HOW TO READ PALMS

We explore 5 questions about palmistry and a special feature on how to read palms. Read on. 

What are the origins of palmistry?
Palmistry is believed to have originated in India over 3000 years ago. It is thought to have then spread to the Middle East through Arabian traders, and to Eastern Europe by way of the gifted Romany gypsies, before eventually reaching the West. It may also have spread eastward to become the basis for Chinese palmistry, which has slightly different interpretations.


How is it that palmistry can tell us about ourselves and our future?

The palms are areas of the body with a high concentration of nerve endings, so it has a strong connection with the brain. It is logical to assume that our brains are able to influence those nerve endings, visible as the palm lines. The brain is not only a physical organ but also the source of a strong electromagnetic field around the body, which shifts and changes according to our moods and attitudes. A certainattitude will cause certain reactions, which will lead to certain actions being taken. Therefore, it is possible to predict the outcome of an area of life for someone.

Can one foretell the future with Palmistry?

It is possible only in the sense that our future is shaped by who and what we are. A certain character and attitude will create certain types of future events. A different character will create a different set of future events. This is an important point to remember. It is not possible to foretell exactly the events that will actually happen, as palm reading is not 'seeing' the future. Moreover, changes in a person's outlook and attitudes will modify the events happening in the future.


Is palmistry a pagan or heathen practice?

To believe in anything without giving due credit to our Creator can be construed as pagan or heathen. Palmistry does not advocate that it be followed like a religion, nor does it pretend to replace God's power and grace. Some of us need God's helpto live this earthly life. Ohers have been blessed by God with enough strength of character to make the right choices. It can also be argued, if God created each of us, then our palm lines come from Him too. We need to see things in perspectiveand not blindly follow others' judgement of ourselves or others' view of the world we live in. Even within traditional religions, we need to use our will to make our ownchoices. Ultimately, we still hold in our own hands the potential to change our destiny, whether we are pagan or not.

Is everything that a palm reader says absolutely true?

What a palm reader sees in someone's hands today shows the type of life that is most likely to unfold for that person, if he/she retains the character that he/she has today. If the outlook and attitudes of that person change, the palm lines will also change, and therefore a different life will unfold. A palm reader does not actually 'see' a person's future. The reader only reads the probable outcome ofthat person's future based on the character and tendencies shown in the hands.


HAND TYPES IN PALMISTRY
There are several systems of classifying hands in order to assess the overall character and personality of a person. The traditional system has 7 hand types: Elemental, Square, Spatulate, Philosophical, Artistic, Idealistic, Mixed.

The palm represents the physical body and the life force in general, and the fingers represent the mental faculties in general.

After reading different hand types for many years and studying the different hand classifications, I have devised a system of categorizing the hands in a quick and simple manner, using the modern classification of 4 hand types.

In this system based on the quadruplicities of astrology, there are 4 main palm shapes: (1) Square, (2) Oblong, (3) Triangular, (4) Fan-shaped

Square or oblong palms have the two sides of the palm, the radial (thumb) and the ulnar (little finger), parallel. Measure palm length from edges of Venus and Moon mounts to base of fingers.

Palms can also be triangular, usually a rounded triangle shape - with the base, i.e. near the wrist, broader than the top, near the fingers. Or they may be fan-shaped - narrower at the base than at the top. The number and quality of palm lines are also factors in classifying the palm shape.

There might be slight deviations from these 4 basic shapes, but a palmist should be able to see if a palm is one shape or another, rather than a mixture. This will help in giving a clearer reading.

Concentrate on the palm shapes and overall palmar lines first, and if you're uncertain, then take the fingers into consideration to aid you in deciding what the palm shape should be. After you have determined the palm shape, you can go on to compare the fingers with the palm.

The palm shapes represent our basic motivation in the way we live out our lives.

Earth Hand: Physical
A square palm with few and clear lines. Earth Hands are down-to-earth, practical and responsible, but can also be materialistic, serious and stubborn. They are comfortable with the physical and the tangible, and will do things the tried and tested way.

Air Hand: Mental
An oblong palm with many and clear lines. Air Hands are sociable, talkative and witty, but can also be shallow, spiteful and cold. They are comfortable with the mental and the intangible, and like doing things in different and radical ways.

Fire Hand: Instinctive
A triangular palm, with few and fine lines. Fire Hands are spontaneous, enthusiastic and optimistic, but can also be egoistic, impulsive and  insensitive. They are extroverts, and prefer to do things boldly and instinctively.

Water Hand: Intuitive
A fan-shaped palm, with many and fine lines. Water Hands are creative, perceptive and sympathetic, but can be moody, emotional and inhibited. They are introverts and tend to do things quietly and intuitively.

The finger length represents a person's style of approaching and dealing with life. This corresponds with the astrological triplicity of cardinal, fixed and mutable orientations. Measure finger length by the length of the longest finger, usually the middle or Saturn finger.

Finger length shorter than palm length show someone who is subjective and sees the world from his own perspective, who likes to initiate action and who is good at starting things. Short-fingered people are cardinal or dynamic in outlook, and operate in singular bursts of activity.

Fingers longer than the palm show someone who has an objective view of the world around them, and who likes to plan ahead. Long-fingered people are fixed or steady in outlook, and operate in a sustained and consistent manner.

Fingers about the same length as the palm show someone who is flexible and multi-talented, and who tends to go along with the crowd. People with same-length fingers are mutable or variable in outlook, and operate in cycles of activity and inactivity.

One may have an Earth hand with short fingers, showing a down-to-earth but dynamic character, such as a Capricornian might have. Or one may be an Air hand with same-length fingers - someone who is witty and talkative but also changeable, the way a Geminian might be.

Knowing the the correct astrological associations will help in assessing the basic character when reading the hands. 

THE LEFT HAND and THE RIGHT HAND
Left Hand: What we are born with; what happens to us; our private self
Right Hand: What we do with our lives; the actions we take; our public self


The left hand (or the weak hand) tells more of past events, of what we inherit in terms of health, of what happens to us rather than what actions we take, and of what goes on in our private lives and in those areas which we do not have much control over.

The right hand (or the strong hand) tells of what will happen in our future if no conscious changes are made, of how the world sees us, of whether we have the will to make any changes for the better, and also tells of ambitions we may have.

MAIN LINES OF THE HAND
Life Line
Health; how we take care of it; major events in life

Head Line
Mental health; mental capabilities; intelligence; character

Heart Line
Emotional attitude; romantic profile; some aspects of health

Fate Line
Career outlook; milestones; ambitions; major events in life

Sun Line
Happiness; fulfilment; wealth prospects; romantic feelings


Deep, clear and smooth lines are best, and indicate that one's life would be positive in the area of life represented by the line. With such lines, success should be accomplished, accompanied with happiness and contentment.

Breaks, gaps, islands, crosses, spots and cross-bars indicate possible problems or events at whichever points these marks appear. Broad, fuzzy or chain-type lines indicate a negative outlook, a dissipation of energy and low morale.

The minor lines and the influence lines will modify what the main lines promise.

MOUNTS OF THE HAND

Mount of Venus
Emotions; close relationships; family ties

Mount of Jupiter
Status and authority; sense of achievement

Mount of Saturn
Responsibilities and duties; sense of destiny

Mount of the Sun
Creative impulses; wealth; happiness; fulfilment

Mount of Mercury
Mental and communicative abilities; rapport with others

Mount of the Moon
Moods and mental state; sense of freedom

Mounts of Mars
Energy and assertiveness; sense of vitality

The mounts reflect our basic values, upbringing, leanings, and the personal traits we develop.

Mounts should be clear, moderately raised and well-formed, indicating that the positive and balanced qualities of the mount are being manifested. Low or flat mounts mean that there is a lack of the qualities of the mount. High or over-developed mounts show an over-expression of a mount's qualities.

Lines and marks on each mount will modify its qualities, and may relate to particular events.

This article is contributed by Pat F. Pat became interested in palmistry in her teens, when she first read Cheiro's book "The Language Of The Hands". Since then, she has studied Cheiromancy, or 'Western' palmistry. She has been reading palms for more than 30 years, and professionally for more than 8 years. She is also an astrologer, and has a keen interest in natural therapies and nutrition. When not reading palms for individuals or events, she constructs websites. She is based in Singapore. Pat writes about palmistry on her website www.palmistryworld.com.

One can also make appointments for readings at the following points of contact. 
SMS/T:  +65 91937132
E:   pat@palmistryworld.com