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Frontispiece.

THE

GRAMMAR OF PALMISTRY

BY

KATHARINE

/
St.

HILL

WITH EIGHTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS

PHILADELPHIA

HENRY ALTEMUS
1893

l^iloOH

Copyrighted
BY

Altemus' Bookbindery,
Philadelphia,

1893

HENRY ALTEMUS.

PREFACE.
"I have here made only a nosegay of culled flowers,
and I have brought nothing of my own but the string
Montaigne.
that ties them."

In these days,
favourite

when

so

many books on

subject have already been

the reading public,

it

this

offered to

requires an apology on

my

part for thus introducing another to their notice,

all
is

the

more

made

as in the present

volume no pretence

to originality.

Palmistry, like

all

other sciences, reduces

itself

to the likeness of a language,

and

for the

of any language a grammar

the

first requisite.

In nearly

all

is

the books from which

have myself

studied during the four or five years

voted to the subject,

study

have de-

have found a considerable

difficulty in extracting

even the primary rules

and precepts from the masses of extraneous

preface.

matter introduced into the middle of them.

the older writers, the

In

maxims of Palmistry

are

mingled with the canons of necromancy, astrology,

spiritualism

modern

and superstition

writers

while the more

almost invariably halt in the

middle of their axioms to

own

particular successes,

stories of their

tell

and

to describe

how

wonderfully well they themselves have succeeded

and describing

in predicting certain events,

tain characters.

think

is

it

now no

cer-

longer

necessary to encourage the student by allowing

him to perceive to what a great degree of accuracy

character-reading and prediction can be carried

by those who have

well

studied the

Palmistry, as the science has taken

and

position,

its

claims to

fulfil

its

art

of

recognized

its

pretensions

are no longer disputed.

In

the

present work, therefore,

have en-

deavoured to place before the reader the rules

laid

down by

the best of our

modern

writers on

the subject, in the clearest and simplest

possible

and

manner

have added a number of draw-

ings from the hands of distinguished people to

preface.

serve as examples and exercises for the assist-

ance of the student.

If,

in so doing, I

have made

but a dull and uninteresting book, and have

thereby laid myself open to the warning addressed by a friendly

critic

to

an old-world

author on a kindred subject

" Friend, by your writings

So very much

is

said

am

grieved,

One half will never be believed,

The other never read,"

it

must be

my

excuse that

all

grammars labour

under the same disadvantageous reputation

dulness.

my

But

let

me

for

offer as a consolation to

readers the assurance that, after having gone

through the present dry

and regulations, they

little

will

collection of rules

be enabled to under-

stand and enjoy far more than they would otherwise have done the spirited and amusing writings
of

my

contemporaries.

CONTENTS.
PAGE

PREFACE

PART

I.

ON THE OUTLINE AND MOUNTS

PART

.II

II.

ON THE LINES

37

PART

III.

ON THE PALM OF THE HAND AND LESSER LINES

PART
ON SIGNS OF

IV.

ILLNESS, TEMPER,

AND ON SPECIAL

QUALITIES

84

PART
ON reading the hands.

V.

{Examples)

PART

PART
GLOSSARY OF TERMS

94

VI.

THE HANDS OF DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.

Illustrations)

62

{Eight
.

.121

VII.

122

10

LIST OF PLATES.
PAGE

Frontispiece

Fig. 18

Figs,

i, 2,

Figs. 4,

5,

and

and

16

20

36

66

98

Fig. 17
Figs.

7, 8,

Fig. 10

and
.

Figs, ii, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

109-120

THE GRAMMAR OF PALMISTRY.

PART

I.

OUTLINE.
Short Hands.
Short hands judge
detail

in

quickly, and do not regard

judgment.

pointed fingers,

If with

imagination will aid; but the whole of things

only will be regarded.

Short, knotted fingers

have good reason

and even calculation, but will not be able to

i.

e.

with large joints

will

analyze.

Long Hands.

Long hands show

capacity for detail.

large also, they will overdo

ally

have a greater love of

Long fingers show

feeling
11

it,

finish

and

If

very

and they generthan of

ability.

susceptibility,

and

12

ftbe

Grammar

of iPalmtetrg.

when

also pointed, tact.

In excess, with a very
narrow palm, they will show tyranny. Excessively large hands are intolerant, and when

knotted are given to mania.

Long Palm.

When

the palm is much longer than the

and large in proportion, the capacity for
detail will be lessened, and, though the subject
may have good intelligence, instinct will always
encroach on reason. There will be an incapacity for very^fine and delicate work, either menThe subject will, however, be
tal or manual.
easily satisfied, and not given to- contention or
fingers,

contradiction.

Long Fingers.

When

the fingers are longer than the palm,

the mind will be very active, and the spirit of

criticism

and contradiction strong.

be a love of argument, and the

There

memory

will

will

be

very good, especially for words, and learning by

heart will be easy.

Long

fingers, with the

knot

of philosophy, will find out your faults before

your virtues, and it is said good husbands and

good wives are not found with these hands.

13

Outline.

Equal Hands.

When

the

palm and

fingers

are

of

equal

judgment and
instinct will go hand-in-hand, detail and the
whole will be justly regarded, and confidence
length, the balance will be perfect,

reposed in the subject will not be found

falsified.

Hard Hands
show energy and perseverance.
pointed

want of

activity

and elegance.

hard

If

In

and

excess

intelligence, dulness, stupidity.

Soft Hands

show

laziness, natural indolence

of mind or body,

sometimes both. Soft and spatulate active in

mind and lazy in body. Soft and square the
Soft and pointed
indolent altogether.
reverse.
N.B. Hard and soft hands have nothing to
do with the skin. That may be hardened by

the

occupation pursued, or softened by lack

The hand should be judged by the conwhen pressed.

Supple fingers show quick action and versaVery thick hands show selfishness and
tility.
of

toil.

sistency

self-esteem,


Gbe Grammar

14

ot palmistry*

Skin.

When

the hand

is

soft

subject will be

lined, the

and the skin much

impressionable and

upright.
If hard and lined
quarrelsome. All
hands covered with lines show either an agitated
life or ill health.
very white hand, which
does not change with heat and cold, is a sign of

selfishness.

Nails.

The

and the ends of the fingers, show

(The lines have also
to be considered, of which later on.)
Short and
square nails show a fighting temper; if wider
nails,

the temper of the subject.

than they are long

bottom
Short
lent,

instead

nails,

obstinacy square the

curved passionate anger.
;

at

if

of

even with a hand otherwise benevo-

show mockery,

criticism

and contradiction.

Very large nails, curved at the bottom a cool

and careful head for business. Almond nails
sweet temper.
edge, there

If

they flush pink to the outer

may be

occasional

fits

of irritation,

but long, narrow nails are never malicious.

and
j

^.d

little

Thin

nails are a sure sign of delicate health,

fluted nails

show consumption, which

often shown by the nails being very

is

also

much curved

16

17

utltne.

towards the top, though this

is

also

sometimes

indicative of spinal complaint.

Smooth Hands.
(

Without protruding joints^)

Impressionability, intuition, inspiration, caprice,

quick judgment, love of

art.

SMOOTH-POINTED.

(Fig.

I.)

Religion, poetry, invention, imagination, tact,

want of order.
Excess
Imprudence, exaggeration,
:

naticism,

lying, fa-

Altogether unprac-

ecstasy, posing.

tical.

SMOOTH-SQUARE.

(Fig. 2.)

Reason, obedience, power of organization, love

of art and literature,

little

enthusiasm.

Love of

the look of order, not the trouble.

Excess

Tyranny, intolerance,

edness, love of rule to despotism.

narrow-mind-

These are hard

masters.

SMOOTH-SPATULATE.

(Fig. 3.)

Activity, resolution, audacity, love of comfort,

of

movement, of notoriety, of manual labour.

art, but no success.

Liking for

Gbe Grammar

18

Excess

of palmistry.

Selfishness,

fault-finding.

These

will

want of tact, love of

annoy themselves, and

aggravate others.

Knotted Hands.
(

With large protruding joints')

Reflection, order, science.

The

THE KNOT OF PHILOSOPHY.

rule of reason.
(Fig. 4.)

(The top joint of the fingers.)

This will show a love of reasoning, of examining and doubting it is a sign of independence of
;

character.

an advantage with a long and

It is

strong thumb, with the second phalange well

formed, but with a weak

thumb

error and obstinacy, especially

if

it

will tend to

the fingers are

pointed.

KNOTTED-POINTED.

These hands are quick

to understand.
at the

same

A love

to perceive, to observe,

of truth and reality, and,

time, refinement

But there

and appreciation of

be a continual
between inspiration and analysis, religion
and controversy, independence and piety. There
will be originality in art, but no success, because
the

beautiful.

will

fight

art will

be

stifled

by

calculation.

20

21

utline.

KNOTTED-SQUARE.

Harmony and

progress.

Will give a charac-

and cold. Love of

truth and usefulness, of law and rule, of science,
history, jurisprudence, grammar, mathematics,
and agriculture.
ter thoughtful, faithful, just

KNOTTED-SPATULATE.

Active, practical, positive.

Ambitious, un-

sentimental, self-confident, brusque.

KNOT OF ORDER.

(Fig.

5.)

(The lower -joint of the fingers^

Order

in business, in

affairs, in

everything to

do with management.
Excess : Egotism.
This knot will give a spatulate hand a love of
machinery. The first knot that of philosophy
will give to artists great originality, and the
study of all that belongs to art, such as the
making of colours, etc. but with both knots
To musicians, the two knots will
art vanishes.
To priests, the knots
give science and rhythm.

give the strength of the

:ance,

and union.

clergy,

reason,


Gbe <3rammar

22

The

of palmistry.

Fingers.

have divided the fingers into three classes

pointed, square, and spatulate, as being
easier to remember and understand than the
seven or more specifications adopted by Mr.
I

only

Heron Allen and

students

will

other

very often find that hands are

mixed, frequently the

first

finger

the rest square, and so on

given

But

chiromantists.

pointed with

is

therefore

each finger separately

at

once

have

for the

Mixed fingers
show more variety than strength. The class of
the hand is more easily judged if the back of
the hand is looked at first. The phalanges of
greater convenience of study.

the fingers are counted from the top, thus

the

which contains the nail.

The thumb is the most important feature of the
whole hand, and the character depends to a very
great extent upon it.
first

phalange

that

is

THE THUMB.
First

Phalange
Reason.

Will.

Second Phalange
Third Phalange Love.

First PJialange.

Long and

strong

energetic

dence, love of perfection.

will,

Medium

self-c

pas-

23

Outline,

Too long

resistance.

tyranny.

Too

short

weak

changeableness, inconstancy, insouciance, a

will,

ruled

by

others.

Second Phalange.
This should be a

longer than the

little

first,

and should be rather thick. When the first and

second are of the same length and the thumb is
relatively longer than the other fingers,

show a very strong and

it

will

sensible character,

who

will rule

with reason and without tyranny.

the same

thumb

is

of only

medium

be no rule over others, but passive

will

ance, and a strong and wise character.

first

resist-

With the

phalange short and the second long and

thick, the character will

to indecision

make
them
he

If

length, there

be reasonable, but

liable

with clear views, the subject will

magnificent plans, but will never execute

;

uncertainty will counsel over-prudence,

will balance

" letting I

between desire and execution,

dare not wait upon

will,"

and though

an excellent counsellor to others, he will never

profit

by

it

himself.

good strong

first

pha-

lange, with a long thick second, and the knot of

philosophy

will,

unless the lines are very ad-

verse, lead to success

and

fortune.

Gbe Grammar

24

ot Jpalmistrg.

Third Phalange.
(This
will

is

also called the

be studied as such

Mount

of Venus, and

later.)

and long, high and encroaching

on to the middle of the hand, the subject will be
governed by passion if medium and in harmony
with the rest of the hand affectionate and beif weak and flat
cold-hearted, and
nevolent
unless the line of heart be good, selfish.
A
subject who has the first long and the third much
developed will govern by force of will, and love
he will be affechis friends and all humanity
tionate without reason, firm and constant.
A
subject with the second and third most developed will govern his passions by reason, but reaIf very thick

son

feeble

is

second
life

will

may

will is

if

weak.

In this case the

take the place of the

be a continual struggle.

first,

but his

A subject who

and second feeble and the third

much developed, gives us but little hope of a
good character changeable and inconstant, he
will be tormented by fancy and temper, be unable to keep a secret, and probably will also be
has the

first

melancholy.

A thumb
but

if

too short shows a want of decision,

wide and heavy

obstinacy, particularly

at the point,
if

the joint

it

is

will

mean

knotty and

25

utline.

The wider

projecting.

pig-headed the subject

more
of bad

the phalange, the

;

it is

also a sign

temper, passionate anger, and want of moderation in all things.

If a

hand

is

soft,

but has the

first

phalange

work from duty, not from

spatulate hand with a short

long, the subject will

a love of

thumb

is

it.

wanting in perseverance, undecided,

ing everything, often loving and amiable.

the second

is

if

well developed, uncertainty ceases,

thumb

the short

try-

But

good judgment

will give

quick impressions, and

will ensure success.

A long third phalange man of

the thumb bends inwards towards the

outwards generosity, sometimes extravagance.

Straight prudence and
A long
A long

phalange a man of will.

second phalange a man of intellect.

first

feeling.

If

fingers

avarice. If

good sense. A thumb

hand shows talent.
Nearly

all

great

set

men have

low down on the

large thumbs.

FIRST FINGER.
Called finger of Jupiter

sign

Should be long relatively to the other fingers

and straight; this will give thought and economy.

Gbe Grammar

26

Pointed.

Quick

of

palmistry

apprehension, intuition, love

of reading.

Square.

Love of

Spatulate

(very

truth.
rare).

Error,

exaggerated

action.

Pointed
thought,

with

the

square

others

artistic talent (if

serious

with a good line of

Apollo).

long ambition.
long love of

First phalange relatively long

Second phalange

religion.

.relatively

Third phalange relatively

rule,

pride.

All short

want

of

thought,

little

contem-

plation.
It is
first

very important to

finger;

it

artists to

have a good

should be pointed.

SECOND FINGER.
Called finger of Saturn

sign

not good to have this finger

It is

\i

much

longer

than the others.

Prudence, grave

Pointed (very
Square.

square

rare).

Frivolity, carelessness.

sadness.

Spatulate. Activity.
stition.

Too

character.

spatulate

Too

super-

27

utline.

melancholy.

First phalange relatively long-

Second phalange

With the knot

riculture.

love of ag love
long

relatively long

of philosophy

of exact science.

Third phalange relatively

avarice.

THIRD FINGER.
Called finger of Apollo

Represents
Pointed.

with

art,

sign

fame, and riches.

feeling

Artistic

and

the others in opposition

all

0'.

intuition.

frivolity

If

and

boasting.

Truth and reason

great love of
Spatidatc. Love of form,

riches.

Many

actors

Square.

With bad
art,

lines

dramatic

finger,

and

talent.

in

artists

it

in art

of

and

in

life.

movement

signifies

in

have this
painters

of

animal or genre subjects.

noble love of
long love of work

First phalange relatively long

art.

Colour.

Second phalange
and reason in art.
Third phalange

relatively

relatively long

love

of dis-

play, vanity, desire to shine, love of riches.

FOURTH FINGER.
Called finger of
It is

good

Mercurysign

that this finger should be straight

Zhe Grammar

28

and long, and

if

people, " to turn

it

should

rise

of palmistry.

the subject

above the

to

is

them round

rule other

his little finger,"

knot of the third

first

finger.

Pointed.

Eloquence,

Ruse,
Square. Reason

cess

diplomacy.

tact,

Ex-

finesse, trickery.

good

stract,

in

science, love of the ab-

at teaching,

good

Mechanical
Excess Theft.

Spatulate.
ery.

at business.

skill,

love of machin-

First

phalange relatively long love of talking,

eloquence,

skill.

Second phalange
sense, good

common

relatively

long

industry,

at business, love of

argu-

ment.

Third
evil

phalange

relatively

long

scheming,

eloquence, lying.

Very long altogether the sign of a savant.

If when the hands are held open and loose,
and second fingers fall naturally widest
apart, it will show independence of thought, if
the third and fourth are widest, inde endence

the

first

action.

and

If

both are very wide, great originali

self-reliance.

If the fingers naturally cur.

up towards the palm when so

will

held, the subject

be conventional.

When

the third phalanges of

all

the fingers

utlfne.

are thick to the root,

or, at least,

a sign of greediness,

of a love of good things to eat and

When

drink.

it is

29

the third phalanges of

all

the

fin-

downwards below the mounts,

gers incline

it

shows shyness, sometimes extreme cowardice.

If the first phalanges hollow and curve upwards
avarice.
Reversed, when they turn back very far

extravagance.
Thumb
ness.

inclining inwards

Outwards

avarice and

selfish-

generosity to prodigality.

(The inclination of the fingers towards each

other requires

much

chiromantists

have encountered seem to have

sufficiently

considered

down above

study;

it.

and none of the

The few

are those I 'have never

much

rules laid

known

to

yet remains to be discovered on

fail,

but

this

important point.)

,q.<

THE MOUNTS.
Mount of

Jupiter.

(At the base of the first finger.)

Religion, ambition, honour,

love of power and domineering,

Absence.
want
gaiety,

Qualities.

love of society.
Excess.

Pride,

conceit, superstition.

Irreligion, selfishness, idleness,

of dignity, vulgarity.

good Mount of Jupiter

will

always show a

great mind.

Mount of Saturn.
(At the base of the second finger.)

Prudence, wisdom.
Taciturnity, sadness, love of
remorse, tendency to
Absence. Misfortune or
Qualities.

Excess.

solitude,

religious fanaticism,

insignificant

30

suicide.

life.

si

rtftounts.

Mount of Apollo.
(At the base of the third finger)
Qualities.

Love

intelligence, hope,

of art or literature
calm, beauty and

genius,

grace of

mind, gentleness, toleration, mercy.

Love of money,
boasting,
Absence. Dulness and
Excess.

extravagance, curi-

scoffing, lying,

osity,

and envy.

insignificance.

Mount of Mercury.
(At the base of the fourth finger)
Qualities.

Cheerfulness,

intelligence, wit, dash,

eloquence, industry, inventiveness, promptitude

of action and thought, love of work.

Lying,
Absence. Want

Excess.

theft,

treachery, ruse, trickery,

pretentiousness, ignorance.

a negative

of intelligence and aptitude;

life.

Mount of Mars.
There are two Mounts of Mars, one beneath
Mount of Jupiter, divided from it by the
Line of Life, the other beneath the Mount of
Mercury, divided from it by the Line of Heart.
The Plain of Mars lies between the two.
the

Qualities of

the

First

(beneath

Jupiter).


32

XZbe

Grammar

of ipalmtetrg.

Active courage, presence of mind,

resolution,

elan, aggressiveness.

Qualities of the

Second (beneath Mercury).

Passive courage, devotion, self-command, resignation, strength

of resistance, noble pride.

Excess (the excess of these mounts

able).

Of

daring

second

the

first

great

love of danger for

is

favour-

courage, dash and

its

own

sake.

Of the

power of

great fortitude, calm strength,

forgiveness.

Excess (when represented also by bad

Cruelty, tyranny,

blood-thirstiness,

lines).

anger,

in-

justice, insolence, brusquerie.

Absence.

Cowardice, timidity, want of presence

of mind.

Mount of Venus.
(At the base of the thumb)
Qualities.

Beauty,

grace,

affection,

charity,

benevolence, love of beautiful things, of dancing,

of melody in music, desire of pleasing, and the
pleasures of the senses.
Excess.

Inconstancy,

vanity, idleness,

Absence.

effrontery,

coquetry,

and sensuality.

Coldness,

selfishness,

want of tender-

ness and love.

If the

mount

is

flat,

there

is

a want of the

33

d&ount6*
qualities

to have vices

signs to join

it

is

necessary for other

With a hard hand, a much-

in.

developed mount will give wit and grace of

manner, and
of Saturn

it

will take

from a developed Mount

make

melancholy, and will

its

the

subject gay.

Mount of Luna.
(On

the outside of the

hand beneath

Mars, and opposite that of

Qualities.

Imagination,

the

Mount

of

Vetius.)

sentiment,

refine-

ment, poetry, harmony in music, love of scenery.

Despair, discontent, caprice,

Absence. Dulness, want of sympathy, of im-

Excess.
bility,

irrita-

sadness, superstition.

agination, of ideas, positivism,

and severe judg-

ment on others.
The mounts should always be judged with due
regard for the shape of the fingers

danger of confusing good and

otherwise
evil qual-

there

is

ities,

such as religion and pride, science and

thieving.

It is

understand the

also very necessary to study

lines.

For

and

instance, a straight

Line of Head, a poor Line of Heart, knotted

and a long first phalange of the thumb,

fingers,

Line of Apollo, love of money

the subject will be a speculator,
c

will give, to a fine

instead of art


Gbe Grammar

34

not an
will

Look

artist.

of palmistry.

also

if

idleness

soft

hand

not prevent success.

Look
other.

mounts incline towards each

Mercury encroaches on Apollo, science

also if the

If

will join art

if

towards the percussion or out-

side of the hand,

Mars

inclining

courage

it

will

show

talent for business.

towards Mercury will denote

and energy in the manMars towards Luna energy

in free speech,

agement of affairs.
in imagination, and so

on.

Time and the Mounts

PART
Time.

II.

(Fig. 17.)

Time is counted downwards on the Line of Life

as shown in'the accompanying sketch, and downwards also on the Line of Head. On the Line
of Fate, on the contrary, time is counted upwards
from the wrist to the Mount of Saturn, and this
On
is also the case with the Line of Fortune.
the
counted
from
Mount
is
of
Heart
it
the Line
of Jupiter to the percussion of the hand.

Line of Life.
{Vital.)

The Line of
existence,

period.

cidents

Life

and

Time

shows the length of a person's

his health or illness during the

measured upon it, and the inmarked on the other lines are corrobois

rated.

The Line

of Life should be long, narrow, deep,

and completely encircling the

Mount of Venus. This will give long life, exempt
from illness, and a good character.
softly coloured

37

Zbc Grammar

38

Signs of
health.

Small

illness.

Little

of ftatmtstrg.

Pale

dark clots

lines crossing

it

and very deep bad

on it nervous illness.

small

illnesses, generally

Chained and uneven painful life,

Stopping suddenly with a black
death by accident or violence. Broken in

headache.

bad health.
dot

one hand and weak in the other a serious illness

broken in both hands generally the
Forked at the end possibly of
patient dies.
illness or insanity
where this is found it is well
;

to caution the subject against over-work, either

mentally or physically. It is always a bad sign,

and conveys a serious warning.
Branches. When branch lines rise on either
side of the Line of Life, it shows riches and
dignity if they fall downwards, poverty or loss
of character.
If one line rises from the Line of
Life and crosses the Mount of Jupiter, it shows
boundless ambition if in both hands, it will be

successful, unless crossed out

the branch, instead of the

by other

Mount

lines

if

of Jupiter,

on to those of Apollo or Mercury, success

be gained in art or business, and will be the

rises

will

result of personal merit.

If the Life

divided and one branch goes

Mount

of

away on

Line

is

to the

Luna and deepens, it shows long voy-

ages or distant travelling.

39

%ir\e5.

Cross Lines.

Many very small cross

health and delicate constitution.

Mount

lines

ill-

Lines from the

Venus crossing the Line of Life are

by other people. Very often
they are signs of illness brought about by trouble
sometimes they are
given by persons loved
of

misfortunes caused

money

troubles, difficulties with relations, occa-

sionally lawsuits.

To

distinguish between them,

must be taken to see where and how they

end.
If on the Heart Line, it will be from the
affections, and if ending with a star or irregular
cross, a sudden shock.
On the Head Line they
will show an accident, ox a brain fever, or illness
care

from overwork.
Attendant Lines.
closely followed

When

by another

sionally entwine itself with

the Line of Life

line,

is

which may occa-

it, it is

a sign of great

vigour and success, and a promise of riches.

But
and crosses the Mount
of Luna, ending in a star, the subject may be
given to intemperance, and if, together with this,
there is a black mark on the Line of Head, he
will probably die from delirium tremens or a fit
of insanity. This sister line to the Line of Life
is generally called the Line of Mars.
Besides the
Line of Mars, which is rare, there will generally
be found some attendant lines further off from
the Line of Life, which follow its course more or
if

a branch rises from

it

be Grammar

40

of palmistry.

These represent the influence of

other people over our life, and their intensity and
duration may be calculated by their depths and
by the nearness of their approach to the Line of
less regularly.

Life.

Stars

and

Crosses.

Stars and crosses near the

Line of Life are signs of trouble, especially

lines

composing the

star or cross pass

if

the

over the

Line of Life this is often the sign of an infirmity

from which the subject will not recover but if
;

on the side next the thumb

trouble from relations.

it

is

When

the Vital Line

ter

and talent

both hands he
will

but

will

ends in a

may have an

crosses, the subject

if

may mean

it

series of

amiable charac-

the crosses are found in

never succeed in any one

do nothing great with his

life,

and

is

line,

menaced

with long ill-health at the termination.

Line of Head.
(Cerebral^)

Should be even, long and narrow this will

show strong judgment, determined will, and clear
mind. If the Mount of Mercury is much de;

veloped, there will be originality, energy, and

constancy

less ability.

if

Mercury

is

low,

more learning and

%inee.

When
Life.

the line is separated

This

found

in

who have
is

41

is

from

the Line of

a sign of self-confidence,

and when
Subjects

both hands, often conceit.

very impulsive, and

this division are

as well to

warn them not

it

to decide too hastily;

with them second thoughts will generally be

The

best.

division

always of advantage

is

in

gaining success in any business or profession,

especially for barristers, public speakers, actors,
singers, etc., as

it

them confidence

gives

own powers, and scorn of

When the Line of Head
Life.This
If

it is

is

a sign of

in their

criticism.
is

joined

want of

to the

Line of

self-confidence.

joined as far as the middle in both hands,

timidity

and moral cowardice

will

be excessive

and unless there are signs of very great

talent,

subjects with the lines so joined will never suc-

ceed in anything.

In

many

cases the lines are

joined in one hand, and not in the other

this

is

the case, a join in the

left

hand

will

when
show

the subject to have been

born self-distrustful,
have conquered it by resolution if vice
versa, the subject has been in youth somewhat
conceited, and has been probably snubbed into a

and

to

smaller opinion of himself.

When

the subject

has a join in both hands, snubbing will have a

very bad effect on the character; the subject
should, on the contrary, be in every

way encour-

42

ftbe

aged.

When
is

of fl>almistrE.

also often a sign that the develop-

It is

ment of the

Grammar

intellect

has been slow.

the line is very long

and

straight.

This

a sign of common-sense, of care and economy.

If it goes quite straight right across the

show

avarice, selfishness,

hand, it will

and greed.

This,

how-

need not be the case if the other signs are

very good in the hand; with a fine Mount of
Jupiter, a turned-out thumb, and a good Line of
ever,

Heart,

it

will

mean

only

great perseverance,

good

judgment, and common-sense.

When
is

the line

very long

is

and

sloping.

This

a sign of imagination, artistic feeling, poetry,

and but

little

judgment.

In excess,

it

will

bring

every sort of folly and delusion, especially

if

Mount of Luna

lined,

and should
subject

long

it

may

the

end in a star near the Bracelet, the

end his days in a madhouse. A

line is sign of

When

much developed and

is

good memory.

Line of Head is forked. It is a

good thing that all the lines in the hand, except
the Line of Life, should end in a fork.
When
the

Head Line ends in a small fork, it will show

both imagination and common-sense. But the

the

fork should not be too large, or the ends irregular.

In this case

ruse and trickery

deceit

in

any

it
;

case,

would show a tendency to

bad hand, to lying and
if one branch descends to-

in a

43

ftfnes.

wards the Mount of Luna, it is a sign of diplomatic talent, subtility and acuteness the subject
;

may

deceive himself, but he certainly has the

ability to deceive others.

When

the line is short.

If the line

only to the middle of the hand,

of

spirit,

of dash and balance

shows a want

the subject will

see but one side of any question

under the Mount of Saturn,

it

advances

life

if it

stops short

will t^e short,

and death probably sudden. If the line begins

under the Mount of Saturn, and slopes into the
Mount of Luna, and the Heart Line is not very
good, it will show an obstinate character, and
one who will always take offence and love quarrels.
As any line attached to the Saturnian
which does not cross it is bad
or Line of Fate
and unlucky, so a Head or Heart Line ending
or beginning at the Line of Fate is very unfortunate, shows much unhappiness, weak health,
and short life.

Signs of

and wide,

illness.
it

indecision; but

Mount

When

the line

shows a want of
if

the

thumb

is

very pale

intelligence,
is

and

good, and the

of Mercury well developed and marked,

this will

mean weakness

of the brain, and the

subject should be cautioned against over-excitein

two beneath the Mount of

signifies

an accident to the head, or a

ment.

Broken

Saturn,

it

Gbe Grammar

44

of palmistry.

wound of some sort. A circle on

mean the loss of sight. Winding,
of differing colours,
if

broken

memory.

it

in blocks,

shows

the line

may

unequal, and

liver complaint,

and

mental disease, or loss of

Small lines crossing or falling from

it

headache.

When

the line is chained.

of fixity in the ideas; there

but

if

the line

a sister line,
Crosses,

is

it

and

A cross

This shows a want

is

too

much

followed throughout

variety;

by another,

means a great inheritance.

lines rising and falling from

it.

on the Head Line in the middle of

Mars shows a severe accident, the
result of which must be looked for on the Line
Black dots upon the line show brain
of Life.
fever, or an illness in which the subject has been
delirious.
Lines rising from the Head Line,
and mounting towards the Heart without touching, and those which fall from the Heart towards
the Head, show the influence of other people
over us, and we can trace by their crossing each
other, or stopping short, how far such influence
is prejudicial or favourable to our happiness.
The lines from the Head upwards are those of
friendship only, while those from the Heart may
arise from love for members of the opposite sex.
A branch from the Head Line rising high upon

the Plain of

45

3Unes.

the

Mount of Jupiter, and

ends
if

cutting into the root of

shows great pride and ambition

the finger,

in a cross,

will

it

fail

in a star

if it

success

but

instead of ending there, the branch turns back

towards the

Mount

of Saturn,

it is

a bad sign for

the subject will be a fanatic in

the character:

religion or pride,

and possessed of mad vanity.

branch from the Head Line going toward Mercury

shows a great gain in business or affairs if it ends

between the third and fourth fingers the gain will
be in art or science. When the Heart Line sinks
;

down towards
if

the

Head

it is

the other signs are good,

of a person

who

is

a sign of egotism;
it

is

only the sign

unable to see any question

own

standpoint, and takes a

narrow and conventional view of things in gen-

except from his

eral
if

physically

Line

rises

timidity.
it

it

will

the Line of Health

show asthma, or palpitation

is

not good.

towards the Heart,

If the

it

Head

If the
is

a sign

Head and Heart Lines

shows misfortune and early death

of

touch,

if in

both

hands, and should the Line of Fate stop at the

Line of Head, the evil becomes still more certain.

Should the Line of Head arch towards the Heart
Line, and then abruptly fall on to the Line of
Life,

it is

the sign of great misfortune in love,

probably a long engagement never

fulfilled.

Gbe Grammar

46

of ipalmtetrg.

Line of Heart.
(Mensal^j

Should be narrow, deep, of a good colour,

running straight from the Mount of Jupiter to
This will give a good heart
The longer the Line

that of Mercury.

strong and happy affection.

of Heart, the nobler, the

more

ideal the love.

Should, however, the line completely encircle the

Mount of

Jupiter,

Luna, the subject

and the Head Line slope on

himself unhappy by

may make

jealousy.

When

the line is short.

neath the

Mount of

Not

Saturn,

it is

rising until be-

a sign of a cold

the Mount of
much developed and the hand soft, the
affections may be very warm, but the tendency
With a very long Head Line
will be sensual.
heart;

Venus

if,

however, with

this,

is

and strong thumb, a subject will be very conThis will

stant, even if the Heart Line is short.
make him affectionate to the few he loves, though
lacking in general benevolence and love of his
fellow-creatures.
When the line goes round the
percussion of the hand till it can be seen on the
back, it will show great spirit, daring, and perseverance.

When

the line is forked.

A fork on the Heart

Xines.

Line under Jupiter

is

47

a true sign of trustworthi-

ness and constancy, but not of happiness in love.

The more even

the fork, the

more

ideal the

character.

Branches.

Branches

the Line of Heart

rising

show

and

falling

from

the influence of other

people on the affections, and as they are crossed

or otherwise, so

is

the love successful and re-

turned, or disappointed and unhappy.

branch
on the Mount of Jupiter promises
great happiness and successful ambition, if uncrossed.
When a branch cuts through the line
and descends beneath it, it is a sign of disap-

that rises high

When

pointment.
is

there are

many

a sign that the feelings of love

very strong.

No

branches mean a loveless

so far as the opposite sex

When

the line

branches,

is

broken.

is

it

and hate are

life,

concerned.

break in the line

generally means a broken engagement, or a great

disappointment with regard to a person loved.

If

beneath Saturn, circumstances will be the

cause; between Saturn and Apollo, folly; beneath

Apollo, from pride; and beneath Mercury, from

caprice or ignorance.

Dots and Dents.

These

on the Heart Line

always show troubles, physical or mental.

the dot

and may

When

sorrow has been very keen,

be caused by the unworthiness of the

is

red, the

Gbe Grammar

48

person loved.

of palmistry.

White dots

are conquests in love,

and black or blue ones are signs of shock or

illness.

When

the line is chained.

Chains

or islands

on the Line of Heart show inconstancy, caprice,

flirtation, and intrigue, and often contempt of the
opposite sex.

Signs of

illness.

These

signs on the Heart

Line must always be corroborated either on the

Line of Health or that of Life, otherwise it is
very easy to mistake
or loss of

flirtation for heart-disease,

money and

palpitation of the heart,

bad sign physically,

if

troubles of poverty for

and so on.

the line

is

It is

a very

almost white and

very wide, especially under Saturn, so that

almost looks blurred; this

disease of the heart, and

if

is

it

a great sign of

the line be cut and

the two ends piled on top of each other

it is

also

a sign of severe illness.

A hand without any Line of Heart shows hardheartedness, cruelty, and avarice.

Line of Fate.
(Satumian.)

The Line

of Fate shows worldly success or

and the general course of the life.

There are four principal places for the de-

failure,

parture of this line

49

Xfnes*

This is good and

ist. From the Line of Life.
common. The line then partakes of the life-

shows a generous heart, and,

crossed, shows prosperity and happiness.

qualities,

From

if

un-

Mars, or middle of
This will show a life of trouble, but
the hand.
There will
is also a sign of hope and energy.
always be struggles and obstacles, but if success
2nd.

the Plain of

be by merit alone.
This will show a fine
destiny, if found thus in both
hands, and happiness or misery will result from
it according to the direction and markings of

is

achieved,

will

it

From the
uncommon
and

Bracelet.

3rd.

the

line.

Mount

If

goes from the Bracelet to the

it

of Saturn, ending high upon

great success
certain.

If

it

if

the line

is

forked,

it, it

shows
more

it is still

mount and enters

shows excessive fatality,

passes over the

the Finger of Saturn,

it

a great destiny; should

higher and end in a

it,

star,

however, mount

still

said to presage an

it is

heroic career, ending with violence, or a great

crime.
4th.

From

the

Mount of Luna. When the Line

mount it shows that all the

of Fate rises from this

happiness of the

life

will arise

some other person or

from the actions of

Destiny is taken

persons.

out of the hands of the subject altogether, and

arranged for him.

This

is

not altogether the

Zhc Grammar

50

of lpalmtetrs.

Luna in one hand

from the Life Line or the

the line rises from

case

if

only,

and

in the other

In this case the subject will either

Bracelet.

have given away his

fate voluntarily

into an-

other's hands, or will have freed himself from

the control imposed upon him

as the line

the

left

is

hand.

found differing
If a

by circumstance,
in the right or in

Luna Line

the Heart Line, and there

is

of Fate stop at

a well-formed cross

on the Mount of Jupiter, fortune and happiness

will arise by means of a good marriage.
If the line rises from below the Bracelet, it
shows a very bad influence of fate and great
There are four principal places on which
grief.
the Line of Fate may end.
ist. On
When this

not

much

or towards the
is

Mount of

the case and the line

is

Saturn.

good one,

crossed or barred, the career will be a

and probably successful and adventurous

These chances will often
full of good chances.
be shown by the end of the line being much
forked upon the mount, each fork showing by its
fine one,

direction in

2nd.

On

what pursuit success

or towards Jupiter.

will

be promised.

This

great success and gratified ambition

will
if

show

the line

high upon the mount, but if it runs up

between the first and second finger it shows
rises

tranquil, untroubled

life.

51

Xfnes.

On

3rd.

or towards the

This promises success in

the line
4th.

is

On

clear

Mount of
art,

Mount of Mercury.

or towards the

a sign of love troubles

often spoiled

if

scientific

Line of Heart,

If the line stops at the

at the

or great riches

and uncrossed.

This shows gain in business or

is

Apollo.

if

triumphs.
it is

often

Line of Head,

fate

by a wrong judgment; but

in

both cases these signs must be corroborated on

the other lines. Small lines cutting the Saturnian

show

troubles,

crosses

on, or near the

line,

changes of fate, or residence; and stars, dangers.

When the Fate Line is broken it does not
always mean misfortune

if

the line continues

again well marked and uncrossed

show

a great event in the

run parallel for a

little

life,

will

it

and

if

probably
the lines

distance the event

may

bring a change for the better in position and

dignity.

When

the

with a double

Fate Line
line, it is

is

tortuous

and chained

a sign of misfortune, or

bad character, and unhappiness brought about

evil deeds.
When, however, the line is only

by

followed by a sister line for a short distance, it

means a strong influence of another person, or
even an effect of imagination, powerful enough
to affect the career of the subject.

Branches upwards from the Fate Line show

Gbe <5tammar

52

ot lpalmf9tr^

improvement in position and wealth but if they

downwards there will be reverses, and
possibly poverty. A corkscrew on the line
shows a very unfortunate period if near the
bottom of the hand, a very unhappy childhood.
This is also shown by dents and crosses at the
extreme beginning of the Life Line.
Should a line rise on the Mount of Luna, and
cross or join the Line of Fate, it shows a great
;

tend

folly,

or a fatal influence of imagination.

other bad signs concurring,

danger of

it

from over-indulgence

illness

With

sometimes.means
in intox-

icating drink.

In studying the Line of Fate, both

hands

should be most carefully compared.

[M. Desbarolles, M. Serres, and other French

and in this they have
writers have asserted
been followed by many English chiromantists
that the Line of Fate is only to be found in the

hands of the European races. That they are

mistaken in their assertion I have myself ascertained by examining the hands both of Maoris
and of Hindoos in the former case I invariably
found the Fate Line very strongly marked.]
;

53

Xtnes.

Line of Fortune.
{Solar)

Shows

and riches, artistic and

and success, worldly distinction
It should be narrow, deep,
and prosperity.
straight, long, and rise high upon the Mount
glory, fame,

literary talent,

of Apollo.

There are four places from which the

may

line

rise.

This is
1st. Rising from the Line of Life.
very favourable, and will show success and fortune gained by inheritance, or by merit.

lower the line

rises,

The

the more surely will honour

or celebrity be attained.
2nd. Rising

from

Mount of Luna.

the

In

this

case success or fortune will be gained unexpectedly,

and by the help of other people, by the

influence of powerful friends, or

by marriage.

Rising from the Plain of Mars.

Middle
of the hand. In this case success will come late
3rd.

in life,

or towards middle-age, and will be the

result of personal merit

4th. Rising from the

show an

and exertion.

Line of Heart.

This will

appreciative character, a love of art and

of the beautiful; but neither wealth nor fame

will

be gained by

it.

Gbe Grammar

54

of fcalmfstrg.

Occasionally the Line of Apollo

beneath the

rising

maybe

found

Mount of Venus, running

parallel for a short distance with the

Line of

fortune and success will then be

made by

Life

by the help of a strong

love or marriage, or

friendship, but the subject has not

to

been born

it.

Cross Lines.

These

of success, and
ting

if

are obstacles in the

through, the obstacles

it

envy and

ill-will;

beginning they

way

they bar the line without cutif

may

arrive from

they bar the line near the

will

show

loss

of fortune by

parents during youth.

Branches.

Apollo
but

will

single fork

show success

in

on the Mount of
one line of life;

there are many, and the line

if

say, faggoted, there will be taste

many

different

branches of

and

is,

art, politics,

erature, but energy being too

much

so to

talent in

or

lit-

distributed,

nothing will be brought to success or perfection,

very exceptional cases, when a high

except

in

Mount

of Jupiter, and a very strong thumb, will

uncommon aptitude and deterBut when, instead of branching, the

lines run parallel down the mount, great celebrity
will be attained, and fortune and position will
make complete success. But this is only when
Many
the lines are found alike in both hands.
show a

subject of

mination.

55

%ines.

lines on the mount always show ambition, but

when faggoted tied, as it were, together it

degenerates into a mere love of display and

desire to shine
often

When the
and

three lines will, nevertheless,

show a gain

in wealth.

Line of Fortune

is

inferior in strength

beauty to that of Fate, there will

be more

position than wealth.

Unless there

Line

of Apollo

is

a good

Mount of Jupiter a
much success^

cannot bring

except in the shape of money, and in a very

hollow hand

it is

said to be powerless.

The Line of Health.

(Hepatica)
It is

a sign of a very strong constitution to be

without this

line.

The Line

of Health should start from the

from the Line of Life, and go on, or
towards the Mount of Mercury but it is very
irregular, and may begin or end almost anywhere
in the hand.
It should be long, narrow, clear,
well-coloured and straight this will show good
health, good memory and a kind heart.
If the line is tortuous it shows biliousness and
bad temper. If it joins the Heart Line, and does
Bracelet, or

Gbe Grammar

56

not cross
it

it, it

will

joins the Line of

of fcalmtetrg.

show

feebleness of Heart;

if

Head

it

shows a tendency

to

brain attack from over-work or over-excitement,

especially

if

the Life Line

is

forked at the wrist.

A cross

on the line shows an illness, the date of

which must be looked for on the Line of Life.
Small lines crossing it show weakness and delicacy, often headaches or neuralgia.

broken

it

If the line is

show congestion of the lungs or

will

pleurisy.
If the line

is

unequally coloured and very red

it shows a tendency to fever,

and red or black dots show severe illness if it
is red near the Line of Head, it shows severe
headaches, if it is very pale and white, chronic

near the middle,

indigestion.

Very red near the Line of

Life

A
shows
shows no family a star near it on the Plain of
Mars shows failing sight, sometimes blindness.
Branches from the Hepatica to the line of
heart-disease.

star on the Hepatica

Fortune show changes

professions,

and

in business relations or

this is also

shown by a

cross

near, but disconnected with the Line of Health.

A branch
Jupiter
ling;
will

from the Hepatica to the Mount of

shows great changes and much

if it rises

mean

money.

the possession

When

travel-

towards the Mount of Apollo,

it

of a great deal of

the Hepatica

is

followed

by a

57

Xines.
sister line,

good

it

is

a sign of excellent health

and

fortune.

The Line of

Intuition.

(Line of Luna.)

This

is

not a very

common

line,

and

is,

as a rule,

only found on imaginative or intellectual hands.

It should rise upon or beneath the Mount of
Luna, and proceed in a sort of half circle on to or
towards the Mount of Mercury.

If

it is

clear, straight,

and narrow, it will show

and mesmerism. The

intuition, thought-reading,

have a taste for occult science,

and if there is an island
near the beginning of the line, a gift of second

subject

will

divining, clairvoyance,

sight.

If the line is

branched, tortuous, or short,

there will be danger of caprice and over-imagination, culminating in lunacy.

When

the Line of

Luna forms

the Line of Fate and the Line of

to indicate a

a triangle with

Head

good chiromantist, with

it is

said

talent for

palmistry.

An island on the line, not perfect at one end,

shows a tendency to somnambulism. This is
also shown in the same way as the Line of
Health.

58

ftbe

Grammar

of ipalmietrs*

Lines crossing the Line of Intuition, going towards the Fate or Life Lines, show voyages, and
a star on the Mount of Luna, near the line, a
danger of shipwreck, or fire at sea.

The Ring of Venus.

The Ring

of

Venus

is

a half-circle, formed by

a line starting from between the

first and second

surrounding the Mounts of
Saturn and Apollo, and ending, when perfect,

fingers, crossing or

between the third and fourth fingers.

The early writers, and the great master of
chiromancy, Desbarolles, have chosen to regard
this

line

as indicative of evil, a sign of false

ambition, lying, coquetry and sensuality;

in this

and

they have been followed by most English

palmists,

though the

latest writers

have seen

fit

to modify, to a great degree, the severe judg-

ment of
gone so

their predecessors
far

as to say

it

is

in fact,

some have

not a sign of

evil,

except with other bad signs concurring, and only

when the line is broken or

Now, I fancy if they had not

then

tangled.
started with the

original idea already prejudged in their minds,

they might possibly have

with regard to their

own

come to

the conclusion

experience to discard

the earlier readings hallowed

by

tradition,

and

59

Xines.

Desalways divided the

to attribute this line to other influences.

barolles, in his works, has

palm of the hand

into three worlds or divisions

Mounts

the intellectual, that which comprises the

and

Heart and Head, drawing a

lines of

thumb

across from the junction of the

base of the

Mount

of Mercury;

line

to the

the physical,

that which contains the table of the hand, the

Plain

and Mounts of Mars, drawing the

line

from

thumb to the junction of

the Mounts of Mars and Luna and the sensual,
comprising the Mounts of Venus and Luna down
The truth and value of this dito the wrist.
vision has never, I believe, been disputed.
How,
the lowest joint of the

then,

it

may be

asked, can a line,

drawn across

the highest pitch of the intellectual world, be

of qualities which have always been

found clearly distinguishable in the excessive

the sign

?
The line
Mounts of Fate and Fortune,

development of the lowest division

itself encircles

and
lines
I

is

the

generally found sharply intersecting the

which

signify success in art

venture, therefore, with

all

and ambition.

respect to the learned

and experienced writers who have gone before

me, to suggest that possibly the earlier reading
of this line may have been mistaken, and that
the time has

come when new

light

may

be

Zhe Grammar

60

thrown upon the

of ipalmtetrg.

subject.

For myself

may,

perhaps, be allowed to say on behalf of a

new

view, that during nearly five years of study and

of experience of

of hands on both sides

have occasionally examined
as many as forty or fifty in a day
I have never
in one single case found the old reading correct,

of the world

all sorts

and

or that the line in any

way corresponded

to the

other signs of the same disposition found in the

hand.

have found

this line invariably in

hands

of the most refined and intellectual type, hands

with long taper fingers, straight forked Heart

Lines with a few branches, pale narrow lines,

and an entire absence of the Mount of Venus.
In most cases I have also remarked in hands
showing the so-called Ring of Venus, that while
the Heart Line is cold, the Head Line is very
marked, long, sloping deep and narrow, and the
thumb has a long, strong phalange of reason.
The hands are also often very much lined and
crossed.
My own theory, which is as yet only
a supposition, and should be considered merely
as such, is that this Ring of Venus is a sign of

much

misfortune

as

it

breaks the Lines of Fate

and Fortune, so it deprives them of their ultimate success, and as it cuts off the Mounts of
Saturn and Apollo, so it deprives the rest of the

Xines.

61

hand of the prudence and worldly wisdom of

the former, and of the fame and sunshine of

happiness promised by the

latter.

It is

of a restless disposition, of a vie manquee.

a sign

PART

III.

The Plain of Mars.

The

Plain of

Mars

is

the centre of the palm of

the hand, the valley through which the Line of

Head
If

flows.
it

daring;

shows aggressiveness and

is

high,

if

low, a peaceful disposition;

it

if very-

hollow, the subject will never rise to any high

position.

The

lines to

be found, and signs marked on

are considered under the headings of the

it,

Quad-

rangle and Triangles.

The Quadrangle.
This

is

Head and

the space found between the Lines of

Heart.

wide and regular, largest nearest the

percussion, and the lines bounding it of good
colour, it shows justice, loyalty and broad,
tolerant views, a straightforward and courageous
Should it be narrow, it shows narrow
character.
views and conventionality, a tendency to inwith other bad signs
justice and indecision
If

it

is

62

63

Xines.

concurring, deceit and malice.

In an otherwise

good hand, but with a weak Line of Health, it

When this narrowness
is said to show asthma.
Line of Heart descending
is caused by the
towards the Line of Head, the subject

is egotisti-

same time the Mount of Venus

is well developed, and the Heart Line long, it
will mean an inability on the subject's part to
see anything from another's point of view/ and
though in this case he will be benevolent, he
will only assist others at his own time, and in
cal;

his

but

if at

the

own manner.

When

the narrowness of the Quadrangle

is

caused by the Line of Head mounting towards

the Line of Heart,
timidity.

it is

a sign of irresolution and

With red coloured

lines,

developed

Mounts of Mars, and a short Heart Line, it will

mean cruelty also. In an otherwise benevolent
hand it will show a hard and critical judgment
of other people's faults.

Crosses in the Quadrangle show the influences

of others on the

life

of the subject.

Those

that

from the Heart Line downwards are influences engendered by the opposite sex, those

fall

that rise

may be

the result of either friendship

or love, but in the latter case the feeling will be

deeper on the part of the other person concerned

than of the subject himself. If the cross is well-

Gbe Grammar

64

of

palmistry

formed and does not cross the Lines of Fate or

Fortune, the influence will be good and happy,
and if the branches of the cross touch both head
and heart, the influence will be lifelong.

The Triangle.
The Triangle

(fig.

6) is

found in the centre of

the palm of the hand, below the Quadrangle,

formed by the Lines of Head, Life, and

if there is no Health Line in the hand,
the Line of Fortune will take its place and if
that also is wanting, then the Fate Line stands
instead but in both these latter cases the Triangle must necessarily be much contracted.
When the Triangle is well traced, wide, and

and

is

Health;

good colour, it will show good

long life, and a strong intellect.
of

the lines
health,

When

is

it

very large

audacity,

generosity,

and a noble character.

When it is small and badly formed, it is a sign
of avarice, tenacity, meanness, and want of intelligence.

and somewhat raised in

show daring, courage, and love

If the Triangle is flat

the hand,

it

will

but if it is much sunk, the character

be peaceable and unambitious.
Formed by the conjuncFirst Angle (fig. 7).

of struggle

will

6Q

Xines.

67

and of Head.

tion of the Lines of Life

narrow, well made, and acute,

it

will

If

show

it

is

good

and wit. If
do not join,
the angle is formed

disposition, sensitiveness, delicacy

very obtuse, stupidity.

great self-confidence.

If the lines
If

low down, right upon the Plain of Mars, it will

be a sign of a very unhappy life, possibly of love
of money, and strife.
Second Angle (fig. 8). Formed by the conjunction of the Lines of Life and of Health, or
sometimes of Health and of Fate. If this angle
is well formed, it will show good health
but it is
a sign of a bad constitution if it is too sharp. If
it is too heavy and broad, it shows idleness and

ill-nature.

If,

in the

hand of a

child, this angle

found defective, care should be taken that he

should not be pushed too hard in his studies, as
is

intellectual

health

may

power
suffer

Third Angle

will be late in developing, and

from too great application.

(fig.

Formed

9).

junction of the Lines of

If

it is

well formed

by the conHead and of Health.

and broad,

it

shows long

life

and much intelligence

too
and if badly formed, headache
and irritability. If very obtuse, it is a sign of
stupidity and inconstancy.
If in the hand of a young person the Triangle
is formed by the Lines of Life, Head, and Health,
E 2
;

nervous temper

if

it

is

sharp, a

Gbe Grammar

68

ot palmistry*

and the Lines of Fate and Fortune are missing,

an intellectual career should not be chosen for
He may be very clever and capable of
him.
good work, but he will always lose the opporfrom want of worldly wisdom
tune moment
the golden opportunity will be missed, and suc;

cess in mental

work

The

will

never be achieved.

Bracelets.

(Rascettes)

These are the

It is,

lines

which encircle the

wrist.

however, only those placed close to the

hand that are of any importance.

The

Bracelets

being said to
istence

show length of life each line

some thirty years of ex-

foretell

and health, wealth, and happiness.

A single line, well

made, uncrossed, and deep,

shows a happy, if short, existence, and a calm
disposition, and the greater the number of lines,
if equally well made, the greater the promise of
good fortune and happiness. A Bracelet of four
lines is called a " royal Bracelet," and signifies
that the fortunate possessor will gain

all

this

world can give.

If the lines rise

of elevated ideas

descend,

it is

towards the hand,

and noble views of

a sign of inferiority.

it is

life

a sign
if

they

%ine$.
If the lines are chained,

but

life;

if

it

69

will

show

a laborious

they continue without breaking, suc-

cess will be

won

at last.

are much broken and badly

marked, it shows trouble, distress, and with other
bad signs concurring, even disgrace.
cross on the Bracelets, well marked and
even, is a sign of a legacy or unexpected gain.
An angle promises great inheritance and an
honoured old age.
Branches on the Bracelets are also signs of
distinctions and honour.
Lines rising from the Bracelet on to the Mount
of Luna show long travel and voyages; if they
end in a star on the mount, it is a warning of
shipwreck; if in both hands, a danger of drowning.
If "a line rises from the wrist and passes
If the

lines

up

to

the

Mount

travel very far,

the world.

of Jupiter, the

subject

will

probably more than once round

If the

line,

however, directs

toward the Mount of Apollo,

it

will

itself

show a

life

of fortune and distinction from the favour of

but if it crosses the Mount of

Luna, and on reaching the Mount of Mars passes
round the percussion of the hand, it will show

great personages

great misfortune and tribulation, especially

is

also irregular in

chained.

its

if it

course, or broken and

Gbe Grammar

70

of lfcalmtett:

The Marriage

Lines.

The Marriage Lines are found passing horiMount of Mercury from the

zontally across the

percussion of the hand towards the palm.

The long
marriages

lines

only should be counted as

the others are love

affairs in

the feelings were deeply concerned.

which

In the case

of a love match there should be also a wellformed cross on the Mount of Jupiter, and by
this cross it is customary to date the time of
marriage.

marriage

If

it is

near the root of the finger, the

will take place

very early

if in

the

centre of the mount, from twenty-five to thirty;

lower down, about middle age and if upon the

Line of Life, not until old age. When the heart
is very deeply concerned, lines from the Heart
Line will be found rising towards the Marriage
Line on the Mount of Mercury^
When the Marriage Line is forked it is a sign
of a broken engagement.
If it slopes down on the Line of Heart, it is
if broken with a
said to foretell widowhood

if

black or red dot, the death will be sudden.

Crossed with

show

many

trouble, strife,

perpendicular

lines,

and possibly lawsuits.

it

will

%ines.

71

AND MOUNTS.

LINES ON THE FINGERS

First Finger.
(Finger of Jupiter})

THE FINGER.

LINES ON

One

single line from the root to the

first

pha-

lange shows nobility of character.

Many

lines

health (this

is

on the

phalange show

first

the case with

all

ill-

the fingers).

Transverse lines on the second

power of

lying well.
Star on the second
less the

a sign of wickedness, un-

branches mount on to the

Cross on the second

the

first

phalange.

friendship of the

great.

Transverse lines on the third

money, or

an

inheritance.

Star on the third

an

Many lines from

the

to the third phalange

evil life.

mount

high

across the root, on

spirit

and determi-

nation to succeed.

lines on

the mount.

A single line on the mount will show success.

A cross shows ambition and happiness.
A grill shows selfishness and absurd pride.
A triangle diplomacy.
Without

lines

happiness, and a calm

life.

72

ftbe

Grammar

of iPalmtetrE.

Second Finger.
(Finger of Saturn?)
LINES ON

THE FINGER.

A single line traversing the whole finger shows

and a great folly.
equal and regular a good fortune
of money said to be from mining or minerals.
stupidity

Many

lines

Waving

lines

Star on the

obstacles.

first

phalange

a great

but

fatal

event.

A single line on the third phalange, not touching the root of the finger

prosperity arms.
no family.
in

Cross on the third phalange

Triangle on the third- a bad subject, threat-

ened by a miserable fate.

Lines from the root to the mount

melan-

choly.

Many lines on

all

the phalanges are said to be

a sign of impulsiveness.

LINES ON

A single

line

THE MOUNT.

on the mount

a sign of happi-

ness.

Many

lines

misfortune, especially

if

tangled.

A cross a misfortune, or an adverse influence.

Rays tending upwards
Cross rays

obstacles.

happiness.

%ines.

73

Star shows a danger of assassination, some-

times of paralysis.

A triangle a talent for mystic

science.

Third Finger.
{Finger of Apollo})
LINES ON

THE FINGER.

A single line from the root to the

first

phalange

shows a gain of great glory.

Straight lines on the third
a happy existence.
One or two lines from the third to the second
show wisdom and ability.

LINES ON

A single line

THE MOUNT.

on the mount shows talent and

success.

Two lines, if crossed talent and failure.

Many lines, tangled or forked love of
many

arts,

and consequent

A cross ill-luck in art or in riches.

A grill vainglory and boasting.
A star shows riches and unhappiness
celebrity gained

too

failure.

by chance.

A triangle scientific art or architecture.

or

74

ftbe

Grammar

of ipalmistrg.

Fourth Finger.
{Finger of Mercury?)

THE

LINES ON

FINGER.

A single line from the root to the

success

in

scientific

research

first

if

phalange

more than

one, failure from following chimeras and impossibilities.

Lines on the

first

feebleness

ill-health,

of

organization.

Line from the second to the

first

great

intelligence.

Confused marks on the second

Straight lines on the third

theft or lying.

intelligence.

A star on the third spirit and eloquence.

A cross on the third theft.
A grill cheating and dishonesty.
LINES ON

THE MOUNT.

A single line shows a

Two

deep

lines

good chance of fortune.

a sign of a good doctor or

nurse.

faggot of lines shows science and aptitude,

sometimes a good chemist.

A star a successful author.

A cross a disposition to theft.
A triangle diplomacy, a love of politics.

75

tinea.

Too many
one

show an

lines

astute subject, but

overreach himself.

liable to

A cross on the mount, close to the Heart Line,

which

cut

is

by one of its branches, together with

line, is said to show a great

a black dot on the

money through

loss of

treachery.

[There being no mention of lines on the

thumb

am

in

any work on palmistry with which

acquainted, and

sufficiently justified

such a work as

my own

theories not being

by experience

to find a place

once pass on to
the consideration of the mount. The lines on

in

the thumb,

am

this, I shall at

convinced, are, nevertheless, of

considerable importance, and

draw the
to them ]
to

Lines on the

Many

should be glad

attention of the greater chiromantists

Mount of Venus.

upon the Mount of Venus show

great affection and passion
but if they are
crossed by others into a grill, the reverse is the
lines

case

there will be great refinement in love, but

is

cold and wanting in benevolence;

may be

modified by fine Lines of Heart and

the heart
this

Head.

mount

With many

lines

passing

to the palm, fate will rule,

ject's love-affairs will

down

the

and the sub-

be the sport of destiny.

76

trbe

Grammar

of fcalmisttg.

single strong line crossing from the

Mount

to

Mars will show the dominant influences of someone of the other sex, exercised
during a great part of the life. A mount without lines will show calm, coldness, and often a
short life. A star shows trouble connected with
marriage a single cross a happy love.

the Plain of

Lines of the

Many

Mount of Mars.

upon the Mount of Mars, next the

show a hot temper and a passionate
A mount without lines shows cool-

lines

percussion,
disposition.

ness and courage.

Transverse lines crossing to

show the

the outside of the hand are said to

number

of the subject's enemies, and according

as they are broken or not, their

grill is

power of

injury.

a sign of murder, or at least of homi-

cidal tendencies,

and a

star

is

said to indicate an

attempt at assassination, or death in

triangle will

show

talent for

Lines on the

A single line

war

battle.

tactics.

Mount of Luna.

on the Mount of Luna

a cause of disquiet; with

many

will

show

lines, there will

be nervousness, and torments of anxiety, either

(To find out from what it proreal or imaginary.

Smaller Signs.

Downward

ceeds, consult the other lines.)

to the wrist

A star

is

77

lines

show voyages or long journeys.

a danger of drowning, fatal only

if

on the Head Line,

low on the mount, it is a sign of a tendency to
madness.
cross shows lying or hallucination.
grill
sadness, timidity, and discontent.
found

in

both hands

but

if

On the Smaller

Signs.

crosses.

An

ill-made or uneven cross

is

always a bad

sign on a hand, but well-made even crosses are

not always harmful.

Mount

Cross on the

of Jupiter

successful

ambition.

a great misfortune, or an adverse influence.

Cross on the Mount of Apollo
or
Cross on the Mount of Mercury a tendency
Cross on the Mount of Venus an unhappy
Mount

Cross on the

of Saturn

ill-luck in art

riches.

to steal.

love

on

affair,

unless there

Jupiter,

when

it

is

is

a corresponding cross

said

to

mean

happy

marriage.

Cross on the

Mount

of

Luna

lying, self-

deception, or delusions.

Cross on the

Mount

of Mars

murder.

a
Gbe Grammar

78

palmistry

of

Cross on the Line of Life

infirmity

the

if

cut

lines

a serious illness or

deeply across

it

probable death.

Cross on the Line of Fate

near,

and not on

it,

a change of

life

if

the change will happen to a

relative or friend.

Cross on the Line of Health

an

illness.

Cross on a branch of the Health

change

in business or affairs.

Cross on the triangle

the

Line

result,

an

important event,

of a struggle, always a change of

cir-

cumstances.

Cross between the Mount of Luna and the

Quadrangle a fortunate voyage.
Cross formed in the shape of St. Andrew's
Cross in the middle of the Quadrangle beneath

the

Mount

of Saturn, with the ends unattached

any of the

to

Mystic Cross,
science,

and

lines
is

above

said

to

or.

below, called the

show

love of occult

spiritualism.

STARS.

Stars

are

fatalities,

circumstances or events

over which personally there

is no control, and
which no responsibility is attached.
Star on the Mount of Jupiter
high honour
and fortune,

for

Smaller Signs.

79

danger of sudStar on the Mount of Saturn

den or violent death.
riches and unStar on the Mount of Apollo
happiness
or, with a good Line of Fortune,
;

won by chance, and not lasting.

on the Mount of Mercury danger

celebrity

Star

of

committed either by the subIn a good

ject or someone closely connected.
and talented hand this star is said to be the sign
theft or dishonour,

of a successful author.

murder, danger
Star
the Plain of Mars honour and
tary glory.
Star on the Mount of Luna danger of drownStar on the

Mount

of Mars

of assassination, death in battle.

mili-

in

ing, or sign of illness.

Star on the Mount of Venus

trouble caused
by love or marriage if close to the Life Line,
;

lawsuits.

Star on the

Head Line low down on

the

danger of madness or insanity

the family higher on the Head Line close to
the Mount of Mars danger of blindness.
Star on the Line of Fortune catastrophe.
Mount

of

Luna

in

SQUARES.

A square
force

is generally a good sign, and gives

and energy to whichever mount or finger

Gbe Grammar

80

it

may be found

Mount

ot lpalmi6tr.

on, except

of Venus,

when

it

when found on

foretells

the

imprisonment,

a convent, or seclusion from the world.

On

the lines

it

is

show

said to

preservation

from an accident.

TRIANGLES.

triangle

is

a favourable sign, and shows

aptitude for scientific pursuits.

Triangle on the

Mount

of Jupiter

successful

diplomacy.

Mount

Triangle on the

of Saturn

love

of

occult science, mesmerism, mysticism, superstition.

Mount

Triangle on the
in art or literature,

of Apollo

scientific

art,

success

architecture,

sculpture.

success
Triangle on the Mount of Mars military
glory, war-tactics.
Triangle on the Mount of Luna reason and
Triangle on the

Mount

of Mercury

in politics, or in a learned profession.

intuition.

Triangle on the

Mount of Venus

in love, calculation in marriage.

prudence

Smaller Signs.

81

CIRCLES.
Circles are

good

signs on the mounts, signify-

Mount

ing success and glory, especially on the

of Apollo

but on the lines they are bad, show-

ing misfortune.

On

the Line of Life they are a

sign of loss of sight.

DOTS.

Dots are favourable or otherwise, according to

the position they occupy.

White dots on the Heart Line

conquests

in

love.

Red

dots on the Heart Line

mean

the same,

but in this case the subject has had his feelings

also very deeply

engaged

but

if

there

is

of illness on the Health and Life Lines,

mean
Dark

a sign

may

it

heart disease instead.

dots on the Head Line

fever.
White dots on the Head Line success in discovery, according to which mount they are

under

as,

beneath Mercury,

Apollo, in art or literature

in science

beneath

beneath Saturn,

in

speculation.

Dots on the Health Line

illness

if

dark,

typhoid, or other fever.

Dot on the Marriage Line

sudden death.

widowhood
F

by

Gbe Grammar

82

of

palmistry

ISLANDS.

Islands are always bad signs in the hand, but

them from
and from branches which cross the
line from which they rise. An island is made by
the line dividing itself into two even branches,
proceeding a short distance and joining again
care should be taken to distinguish
sister lines,

into a single line.

generally
Island on the Head Line
which the
subject has been
Island on the Heart Line an unfortunate
attachment.
Island on the Fate Line happiness marred by
the interference of enemies.
complaint
Island on the Health Line
Island on the

Life

Line

illness,

hereditary.

illness in

delirious.

liver

or indigestion

robbery or bank-

sometimes

ruptcy.
GRILLS,

grill is

in the

OR CROSS-BARS.

an obstacle, and generally a bad sign

hand, as

it

takes

away the good

from the mount on which

if

much

it

is

qualities

found, which,

developed, will contain only the evil

qualities exaggerated,

developed the

grill will

and

if

the

mount

is

give great coldness.

un-

Smaller Signs.

83

Mount developed, selfishness

Grill on Jupiter
and tyranny; mount undeveloped, superstition.
great misfortune.
Grill on Saturn
mount developed, absurd
Apollo
Grill on
folly and error; mount undeveloped, vanity.
Mercury mount developed, hyGrill on

pocrisy, theft

mount undeveloped,

ruse, petty

lying.
Grill

Grill

on Mars sudden death.

on Venus mount developed, sensual

affection

mount undeveloped, coldness

in love

and want of devotion.

Grill on Luna
discontent, anxiety, sadness;

mount developed, a

poetical nature.

F 2

PART
On
Signs of

illness

IV.

Signs of Illness.

on any part of the hand must

not be accepted unless corroborative evidence

is

found on the Lines of Life or Health by means

of cross-lines, breaks, dots, stars, or other adverse

The colour and width of the lines

texture of the skin, show health
and
generally,
and sickness with much accuracy.
Lines wide and pale ill-health and weakness.
Lines very red tendency to fever.
Lines very yellow tendency to internal illmarkings.

nesses.

Lines irregularly coloured

Soft skin and cold palm

fluctuated health.

good

health.

Hot dry skin liability to fever.

Hot damp skin tendency to consumption.
Cold damp skin liability to liver complaint.

Cold dry crackly skin illness of the nerves.

Thin brittle nails delicate health.

Fluted nails

tendency
84

to consumption.


n
Curved

nails

Signs of

85

Ifllness.

tendency

consumption or

to

spinal complaint.

Many

lines in a

hand show the natural con-

The fewer

stitution is not strong.

the lines, the

stronger the health.

Many small lines on the Head and Heart

headache and neuralgia.
Dominant second finger, long Fate Line, and
loss of teeth, or sufferchained Line of Health
ing from them.
Islands on the lines
hereditary illness.
break or dot on the lines a serious illness
if repeated in both hands
often fatal.

Star on the
Star on the

Mount of Saturn paralysis.

Mount of Luna dropsy, or illness

from anxiety and worry.

Cross on the

Mount

of

Luna

insanity

in the

family.

Cross on the Line of Life

Break on the Head Line

a danger.
a broken limb, or

accident.

Circle

on the Head Line, or a cross very high

loss of sight.

up

Star on the

Head Line

Star on the Plain of

Many

shock.

Mars

loss of sight.

and chains, spatulate fingers, soft

palm, and poor second phalange of the thumb
hysteria.

lines

Gbe Grammar

86

of palmistry.

On Temper.
Temper

is

shown by the shape of the hand,

Mount of Mars, and the

the nails, the skin, the

general colouring.
Nails wider than they are long

hot

temper,

obstinacy.
Nails very short

criticism, contradiction.

Nails square, but round at the bottom

pas-

sionate, but not obstinate.

hasty temper.
narrow sweet temper.
cheerfulness.

Nails very pink

Long nails,
Almond nails
Many small lines show an irritable temper,
but it may proceed from illness or nervousness,
and the Lines of Life and Health should always
be. carefully consulted.

Red

lines

Plain of

times

hot temper.

Mars much

much

lined

suffering

impatience

from

the

some-

ill-temper

of

others.

Mount of Mars high and unlined, with wide

Quadranglejust, tolerant, gentle temper.
Thick, smooth, white skin, unimpressionable
a calm, intensely selfish charto heat and cold

acter.

Hands with long Square

content.

fingers

are never

On

On
Pride.

long

in

Special (Qualities.

87

Special Qualities.

very long

first

the third phalange.

very long and high.

finger,

especially

Mount

of Jupiter

A branch

from the Head

or Heart Line rising high on to the mount.

Ambition.
first

Very high

Mount

of Jupiter, long

Good Lines

finger, long second phalange.

of Fate and Fortune.

Sometimes a

from the

line

middle of the Mount of Luna ending high on

the

Mount

of Jupiter.

Spatulate
Lines widely divided.
on Mount

Conceit

Head and

fingers.

Grill

Vanity.

of Apollo.

Many

and Heart Lines deeply joined.

the Mount of Luna.

Hard hand, deep

Perseverance Long fourth
the third phalange.
Enthusiasm. Very long pointed
Energy.

lines.

Life

Head
lines

on

Spatulate

fingers.

finger, especially

fingers with-

out knots.

Long, thick second phalange of

Long, square fingers. Knot of Philo-

Reason.-

thumb.
sophy.
Will.

Large

thumb, long

first

phalange.

If

Gbe Grammar

88

of ipalmistrg.

is obstinate, the joint will be thick, the

end heavy and spatulate, and the second phalange

the will

poor.
First knot, order
Large
Impulse. Short, pointed, smooth, supple

Order.

joints.

second knot, order

ideas

gers,

much

Head and

lined.

in

in practice.

Life Lines

fin-

much

joined.

Capacity for Detail.

long Line of Head.

Large hand, long

fingers,

Soft hands, pointed

Mount of
Anger. Low Mount of Mars under Mercury,

Idleness.

limp.

fingers,

Short Line of Head, low

high under Jupiter, with the plain between

crossed and lined.

Red

thumb.

Short

lines.

first

Short

very-

Jupiter.

much

phalange of the

wide

nails,

quite

square at the bottom.

Courage.

High Mount of Mars on both

Heart

Line of

going round

the

sides.

percussion.

Straight fingers, especially the third phalange.

Square

Hard
with

together,

Thumb

Firm hand.

fingers.

Avarice.

turned

Very long

hand.

the

Fingers

points

inwards

very

curved

towards the

straight Line of

Head.

close

upwards.
fingers.

Short Line

of Heart.
Selfishness.

Soft,

fat

hand, with very high

On
mounts.

Fingers close together,

and heavy.
of

Special Qualities.

Luna

thumb

Short line of Heart.

or Venus, but

all

89

straight

No Mounts

the others over-devel-

oped.
Hypocrisy.

Long

Head

Line, with

a great

fork at the end, one branch descending

onto the

Mount

of Luna, and the other rising towards

Mount of Mercury much developed,

Mount of Luna much developed, with a

Mercury.
grilled;

cross on

Third phalange of the fourth finger

it.

long and thick.

Greediness.

Third phalange of

long and very thick.

all

the fingers

High Mount of Venus

encroaching on the palm.

Generosity.

Turned out thumb. Long,

narrow Line of Heart forked on the

straight,

Mount

of

Jupiter.

Eloquence.
fourth

High Mount

finger.

towards the

of Mercury.
Long
Long Line of Head, sloping
Mount of Luna. Long smooth

fingers.

Imagination.

Long

pointed

fingers.

High

Mount of Luna.
Nervousness (not to be confounded with want
of courage).

High Mount of Luna, much lined.

bend backwards of the

first

phalange of

all

the fingers.
Constancy.

Large

strong thumb, long

first


Gbe (Srammar

90

Long Head

phalange.

of palmistry,

Line.

Long, narrow,

straight Line of Heart, evenly forked.

Cruelty.

Tyranny.

Long,

thin, stiff fingers,

very pointed, very narrow hand.

Turned-in

thumb and fingers. No Mount of Luna.

Brutality.

Long, red, thick Line of Life. Hard, thick,

clumsy hand. Lined Mount of Mars, no Mount
of Luna.
Lines very red. Fingers short, thick,
and stiff.
Money. Long uncrossed Line of Fortune.
Branches from the Line of Life to the Line of
Head.
Good Mount of Mercury with two

on it money from business. Very

good Bracelets with angle or cross on the first
line, and lines on the third phalange of the finger
straight lines

of Jupiter

money

from inheritance, legacies.

Long straight Line of Fate rising on the Mount

Luna and ending on the Mount of Saturn,
and a branch from the Head Line on to the
Mount of Jupiter money from appointments

of

gained by the influence of others.

On the
The Service.

Large hard hand.

Mounts of Mars.
for success.

for

Professions.

High double

Lines of Fate and- Fortune

Large thumb, heavy first phalange

Square or spatulate fingers.

command.


Qn
The

Cloth.

Jupiter

Special Qualities.

Very

91

good finger and Mount of

High Mounts of Venus

for religion.

and Luna for benevolence. Long straight finger

and Mount of Mercury, with the first phalange
pointed

for eloquence.

Pointed and smooth fingers

dogmatism and

art.

Square fingers tolerance.

Knotted fingers argumentativeness.
With pointed and knotted fingers, and a long
second phalange of thumb faith and reason will
be in continual conflict. With double knots and
square fingers resistance, reason, and union.
Long and pointed, with a turned-up Heart
Line the enthusiasts, the martyrs.
The Faculty. Long deep Line of Head. Long
second phalange of thumb. Long straight finger

mount
Good Mount of Luna for quick
Long fingers, good Mount of Mars

of Mercury, with straight lines en the

for chemistry.

diagnosis.

for surgery.

The Bar. Long straight fourth finger, high

of Mercury, turned-out thumb, long first

Mount

for wit and eloquence.

Long, thick, second phalange of thumb for
Good Line of Fortune for fame. Good
logic.
Line of Fate for position and money.

phalange of fourth finger

92

{Tbe

Grammar

of palmistry.

The Profession. Long supple fingers, turnedLine of Fortune. High Mounts of

Luna and Venus. Heart Line turning upwards
towards the Mount of Mercury.
out thumb.

Music.
Long second finger, and good high
Mount of Saturn. Line of Fortune. Line of
Head descending on to the Mount of Luna.

Supple fingers
knotted fingers

performers.

for
for

Square and

High Mounts
for harmony. High Mounts

composers.

Luna
of Apollo and Venus for melody.
Poetry.
Long pointed finger of Jupiter. High
mount.
Good Mounts of Luna and Venus.
Head Line descending on to the Mount of Luna.
Heart Line turning up high upon the Mount of
of Saturn and

Jupiter.

Painting.

Short thumb.

fingers.

Mount

Long Line of Head.

the

supple

Line of Fortune.

High

Second
comparison with the rest, and

of Apollo, long third

finger square in
all

Long

first

finger.

phalanges short.

Sculpture.

Spatulate hands.

Line of Fortune.

High Mount of Apollo.

Second and third

fingers of equal length,

phalanges of both

first

very long and thick.

Literature.

Large hands, long smooth

High Mount of Luna.

Long

with a star on the mount.

fingers.

finger of Mercury,

Line of Fortune.

Special Qualities.

93

Long forked Line of Head descending on to the

Mount of Luna.
Business.
Long large thumb. Long straight

JJne of Head. Square fingers, with a very long

and square fourth finger.

PART

V.

On Reading the Hands.

With
right

regard to the difference in the lines of the

and

left

hands, which

difficulties in palmistry, I

stated that in the left

for
it.

you

in

The

active.

natural

life,

and

one of the greatest

it

may be broadly

found what

in the right

intended

is

what you do with

the passive hand, the right the

left is

The

is

is

think

outline

disposition,

is

of the hand,
hereditary,

like

and

it

is

the
im-

any great degree

but the
lines show the habits you encourage, the character
you become, and the events that modify or establish that character, and therefore the lines of the
hand are always changing, more or less according to the eventfulness, mental and physical, of
possible to alter

the

life led.

it

It is

to

absolutely necessary that the

hand should be thoroughly understood before any attempt is made to study the
lines, and it is by far the best plan for the student
outline of a

to restrict himself to the

until that is

first

part of palmistry

thoroughly comprehended and com94

n
mitted to

IReaDing tbe IbanDs.

memory

work comprised

before attempting the harder

second

in the

When about to

95

part.

read the hands of your subject,

you should take the left in your own, and,

holding it palm downwards, look carefully at

You

the outline.

to the class of

then be able to judge as

will

hand

to

which

it

belongs

long or

short, pointed, spatulate, or square, with or with-

out knots, shape of the

temper,

tact,

judgment,

nails, etc.
will,

telling of the

quickness of appre-

hension, and so on, of your subject.

Then

the hand over and press the palm, so as to

turn

tell

of

the hardness or the softness of the hand, as energy

or laziness
modifies

all

is

the keynote of a

other signs.

character,

and

The hand should then

upwards on a sheet of paper, and

the tops and bottoms of the fingers and edge of
the outline dotted with a pencil, so as to be sure
of the measurements being correct and in exact

be

laid palvi

proportion.

hand

in

The

subject should then hold the

an easy position, slightly horizontally,

before the

the outline.

student,

who should

carefully

The hand should then be

downwards upon a

table in a

good

draw

laid flat

light for the

drawing of the lines, which, after being

drawn in pencil, should be corrected and

drawn

first

re-

This done, the student should

note down upon another sheet of paper the other
in

ink.

Gbe Grammar

96

of ipalmfstrs.

and height of the

signs of the hand, the shape

mounts, the colour of the

lines,

the feel of the

hand and texture of the skin, shape of the nails,

The right hand should then be observed,
etc.
and, if time allows, a drawing should also be
made of it as well, and in the same manner but
if time presses and the subject becomes impa;

tient, it will

be

sufficient to note

down

the differences between the two

carefully

hands.

The

drawings should then be thoroughly studied by

the student with the help of the grammar, notes

being taken of every peculiarity, no one sign

being taken by

itself

evidence of others

without the corroborative

and against every conclu-

sion drawn, the reasons for so thinking should be

noted for future experience, and finally a careful

summing-up of all the evidence should be written.
A copy of this summing-up should be given to
the subject, and the drawings of the hands and
the full notes written by the student should be
entered into a book kept by him for the purpose.

The

student should never attempt to read a

hand verbally
careful

pletely

until after at least six

drawing and study, as

impossible to

carry

am
all

months of
it is com-

sure

the rules and

directions of this difficult science at once in the

memory, and to produce correct deductions spon-

IReaDtna tbe IbanDs.

taneously at the sight of a

hand

though

possible to

tell

after a time,

99

new and unstudied

of course,

it

becomes

a character truly at a glance and

events correctly without a moment's hesitation.

But I am sure if students would have the energy

and patience to follow the suggestions above made
as to the drawing of hands, we should have less
false conclusions arrived at, and fewer innocent
people would be frightened out of their wits by
the terrible and startling events prognosticated
by the amateur palmist.

Example of the Reading of a Hand.

[This hand (the real hand of an

(Fig. 10.)

artist) is

worked

out in detail as an example for the student's

notes,

and

is

purposely

finished paper that

ject

left in

the rough

would be given

the

to the sub-

would be a modified summary of

this.]

OUTLINE.
Scientific.

The hand as a whole shows energy,

audacity, resolution, love of comfort, of notoriety,

of unconventionality, of personal movement.

love of detail (short fingers).

The palm, by

No
its

and hardness, shows great energy and continual restlessness the subject will never remain
inactive, but will rest from one occupation by
size

loo

Gbe Grammar

undertaking another

ot

palmistry

there

is

great love of fresh

and exercise, of games, of riding and rowing,

and of walking tours in all weathers.

air

FINGERS.
Knottcd-Pointed.

The

subject great order in

first

ideas,

order in the material world.

knot

the

The impression

be quick (pointed tips), but they

be carefully reasoned out.
Thumb.
very powerful one.
will

gives

and the second

will

always

The

first

phalange shows a very strong will, unselfish

(turned out), extremely independent, would be
occasionally very rash, and always hasty in judgment. Second phalange shows the reasoning
powers very good, clear judgment and logical
capacity, love of argument.
A very constant
friend, and one who could keep a secret.
First Finger.
The first phalange of this finger
shows enthusiasm in religion, soon checked by
philosophy (first knot), love of nature and of
books. The second phalange will give ambition,
and the third shows but little love of rule.
Se-cond Finger.
This being the dominant
finger, shows that destiny will rule the career,
but the mount below will prevent ill-success
from saddening the character. It shows a great

On

IReafcins tbe 1banDs

101

love of animals, and generally a want of pru-

dence.

Third Finger.

Being

pointed, this will give

quick observation and activity in ideas, but

it is

too small to give either fame or riches.

Fourth Finger.

This

finger

too short for

is

eloquence or brilliancy, though the length of the

phalange

first

will

give

By

cheerfulness.

the

poverty of this finger the subject will never be

able to

manage or persuade other

ever necessary or desirable

career will be very

As

it

how-

people,

might

be,

much hampered by

and the

this.

a whole the fingers indicate aptitude and

great inventiveness, mechanical skill and love of

and want of tact, geneand unselfishness, a love of good things

and drink, a strong sense of individuality

study, great sensibility

rosity

to eat

entire absorption in the subject's own affairs.

The fingers being both knotted and pointed
show a continual struggle between inspiration

and

and

analysis,

between religious tendency and the

As an artist, the subject

spirit of controversy.

be a painter of truth, not of imagination;

will always be occupied with masses, general
aspects, and colouring more than detail, and will

will

never lose sight of the ensemble

obtained.

She

the

will carry out her

scheme according

to her

own

own

ideas

end

to

be

particular
;

she will

102

study

for

and

make

she will

of ipalmtetrg.

do with her

that has to

all

chemistry
tion

Grammar

XLbc

in the amelioration

making

paints

made

barolles has

especially

the composi-

of the earths used

make her own

she will

colours the effects of her

art,

trials in

own

(Des-

invention.

a particular study of the scien-

hand, as the combination of knotted

tific artistic

and pointed fingers

is

and renders the

rare,

character difficult to analyze.)

MOUNTS.

shows ambition and much pride; love

There is no sign of success on this
mount, and the adverse lines denote good
chances spoiled by wrong judgment or by interJupiter

of nature.

ference.

Saturn

is

insignificant,

and

tends

Apollo, which shows fate leads to

Apollo, furrowed by two horizontal

the love of art

but the

crossed, give but

the Line of Fate

is

little

lines,

towards

art.

lines,

shows

being broken and

promise of success, as

not strong enough to coun-

terbalance the obstacles.

Mercury

is

favourable, and

shows

spirit

and

work and perseverance,

promptitude of action and invention. The three
deep lines on the mount show the subject to be
cheerfulness,

love

of

On

103

IReaOirtG tbe 1band6.

possessed of great medical talent, which, had she

taken to medicine instead of art, would probably

have ensured success.

Venus

gives a love of colour

but the mount

showing but

and of melody,

is

not important in this hand,

little

passion in love, a lack of the

wish for popularity, and a want of universal

benevolence.

Luna, being high, shows a good imagination,

and being without

lines,

calm, and absence of

anxiety.

Mars

is

important.

the dominant mount, and the most

On

the one side

it

shows daring,

aggressiveness, presence of mind, a hasty temper,

and great impetuosity, fortunately controlled by

reason (second phalange of thumb) on the other,
calm courage, fortitude, and self-control.
;

LINES.

Line of Heart. This line shows a true heart,

very constant, without falsehood or coquetry
(branches evenly forked), but

hardly any tenderness.

It is

and friendship (branches

all

little

passion and

unfortunate in love

crossed).

a good promise of happiness early in

There was
life,

but the

direction of the branches towards Jupiter,

the lines on the mount,

show

and

that pride and in-

Gbe Grammar

104

of H>almistrg.

dependence, together with overruling of circum(division of Fate Line), caused the

promise to come to nothing, and the engagement or attachment marked and crossed out on

stances

Marriage Line to be of no effect. There is no

marriage in this hand. As to friendship, the
subject has been equally unfortunate.

By

the

crossing of the branches and of the lines on the

Head

Line, the few sincere friends that the sub-

made have been

lost to her by death and

and the others she has not chosen well,
as they have proved inconstant.
At one time

ject has

distance,

one friend was able to help her powerfully, but

the influence could only have lasted a very short
time.

Line of Head.

This

is

a good

line,

and shows

much common

sense and energy, courage and

perseverance.

Perhaps

it

tends too

imagination for a follower of

will
ful.

consequently be

There

(division of

realistic

little

to

and the work

rather than fanci-

art,

much self-confidence and audacity

Head -and Life Lines); the memory

is

There is a good deal of illness

and from the break, and the
lines on the commencement of the Life Line, and
the direction of the Line of Fate, there must
is

not very good.

shown by

this line,

have been

at

(irregular cross

one time a tendency to suicide

on Mars) but if so, it must have
;

On

105

IRea&ing tbe Ibanfcs.

been singularly early in life. The line, taken

with the knotted fingers and the poverty of the
fourth finger, shows a want of tact and diplomacy.

Line of Life. This line shows a very unhappy

childhood, and much trouble and struggles in
middle life. There is a very serious illness
between the age of thirty and thirty-five; through
which the subject struggled by means of a good
There is a great change in
natural constitution.
life at about twenty-eight, which had a great
it
effect on the career (line from Life to Head)
made more work and more happiness. Life will
;

last

till

sixty-five or seventy,

and

will

end sud-

denly.

-This shows a very adventurous

There has been an unhappy beginning,
great poverty, and many obstacles.
The Head

Line of Fate.

career.

made

a very

fatal

choice, both with regard to

love and fame, and from thirty-five to

fifty

the

struggle has been very severe (line broken cross-

ing the Plain of Mars).

The

line

low down and stopping abruptly

shows fate to be always adverse

come

beginning so
at the
;

Head

the various

by the subject have nearly

always been wrong, which is singular, considering
the good judgment shown by the thumb; but
decisions

to

over-impetuosity

may have been

some of them, and

inability to

the cause of

manage or under-

106

ftbe

Grammar

of fcalmtetrg*

stand other people and their prejudices, the subject

having so few

herself,

has probably conduced

a great deal towards the ill-success

shown by

this line.

Line of Fortune. This shows a loss of fortune

by parents during youth. Beginning low, this
line shows the subject to have earned a good
deal of consideration and admiration from many
people, and had the Saturnian been better, might
have gained fame and success. The line, instead
of going towards the Mount of Apollo, which is
its proper
direction, turns towards Mercury,
which shows that the natural tendency is scientific
and not artistic and had science been followed
instead of art, success would have been more
;

certain.

The

line

any time.
Line of Health.

is

too short to bring

money

at

This shows a naturally hardy

been most rash

There have been bad
illnesses from over-work and over-exposure, and
danger of death in the break and crosses (this is
Health will improve
repeated on the Life Line).
as life advances, and the subject will be very
strong in old age. There is a great warning
against falls on the lines, and it shows a liability
to fever and inflammation, and to neuralgia on
Fruit will
the left side of the head and face.

constitution, but the subject has

in

throwing away health.

On

IReaDing tbe Ibanfcs.

107

not be wholesome, and should be taken very

sparingly.

PALM.

The Plain of Mars. This shows great military

talent, which, in a woman's hand, will probably
find its outlet in playing chess, and games needing strategical skill

also a sense of construction

and locomotion, engineering talent. There will

be a love for studying the unseen, and continual
debating and questioning (Knot of Philosophy),
but the
for
is

it

thumb

is

too strong, reason too good,

to degenerate into credulity.

The

Triangle

unfortunate, but shows large ideas, generosity,

and toleration of the opinions of others.

Quadrangle.

This

is

too narrow, the

Line rising too near the Heart.

Head

This, in another

mean timidity and irresobut with such fine Mounts of Mars, and

hand, would probably

lution,

so strong and courageous an outline, this

be a contradiction.
to

it

We

would

must, therefore, apply

another reading of Desbarolles,

w hich
r

is

confirmed on the Lines of Life and Fate, namely,

that of exile.

The

subject

must have

left

home

life and never returned to it.

The Bracelets. These, being both chained and
broken, show a very laborious life. There is a

early in

small legacy on the lower one.

Ubc (Srammat

108

The

of lpalmtstrg.

Subject considered as a type of Mars.

{After Desbarolles)

The subject being a type of Mars, should be

above middle height, strongly built, and somewhat clumsy. A short, thick head, large, high
forehead, and much-developed cranium. A redbrown complexion and firm skin. Thick hair,
bright in colour

large, bright,

bold eyes, gray

or brown, very straight and fixed while speaking.

large mouth, with thin lips shutting tight;

large teeth, very even, not very white.

nose, well shaped

A high
A

a rather prominent chin.

short neck, wide chest, and substantial figure.

The head
is

firm,

is

carried well in the

air,

and the walk

The movements are

somewhat brusque, accompanied by

with large steps.

rapid and

"devastating

gesture;"

clear and
and generous,

the voice

strong, liberal to prodigality, just

those born types of Mars love bright colours,

and movement, and animated conversation.

Quick to anger, and irritated by contradiction,
they despise danger, and attach no great value
to their

life.

110

112

114

116

118

120

PART

VI.

The Hands of Distinguished

Fig. ii.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.

The

The
The
The
The
The
The

Hand
Hand
Hand
Hand
Hand
Hand

of
of
of
of
of
of

Persons.

a Nursing Sister.
a distinguished Soldier.
an Author.
a Sculptor.

an Actress.
a Musician.

opposite hands, inserted for the benefit of

the student, have

all

been carefully drawn from

For obvious reasons, the names of the

owners of the hands are not given, but the reader
may rest assured they have been chosen as
typical examples of successful hands in the
f o which they
different professions and callim
life.

belong.

121

PART

VII.

Glossary of Terms.

the
finger
Finger and Mount of Saturn the second
finger with the mount
base.
Finger and Mount of Apollo the third finger
base.
with the mount
Finger and Mount of Mercury the fourth
finger with the mount
base.
Mounts of Mars the
the space between
Finger and Mount of Jupiter

mount

with the

first

at its base.

at its

at its

at its

first,

the

thumb and

Mount
mount on the outside
hand, immediately below the Mount

Jupiter

the

the bottom of the

the second, the

of
of
of

Mercury.

space between the Mount of

the base of
or
the

Mount of Luna

Mars and the wrist.

Mount of Venus large mount
the thumb.

Line of

Mount

Life,

Vital

of Venus.
122

at

line that encircles

123

Glossary of Germs,

Line of Head, or Cerebral

the

thumb and

hand

first

line rising

between

and crossing the

finger,

horizontally.

Line of Fate, or Saturnian

Line of Heart, or Mensal line crossing the

hand horizontally beneath the mounts.
line

running per-

pendicularly up the hand from the wrist to the

base of the second finger.

Line of Fortune, or Solar

line

running per-

pendicularly up the hand to the base of the third

finger.

Line of Health, or Hepatica

line

running

perpendicularly up the hand to the base of the

fourth finger.

Line of Intuition, or Lunar

curve from the

Mount

of

Luna

line

running

in a

to the base of the

fourth finger.

Ring of Venus
between the

first

line

running horizontally from

and second

fingers towards the

fourth.

Bracelets,

or Rascettes

lines encircling the

wrist.

Percussion side of the hand, opposite the

thumb.
Plain of

Mars

Quadrangle

Head

Lines.

the palm of the hand.

space

between the Heart and

Zbc Grammar

124

of iPalmtettE,

f.w'f,

space between the Lines of Head,

and Fate, or Health.
Marriage Lines running horizontally across

Triangle
Life,

the

Mount

of Mercury.

THE END.

LRiF(

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