Part 10

4.—Broad and flat, indicate a mild and timorous disposition.

5.—Filbert-shaped, indicate refinement and courteous manners.

Note.—When the hand is allowed to open freely, the space between the first and second fingers, farthest apart, denotes independence of thought; third and fourth, independence of action, and if both are very wide apart, originality and self-reliance.

If the thumb inclines inward, avarice; outward, generosity.

(4) Observe the length and depth of the lines.

(5) The quality, whether they are crooked or straight.

(6) Observe whether they touch or cut other lines.

(7) Observe whether they are touched or cut by other lines.

(8) Their place and position.

Note.—The lines are sometimes lengthened until certain years of our life, while others are shortened. At one time they may become pale, at another they become notably clear and red. The minor marks, such as are found on the mounts, sometimes quite vanish, and at other times they will assume different shapes and colours. Therefore the most studious in palmistry cannot attain a complete knowledge of the events of a life at once, because they come and go as nature, or the circumstances of life, change and twist, but can only read for a year or so in advance. These changes are caused, as before stated, by the progressions and changing of the laws relating to nature, of which we are a part.

THE HAND TO EXAMINE.

The general rule in the East is that the right palm of the male and the left palm of the female ought to be examined. In either case take the hand in which the signs and lines are clearly shown. If they concur in both hands and appear clear and nicely marked they declare a constancy of fortune and health, etc. In the male generally the right hand is the fate hand or the positive hand, that is, events about to happen; while the left denotes the negative or those events which have come to pass or been accomplished by the person, or those just passing away. Judge the converse in the female hands.

SIGNIFICATION OF ANIMALS, FLOWERS AND PROMISCUOUS MARKS FOUND ON THE HAND.

These are principally formed by the smaller lines running with the pores of the skin. Great care must therefore be taken in determining these forms, because very much depends on their position. The numbers herein referred to have reference to Plate II of the hand which I have set apart for the express purpose of showing these marks and signs.

The first space of the hand near to the mounts is that part which has principally to show the animal passions—lusts and intrigues.

PLATE II. ]

The second space, or the part of the hand between the girdle of Venus and the Table line, deals more specifically with love affairs or the spiritual side, while the former treats more on the physical plane.

These two, therefore, taken together, may be considered the moral region of the hand.

The next space between the Table line and the Liver line may be called the mental and social region.

The one following this may be called the commercial region or the wealth generally of the person.

That space enclosed by the line of Life is the artistic or dramatic region.

The right hand side of the hand separated by the line of Saturn denotes the positive nature, while the left hand portion is the negative or imaginative nature of the individual.

If a fish or a similar figure be found at the root of the hand (No. 1) it signifies great success in the world—riches and many children.

If a lotus flower or like-shaped figure be here, the person, if a female, will be sure to become a great lady, in fact almost a queen. If the same be on a male hand he will be sure to be renowned and great (No. 2).

A serpent found here or on the wrist just above the Bracelet and near to the line of Saturn, the man will become a great warrior or hero (Nos. 1 and 3).

An octagonal figure placed between the line of Life and the Liver line will cause the person to be burdened with the possession of landed estates (No. 4).

If conch, or marine shells, or any circular figure be found here (No. 5) they presage that the person will be a learned man, especially if they should be found on the first phalanx of the little finger (No. 6), on the mount of Mercury (No. 7), or on the mount of the Moon (No. 8).

Should the sign of a flag be found here, and particularly on the mount of Mercury (No. 7) or on the palm of the hand (No. 9), the person will be a philosopher and a great thinker.