will be accomplished, and vice versa. As may be seen, this method is one of probabilities rather than positive truths.

The chief value of palm-reading consists in the helpful suggestions which it offers to the conscientious psychic in his efforts to unravel the future of his client.

Principal Lines of the Palm and Their Meaning

1. The Line of Life, which begins over the ball of the palm, may with equal reason be called the line of the heart, because it furnishes the skillful palmist with information concerning the heart as well as concerning long life. If this line is long, firm, continuous, it indicates continued good health and a strong heart. It shows cheerfulness and old age. If the line is discontinued, cut transversely with short lines, interrupted with small indentions, spots and warts, and in addition has a pale color, it signifies poor health and heart trouble. If the line is weak and thin at the beginning, but grows stronger toward the end, it means that its possessor is not healthy in his youth, but will acquire robust health as he grows older. If the line begins firmly and then tapers off toward the end, just the opposite meaning is to be deduced.

If the Line of Life issues a branch opposite the index finger and pointing to it, it presages honor and riches for the possessor.

2. The Line of Fate or Fortune, so called because its peculiar formation holds the secret of the possessor’s fortune, which secret may be disclosed only by the skillful palmist—runs from the wrist toward the fingers. If the line begins at the ball of the palm, it signifies success in love and a rich marriage. But if it begins toward the end of the hand, it signifies success in one’s journeys and in foreign countries. Should the line reach the first joint of the middle finger, it signifies good results, but at the same time it also betrays greed and selfishness.

If little twigs issue from the main line they indicate riches and legacies, according to the number of the twigs; while departing branches, on the other hand, show poverty and sometimes imprisonment.

A skillful palmist does not have to see the actual hand in order to give a correct reading. An impression of the palm on a sheet of smoked paper, which is afterward covered with oil in order to retain the impression, shows him the main line with sufficient distinctness to enable him to give a correct reading.

The Shape and Length of the Phalanges

represent certain qualities and features of character, as presented in the following:

Jupiter, the first finger.—If the first phalanx is longer than the second, it indicates ability to control others, direct and maintain order; if the second phalanx is long and well developed, it indicates leadership; if short and thin, intellectual weakness; if the third phalanx is long, it indicates love of power in material things.

Saturn, second finger.—If the first phalanx is longer than the second, it indicates ability for mastering scientific subjects; if the second phalanx is long, it indicates great interest in subjects requiring deep study; if the third phalanx is long, it indicates a love of metaphysics and money.

Sun, third finger.—If the first phalanx is longer than the second, it indicates love of the arts; if the second phalanx is long, it indicates success and love of riches; if the third phalanx is thick, it indicates an inherited talent for the arts.

Mercury, fourth finger.—If the first phalanx is longer than the second, it indicates a taste for and love of research; if the second phalanx is long and well developed, it indicates industrious habits; if the third phalanx is long and fat, it indicates a desire for the comforts of life.

The following points, upon which the science of Palmistry is based explain its mysteries, and will be found very interesting, amusing and instructive.

Form of the Hand

Hands are classed in seven types:

1. The Elementary or Bilious Hand, indicating brutal instinct instead of reason as the governing power of the character.

2. The Square or Jupiter Hand, indicating a practical, stubborn, methodical and conventional character; one apt to be suspicious of strangers and radical in views.

3. The Spatulate or Nervous Hand, so named because of its imagined resemblance to a spatula. It is broad at the base of the fingers, and indicates great energy and push to discover; also courage and fearlessness.

4. The Philosophic or Venus Hand has a long, thin, muscular palm, with long fingers; indicates a student of nature and searcher after truth.

5. The Mercury or Artistic Hand indicates quick temper, impulsiveness; a character that is light-hearted, gay and charitable, today; and tomorrow, sad, tearful and uncharitable.

6. The Lunar or Idealistic Hand indicates an extremely sensitive nature.

7. The Harmonic or Solar Hand indicates a character of great versatility, brilliant in conversation, and an adept in diplomacy.

Character from the Shape of a Hand and Fingers

The shape of the fingers is frequently a correct indication of the character of the individual, and taken in connection with the lines of the palm they serve as a forecast of the person’s life in the past and future.

A hand with pointed fingers (see Fig. 1) is rare and is usually the accompaniment of a delicate, sensitive palm and is the hand that is most often found among dreamers, poets, idealists, artists and philosophers. It is an indication that soul rules over matter and indicates a high-grade personality.

Conical fingers (as in Fig. 2), with a well-formed thumb, indicate that the person is quick in action and is ruled by impulse rather than by calculation. They are the sign of a clever, nervous, energetic character.

Square fingers (such as are shown in Fig. 3) indicate perseverance, regularity and a love of order. They are generally found with a thorough business man, a progressive, law-abiding citizen with a talent for conception and execution. Their owner is usually methodical, punctual and neat.

Spatulate fingers (as shown in Fig. 4) derive their name from the fact that the “spatula” is a knife-shaped instrument used by druggists, where the tip is slightly wider than the stem. Fingers of this kind show action, energy, self-confidence. They are often found in men who labor with their hands, and seldom with the idle rich.

Knotted fingers (as in Fig. 5) are an indication of toil, energy and resourcefulness. The person is usually more imitative than original, but is able to turn any situation to some practical advantage.

The refined woman’s hand (see Fig. 6) has the fingers neither spatulate nor square, but usually of the tapering type, tho not often pronounced, except in the idle women. Possessors of such hands love beautiful things, crave excitement, act on impulse, but make good wives and loving mothers.

The criminal’s fingers (see Fig. 7) are usually short and ill-formed. The fingers are wide at the base and rounded at the nails, which are apt to be thick and coarse. The palm is soft from lack of manual work. The thumb is short but flexible.

In the workman’s hand (see Fig. 8) the palm is hard and thick; not necessarily from toil but by nature. The thumb is short and slightly turned back. The fingers are usually coarse and thick. This hand indicates improvidence, lack of forethought, and primitive passions. It is also the hand of the savage and the illiterate.

The Mountains

are joints or elevations on the palm.

Mount Venus, if prominent, indicates a person of strong passions, great energy in business, and admiration of physical beauty in the opposite sex; it also indicates love of children, home and wife or husband. When not well developed, there is a lack of love for home, children, wife or husband; and in a man it indicates egotism and laziness; in a woman, hysteria.

Mount Jupiter, if prominent, indicates a person who is generous, loves power and is brilliant in conversation; if a woman, she desires to shine and be a social leader. When not well developed, it indicates lack of self-esteem, slovenliness and indifference to personal appearance.

Mount Saturn, if prominent, indicates a serious-minded person, religiously inclined, slow to reach a conclusion, very prudent, free in the expression of opinions, but inclined to be pessimistic.

Mount Apollo, if prominent, indicates ability as an artist, generosity, courageness and a poetical nature; apt to be a spendthrift. When not well developed, it indicates cautiousness and prudence.

Mount Mercury, if prominent, indicates keen perceptions, cleverness in conversation, a talent for the sciences, industry and deceitfulness. If not well developed, it indicates a phlegmatic, stupid disposition.

Mount Luna, if prominent, indicates a dreamy, changeable, capricious, enthusiastic and inventive nature. When not well developed, it indicates constancy, love of home and ability to imitate others.

Mount Mars, if prominent, indicates self-respect, coolness and control of self under trying circumstances, courageousness, venturesomeness and confidence in one’s ability for anything undertaken. When not well developed, it indicates the opposite of these characteristics.

A Reading of the Lines and Other Characteristics

The Fate Line

commences at Rascettes and if it extends straight to Mount Saturn, uninterrupted, and alike in both hands, good luck and success are realized without personal exertion. If not in one hand and interrupted in the other, success will be experienced only by great effort. If well defined at the wrist, the early life is bright and promising; if broken in the center, misery, for middle life is indicated. If this line touches Mounts Luna and Venus it indicates a good disposition and wealth; if inclined toward any mount, it implies success in that line for which the mount stands. If it is made up of disconnected links, it indicates serious physical and moral struggles. Should it end at the Heart Line, the life has been ruined by unrequited love. If it runs through a square, the life has been in danger and saved. Should it merge into the Heart Line and continue to Mount Jupiter, it denotes distinction and power secured through love.

The Girdle of Venus

is a curved line extending from Mount Jupiter to Mercury, encircling Saturn and Apollo. It appears on few hands, but it indicates superior intellect, a sensitive and capricious nature; if it extends to the base of Jupiter it denotes divorce; ending in Mercury, implies great energy; should it be cut by parallel lines in a man, it indicates a hard drinker and gambler.

The Lines of Reputation

commence in the middle of the hand, at the Head Line. Mount Luna or Mount Mars indicate financial success from intellectual pursuits after years of struggling with adversity. If from the Heart Line, real love of occupation and success; if from the Head Line, success from selfishness. An island on this line denotes loss of character, a star on it near Apollo implies that success will be permanent, and a square, brilliant success. The absence of this line implies a struggle for recognition of one’s abilities.

The Line of Intuition

beginning at the base of Mount Mercury extends around Mars and Luna; it is frequently found in the Venus, Mercury and Lunar types of hands; when deeply dented with a triangle on Mount Saturn, it denotes clairvoyant power; if it forms a triangle with the Fate Line, or the Life Line, a voyage will be taken.

The Health Line

commences at center of the Rascettes, takes an oblique course from the Fate Line, ending toward Mount Mercury. If straight and well defined, there is little liability to constitutional diseases; when it does not extend to the Head Line, steady mental labor cannot be performed; when it is broad and deep on Mount Mercury, diminishing as it enters the Life Line, death from heart disease is indicated; small lines cutting it denote sickness from biliousness. When joined to the Heart Line, health and business are neglected for love; if made up of short lines, there is suffering from stomach trouble or catarrh; if it is checked by islands there is a constitutional tendency to lung disease.

The Marriage Lines

extend straight across Mount Mercury; if short, affairs of the heart without marriage are denoted. When near the Heart Line, early marriage is indicated; if it turns directly to the Heart Line, marriage will occur between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one; if close to the top of the mount, marriage will not take place before the thirty-fifth year; if it curves upward it indicates a single life; when pronged and running toward the center or to Mount Mars, divorce will occur. If the end of this line droops, the subject will outlive wife or husband; if broken, divorce is implied; if it ends in a cross, the wife or husband will die from an accident. A branch from this line upward implies a high position attained by marriage. A black spot on this line means widowhood.

Children’s Lines

are small and upright, extending from the end of the Marriage Line. If broad and well defined, males, if fine and narrow, females are indicated. A line of this order that is deep and well defined denotes prominence for that child.

Small Lines

have a signification depending upon their position and number. A single line on Jupiter signifies success; on Saturn, happiness; on Apollo, fame and talent.

Ascending small lines are favorable, while descending lines are unfavorable signs.

Several small lines on Mars indicate warfare constantly.

Cross lines, failure.

Lines on the Hand

If not well defined, indicate poor health.

Deep red lines indicate good, robust health.

Yellow lines indicate excessive biliousness.

Dark-colored lines indicate a melancholy and reserved disposition. The Life Line extends from the outer base of Mount Jupiter, entirely around the base of Mount Venus. If chained under Jupiter, it indicates bad health in early life. Hair-lines extending from it imply a weakness, and if cut by small lines from Mount Venus, misplaced affections and domestic broils. If arising from Mount Jupiter, an ambition to be wealthy and learned. If it is joined by the Line of the Head at its beginning, prudence and wisdom are indicated. If it joins Heart and Head lines at its commencement, a great catastrophe will be experienced by the person so marked. A square on it denotes success. All lines that follow it give it strength. Lines that cut the Life Line extending through the Heart Line denote interference in a love affair. If it is crossed by small lines, illness is indicated. Short and badly drawn lines, unequal in size, imply bad blood and a tendency to fevers.

The Heart Line

if it extends across the hand at the base of the finger mounts, and is deep and well defined, indicates purity and devotion; if well defined from Mount Jupiter only, a jealous and tyrannical disposition is indicated; if it begins at Mount Saturn and is without branches, it is a fatal sign; if short and well defined in the Harmonic type of hand it indicates intense affection when it is reciprocated; if short on the Mercury type of hand, it implies deep interest in intellectual pursuits; if short and deep in the Elementary type of hand, it implies the disposition to satisfy desire by brutal force, instead of by love.

The Head Line

is parallel to the Heart Line and forms the second branch of letter M, generally very plain in most hands; if long and deep it indicates ability to care for one’s self; if hair-lines are attached to it, mental worry; if it divides toward Mount Mercury, love affairs will be first, and business secondary; if well defined its whole length, it implies a well-balanced brain; a line from it extending into a star on Mount Jupiter, great versatility, pride and love for knowledge are indicated; if it extend to Mount Luna, interest in occult studies is implied; separated from the Life Line, indicates agressiveness; if it is broken, death is indicated from an injury to the head.

The Rascettes

are lines across the wrist where the palm joins it.

It is claimed they indicate length of life; if straight it is a good sign. One Rascette indicates thirty years of life; two lines, sixty; three lines, ninety.