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diff --git a/79270-h/79270-h.htm b/79270-h/79270-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef61ded --- /dev/null +++ b/79270-h/79270-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2599 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no,date=no,address=no,email=no,url=no"> + <title> + What You Should Know About Palmistry | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .5em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .5em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} /* page numbers */ + +blockquote { + margin-top: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Poetry */ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +/* .poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} */ +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.tnote { + border: dashed 1px; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: 0.5em; + padding-top: 0.5em; + padding-left: 0.5em; + padding-right: 0.5em; + font-size: smaller + } +.tnote p { + text-indent: 0 + } +ins { + text-decoration: none + } + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3.0em;} +.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2.0em;} + +.ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + font-weight: bold + } +.ph2 { + font-size: x-large; + margin: 0.75em auto + } +.ph3 { + font-size: large; + margin: 0.83em auto + } +.ph4 { + font-size: medium; + margin: 1.12em auto + } + +.illowp45 { + width: 45% + } +.x-ebookmaker .illowp45 { + width: 100% + } + + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp50 {width: 50%;} + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79270 ***</div> + +<main> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" style="max-width: 100.0em;" id="cover"> + <img alt="" class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" id="img_images_cover.jpg"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> + +<p class="ph2">LITTLE BLUE BOOK NO. 704</p> +<p class="ph3">Edited by E. Haldeman-Julius</p> + + +<h1> +What You Should Know<br> +About Palmistry +</h1> + + +<p class="ph2">Leo Markun</p> + + +<p class="ph3">HALDEMAN-JULIUS PUBLICATIONS</p> +<p class="ph3">GIRARD, KANSAS</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span></p> + + +<p class="ph4">Copyright, 1927,</p> +<p class="ph4">Haldeman-Julius Company.</p> + +<p class="ph4">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="WHAT_YOU_SHOULD_KNOW_ABOUT"> + WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT + PALMISTRY + </h2> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION"> + INTRODUCTION + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>Individual differences in the formation of the +human hand are so great that they are used +for purposes of identification. Specifically, it +is the tips of the fingers which are made to +imprint their distinctive marks. It was noticed +many centuries ago, however, that the shape +of the hand and the form of the folds which +run across it are not exactly the same in people +of the same race or even in close relatives. +Neither are all faces or all heads or all bodies +identical, of course. Physiognomy, the study of +character from the face, is undoubtedly of very +ancient origin, although we sometimes think +of Johannes Kaspar Lavater, Goethe’s friend, +as its originator. Phrenology, the attempt to +study the mind from the formation of the +skull, arose or at least became important in +the system worked out by Gall not much more +than a century ago.</p> + +<p>Before there was much interest in the question +of the origin of individuality and the +meaning of variation, our primitive ancestors +sought to find indications of future events. +We need not consider at length the methods +which they employed. They are outlined in +my Little Blue Books dealing with fortune +telling and astrology. Before there could be +any astrology, however, a certain amount of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>astronomical knowledge was necessary. Simpler +methods of prognostication were first used. +The Chaldean priests who gazed at the stars +were surely several degrees above the primitive.</p> + +<p>Our word palmistry (probably from the Middle +English and the Old French words <i>paume</i> +and <i>maistrie</i>, meaning therefore mastery or +skill with regard to the palm of the hand) +has really now two separate connotations. It +includes chirognomy, or the reading of character +from the hand, which is allied with +phrenology and physiognomy and sometimes +combined with them by the modern charlatans +who call themselves “mentologists” or “characterologists.” +It also embraces chiromancy +or the foretelling of individual fortunes from +the appearance of the hand.</p> + +<p>We associate chiromancy chiefly with the +gypsies, who have probably brought this “art” +with them from India. It is still in great favor +in India, as also in Egypt and Syria. Many of +the great men of classical Greece believed in +the possibility of reading future events in the +lines of the hand. In their country, the chiromantic +tradition had existed at least from +Homeric times. We are told that palmistry, +chiefly for the purpose of divination, is some +five thousand years old in China. The Chinese +have also been interested in podoscopy, the +study of the foot and especially the compressed +foot of the female, for the same purpose.</p> + +<p>For the medieval physiologists, palmistry +was bound up with astrology and all of the +magical arts. “He sealeth up the hand of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span>every man: that all men may know his work” +(Job: 37: 7), is one of the Biblical texts which +were supposed to justify chiromancy. Since +both the hands of the individual and the stars +which had been dominant at the moment of +his conception were supposed to show his fate, +parts of the hand were given astrological names +and held to be ruled by the various planets.</p> + +<p>The softness or hardness, dryness or moistness +of the palm was considered to indicate +which of the four humors—blood, phlegm, choler +and melancholy—was most prevalent in the +body, and therefore to show which of the four +temperaments the subject possessed. The general +shape of the hand, the flexion-folds of skin +(the lines), and the muscular projections or +mounts were taken to show something about +character and a great deal about the future.</p> + +<p>The material of palmistry belongs chiefly to +very old traditions, and some of it dates from +the earliest Indian culture of which we have +any record. The arrangement found in modern +books and many of the teachings, however, +originated with two men, Hartlieb in the fifteenth +century and d’Arpentigny in the middle +of the nineteenth.</p> + +<p>We have no good reason to suppose that the +formation of the hand or of any other part +of the human body can tell us anything about +character. This sort of notion is common +enough in the beginnings of science. A few +simple rules are supposed to unlock all mysteries. +In the Christian writers, the theory +is that God made a regular and very orderly +world. Moreover, authority was taken as the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span>guide. If Aristotle approved palmistry; if Albertus +Magnus, who claimed to make careful +investigations of his own, agreed with the +master; if other medieval philosophers and +theologians also believed in the prognostic +significance of the lines and the mounts; it +was, then, a very bold skeptic who dared to +suppose that these signs are meaningless or of +no known meaning. But the chief opposition +to palmistry, as to the other pseudo-sciences, +came from the obscurantists, the men who +thought that Jehovah is annoyed to find men +seeking to solve his mysteries.</p> + +<p>People want to know what is going to happen +in the future. Is the poor priest to become +a bishop? Is the poet to be recognized +by his contemporaries, or will monuments be +erected to his memory? Will the merchant’s +cargoes fall into the hands of pirates? Such +questions arise constantly, but intelligent men +are now resigned to finding them unanswerable, +or capable of receiving an answer after +a lapse of time. Yet men have a way of supposing +that whatever they eagerly desire actually +exists. It is thus that we create heaven +and the freedom of the soul and the whole +oracular system.</p> + +<p>The scientists, assuming that the natural relationships +of the future will operate as they +do at present and as they appear always to +have operated in the past, engage in something +which resembles fortune telling. They +assure us that a certain comet will appear at +a definite time, for instance, or that the earth +will be able to support life after a stated period. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span>If their calculations are correct, that is, based +upon an appreciation of all the factors involved, +their prophecies are trustworthy. But +science is in a constant state of revision, as +phenomena are better understood.</p> + +<p>In the present state of knowledge, it would +be rash to maintain that the form and the +markings of the hand will never be useful in +the indication of character. Individual physical +peculiarities, which must be reflected in +the mental and the moral man, may some day +be analyzed with the aid of the palm of the +hand. Fingers of a particular shape frequently +are helpful in playing the piano or the violin +or in various arts and crafts. It is possible +for the observer who has acquired a little skill +to recognize the cigarette-smoker, the chemist, +the day-laborer, the housewife, the lady of +leisure, and the man who plays baseball (especially +at the catching position) a great deal, +simply by examining the hand. Palmistry cannot +go far beyond this, however, and enjoy +the respect of the intelligently educated, until +we have much more information than we now +possess. The traditional chiromancy and the +chirognomy which is largely the work of modern +writers are both systems of superstition. +They are outlined here as curiosities, not as +useful sciences or arts.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_HANDS_AND_THE_FINGERS"> + THE HANDS AND THE FINGERS + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>According to d’Arpentigny and the other +French palmists, there are seven sorts of +hands. These are called elementary, spatulate +or active, conic or artistic, square or useful, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>knotty or philosophical, pointed or psychic, and +mixed. As a matter of fact most hands are +somewhat “mixed,” for they do not correspond +exactly to any of the types.</p> + +<p>The elementary, simple, or ordinary hand +has short fingers. The longest finger is usually +shorter than the length of the palm. The palm +is thick and somewhat rounded. The skin is +inclined to be rough. It is supposed to be so +naturally, that is, not merely as the result of +hard work. Therefore the calloused palm +is taken to be less important as an indication +of the simple hand than the hard, rough skin +of the fingers. This type is supposed to show +a lack of educability, and to be found chiefly in +unskilled laborers. People with elementary +hands are said to be passionate but mentally +sluggish.</p> + +<p>The spatulate or active hand suggests the +spatula, the broad and knifelike instrument +used by druggists and painters. The thumb +is large and the fingers are usually sensitive, +well-developed at the tips. The palm is wide, +but often it narrows near the fingers. The +hand is seldom flabby, for it indicates the +worker, and it is most frequently rather flat. +People with spatulate hands are just and orderly, +we are told. According to Edward Heron-Allen, +“The great pronounced characteristics +of this type are: action, movement, energy; +and, of course the harder or firmer the hand, +the more pronounced will these characteristics +be. A man of this type is resolute, self-confident, +and desirous of abundance rather than +of sufficiency.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> + +<p>The sort of hand which the palmists call +conic or artistic is often full and soft. The +fingers taper and their points are long. The +skin is, in most cases, smooth and without +blemishes or callouses. This is the hand of +luxury, even voluptuousness, and of weak will. +The conic hand indicates artistic power, we +are told, especially if the ring finger is long. +But, so the tale is told, people with such hands +may fail because of lack of application and +effort. They are quick-tempered and changeable.</p> + +<p>The square or useful hand has flat fingertips. +The corners are somewhat angular. The +nails are said to be square at the end. The +hand is broad and the joints are large. The +whole hand is usually of greater than average +size. This is frequently found in artisans, it +is said, especially in those who have to do with +construction. People with useful hands have +little interest in the merely artistic things. +They want to know, “What’s it good for?” +Cheiro says that “they are sincere and true +in promise, staunch in friendship, strong in +principle, and honest in business. Their greatest +fault is that they are inclined to reason by +a twelve-inch rule, and disbelieve all they cannot +understand.”</p> + +<p>The knotty or philosophical hand is an exaggerated +conic. The joints of the fingers +are knotted, the fingers are unusually long +and tapered. Idealists have the joints next to +the finger tips well-developed. Materialists +have greater knots at the second points. This +is the wisdom of M. d’Arpentigny. Scientists, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span>professors, and theologians have frequently +knotty hands. People with philosophical hands +are secretive and thoughtful and often vain. +They are inclined to be patient and thorough.</p> + +<p>The psychic hand is still more definitely +pointed and conical, and it is without the conspicuous +knots of the philosophical hand. It +is smooth and the muscles are soft. Among +those with psychic hands are mystics, dreamers, +visionaries, and believers in palmistry. +Some of them are poets. They are seldom +capable of making material progress, and the +world considers them failures. Thus the tale +is told.</p> + +<p>The mixed hand is judged by the type which +it most nearly approaches and by the other +types which it resembles in some particular. +Of the mixed hand in general, Cheiro says, “It +is the hand of ideals, of versatility, and generally +of changeability of purpose. A man with +such a hand is adaptable to both people and +circumstances, clever, but erratic in the application +of his talents. He will be brilliant in +conversation, be the subject science, art, or +gossip. Such hands find their greatest scope in +work requiring diplomacy and tact.”</p> + +<p>The square hand with long, square fingers is +said to indicate the development of intellect +and will. With knotty points, it points to +a capacity for detail. With pointed fingers, +it shows a lack of determination and persistence. +The square hand with spatulate fingers +often characterizes inventors, according to +Holmes Whittier Merton.</p> + +<p>We are told that large hands are frequently +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span>found in people who enjoy detailed and delicate +work. Watchmakers and other artisans who +deal with very small objects, we are assured +by Oxenford and Alpheus, have always huge +palms. As for the men and women with tiny +hands, they like to work on skyscrapers and +pyramids. People with small hands have a +large handwriting, while this is naturally small +with people whose hands are large.</p> + +<p>Men and women with long fingers are curious, +restless, and likely to worry about trifles. +Short fingers indicate a tendency to understand +objects as a whole rather than as groups of +details. People with stubby fingers are supposed +to act on impulse, while longer digits +show a more reflective nature.</p> + +<p>Fingers are measured from the tip to the +center of the knuckle at the back of the hand. +The palm is measured from the beginning of +the second finger to the wrist. A good and +well-balanced character is supposed to be +shown by the approximate equality of the +longest finger and the palm. When the palm +is longer than this finger, a lack of interest +in the particular and the concrete is indicated.</p> + +<p>A good finger, according to the palmists, is +one of attractive appearance. It is straight, +well-formed, and proportionate to the others +in length, width, and thickness. A bad finger +is too thick or too thin, too long or too short, +twisted or bent. It is sometimes said to indicate +nervous disease.</p> + +<p>The index finger is supposed to stand under +the rule of the planet Jupiter noble and magnanimous. +Jupiter confers honor and dignity. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span>A good index finger means a love of rule or of +admiration. Too long an index finger shows +an inclination to be tyrannical or perhaps too +eager for titles and medals. If the finger of +Jupiter is too short, it shows an unwillingness +to assume responsibility. If it is crooked, it +indicates a lack of honor. Other interpretations +will suggest themselves to the person familiar +with the pseudo-science of astrology.</p> + +<p>The middle finger is dominated by Saturn, +the planet which is supposed to make people +steady and thoughtful when its aspects are +good. A well-balanced middle or second finger +is taken by palmists to show prudence. Too +long, it indicates an undue absorption in self. +Too short, it indicates giddiness and lack of +moral stability. Crooked, the second finger +shows hysteria.</p> + +<p>The third or ring finger is ruled by Apollo. +This is the planet which confers a love of +beauty and nobility upon the men and women +it favors. A good ring finger is said to be +indicative of artistic appreciation. A disproportionally +long third finger may show a fondness +for gambling and speculation, or it may be +a sign of an overvaluation of art. It may possibly +show a dislike for German brass bands. +This is a discovery of my own, which I willingly +transmit to posterity. If the ring finger +is too short, a lack of interest in art may +be read by the examiner. It was a woman with +an exceedingly stubby third finger, you know, +who found her husband reading “Snappy +Stories” and made the classic speech, “My +<ins title="Original has 'God.'" id="God">God,</ins> +have I married a literary man!” A crooked +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span>ring finger is said to be indicative of wrong +ideas about art. I suppose this is characteristic +of censors, bowdlerizers, and followers of +the late Mr. Comstock.</p> + +<p>The little finger belongs to Mercury, the +planet concerned with speed, business success, +thievery, and clubs dedicated to service. If +it is straight and well-proportioned, it indicates +general capacity, which may lead to success +if the other signs are right and the subject +happens to be lucky. If the little finger +is unusually long, its possessor is sly and cunning, +we are told. Too short a fourth finger +points to a lack of executive ability. The man +whose little finger is crooked is lacking in +business tact.</p> + +<p>D’Arpentigny insists that the thumb is an +important index to individuality. A thumb that +appears to bend backward is alleged to show +extravagance, love of luxury, and sometimes a +lack of honor. The backward-bent thumb often +goes with generosity. A short, heavy, blunt +thumb is supposed to indicate grossness and +sensuality. On the other hand, it may—but +“on the other hand” is a phrase which should +be used only literally in a learned treatise on +palmistry. Well, a thick thumb may show +that the possessor is not a magician. Or it +may indicate that he is not fond of mixed +pickles. It may make it plain that he belongs +to the Ancient and Honorable Order of Sons of +the Big Stick, especially if he wears the pin +of the order on his waistcoat.</p> + +<p>The points of the fingers divide them into +phalanges. The first phalanx is the one out +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>of which the nail grows. According to M. +<ins title="Original has 'Desbarroles'" id="Desbarrolles">Desbarrolles</ins>, the first phalanx expresses ideality, +the second has to do with intellectuality, +and the third is connected with the material +world. The first phalanx demands special +study. If it is pointed, the possessor is better +at imagining things than at carrying them out. +If it is shaped like a spatula, he is the he-man +(or she is the she-woman) who gets things +done, who shoots the villain and brings the +money just in time to keep the old homestead +from being foreclosed. If the first phalanx is +square, the subject is a good reasoner, and +knows that palmistry is not the most exact +of sciences.</p> + +<p>“Long fingers,” I have on the authority of +Prof. and Mme. Zancig, “with spatulate tips +and long joints, show a love of detail centering +in human interest, such as knitting socks for +soldiers on foreign service, and teaching in a +night-school if the Mercury finger is long as +well.” And of reciting Mr. Guest’s poetry, if +the Saturn finger is unusually long, I might +add.</p> + +<p>In the index finger, a long first phalanx is +supposed to indicate superstition and an interest +in ghosts. If the second phalanx is unusually +long, desire for wealth and fame is extreme. +If it is the third phalanx which seems +to be conspicuously long, the subject is ambitious +for power.</p> + +<p>In the middle finger, the excessive length +of the first phalanx is supposed to show a +melancholy temperament. The second phalanx, +if it stands out, indicates a love of farming. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>But if it is evident that the subject has no +agricultural tendencies, this may mean that +he likes a poached egg on his hash or that +he is fond of riding on a merry-go-round. If the +third phalanx is unusually long, he is economical, +especially toward the end of the week.</p> + +<p>A long first phalanx in the ring finger indicates +a love of beautiful objects, especially a +fondness for comely members of the opposite +sex. An unusually long second phalanx goes +with an interest in philosophy, above all, epistemology +and ontology. But in exceptional +cases it may accompany a liking for dancing or +automobile polo. A long third phalanx sometimes +is indicative of miserliness.</p> + +<p>In the little finger, a fairly long first phalanx +shows fluency of language. If the phalanx +is conspicuously lengthy, the subject may +sometimes fail to tell the truth. If we could +measure the length in George Washington’s +hand, perhaps we should be able to judge the +accuracy of the cherry tree story. The second +phalanx, if especially long, shows the ability +to do well in business. The great length of +the third phalanx is supposed to show a certain +amount of exhibitionism, made manifest in +the display of jewelry and finery.</p> + +<p>The palmists, chirologists, or chirosophists +have proved to their own complete satisfaction +that the first phalanx of the thumb is indicative +of the faculty of will, whereas the faculty +of logic is located in the second phalanx +and constancy is indicated by the third phalanx, +also known as the thumb metacarpal. But +some of the authorities tell us that the third +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>phalanx rules the affections and the second +governs reason. Well, one system is as good or +as bad as the other. The reader may take his +choice.</p> + +<p>A well-shaped thumb which is rather long +shows a good character. The subject does not +often get drunk, beats his wife not over fifty +times a year, and never drives his automobile +at a higher rate than sixty-five miles an hour +in any crowded city. But if the first phalanx +is unusually thick, he may go up to a hundred +miles an hour, especially if the lines of the +hand and the motor in his car permit this.</p> + +<p>The middle phalanx is normally a third of +the total measurement of the finger in length, +or a little less. The first phalanx is somewhat +shorter, and the third phalanx is about +half again as long as the second one. The +phalanges are considered long when they occupy +considerably more than these proportions.</p> + +<p>If the index finger is inclined toward the +thumb, there is considerable desire for independence. +If it leans toward Saturn’s middle +finger, morbid pride results. If the second finger +is bent in the direction of the index finger, +it betokens a fear of portents and a tendency +to be gloomily superstitious. If it is pointed +in the other direction, there is more imagination +and less sickly brooding, if the ring finger +is inclined toward the middle finger, the subject +is excessively vain and egotistical. If it +leans toward the little finger, there is a tendency +toward commercialism in art. Thus the +palmists tell their tale. If the little finger is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>bent in the direction of the ring finger, there +is a union of scientific or philosophical and +artistic thinking.</p> + +<p>A large stretch between the index finger and +the thumb indicates or gives generosity. It +is not entirely clear whether the gap between +the fingers makes money slip out or the generosity +somehow widens the space. Between the +index and the middle fingers, a large stretch +shows independence of thought. A gap between +the middle and the ring fingers is indicative +of indifference to circumstances. Vagabonds +are supposed to show this clearly. Between +the ring and the fourth finger, a stretch +shows independence of action and indifference +to convention. If the fingers stretch apart +naturally, there is a strong love of freedom. +But the man or woman whose fingers tend to +remain close together is bound by custom and +conventionality. This is the story that the +wise palmists tell us.</p> + +<p>Straight lines on the phalanges are supposed +to indicate success, while transverse +lines presage obstacles. A deep line running +up the second and third phalanges of the first +finger are taken to signify a special ambition +or hobby. Transverse lines on the phalanx +next to the palm show money by inheritance, +we are told.</p> + +<p>In the middle finger, a straight line running +all the way up shows military glory. If the +subject never enters the navy, the army, or +the Prohibition forces, such a line may show +an important office in a lodge or it may be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span>indicative of a spot on the clothing from eating +a sardine sandwich without due precautions. +Two parallel lines indicate mining success or +the ability to open a bottle of stuffed olives.</p> + +<p>A straight line up the ring finger indicates +marked success of some sort. Just what the +nature of the victory will be must be determined +from other considerations. It may be learning +to skate, receiving an invitation to a party, +finding that the home-made beer has not yet +exploded, discovering gold, or being able to get +a seat in the subway during the rush hour. +A semicircle on the third phalanx is a certain +indication of misfortune. Unwelcome guests, +a funeral, a hole in the table caused by Junior’s +playful use of his Christmas box of tools, and +a run in one’s best pair of chiffon stockings +are some of the possibilities. On the little +finger, irregular lines on the third phalanx +show deception. A husband with such lines +should have his trousers carefully searched +after he returns from a poker game. He has +won at least $5.67—or, if these lines are nearly +parallel, $1.76—more than he admits. A circle +or semicircle on the third phalanx points out +a thief. It is too bad that our police officers +have such a superficial knowledge of chirognomy. +It would do away with the “third degree” +and eliminate all possibilities of the miscarriage +of justice. Three lines running +straight up the finger show an interest in astrology, +phrenology, palmistry, crystal-gazing, +spiritualism, Christian Science, the electronic +reactions of Abrams, physiognomy, and New +Thought. A single line shows success in science +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>or mechanics. I have heard of a man +with such a line who succeeded in opening a +pound tin can of tobacco without cutting his +fingers. A crooked line running across the +third phalanx with the shape of a furrow shows +a willingness to run away from superior force. +Many small lines on the phalanges show delicate +health, unless the subject happens to be +vigorous, sturdy, and free of all disease.</p> + +<p>When the joints bulge perceptibly, the person +studied is something of a philosopher. On very +hot days, he remarks wisely that it will presently +be too cold for comfort. Or if the subject +is a woman, she may find the clouds that +are attached to all silver linings. Many people +with knotty hands are pessimists, although it +is true that some, who enter the undertaking +business and become presidents of Rotary +Clubs, are able to see the sunny side of things. +The development of the first joint (the one +between the first and second phalanges) indicates +a rationalizing mind. The subject knows +that it is unlucky for thirteen people to dine +together, and can give six or seven good reasons +why this is so. However, some people +with this knot—like some whose fingers are +smooth at this point—are skeptical about accepted +doctrines in science, philosophy, history, +cookery, and the fine arts. A few of them have +been known to say that there may not be so +much in palmistry as the chirosophists claim. +The upper joints, when well-developed, show a +large amount of talent. But what sort of special +skill this may be and how well it is employed +depend upon some other factors. People +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>whose fingers are knotty at these joints are +fond of neatness, cleanliness, and order. If +their palms are soft, they make other people +do the cleaning and the arranging. If their +palms are hard—here the chirognomists seem +not to be utterly unreasonable—it is possible +that they make use of broom and brush themselves. +People whose second joints bulge out +are likely to bathe at least once a week, especially +if they have suitable hygienic facilities +at home. Some of them go to church regularly, +but others do not, because of indifference or +laziness.</p> + +<p>The members of the Chirological Society of +London once called a special meeting to find +out why no special qualities had ever been attributed +to knottiness of the knuckles. They +decided, after a hot discussion, that the bulge +of the knuckle is the “knot of domestic order.” +Housewives with well-developed joints here do +not permit their husbands to come in until +after they have wiped the mud off their boots.</p> + +<p>Men and women with smooth fingers are not +likely to be guided by reason, we are told. +Passion, intuition, and impulse rule them. +Some of them are poets, many of them are +ministers of religion, and some are stenographers. +People with such hands should be +warned to look up hard words in the dictionary +and not to trust to their own memory.</p> + +<p>Even the shape of the nails has a meaning +for the palmist. A normal nail occupies about +half of the first phalanx. Nails which are +short or small are said to indicate a tendency +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>to diseases of the heart. Personally I should +prefer to have a physician examine the organ +in question if there were any question of an +organic disease, but I suppose this is merely an +idiosyncrasy on my part. It is so much less +trouble to look at the finger-nails. Short nails +which are curved and fluted are indicative <ins title="Original has 'fo'" id="of">of</ins> +throat-trouble. Exceedingly long and curved +nails show a tendency to bronchitis, pneumonia, +pleurisy, consumption, halitosis, and diphtheria. +“Large nails feel more lasting anger than small +ones,” is the wisdom which Ina Oxenford and +A. Alpheus collaborated to enunciate. I suppose +it is angry nails which scratch women’s +faces when they have made other members of +their sex jealous. I should say that large nails +are more dangerous than small ones, at any +rate.</p> + +<p>Bright red nails are supposed to indicate a +hot temper and a lack of self-control. But +men and women with pink nails are often more +hasty. When the nails are white, selfishness, +sullenness, a calm temper, or a dislike for +kippered herring may be inferred. A bluish +tint may be the means of diagnosing heart +trouble, and a yellow shade may point to jaundice. +I am not a physician, but I suspect that +the last two indications may actually be of +some slight diagnostic value. It is just the +tiny touches of truth, though, which are dangerous +in the pseudo-sciences, for they make uncritical +people take the systems at their face +value.</p> + +<p>Thick fingers are believed by the palmists—or +perhaps we had better say, are claimed by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>the palmists—to show a liking for ease and +luxury. No doubt it is important to distinguish +between those which are thick-boned and those +which are soft and flabby. Hands which open +and close stiffly and with seeming reluctance +are said to show determination or even stubbornness.</p> + +<p>If the first phalanx of the thumb is long, +firm, and spatulate, the will is strong and independent. +But if it tapers to a soft point, +the subject is easily influenced by others. So +the chirognomists tell their story. If this first +phalanx is weak and short, it shows feebleness +of will and inability to decide upon an action. +A heavy, blunt tip is said to be indicative of +great obstinacy. A flexible thumb which bends +back is supposed to show extravagance.</p> + +<p>The second phalanx is the seat of logic. +Long, firm, and well-developed, it indicates the +ability to see all sides of a question, to consider +matters in their logical relations. Why +it should, I do not know, but this is the tale +that the chirosophists tell. A large second +phalanx in conjunction with a small phalanx +of will makes the Hamlets, the people who consider +their problems so long that it is too late +to solve them when they have finally decided +upon courses of action. If the thumb rounds +away and narrows at the middle, the subject +is somewhat narrow-minded. But Cheiro says +that it indicates tact, and it is barely possible +that it points to a fondness for green hosiery. +This has not been fully proved, to be sure.</p> + +<p>The third phalanx, according to some writers, +has to do with love. This is really part of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>palm of the hand, and we shall deal later with +the Mount of Venus, which includes part of the +region. If the phalanx is long, the passions +are likely to be spiritualized, idealized, sublimated, +freed of their earthliness, and made +ethereal. If they are short, they are sensual, +sensuous, fleshly, and genuine.</p> + +<p>The first or index finger is sometimes stated +to be that which controls and makes manifest +the intellectual powers. If it is long and well-shaped, +we are told that it shows a longing for +power. The ability to realize the ambition +depends upon other signs. If it is longer than +the second finger, the subject is selfish and +arrogant.</p> + +<p>The first phalanx is indicative of the senses +or of intuition or of a willingness to wear a +brown derby hat. With very smooth fingers, +a long first phalanx means mysticism, poetry, +drunkenness, or the making of speeches at public +dinners. The first knot points out religious +skeptics. The second phalanx is related to the +phrenological faculties of eventuality and educability.</p> + +<p>The second or middle finger has been connected +with association, affection, and circumstances. +If it is unusually firm, long, and +thick, the subject may feel himself to be in the +clutch of the Fates, unable to rule his own destiny. +A typical instance is that of the husband +whose wife tells him at what hour he must +go to bed, what sort of umbrella he is to carry, +how much he is to eat, and what company he +is to keep. A strong middle finger is indicative +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>of weakness, then, and its possessor is almost +certain to be a very morose person. If +he happens to be gay and lively, even successful, +this is because he has counteracting signs +elsewhere on his hand, or perhaps on his face +or his cranium.</p> + +<p>If the first phalanx is long, the individual +submits to the fell grip of circumstance. He +lets the tides and the winds draw them whither +they will. If he must wear a pink cravat with +purple polka dots, it is the will of the gods. +He does not venture to protest. The second +phalanx, when it rules, makes, according to one +authority, for an interest in the occult sciences. +According to another, it shows mechanical or +agricultural ability. Perhaps it indicates a +natural capacity for solving cross-word puzzles. +A long third phalanx is the sign of acquisitiveness +or social organization, as the reader may +prefer to believe. A strong second finger +sometimes shows a tendency to rheumatism or +pyorrhea. Some people with large middle fingers +get cavities in their teeth, in which case +they may experience pain.</p> + +<p>If the third finger is long and the first phalanx +happens to be prominent and spatulate, +artistry is indicated. The subject may be a +painter, a poet, an expert at coming home after +three in the morning without waking up his +wife, a good cook, an actor, a sculptor, or a +bootblack. But if the finger is long and the +second phalanx is well-developed, the individual +is supposed to be fond of gambling. As Merton +says, this is the phalanx of industry. I suppose +it shows the man who gets rich by speculating +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>in Wall Street or by cornering the wheat +market, especially if this happens to be the case.</p> + +<p>The little finger is that of expression, action, +or of the use of kiss-proof lipstick. When it is +very large, it makes for an excessive use of +cosmetics or for various forms of dishonesty. +If it is unusually small, the subject finds it +hard to get ahead in the world. But we must +keep in mind the fact that there are many other +signs for the chirognomist to consider, and he +can always explain why a man is successful +or unsuccessful, interested in law or in plumbing.</p> + +<p>The pointed formation of the tip is supposed +to show tact and diplomacy or <ins title="Original has 'some times'" id="sometimes">sometimes</ins> +cunning and a disregard for fair play. +Fluency goes with the good development of the +first phalanx. A square tip shows the ability +to teach or a tendency to meddle with other +people’s affairs. Whereas the first phalanx +offers an indication of the capacity for oral +language, the second phalanx is long in writers. +The third section rules worldly wisdom, adventure, +and movement. So tell the palmists +their tale.</p> + +<p>People whose hands have narrow palms are +supposed to be conventional, cheerful, plucky, +and imaginative. They like to see photoplays +with happy endings, and they are fond of +vaudeville and burlesque shows. Unless they +are musical, they very seldom attend recitals +and concerts. A square palm shows a love of +fresh air, unless perhaps the line of carbon +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>dioxide gas is well-developed. When the palm +is hard, square, and flat, the subject enjoys +playing golf or watching baseball games. In +some cases, the hardness of the palm shows +that an individual is accustomed to taking care +of a furnace.</p> + +<p>The hollow palm, alas, indicates a weak will, +a lack of power to take advantage of opportunities, +sometimes listlessness and undue sensitivity. +But dogs and even cats have been +known to exhibit a liking for hollow-palmed +people, especially when they are generous with +bones and cream and catnip. As everybody +knows, a man of whom animals are fond must +possess some of the virtues. Perhaps such a +man has never poisoned his mother or taken +the Lord’s name in vain. But, if he has a +hollow palm, this may be because of lack of +energy. He must have a strong leader—one +with a flat palm and preferably with red hair.</p> + +<p>The palm which is hard, flat, and without +flabbiness is characteristic of the man of +action. The subject may not act wisely, but he +will do something. It is women with such +palms who discourage the flirt by slapping his +face or pulling him to the police station. It is +obvious that amorous young men should examine +the hands of all the young women upon +whom they have designs before they proceed +farther.</p> + +<p>Ernest Dowson expresses his interest in feminine +palms, although he does not directly proclaim +himself a palmist:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">I was always a lover of ladies’ hands!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Or ever mine heart came here to tryst,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For the sake of your carved white hands’ commands;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The tapering fingers, the dainty wrist;</div> + <div class="verse indent2">The hands of a girl were what I kissed.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Kissing the hands, it is evident, shows plainly +if they are dry or moist, warm or cold. It is +important for the lover to know if the palms +are soft and flabby. A woman with such +hands is not likely to take in washing to support +her husband. Rather she will expect him +to earn enough to provide her with three meals +a day, including fried chicken or roast lamb +every Sunday. Thick hands and fingers with +a firm palm are especially important indications +of interest in food.</p> + +<p>According to Edward Heron-Allen, “The soft +hand has more poetry in its composition than +the hard. Thus, the artist with hard hands +will paint things real and actual rather than +ideal, and his pictures will be more active and +manly than those of a softer-handed artist, +who will paint the images of his fancy, and +whose work will show greater soul, greater +diversity, and more fantasy.”</p> + +<p>Certain deductions may validly be made +from the hardness of the hand. The man who +is not clothed like a laborer, but who has a +calloused palm may possibly have risen from +the ranks. The palmist watches his manner +and takes note of his taste in dress for indications +of the “self-made man.” Or the hands +may be horny from rubbing against golf clubs +or tennis rackets. The chirosopher, if he understands +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span>human nature, is often capable of +shrewd and accurate guesses.</p> + +<p>Soft wrinkles on the hand are supposed to +show impressionability and uprightness of +soul. Of course it is difficult to tell just what +is meant by an upright soul—I really was unaware, +until I took up the study of palmistry, +that the soul has dimensions—and perhaps +this is not incompatible with impressionability. +As for wrinkles on a hard hand, they are indicative +of pugnacity. The subject is likely to +be irritating and a little cruel, we are told, +especially if the nails are cut short. What +wonders science has presented! And what +greater wonders we can find in pseudo-science!</p> + +<p>Lines and wrinkles on the back of the hand +show sensitivity, benevolence, and possibly a +fondness for dill pickles. Men with firm, +strong hands sometimes amuse others by dropping +from flying machines, going over Niagara +Falls in a barrel, playing the clown, dancing +a jig, or presenting charades.</p> + +<p>A hairy hand in a man is an infallible indication +of inconstancy. In a woman, it is a +token of cruelty. The man who has just a +little hair on the back of his hand is desirous +of luxury, but inclined to be prudent. Only +rarely does such a person commit burglary or +run away with the funds of the bank where +he is employed. All men whose hands are +slightly hairy and who have been convicted of +grand larceny or of other high crimes and +misdemeanors have signs of criminality somewhere +on their hands. On the thumb, hair +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>shows ingenuity. On the third phalanges of +the fingers, it indicates affection. On all the +phalanges of the fingers, it is indicative of a +hot temper. Hairlessness on the masculine +hand is said to be a bad sign. It betrays +effeminacy and cowardice. As a matter of +fact, many men who are comparatively hairless +and who are without the strong physical +traits of their sex are especially belligerent and +daring. This is a common reaction to a feeling +of inferiority begotten by the effeminate +appearance.</p> + +<p>White hands which remain colorless in spite +of changes in temperature show an intense interest +in self, we are told. A red hand is indicative +of a sanguine nature. This notion is +of medieval origin, going back to the physiology +of the four temperaments. The sanguine nature +(from the French word <i>sang</i> and the Latin +<i>sanguis</i>, meaning blood) is hopeful, according +to the old writers, because blood is the dominant +humor. Yellow hands betoken a bilious +temperament, and blackness shows a melancholy +disposition, because of the importance +of black bile. This system was worked out +before the people of Europe were familiar with +the usual cheerfulness of the negro. Pallor +shows a phlegmatic spirit, as the palmists tell +their story. A wholesome pinkness is the +best color, for it indicates cheerfulness, love +of justice, and a willingness to be converted by +every evangelist who comes to town.</p> + +<p>Women with large thumbs are sensible in +matters of the affections. They do not fall +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span>in love readily, and they prefer millionaires to +poor philosophers. They are usually willing +to accept any ardent lover who is handsome, +young, cheerful, clever, audacious, and well +supplied with worldly goods, however. Such +women are seldom flirtatious or jealous, we +are told. These facts are remarkable if true.</p> + +<p>Women with small thumbs are romantic, passionate, +coquettish, easily made jealous. They +make good wives if they are physically attractive, +constant, economical, cheerful, and intelligent. +They like to be kissed and embraced by +their husbands; also, if they are unchaste, they +are willing to be hugged by others.</p> + +<p>“A little, rosy, soft, smooth hand,” say Oxenford +and Alpheus, “thin but not bony, and with +little joints slightly developed, indicates a vivacious +and sparkling little woman. To win her +you must be bright, clever, witty, spontaneous, +amusing in affairs of the grand passion; you +must be quick and sparkling, rather than romantic +and sentimental, as you must be with +the conic-fingered woman.”</p> + +<p>Women with square fingers and small +thumbs are said to be fond of order and conventionality. +They serve their meals at regular +hours, they always provide knives and +forks, and they wash the dishes or have them +washed immediately after the table is cleared. +They wear evening gowns when they go to +elaborate dinners or weddings, and they make +their husbands put on dinner coats if they can. +Such women, if their hands are decidedly +square, prefer to be married rather than to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>have unconventional love affairs. They expect +their husbands to be courteous and to walk on +the side next to the curb. Great squareness +sometimes goes with fussiness and overemphasis +upon punctilio.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp50" id="p32" style="max-width: 71.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/p32.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + MAP OF THE HAND + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">1 The First Phalanges.</td> +<td class="tdl">☿ The Mount of Mercury.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">2 The Second Phalanges.</td> +<td class="tdl">♂ The Mount of Mars.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">3 The Third Phalanges.</td> +<td class="tdl">☾ The Mount of Luna (the Moon).</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">4 The Mount of Jupiter.</td> +<td class="tdl">♀ The Mount of Venus.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">♄ The Mount of Saturn.</td> +<th class="tdl" rowspan="2">The Plain of Mars is Within<br> Dotted Lines.</th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">☉ The Mount of Apollo.</td> +</tr> +</table> +</figcaption> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_MOUNTS"> + THE MOUNTS + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>Palmists count on the hand seven muscular +projections which are known as mounts. The +Mount of Jupiter is at the base of the index +finger, which, as we have seen, is supposed to +be ruled by the planet of Jupiter. The Mount +of Saturn lies below the middle finger. The +Mount of Apollo is at the base of the ring +finger, and the Mount of Mercury lies next to +the little finger. The Mount of Venus adjoins +the thumb. The Mount of the Moon or Luna +is on the side of the hand opposite the Mount +of Venus. The Mount of Mars between the +Hill of Luna and the Mount of Mercury. Mention +is sometimes made of a second Mount of +Mars, under the thumb and below the Mount +of Venus.</p> + +<p>In a firm hand, the mounts do not rise +sharply above the level of the hand, and they +are not especially prominent. They are likely +to be more distinct in a soft and flabby hand. +A good mount, according to the chirosophists, +should not be directly beneath a finger but +rather between two of them. It should be +firm to the touch and developed evenly. A +mount is bad when it takes up too much or +too little space, is entirely absent, or is inclined +to flabbiness.</p> + +<p>The height of the mounts is carefully considered. +If they are all unusually high, the +subject is supposed to be lazy and inactive. If +they are low, the hand is considered energetic. +The development of the mounts next to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>fingers above that of the lower hills is said to +show that the intellectual nature is predominant. +When the lower mounts are excessively +high, we are told that the passions are more +important than reason. This is especially true +if Luna and Mars almost come together. The +mount which is highest indicates the qualities +which predominate because of the planet which +rules it. The reader is referred to my Little +Blue Book on astrology for an account of the +influence of the various planets and for the +meaning of the signs used in some palmistical +charts.</p> + +<p>The equality of the mounts may point out a +character which is developed evenly, without +any great irregularity or lack of harmony. +The great excess of a mount may be a particularly +bad sign. It may even show madness +in the direction indicated by the nature of the +hill. A mount which is not high but which is +covered with many little lines is read as though +it stood up far above the level of the hand. A +single line upon a mount is supposed to be a +good indication, whereas two or three may +bring misfortune.</p> + +<p>Lines placed crosswise upon a mount, especially +if they actually cross, are taken to indicate +obstacles and perhaps misfortune in the +field where the planet of the hill is dominant. +They must be considered in relation to the +development of the long lines of the hand and +to the general shape of the palm and the +fingers.</p> + +<p>Mount Jupiter is sometimes known as the +social hill. Its most important characteristic +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>is pride, unless perhaps it is religion, ambition, +honor, gaiety, a love of nature, or agricultural +ability. Such a variety of possible +interpretations permits the examiner of the +palm to use his own judgment. We are told +that the Hill of Jupiter is strong in public +speakers and entertainers. When this region +is excessively developed, it is supposed to show +vanity, selfishness, arrogance, tyranny, extravagant +ostentation and, if the fingers are +particularly pointed, superstition.</p> + +<p>A single line upon this hill is a sign of success +already attained or presently to come. A +large number of confused lines show an intense +struggle to attain one’s heart’s desire, never +fully realized. Crossed lines on the Mount of +Jupiter indicate unchastity. A proud man +should never marry a woman with these marks. +Thus, tell the palmists, the chirosophers, the +chirognomists, and the chiromancers their tale.</p> + +<p>Crossed lines should not be confused with a +cross, very short indentations which intersect +about at the middle. The cross forecasts a +happy marriage. If there is a star as well as +a cross, the alliance will be very fortunate, for +it will bring wealth in addition to beauty. But +a red, black, or blue dot is an unfortunate +token. It makes plain that there will be some +sort of loss of honor and dignity. If the subject +is the champion coffee-drinker or long +distance dancer of the country, his crown will +presently be wrested from him.</p> + +<p>The absence of Mount Jupiter—and it is not +considered to be entirely lacking unless there +is a crater or depression in this region—is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>taken to show idleness, religious indifference, +lack of self-respect, want of dignity, and even +vulgarity. A strong Hill of Jupiter in a square +hand is supposed to show conventionality and +respect for the constituted authorities. With +long, smooth fingers, it makes for a love of +luxury. Developed between the index and middle +fingers, it indicates self-consciousness and +a feeling of inferiority.</p> + +<p>Mount Saturn, below the middle finger, is +never very high. But if it is more elevated +than usual, it is interpreted by the palmists as +a token of morbidness, fear, love of solitude, +sadness, taciturnity, remorse, and asceticism. +Saturn’s children are earthy, interested in the +products of the soil, especially potatoes, rutabagas +and orchids. If they are not farmers, +they may be miners or florists; and some of +them are priests, smugglers, or dealers in ice +cream.</p> + +<p>An influential Hill of Saturn takes away the +attractive power of the other sex. Hermits +are supposed to have the mount unusually +high. If the hill is close to the finger, the +subject is awkward. He never knows, after +dining at a strange house, whether or not he +should fold his napkin.</p> + +<p>A spot on the mount shows some inevitable +evil, the nature of which is to be found in the +lines of the hand. A star on Saturn indicates +danger of paralysis. If, however, the subject +never becomes paralyzed, it becomes evident +that the danger is not very great. A single +line on the hill tends to show success and good +fortune. A confusion of small lines is an unfortunate +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>indication. So ’tis said. The leaning +of the mount toward Apollo—that is, its +rising in that direction—shows bad luck, or +perhaps a fluctuation of spirits.</p> + +<p>As for the absence of the hill, some say that +it denotes a vegetative existence, without interest +in the spiritual things of life. But one +authority declares that it is indicative of an +inability to consider matters seriously. “With +a well-developed Mount of the Moon,” say +Oxenford and Alpheus, “Saturn gives a love of +and talent for the occult; and, curiously +enough, the subjects are usually frightfully +ugly.”</p> + +<p>The Hill of Apollo has to do with beauty, +especially of a masculine kind. This rises +beneath the ring finger. Strongly developed, +it makes for an interest in art for art’s sake, +a liking for natural loveliness. It confers +wealth, genius, and intelligence. People with +high Mounts of Apollo are responsive to +changes in the weather. They are sometimes +affected and inclined to pose.</p> + +<p>The subjects of Apollo have often inventive +ability, we are told. They may be of hasty +temper, but their anger usually disappears in a +short time. They are interested in the artistic +side of things. If they are religious, they like +the pomp and splendor of the Catholic service. +If they pay particular attention to food, they +delight in artistic arrangement and service. +They choose automobiles for the body lines +and wives for their loveliness. But they are +not passionate lovers, and a beautiful wife is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>to them chiefly an object to be admired and +displayed.</p> + +<p>An excessively high Mount of Apollo means +a love of money and extravagant display. Curiosity +is a frequent trait in this case, we are +told. Artists of various sorts are likely to have +Mount Apollo strongly developed. A forked +line on Apollo shows a conflict of interests. A +triangle is indicative of science applied to art.</p> + +<p>Mount Mercury is under the little finger. It +is on the percussion side of the hand, the side +which husbands bang against the table to show +a determined negation, just before they agree +that their wives may buy the new spring hats +which they eagerly desire. A strong hill indicates +hopefulness, eloquence, an interest in +antiques, speculation, commercial ability, a preference +for Virginia cigarettes, industry, invention, +agility, and speed in thought and action.</p> + +<p>A good Mount of Mercury, assisted by +pointed fingers, makes for brilliant oratory +and the ability to sell circus tickets or patent +medicines. With square fingers, it makes the +preacher who proves logically that there is no +death and that he needs to have his salary +raised in order to pay his insurance. With +spatulate fingers, the subject speaks loudly +and forcefully. He is able to sway mobs and +to be elected to the state legislature.</p> + +<p>Mount Mercury excessively high makes +thieves and charlatans. In such individuals, +my masters in palmistry say, the fingers are +usually long and twisted. The palms are soft +and flabby. There are many confused marks +on the Hill of Mercury.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> + +<p>Lines along the percussion side of the hand +are taken to indicate the future course of domestic +relations. Horizontal lines show serious +affairs of the heart. Each line means a +separate love partner. A long and faithful +marriage is shown by a single deep line. +Islands on the lines show either unchastity or +marriage to relatives.</p> + +<p>The Hill of Mars is above the Mount of +Mercury. It includes three areas, known as +the mount proper, the plain of Mars, and the +second mount. The first or most important +part is near the percussion. Here are read the +fighting qualities of the subject. If this and +the plain are both high, the subject is pugnacious. +A strong mount without lines gives +equanimity of temper and resignation to circumstances. +If the mount is covered by a +great many lines, it shows insolence, fury, and +cruelty. So the story is told.</p> + +<p>According to another interpreter, lines running +across Mars represent enemies. Each one +stands for a particular individual, and the +amount of harm he can do is made clear by +the length and the depth of the lines. Small +cross-lines at the percussion make for scandal.</p> + +<p>The Hill of Luna or the Moon, which lies +between Mars and the wrist, makes for imagination +when it is strongly developed. The subjects +of the Moon love mysticism, solitude, and +silence. If the mount is soft and flabby, +dreaminess and an unpractical character are +to be inferred. If it is strong, the subject may +be fond of voyaging to the distant parts of the +world. He may be something of a romancer. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>He is not likely to talk well, especially when +he is speechless with indignation. He (or she) +may make a hasty marriage, afterward deeply +regretted.</p> + +<p>Lines on the percussion in the district of +the Moon show voyages. A star at the end +of such a line makes for shipwreck or some +other disastrous end to a journey. Many crossing +lines on the mount are taken to show that +the subject is worried. Or perhaps they refer +to nervous complaints and neuralgia. Then +again, they may be taken to indicate that the +individual under examination is fond of playing +marbles or euchre.</p> + +<p>The Mount of Venus is the large area at the +base of the thumb. It is usually higher than +any other of the chirosophical hills. A good +mount gives the reading of affection. Excessively +developed, sexual desire is strong. If +the region is flat, coldness is supposed to characterize +the emotional life of the subject.</p> + +<p>Venus is supposed to rule poetry, music, +painting, and the other arts together with +Apollo. Apollo and Jupiter stand for masculine +beauty, while Venus—goddess, planet, and +hill—rules the loveliness of women. On the +lines of the mount, islands stand for lost marriage +opportunities. A triangle indicates calculation +in affairs of the heart. So the story is +told.</p> + +<p>The Plain of Mars is the middle part of the +hand. If it is high and hard, we are supposed +to read great combativeness. If it is hollow, +submissiveness is to be inferred. The subject +will not fight adverse circumstances or ill +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>health. Perhaps it really means that the subject +objects to the combination of grapefruit +and cream for breakfast, or it may presage the +loosening of a shoelace while he is marching +in a parade.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_LINES"> + THE LINES + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>In chiromancy, the lines of the hand are +considered to be of the greatest importance. +They are considered good if they are of strong +color, neither too thin nor too broad, running +without breaks or twists. A line which is +broad and pale is interpreted to show excess +of some sort. Also pale lines show the phlegmatic +temperament, while bright red lines are +sanguine, yellow lines are bilious, and extremely +dark lines are melancholy. The bad +results of a broken line may be partially counteracted +if a bridge is formed by an accompanying +or “sister” line. The lines are not +exactly the same on both hands. <ins title="Original has 'Iit'" id="It">It</ins> is sometimes +said that those on the right hand are +the result of time and circumstance, while the +markings of the left hand indicate the subject’s +original nature.</p> + +<p>The Line of Life is supposed to give a definite +indication of the number of years an individual +will live. Palmists prefer to be somewhat +vague about this, though. There is a +special difficulty in the fact that the line is +seldom of equal length in both hands. The +Line of Life starts at the base of the first +finger or at the side of the hand below it, and +circles around Mount Venus. It is taken to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>show the physical condition, breaks representing +disease. If the line is broken in both hands +at the same point, this gives a clue to the +time of death. However, a short Line of Life +does not always <ins title="Original has 'means'" id="mean">mean</ins> that the subject will +die young. If an octogenarian, falling into +senile decay, decides to visit a chiromancer, +and the charlatan observes that the line stops +short at the age of thirteen, it is clearly necessary +to find other indications of old age on +the hand.</p> + +<p>A frayed line, or one which is broken but +connected by light lines, is said to make for +illness or delicate health. But if there is a thin +part at the ending of which there is a spot, +death is inferred. If the line starts from the +base of the finger rather than from the side +of the hand, it is alleged to indicate an ambition +which is cherished all the subject’s life.</p> + +<p>The Zancigs say that a break in the Line of +Life, if it evidently is not indicative of illness, +may perhaps show a great change of some sort. +Possibly the subject learned that King Cheops +Turkish Blend Cigarettes offer more for the +money than Picadillies No. 45, or that socks +may be kept up with rubber bands if garters +are lacking.</p> + +<p>But if a man of thirty comes to a palmist +and learns that his line of life comes to an end +at the ninety-seventh year, he should remember +to be especially cautious when he reaches +that age. He should not drink more than a +pint of red whiskey daily, except upon the advice +of a physician. I suppose that predictions +of early death were actually harmful in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>days when people were more credulous, and +possibly there are dolts who still brood over +such prophecies, if they are uttered in a sufficiently +solemn tone. Even a physician employed +by an insurance company is seldom able +to tell within ten or twenty years how long the +patient he examines will live. He can make a +good guess only if he sees strong indications of +a fatal disease. As for astrologers, crystal-gazers, +dream-interpreters, soothsayers, and +palmists, they may accidently hit upon the truth +on occasion. Their failures are forgotten, but +their successes are repeated and magnified.</p> + +<p>It is unfortunate, we are told, to find the +lines of Life, Head, and Heart all joined together. +This combination is interpreted as a +sign that the subject will probably fail in life +because he does not realize the dangers which +confront him. How unhappy some people would +be, though, if they knew what miseries await +them at a future time! We are always counting +on the years ahead, expecting them to bring +prosperity and happiness. Clever palmists usually +manage to find good indications, for these +are more generously feed than bad ones.</p> + +<p>If the Line of Life branches off somewhere +in the middle of its course, sending a line toward +the Mount of Luna, this is supposed to +forebode death in a foreign land. It stands for +travel, according to some high authorities, or, +in a flabby hand, for dissipation. Dissipation +may mean anything from staying out after nine +in the evening and carrying matches in one’s +pocket to blasphemy, treason, murder, or even +the violation of the Prohibition laws. It is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span>necessary to make use of rather ambiguous +terms in order to gain fame in the pursuit of +the mantic arts.</p> + +<p>Little lines rising out of the Line of Life +are taken to indicate weakness at the time +when they appear. As for judging time on the +various lines, I find rather vague directions. +The lower end of the Life Line may perhaps +be taken to show the ninetieth year, and the +line divided into ten-year segments which are +approximately equal.</p> + +<p>An island at the beginning of the Life Line, +we are told, signifies a mystery connected with +birth. Perhaps the subject was stolen from the +cradle and substituted for somebody else. Possibly +he is the son of a great monarch or of a +splendid courtesan, or of both. The situation +demands investigation.</p> + +<p>Indentations moving upward from the Line +of Life are supposed to be favorable. If they +lead to the Mount of Jupiter, they show success +in entering high social circles or the attainment +of some secret ambition, such as that +of carrying a walking stick. A line going up +to Mount Saturn indicates that the subject will +deposit money in the bank or buy lottery tickets +or put a coin in a slot before he dies. This +is always a financial line. A line moving up +in the direction of Apollo forecasts artistic success—perhaps +a reputation for carving roasts +expertly. A line to Mercury shows commercial +or scientific triumphs. But what sort of success +will be attained must be read from the +hand as a whole.</p> + +<p>Islands along the Line of Life show periods +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span>of illness, we are told. Stars stand for shocks +and dots for fevers. These are malarial or typhoid +if the spots are black, drunken or erotic +or bronchial if the spots are red. A mauve +spot along the Line of Life stands for leprosy +or a cold, one of terra cotta is to be interpreted +as smallpox or a sprained ankle, one of Nile +blue means infantile paralysis or constipation, +while a dot of henna is a sure sign of falling +arches, hay fever, poison ivy, or a twitching in +the great toe of the left foot. The hand should +be carefully washed with soap and water, however, +before these spots are sought.</p> + +<p>The Heart Line rises from the percussion +and runs below the four upper mounts. Or, as +some authorities say, it rises on or near Jupiter. +According to the first view, the part of +the line near the percussion refers to infancy. +According to the second, it has to do with old +age. My readers, having paid <ins title="Original has 'thteir'" id="their">their</ins> money, +may proceed to take their choice. The Heart +Line is sometimes called the Line of Affections.</p> + +<p>A good line is not too broad or pale, neither +is it too thick and red. It shows a good disposition, +an even temper, and satisfactory health. +The best position for the line is close to the +fingers. If it is near the Head Line, the line +which runs approximately parallel to it, it is +supposed to indicate disappointment and unhappiness. +If it runs up to the base of the +index finger, we are told that it forecasts a +constant and romantic love. If several branches +come to the finger, such love will be felt for +more than one person. Thus tell the chiromancers +their tale.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> + +<p>A line which ends abruptly in the middle of +the Hill of Jupiter shows a love which may be +noble and worthy, but which is not purged altogether +of interest in the flesh. Ending between +the index and the middle fingers, it shows +practical affection, without any great storm of +passion. If there is a circular branch near +Jupiter, the loved person will prove unworthy. +If the line rises (or ends) near the middle +finger, it shows an affair of the heart without +unselfish interest or spiritualization. So the +story is told.</p> + +<p>A Line of the Heart which is looped is taken +as a sign of flirtation and of palpitation of the +heart. It is not clear which is the cause and +which the effect. Does palpitation of the heart +result from flirting? Or flirting from palpitation? +Or both from the chained line? Or all +three from the astrological condition at the +time when the subject was conceived? Or all +four from the will of God? Or all five from +the weaving of the Fates? Or—but we must +not enter too far into this absorbing metaphysical +problem.</p> + +<p>A bright red line indicates violence in matters +of the affections. The subject may perhaps +carry off a wife, or he may steal a kiss, +or he may be chastised for being “too fresh.” +A colorless, broad line, we are told, shows a +heartless wretch, capable of marrying a wealthy +widow for her money or of betraying hosts of +virtuous maidens. This is made especially clear +if the Line of the Heart is close to the Line of +the Head.</p> + +<p>A very thin line running all the way across +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>the hand is said to be sadistic. The subject may +murder, assault, batter, use strong language, +or otherwise misbehave. The palmist should +immediately report all persons with such lines +to the police, unless he has been sworn to +secrecy beforehand. But perhaps the things +which the chirognomist learns are sacred confidences, +like the stories which are poured into +the ears of lawyers, physicians, and confessors.</p> + +<p>The absence of the Line of the Heart is a +very, very unfavorable sign. If the subject +does not kill his grandmother or betray the +secrets of his mother, he will probably work +on Sunday or forget to say his prayers. And +I have been told of a young girl without this +line who wore skirts so short that her knees +were plainly visible when she sat down. In +the interests of public morality, this line should +be painted on in all cases where it is absent.</p> + +<p>Breaks in the Heart Line indicate weakness +of the heart or of some other physical organ. +A number of small lines crossing it are to be +read the same way. Possibly they show a +wandering of affections, a tendency to feel +drawn toward more than one person of the +opposite sex. Or they may be indicative of a +dislike for the small pieces of candy which +are colloquially known as kisses.</p> + +<p>It is an excellent sign if the Line of the Heart +divides into three branches below the index +finger. The subject will own at least three +pairs of shoes at some time in his or her life. +If there are more than six such branches, part +of them may refer to stockings, mufflers, pipes, +corsets, or can-openers. Even a single line in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>the direction of the Hill of Jupiter is a favorable +indication. It proves that the subject will +own at least one pair of shoes. Whether or not +the sole will be in good condition must be +judged from the development of the thumb—in +the case of the right shoe, the left thumb; +in the case of the left shoe, the right thumb. +The uppers may be judged from the first +phalanges of the fingers.</p> + +<p>If the Heart Line is without branches, we +may infer that the subject is and will remain +friendless. If the branches droop, his or her +friends will be the cause of sorrow. If they +go upward from the line, the friends they represent +will be generous, tender, and not averse to +lending a dollar or two if approached with +proper tact. This quality is indicated by conic +first phalanges. Without these, friends are of +no great use.</p> + +<p>If the line comes up to the base of the middle +finger, as we are told, the subject is likely +to find all his hopes shattered because of too +great an attachment to unworthy friends and +ideals. This is likely to be due to religious +fanaticism, especially if another line branches +off to the index finger.</p> + +<p>If the Heart Line is long and unbroken and +the first phalanx of the thumb is large, the subject +will be a devoted friend. He may perhaps +cultivate acquaintances for the purpose of selling +them life insurance, but he will never willingly +relinquish them so long as he hopes they +will prove advantageous to him.</p> + +<p>Something like a hole in the line is supposed +to show a disillusionment in love or friendship. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>Or it may be a symptom of apoplexy. Red +or deep spots are to be read as wounds. If +they are red and deep enough, they show that +the hand itself has been wounded. If there is +fresh blood on the hand, this is especially likely, +unless the subject has been slaughtering cattle.</p> + +<p>A fork in the Heart Line, with both tines +about equal, shows fidelity in love. No person +will ever come between the forks, we are told, +no matter how much disappointment and unhappiness +the first love may bring. Squares +in the line are interpreted to forecast recoveries +from illness. But of course it is also necessary +to consider the Line of Life and to examine +the heart and lungs before coming to +any definite conclusion.</p> + +<p>The Line of the Head begins with the Life +Line and runs across the hand toward the percussion. +In some hands, however, it starts +separately, from the Mount of Mars or the Hill +of Jupiter. It is considered most favorable +when it is clear, of good color, connected with +or approaching the Line of Life, and sloping +a little toward the Mount of the Moon. A good +Line of the Head is supposed to show a clear +mind, usually associated with a strong will.</p> + +<p>A short, deep line may mark the pedant, absorbed +in his own specialty and oblivious to +everything else. A long, straight line is indicative +of selfishness, unless, of course, there +are other signs which show generosity and +altruism. If the Head Line is even, the subject +has a certain rigor of thought, but he or she +may be narrow-minded. A chained line shows +mental instability. A double line indicates +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>versatility, perhaps amounting to a dual personality. +This is the story the chirosophists +tell.</p> + +<p>If the line starts from Jupiter without approaching +the Line of Life very closely, the subject +is lacking in caution. But a large thumb +may go far to correct this. The individual +whose line is thus formed is sure to be independent +in his views, and he is likely to be +talented. He may play the saxophone by ear +without regard for the feelings of his neighbors.</p> + +<p>If the Head Line crosses the Line of Life, the +subject will be usually cautious. Even though +wearing a belt and suspenders, he will constantly +fear the loss of his trousers. If the person +who has crossed lines is of the sex which we do +not in polite society associate with bifurcate +garments, she will be constantly hitching up +her skirts. Such a combination of flexion-folds +makes for frequent changes of opinion and for +a lack of intellectual harmony with neighbors +and relatives.</p> + +<p>The Line of the Head causes a love of beautiful +things, especially if it slopes gradually in +the direction of the upper end of the Hill of +the Moon. The subject will be fond of cutting +rotogravure pictures out of the Sunday paper +and pasting them up on the wall of his bedroom, +together with mottoes expressing tender +sentiments about home and mother. But if the +line bends or slopes toward the center of Mount +Luna, we may read dreaminess and more or less +innocent eccentricities. Persons with such +lines write to the editor of their favorite newspaper +or magazine to interpret the symbolism +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span>of the Bible: Jesus stands for either worldly +wisdom or love, Judas represents material matter +out of tune with the infinite, Adam is the +American farmer, and so on.</p> + +<p>A small fork in the Head Line makes for +diplomacy, whereas a large one causes cunning. +But I have not been able to learn how large the +fork must be to create a subject too cunning to +be a diplomat. If chirognomy were altogether +a product of the present day, we should no +doubt be provided with precise measuring instruments.</p> + +<p>Memory, we are told, depends upon the depth +of the Line of the Head. But if the line and +the fingers are usually long, there will be an +undue interest in trivial details. The subject +will be able to say immediately who was the +nineteenth vice-president of the United States, +and he will remember the exact number of +pounds of white rouge <ins title="Original has 'producd'" id="produced">produced</ins> in France in +1928, as also the precise amount sold in America +with French labels.</p> + +<p>An island on the Line of the Head forebodes +illness. The same thing is said about black +spots. If the spot or island is found in the +Mars district, or if the Hill of Mars is high, the +disease may be scarlet fever or smallpox or the +hives. If Jupiter dominates, a sore throat, +bronchitis, or pneumonia may be predicted. +Saturn causes toothache, and any subject whose +mouth presents a flash of gold may safely be +told that he has had aching teeth. According +to another writer, Saturn’s island indicates an +injury to the limbs. Apollo’s evil influence +causes disease of the eye, especially if there is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span>a star at the base of the ring finger. A long +island anywhere on the line means mental disease. +So the story goes.</p> + +<p>Red dots mean wounds, and the sign is confirmed +by a cross on the line. No person with +such marks will live much longer than a century +or so. White points are favorable indications, +however, for they show that the subject +will make a scientific or artistic discovery +or perhaps invention. Perhaps he will find out +how to squeeze the last bit of shaving cream +from a tube or how to open a jar of mustard +without getting any spots on his clothing.</p> + +<p>An abnormal slope or bend of the Head Line +is taken to mean insanity, especially if it is +found in a philosophic, spatulate, or square +hand. An uncertainty of the line confirms such +a reading. And if the subject is confined in a +lunatic asylum, the diagnosis is very likely to +be correct.</p> + +<p>The Fate Line runs between the middle +finger and the wrist. It relates to the career +and the accomplishments of the subject. It is +sometimes spoken of as the Line of Luck or of +Fortune. It is found most strongly developed +in philosophical and conic hands. Therefore, +we are told, a short line in an ordinary or +square hand means as much (or perhaps we +should rather say, as little) as a long one in +a conic hand.</p> + +<p>If the Fate Line begins at the wrist, it denotes +early responsibility. The subject started +to sell papers when he was five, perhaps, or +was compelled to dress himself as soon as he +was nine. But if the Head Line and the Heart +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>Line in the hand are united for a considerable +distance, it may be that the responsibilities +were felt and yet not assumed. A deep line +indicates a monotonous life. If the line wavers, +there is much doubt and uncertainty about the +career. A sharp break in the line means a +period of worry, or else a change of occupation. +According to Oxenford and Alpheus, religious +conversion is made clear by a break in the Fate +Line of the left hand. By all the occult signs, +the writer of this little book will soon be writing +a life of Christ. But in order to determine +whether or not it will be published in this +series, it will be necessary to examine the palm +and the cranium of Mr. Haldeman-Julius.</p> + +<p>If the Fate Line starts from the Hill of Luna, +the course of events has been influenced (or +will be influenced) by somebody else. Such a +line in a woman or in a henpecked husband +may mean an early marriage. If it begins at +the Line of Life, the family influence is important. +Such, at least, is the story which the +palmists tell.</p> + +<p>If the line is entirely wanting, the subject +is the creature of circumstance, permitting himself +to drift upon the seaward-flowing river of +life. He may become a vagrant, a speculator, +a dealer in old clothes, a soldier of fortune, a +chauffeur, a perfumer, a barber, a politician, +or a pickpocket. But it is also possible that he +should become a valet, a steel magnate, an oil +king, a rubber in a Turkish bath, a pander, a +writer, a physician, a patrolman, a sergeant in +the Marine Corps, or a vegetable peddler. A +woman without a Line of Fortune may be a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>housewife, a prostitute, a nurse, a stenographer, +a maid, a factory worker, a milliner, or a +teacher. Of course she may enter these callings +also if she has the line.</p> + +<p>An island on the line betrays conjugal infidelity. +The husband who finds it on his +hand should hire a duenna and a corps of private +detectives to watch his wife. If there is a +star close to the island, the unchastity will +bring about some great calamity. Perhaps it +will be necessary for the cornuted husband to +pay alimony to his faithless wife in order that +she may support her paramour in the luxury +to which he is accustomed.</p> + +<p>Lines running parallel to the Fate Line indicate +hobbies, avocations, and subsidiary interests. +But if it is difficult to tell the Line +of Fate and these subsidiary flexion-folds apart, +we may infer that the subject is more interested +in golf, dominoes, or the collection of old +bottles than he is in his business.</p> + +<p>The Line of Apollo runs from the ring finger +toward the wrist. It is usually rather straight. +Sometimes known as the Line of Brilliancy, it +shows worldly, especially financial, success. +Just what sort of victories the subject will win, +precisely what sort of laurels he will wear, +must be read from the other lines and from the +mounts.</p> + +<p>“The type of hand,” says Oxenford and +Alpheus, “must in all cases be taken into consideration. +A Line of Apollo on a philosophic +or extremely pointed hand will mean little, +whereas a very short or slightly developed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span>Apollo Line on a square hand will indicate +great success.”</p> + +<p>According to the Zancigs, the absence of such +a line does not always mean poverty. It may +show simply that the subject is careless with +small sums of money. For the practicing palmist, +the old tradition that the absence of a +certain sign indicates anything very definite is +rather embarrassing. If a man wears a ring +worth a thousand dollars, one cannot very well +tell him that the marking of his hand makes +it impossible for him to accumulate or to have +accumulated or acquired any wealth.</p> + +<p>A star on the Line of Brilliance, we are told, +is a very fortunate indication. Some sort of +success is certain. It may simply be success +in getting through life without ever being sent +to jail. Many lines branching off from this +fold are taken to mean a scattering of talent. +An island on the Line of Apollo is supposed to +show the loss of a position, because of the plotting +of enemies.</p> + +<p>A forked line means that money comes in +from two or more sources. But if the junction +is not very distinct, we are told that the subject +has too many interests. He should rather +concentrate on a single task. A doubling of the +line is supposed to show an increase in wealth. +A line from the Hill of Mars running into the +line and breaking it is said to indicate that +money will be lost to an enemy, or because of +his machinations.</p> + +<p>The Hepatica or Health Line runs from the +base of the little finger toward the wrist. It +is frequently absent, in which case a strong constitution +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>is indicated, according to some authorities. +A long, straight, clear line is almost +as good as its total absence, we are told. A +broken line is supposed to mean digestive trouble +or some form of disease. Red at the lower +end indicates heart trouble. At the upper end, +it shows headache. In the center, red is a sign +of fever. Nevertheless, according to a practicing +physiognomist and palmist, these symptoms +do not always appear—“This author has +found its evil signs all absent when there was +known heart trouble and disease.” Such is the +admission of Holmes Whittier Merton. His +book on <i>Descriptive Mentality</i> departs in some +respects from the traditional system of palmistry, +but I cannot find that it is a whit more +scientific or accurate.</p> + +<p>A pale white spot upon the line means +chronic indigestion, we are informed. A cross +shows illness, and a circle is a sign of a wound. +Internal illness is shown by islands on the +Hepatica. The name of the line (from the +Greek word <i>hepar</i>, liver) shows which organ +was once supposed to be almost exclusively concerned +with digestion. A thick and blunt line +indicates illness in old age. A long island near +the wrist may mean somnambulism, it is said. +Or perhaps it points out that the subject weeps +whenever coming close to cut onions. A sister +line to the Hepatica is said to show avarice.</p> + +<p>The Marriage Lines appear to be somewhat +uncertain. Sometimes there is a strong line beginning +at the percussion and running parallel +to the base of the little finger. There may be +several such folds, in which case the deepest or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>the longest one is considered most carefully, +but the others are also studied.</p> + +<p>Recent palmists emphasize the fact that the +lines merely indicate tendencies, or that they +may stand for love affairs which do not end in +marriage. Sometimes they are called Influence +Lines, so that an old maid in whom the +folds are sharp and long may be told that she +has been influenced by some person or persons, +not necessarily a husband. For indications of +marriage we may examine the Life and Fate +Lines as well as a number of Influence Lines +crossing Venus. A plain circlet of gold or +platinum on a woman’s finger is frequently a +sign that she is married. I have not found the +fact mentioned in any book on palmistry, but +chiromancers and other fortune tellers watch +for such clues with very keen eyes.</p> + +<p>Tiny lines dropping from the chief Marriage +Line are supposed to show illness in the mate. +If such a line describes a large semicircle, +death is prognosticated. An island in the Line +of Marriage shows a period of separation. If +the line sends two equal branches toward the +palm, divorce is indicated, especially if there +is a connecting line to the Hill of Mars. According +to other authorities, an island on the +line means marriage to a cousin. Or, at the end +of the line, the island is taken to represent the +death of one of the parties in love or marriage, +caused by hereditary illness. Perhaps it shows +a sweet tooth, a tendency to write nonsense +verse, or a limp in the left leg.</p> + +<p>Above the Marriage Line and running into it +are to be found the lines traditionally taken to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>indicate the children of the subject. If they are +broad, clear, and vertical, they show boys. If +they are fine, delicate, and somewhat oblique, +they represent girls. Long and prominent lines +are supposed to show that the offspring will +have brilliant careers.</p> + +<p>These lines, we are told, should be sought on +the hands of women rather than on those of +men. But they may be found if the man is fond +of children or if it happens that he possesses +them. Stars on these little lines stand for illness +in the children, crosses represent accidents, +and squares stand for narrow escapes. +Islands show ill health or, at the end of a line, +death.</p> + +<p>The Via Lasciva or Cephalic Line, which occurs +on some hands as a sister line to the Line +of Health, is said to show sexual and emotional +intensity. Perhaps injuries to the head are +to be found there. Then again, inability to +appreciate free verse may be the result of a +long, deep line, without any spots. Or it may +show a fondness for old Scotch whiskey. But +some high authorities find a separate line of +Drink, Drugs and Deadly Cigarettes.</p> + +<p>Closer to the thumb than the Line of Life +and running in the same general direction is +the Line of Mars. Like the other folds which +are still to be mentioned, this occurs only in +some hands. We are told that it is common in +the hands of great military commanders. Its +ending always shows a love affair, according to +one expert. Possibly it means the blowing of +soap bubbles or the drinking of grape juice, +though.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> + +<p>The Line of Intuition is somewhat semicircular, +and it is often connected with the +Hepatica at both ends. If the fold does not +touch the Line of Health, it is taken as an indication +of occult power. It makes dreamers, +mediums, hypnotists, astrologers, and palmists. +An island near the beginning may or may not +show second sight.</p> + +<p>The Ring of Saturn is a semicircle cutting +off half of Mount Saturn, at the base of the +middle and ring fingers. It is said either to +confer occult powers, of which little advantage +is taken, or to bring misfortune. Again my +readers are welcome to accept whichever interpretation +may please them, or even to consider +it an indication that the subject will soon lose +a button on his or her winter coat.</p> + +<p>The Girdle of Venus is another semicircle +found on some hands, running outside the Ring +of Saturn. According to Desbarrolles, this +shows a tendency to immorality. The Zancigs +maintain that he made a mistake because he +only examined the hands of French people, with +whom sexual delinquencies are frequent. Perhaps, +then, it shows a nervous temperament or +a love of orchids or a fear of frogs. In the +hand of a member of the Anti-Saloon League, +it indicates great idealism and the firm belief +that bootleggers should be hanged, drawn, and +quartered, while their customers should merely +be boiled in oil or given a few dozen strokes +with the knout.</p> + +<p>The Bracelets or Rascia are lines on the wrist +below the palm. They are sometimes said to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>show the number of years the subject will live. +Each fold stands for twenty-five or thirty years, +if it is sharply defined. Badly formed lines are +supposed to indicate either bad health and a +short life or extravagance. If the Bracelet next +to the palm in the hand of a woman arches up +in the middle, we are told by Cheiro that it +shows weakness of the ovary. According to +other writers, the looping of the first line +means that the subject will make his fortune +after struggling hard and long for it.</p> + +<p>The area enclosed by the Hepatica and the +Lines of Life and the Head is called the Great +Triangle. If it is large, it is said to indicate +generosity and a broad mind, especially if the +outlines of the triangle are clear and straight. +A narrow triangle shows individualism, and +selfishness is to be inferred in some cases.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="SOME_APPLICATIONS"> + SOME APPLICATIONS + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>Some palmists consider that either hand may +be read, with the left giving the more definite +indications. Others insist that it is necessary +to consider both hands. When the same sign +is found in both hands, it is considered more +reliable. The left hand is said to show inborn +tendencies, while the right hand is supposed to +indicate to what extent these have been or will +be followed.</p> + +<p>A healthy hand is said to be of even texture, +not too flabby and perhaps not excessively hard, +with lines which are clear and of a clear red +color. The nails are without spots or ridges. +If the lines are too bright, a tendency to fever +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>is shown. A confusion of small lines all over +the hand is taken to indicate poor health.</p> + +<p>There are signs for the various diseases, +which have, we are told, been verified in the +hospitals. But an examination by a competent +physician is the best course to take in case of +ill health. I should be reluctant to put down +these “certain indications” if I thought that +some of my readers might possibly take them +at their face value.</p> + +<p>Scarlet fever, as the chirognomists tell their +story, is shown by a small square on the Line +of Life, with an upright cross within it. Typhoid +fever is indicated by a similar square +with a blue dent or a cross with slanting lines +inside. Fine lines striking across each other +mean rheumatism, especially if the skin is unusually +smooth. Consumption is indicated by +a moist skin and curved nails. There are islands +in the Head Line. Diseases of the respiratory +organs are shown by islands on the Line +of the Head below the middle finger. The +Head Line or the Via Lasciva is broken or +frayed in cases of brain disease. A blue dent +means influenza. Circles or dots on the Line +of Life indicate eye trouble. Dots on the Line +of the Head in the region of Jupiter show deafness. +Internal disease is indicated by islands +on the Hepatica. Maladies which are inherited +are shown by islands on the Line of Life.</p> + +<p>According to the position on a line in which +such an indication is found, it represents a disorder +of the past, the present, or the future. +As we have already seen, the fixing of a definite +time on the lines is not easy, and there are +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>some contradictory statements as to the direction +in which the folds are to be read. But +since palmistry is without value for the study +of character, the forecasting of the future, and +most other purposes, we need not worry about +such difficulties. I think that palmistry is no +longer exceedingly profitable for the mountebanks +who practice it. There are still credulous +people, to be sure, but we can detect a +slight feeling of doubt in most of the individuals +we find entering a chiromancer’s booth at +Coney Island or a county fair.</p> + +<p>I do not know to what extent young people +actually consult astrologers, palmists, and +physiognomists to help them make up their +minds as to which calling in life to pursue. +Many charlatans who know that their fortune +telling ability can often be tested represent that +they are able to show tendencies which ought +to be followed. Thus, if the hand shows a +military career and the gentleman who presents +it is a millinery salesman, it is not sufficient +for the palmist that the words sound +pretty much alike. He will tell the chicken-hearted +fellow that he ought to be riding a +horse in front of an army. Our modern generals +ride in expensive limousines forty or fifty +miles behind the front, but that is beside the +point.</p> + +<p>Some of the English palmists have been ambitious +enough not only to describe what a +minister’s hand looks like, but also to indicate +how the palm of a Methodist churchman differs +from that of an Episcopalian. In an encyclopedic +book on chirognomy, we should find the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>palm type of the rabbi, the sheik, the fakir, +the brahmin, the druid, the bonze, the lama, the +pope, the canon, the dean, the vicar, the abbot, +the mendicant, and the leader of an Ethical +Culture group.</p> + +<p>Ministers of the Church of England have long +fingers and conic hands, we are told, while +Methodist clergymen have heavy fingers and +square palms. Since the Anglican (or in +America, the Episcopalian) Church tends to +emphasize ceremony and beauty, the type of +hand belonging by palmistic tradition to the +artists, slightly modified by the marks of religion, +is attributed to the clergymen of the sect. +But Methodist churchmen are supposed to care +less for beauty.</p> + +<p>The signs belonging to the occupations arise +in part out of astrological and mythical notions. +Thus, Mars is the god and the planet of war. +It is for this reason that a soldier is supposed +to have a high Plain of Mars and a strong Mars +Hill. His palm is square and hard, for this +seems to be the type suitable for action.</p> + +<p>We need not analyze the symbolism of the +other professional signs. Luna stands for +travel, for which reason a sailor has a well-formed +Hill of the Moon, for example. The +curious reader may pursue the subject with +the aid of books on astrology, but it is of no +practical value, except that it makes clear the +flimsiness of the occult systems.</p> + +<p>Some books of palmistry give gastronomical +tables, showing what foods people with various +hand types are supposed to prefer. Men and +women who have the finger and the mount of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>Jupiter most strongly developed, and who are +therefore considered to be of jovial temperament, +are credited with liking turtle soup, trout, +turbot, mace, nutmeg, beef, mutton, venison, +turkey, duck, rich puddings, parsnips, French +beans, Stilton cheese, pears, plums, figs, olives, +mulberries, raspberries, walnuts, stout, port, +punch, cherry brandy, sloe gin, and coffee. The +list is rather attractive, especially toward the +end. But it seems to me that people should +seek the good things of life without worrying +too much about the lines on their palms. Keep +the hands reasonably clean, use them for helping +yourself to bread but not to stick into soup +in order to test the temperature, and stay away +from the palmists.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="tnote"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_note"> +Transcriber’s Note: +</h2> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice.</p> + +<p>Spelling was retained as in the original except for the following changes:</p> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tbody> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#God">12</a>: “My God. have I married”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“My God, have I married”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#Desbarrolles">14</a>: “According to M. Desbarroles”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“According to M. Desbarrolles”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#of">21</a>: “fluted are indicative fo”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“fluted are indicative of”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#sometimes">25</a>: “and diplomacy or some times”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“and diplomacy or sometimes”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#It">41</a>: “on both hands. Iit”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“on both hands. It”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#mean">42</a>: “does not always means”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“does not always mean”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#their">45</a>: “readers, having paid thteir”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“readers, having paid their”</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page <a href="#produced">51</a>: “of white rouge producd”</td> +<td class="tdl">to</td> +<td class="tdl">“of white rouge produced”</td> +</tr> + +</tbody> +</table> +</div></div> + +</main> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79270 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/79270-h/images/cover.jpg b/79270-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..288f0df --- /dev/null +++ b/79270-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/79270-h/images/p32.jpg b/79270-h/images/p32.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a1e532 --- /dev/null +++ b/79270-h/images/p32.jpg |
