The Lines of the Hand.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 May 1901, Page 626

The Lines of the Hand.

By H. I. Westmacott

fPoN a former article on the study of the YJ hand I spoke of the indications of r character and temperament of the intellectual facilities, the tastes and qualities which we may learn from the shape and length of the fingers and palm ; but I have discovered, from many years' study of books on the subject, combined with large and varied experience in examining hands, that we can clearly and accurately trace events wluch have occurred in the subject's past, if they ( have made a deep impression on the mind and memory, and also predict the future to a certain extent, but only as *t is indicated at the time the hands are a examined The lines are con tinually changing. An illness may be averted by care, an accident prevented by caution, a catastrophe warded off by prudence, etc. \ s I have actually watched at intervals the changes of the lines in my own hands, and in the hands of my friends, I have no hesitation in asserting it to be a positive fact that they do alter, form and reform. Of course these changes may have no reference to events, and the accuracy with which any good and genuine palmist can speak of what has occurred in the past

from examining the lines, may be only the oft-repeated result of coincidence, but if so, I must say I have encountered a very large army of coincidences during my experience and search for the truth in Palmistry. Now to return to the lines. I will commence with the Line of Life, which almost invariably starts or rises between the finger and thumb, and in its course surrounds the ball of the thumb or Mount of Venus with more or less clearness and regularity. If well defined, unbroken and nicely-coloured, i.e., neither too red nor too pale, this line betokens long life and a sound constitution, although other signs may counteract these favourable indications. * bar across the line marks an illness, a break signifies a more severe one, especially if showing in both hands, and with the upper end of the line turning in towards the thumb. A life line which breaks off short in both hands, and does not continue again gives warning of sudden death at the time when it becomes invisible, but, before that time appears, an inner line, or a continuation of the original one, may form. A fork at the end of the Life Line with descending

branches, signifies long illness and failing health at the close of life. When the fork only appears, the mental powers of the subject can never be overtaxed with imp unity.

In Fig. 1 an excellent Life Line is shown, with the inner or Line of Mars, which indicates great strength and vitality. I have seen these lines as good, but not frequently. The sudden stoppage of the Life I me, with a severe illness in childhood, are shown in Fig. 2.

The lit art Line, when it rises on the

shows inisfortuno in love and ■frioutlalup, and did I meet with such a one, I should infer that the troubles were mainly caused by jealousy. In Fig 3 the line shows unselfish affection, which idealizes the beloved one, and meets with a poor return. A strong influence commences early in life, and there is much unhappiueßS caused by the opposite sex, generally from husband or wife.

Mount, or .-pace below the first finger, with a nice even fork, the branches of which rise high on the Mount, but do not touch the base of the finger, tells me, if it also runs clearly and evenly to the side of the hand, with little branches rising

upwards uncrossed, that the subject is not only loving and unselfish, but well beloved. Such a line is shown in Eiy;. 1. AVhen I see a bar across the line with the branches crossed, Pig. 2, I know there have been heart troubles and sorrows, disappointments in

love and friendship, for the particulars of which I look in other parts of the hand I fiud that a small line, running horizontally beneath the main Heart Line, indicates a strong influence and attachment at the time when it becomes visible. A decided break in the main line indicates a very severe heart trouble, either a broken engagement, which causes much pain, or the loss of husband or wife I have verified this sign frequently. The Heart Line in ¥i§. 2

erally signifies an accident of more or le>s severity, even in one hand. An island on the line {tide Fig. 2) indicates actually sensitive nerves ; often nervous illness, fever or tuinntroke. Carriage accidents are shown by a small line running below the main line (Fig. '„') ; a star betokens a catastrophe.

A double Head Line is said to indicate a great inheritance, but I have never yet proved the accuracy of the sign.

A chained and wavy Heart Line often betokens capricious and uncertain affection, but it may indicate physical weakness of the organ, and I am always careful to look for confirmatory

evidence. MesidoH the mental

chanicteristicH, mem-

ory, etc., et<\, I learn much from the Lino of tho Head. Accidents are almost; always markod on it,

invariably if connected with the head. A break in thin line, beneath the second finger, in both hands, is a very bad sign. It indicates either a severe mental shock

or a serious accident, and I. find that a

break anywhere on

the Head Line gen-

For changes of any kind I always look on the Saturnian, or Line of Fate, which, as a rule, runs up the middle of the palm. A cross on this line marks a change of

residence for the subject. If the cross be at the side of the line the change refers to his family. A break in the Saturnian indicates a change in position, for the better if the new line begins before the other leaves off.

If the Fate Line rises from the Mount of Luna and runs in an even slant towards the Mount of Jupiter below the first finger I agree with all the authors who consider it a fortunate sign of success, the result of unexpected assistance from others. In a woman's hand it often denotes an early and wealthy marriage.

If a Luna Fate Line be tortuous and wavy, I consider it betokens the dominant, and not often fortunate influence of the opposite sex.

Lines which rise either from the Mount of Luna, or the Line of Life, and approach or touch the Saturnian, are strong influences, or would-be influences, and from the Luna side, I always find they represent, in a woman's hand, proposals of marriage, which result m matrimony if there be confirmatory evidence.

An island on the Fate Line signifies an unfortunate and misplaced attachment If a similar sign be found on the Line of the Heart, unless the thumb be powerful and the Head Line good, the results are likely to prove disastrous. In Eg. 4 I have marked these signs, and also a fortunate Luna Fate Line, which would not be found in the same hand. This hand shows a most unhappy attachment between twenty-five and thirty years of age. Grreat misfortunes and much misery result from it. The Luna Line (marked No. 2) would end in a happj marriage quite early in life.

Branches rising upwards on either side of the Saturnian betoken increased prosperity, happiness and success A broken and wavering line indicates a worried and unsatisfactory progress on the journey of life If the right hand be more satisfactory, will and perseverance may overcome the obstacles and difficulties.

A good line of Apollo, besides indicating artistic taste and probable success in art, is also considered to signify wealth, and, by Chiaro, a strong individuality, which assists in acquiring the good things of this life* while a broken and tortuous line sometimes faint or imperceptible, and sometime twisted and strong, signifies money worries and a difficult career.

An island on this line, in Pig. 5, shows loss of money through fraud or speculation, and this I find to he almost invariably correct.

Some Palmists consider that a star on the Line of Apollo signifies great wealth, but I have never proved this, as I have the island indication;

Illnesses are often marked on the

Hepatica or Health Line. A gap shows one in the past; a cross indicates sickness in the future.

These simis I have marked in Fig 4, and on the same line may be seen the acute angle with the Head Line, which is said to be necessary for acquiring a successful knowledge of Palmistry, while an island at the base betokens somnambulism ; a twisted and tortuous Hypatica bespeaks liver troubles and indigestion.

The lines of attachment and marriage are, of course, interesting to many who have any faith in Palmistry ; and although the ceremony of marriage is not marked in the hand, by putting two and two together, 1 can generally contrive to give my young friends some reliable information on the subject. The lines which represent attachment are found on the Mount of Mercury, at the side of the hand between the root of the littJe finger and the Heart Line. 1 read them from the Line of the Heart upwards, and so do most of the best authorities on the subject. Half-way up the Mount fixes the date between twenty - three and twenty - live, threequarters between twenty-five and thirtyfive, very near the Heart Line between sixteen and twenty-two, and so on. I judge of the depth of the attachment \\ by the length and depth of the line. If long, deep and straight, the love partakes of the qualities of the line, and unless plainly contradicted in other parts of the hand, ends in a happy union. If the end curves downwards there is trouble connected with the attachment, and the subject will be the longest liver. A fork at the end of the line signifies a broken engagement. If the attachment lines all ascend, as in Fig. 4, there will be no marriage A line running into a star indicates a speedy separation after marriage ; a sudden break in the line, marriage prevented by death.

A n attachment long and curving down on to the Heart Line shows widower or widowhood by suicide (Fig. 4). I have

proved the accuracy of these indications

Ordinary widower or widowhood is shown by a curved line close to the Heart Line rising from the back of the hand.

.An island in the middle of an attachment line betokens marriage with a cousin

.A line ending in an island grave trouble and misfortune connected with marriage, while an attachment line which crosses the Heart or Fate Lines is said to indicate divorce, and one which cuts the line of Apollo, on the mount below the Urd linger, shows loss of position through marriage.

A short line close under the lit) le linger foretells marriage with a widow or widower, and I have been told that; the tiny linos

drooping from the attachment line in tho hand under examination give the number of his or her first family ! I will not answer for the truth of this indication, but I obtained my information from a good author.

In order to give a date for marriage, after ascertaining at what time the attachment commences, I look if there be a line rising from the Mount of Luna at a corresponding time. This is shown in Fig. I, and if I find another running from the Life Line, to the Line of Fate on the other side, I have no difficulty in naming a date according to time on the relative lines, but it is not always, or even often, such plain sailing.

In a marriage i/e convenance there would

be no attachment line. Ina Oxen ford considers that the lines running pare] lei with the Line of Life on the inside indicate marriage if they touch the Life Line, and strong influences only if they turn off towards the thumb without touching these lines I have m arked in Fig. 6 A line running from the Mount of Luna and across to the Mount of Venus where it joins a branch rising on to the Mount of Saturn betokens marriage with a mv c h older person, and a curved line from the same mount towards /.the second finger generally indicates the very strong influence of a dark or Saturnian subject. An Indian palmist calls it '' the husband's colour line," vide it in Fig. 5.

[ find that another very interesting topic is the probability or even possibility of wealth.

'•Is there any money in my hand ?" is an

Ail angle formed by branches rising from the wrist with a small cross in the centre is said to be an indication of wealth and prosperity late in life (Fig. 6). To enumerate half the different " chance lines,' 1 marks, and signs to be found in various hands would make this article far too long for anyone less interested in Palmistry than lam myself. There are lines to be found on the mounts, lines on the

oft-repeated question. Fortunately for me there are several different indications, and if I cannot truthfully give hope from one quarter, perhaps I can from another. First in the list of good indications comes a clear straight line of Apollo, vide Fig. 1. If such a line be accompanied by a strong thumb, vertical small lines on the Mount of Jupiter below the Ist finger, and branches rising upwards from the Line of Life or the Fate Line (Fig. L), I can hold out good hopes of

prosperity, success and money lawfully inherited. If the line be uncertain, broken or twisted, money worries are in dicated, while a line rising from the Mount of Luna, and joining the Line of Apollo, as in Fig. 1 , is .a sign of unexpected wealth. The entire absence of this line does not indicate poverty, but want of artistic taste and carelessness in money matters. In giving an opinion on this subject I always note carefully whence the line rises, and. where it improves or deteriorates. A double line of Apollo is always a good sign of success, and again strong individuality.

phalanges of the fingers, and " chance lines ' in all parts of the hand. Of the latter, we can often judge only from whence they rise and where they terminate, and I always give my interpretation of a line, entirely new to me, with a reservation, although 1 generally find I am correct.

Marks and signs are also very numerous. Of these the cross, the star, the square, the island, the triangle, the grille, and the spot

are the most

ou the subject. A star on the Linos of Life or Head indicates a shock, accident, or illness at the time marked. A line ending in a star, with the exception ot ; the Line of Apollo, always shows misfortune, and this sign at the side of the finger threatens danger from lire; on the Mount of the Moon danger by water.

A cross on ono of the horizontal lines on the percussion of the hand Ims the sumo

often seen, but there are also the circle, the angle, and the fork on a line. The cross, if well formed, is not always an unfavourable sign. On the Line of Fate it indicates, a^ I have said before, a change of residence, and o n the Mount of Jupiter a happy union. lua Oxenford considers this cross to signify "a ceremony of some kind." Stars are al-

most universally unfortunate in their sign i f ication.

They indicate . catas.trophies and events over which the will has no control. In two places the star has a favourable interpretation. On the Mount of Jupiter it signifies gratified ambition, and often, as I have proverl, a very advantageous marriage. On the Line of Apollo it betokens great wealth and success in the opinion of many good authorities

Line shows hereditary weakness and delicacy while it lasts, as

in Fig. 2.

An island on the Head Line indicates acutely sensitive nerves, and often nervous illness. Sometimes I have Keen brain fever and sunstroke in the past marked by a large island on the Line of the Head. Of this I spoke when referring to the Head Line.

signification us a star, viz., danger from a voyage, if not; to the voyager, to a dear friend or relative. Triangles are good. They give force and strength to the mount or line on which they appear. A clever diplomat should have a triangular mark on the Mount of Jupiter. A similar sign on the space helow the second finger, indicatcH prudence and wisdom, and on the Mount of Mercury' it hetokens aruteness in husi ess, or scientific taste and ability, according to the rest of the hand Islands formed by the lines dividing and meeting again, or by branches from the same line have

ahviivN an unfortunate

signification. An island on (lie Life

On the Line of Apollo b in Fig. 5 shows the island which signifies loss of money through fraud or speculation, and this sign, on the Fate Line, with a corresponding mark on the Line of the Heart, betokens a misplaced and very unfortunate attachment at the date when it appears, Fig. +

A large spot on a line betokens illness, accident or trouble, excepting on the Heart Line, where white spots indicate conquests

in love. Circles, too, are bad. On the Line of Life they threaten blindness, and a large circle in the centre of the hand (Plain of Mars) signifies a life of constant struggle, with difficulties small and j>reat.

Squares indicate preservation from danger, or rather escapes from danger. An island or star enclosed in a square loses its unfortunate signification. I have seen lines gradually form into a square round such marks, and noted their progress from time to time. A square enclosing the broken ends of a Life Line betokens an escape from a dangerous illness.

Circles are unlucky everywhere but on the Mount of Apollo, where the sign typifies

great success

Ascending branches almost invariably indicate success. Those which descend are as frequently unfortunate in their signification. A sister line is rarely unfavourable. If clear and uncrossed, it strengthens the main line, and underneath the Heart Line, or running on the inside of the Line of Life, a sister line shows a strong influence, or attachment dating from the time of its commencement.

A double Head Line is said to indicate a great inheritance, and a sister Heart Line,

running the whole length, betokens intensely strong affections and much power of influencing others.

Horizontal lines across the Mount of Mars below the Line of the Heart signifiy enemies, and one long line, cutting the Line of Apollo, shows loss of money through a relation, Fig. 5.

Voyage lines are found on the Mount of Luna, on the percussiou of the hand, Fig. 4, and an angle on this mount indicates danger from water.

I could write much more of the chance lines which are so numerous. Sometimes I find the same chance line repeated in various hands, and again I frequently meet with lines, the interpretation of which I can only give from their starting point and destination.

The events of our lives leave their impress on our palms, in many cases, as lines of thought and care appear on the face, but it is only those things which we feel deeply, and think of much which leave their mark

The signs of the future, always susceptible of change, I regard as pointed out by character aud temperament, the tendencies which lead to certain probable results.

The study of Palmistry is a difficult one. Patience, perseverance, discrimination and memory are required to read the lines with any proficiency, to say nothing of the practice which only sometimes makes perfect. But I think the persevering student will find himself repaid with interest.

I am always careful to examine both hands before I give my reading, as I believe the left hand only indicates, while the right confirms. I am ever reticent on the subject of grave misfortune, or serious illness, which I see marked in the future. I give a warning, but nothing more The evil may be averted, and it is, in my opinion, most reprehensible to assert any thing which is likely to cause alarm or nervousness On the other hand the hope of anything good which I see foreshadowed may inspire courage to assist in the attainment of the indicated happiness

or prosperity,