Chiromancy
Chiromancy is basically one of the indirect systems of astrology. However, generally, it is actually considered as the art of delineation and most especially of forecasting the future by means of palm analysis which is popularly known as palmistry, palm-reading, hand analysis or chirology.
For years, chiromancy has also been known as cheiromancy and people who practice such art are called palmists, palm readers, hand readers, or at times chirologists.
At present, chiromancy is practiced in various places, but so far with already a lot of cultural variations and at the same time influences.
History
The roots of chiromancy is typically associated with the Indian or Hindu astrology or Jyotish in Sanskrit and Roma or traditionally gypsy fortune tellers. It was believed that there was once a Hindu wise man or sage named Valmiki who have existed more than 5,000 years ago and have actually written “The Teachings of Valmiki Maharshi on Male Palmistry”, a book having 567 stanzas. The book has earned many readers, thus making chiromancy or traditionally palmistry popular in almost all places around the world.
After earning a name in India, chiromancy then tried to penetrate different countries like China, Tibet, Egypt, Persia and some other countries located in Europe. It was around 3,000 B.C. when chiromancy penetrated China and the following years was the time when Greece was also penetrated. It was believed for many years that it was in Greece where the great Anaxagoras practiced chiromancy.
Because of penetrating various countries and at the same time cultures, the plain study of palm has undergone a lot of changes and was later on was combined with psychology, alternative methods of divination, and even holistic healing.
So far, in general, despite of the many influences, chiromancy still remains as a pseudoscience – claimed to be scientific though lacks evidence and manifestations.
The Techniques
Chiromancy is an art that uses a lot of techniques and requires a lot of learnings. Basically, the palmist should first learn the significance and values of every line and mounts or bumps in the palm, as well as the relative sizes, qualities, and intersections and their meanings.
In some relative traditions, palmists are also obliged to know and understand the characteristics of the fingers, fingernails, fingerprints, skin patterns, texture and color, palm or hand shape, and hand flexibility. With of paramount importance, the palmist should also know and understand the relationship of the fingers to particular gods or goddess and the meaning of such relationship.
After knowing and understanding the basics, the palmist should then start the palm reading with the person’s “dominant hand” or the hand which the person typically uses. It is vital that the palmist remains attentive to every single feature – line, mount, etc. that he sees and interpret it objectively.
The Hand Shapes
There are many features to be considered in chiromancy, and one of which is the hand shapes. Well, there a number of hand shape types and every type basically conforms to classical elements or temperaments.
According to modern palmists, there are four major types of hand shapes:
- Earth hands are hands that are big, hard, ruddy and heavy. They have fewer deeper lines and are actually broad and thick particularly at the wrist.
- Air hands are hands that are slim and long-fingered with narrow, square or rectangular, dainty and insubstantial palms and are accompanied at times with bulging knuckles, dry skin, and low-set thumbs. Basically, they are hands that typically show more lines with less meaning.
- Water hands are hands that are full and soft pawn-like, and are always moist. They have long, flexible, and conical fingers, and like earth hands, they have fewer deeper lines.
- Fire hands are hands that are flexibly tensed, strong, and shaky. They are believed to have impressive thumbs and shorter fingers, and like air hands, they usually show more lines with less meaning.
Common/Major and Rare Lines
The lines play a very important role in chiromancy. In fact, the success of every reading lies mostly to them.
Common/Major Lines
Generally, there are three lines found in almost all hands – the heart line, the head line and the life line. Ever since, these lines are given much attention and weight by palmists against some other lines that are not that very much apparent.
Basically, the heart line is the first major line typically checked by a palmist. In the palm, it starts in the near edge part under the little finger and then continues towards the thumb. In some cases, it continues even up to the outside edge of the palm. Significantly, this line depicts some heart matters, both physical and metaphorical, and at the same time emotional stability, romantic perspectives, stoicism, and depression.
Following after the heart line is the head line. In the palm, it begins at the near edge part under the index finger and then continues towards the outside edge. Generally, this line depicts the person’s mind and how it actually works. Dealing more with the mind, this line therefore depicts as well one’s communication style, intellectualism, thirst for knowledge, learning style, and various approaches to knowledge.
Consequently, after the head line is the life line. In the palm, it begins in the near edge above the thumb and continues towards the wrist in an arc. Typically, this line depicts the person’s vigor and liveliness, physical health and even entire well being. Similarly, it depicts as well some major life changes, like upheaval, relocations, and physical injuries. However, though it deals with life, it does not unfortunately tells the length of a person’s lifetime.
Other Common/Major Lines
Aside from the heart line, head line and life line, there is another line that is also of paramount importance – the simian crease or the fusing of the heart and head lines. Basically, it deals with emotional and the same time with the reasoning nature of a particular individual. Typically, this line exists with some branches and implied meanings. In cases when it does not goes with any branch, it is believed that intense nature and special care are will be of dominant significance later on.
In the palm, this line begins below the index finger and ends in the same end point of the heart line.
Aside from the simian crease, there’s actually another one, the fate line. Well, in the palm, this line starts near the wrist, up through the center of the palm and continues towards the middle finger. Generally, this line depicts a person’s life path and circumstances beyond control.
Rare Lines
In chiromancy, there are many lines associated. There are lines that are very much apparent (the common/major lines) and there are lines which are less apparent and not oftentimes seen in all hands.
Well, the minor lines include:
- Sun Line – found under the ring finger and parallel to the fate line. Generally, it reveals fame or scandal.
- Girdle of Venus – begins between the little and ring fingers, continues under the ring and middle fingers to end between the middle and pointer fingers, typically in arc. Normally, it deals with one’s emotional intelligence and manipulative potential.
- Union Lines – found in the near edge of the palm between the heart line and the bottom of the little finger. Normally, it deals with close relationships and at times even romantic relationships.
- Mercury Line – found in bottom part near the wrist, continues through the palm towards the little finger. Basically, it indicates eminent health issues, communication skill or the like.
- Travel Lines – found in the near edge between the wrist and the heart line. Generally, it depicts the length of trips taken and still to be taken.
- Apollo Line – depicts fortunate life. It is usually found in the Mount of the Moon at the wrist near the Apollo finger.
- Some other markings – may be a star, cross, triangle, etc. These markings are believed to have some impacts and meanings depending on their location in the palm.
The Mounts
In chiromancy, mounts are very significant. In fact, in chiromancy alone, there is one field of study attributed to them – the Cheirognomy.
Astrologically, every mount has a planetary influence. First, the thumb Rhea, is above the mount of Venus. Then, the finger ruled by Jupiter, the index finger, is above the mount of Jupiter. The finger ruled by Saturn, the middle finger, is above the mount of Saturn. Consequently, the finger ruled by Apollo or the Sun God, the ring finger, is above the mount of Apollo. And finally, the finger ruled by Mercury, the pinky finger, is above the mount of Mercury.
Upper Mars mount on the other hand is found near the Jupiter mount, while lower Mars mount is found near Apollo and Mercury mounts. Then, the Earth mount, is found in the back side of the hand. And finally, the mount of Luna is found on the lower part near the lower plain of Mars.
Accuracy of Chiromancy
For many years, palm analysis or chiromancy has experienced so many intrigues particularly about its accuracy and precision. And together with these intrigues are the various studies and research.
Most of the studies made over the years have centered not only on the accuracy of palm reading but also on some medical disorders by which palm reading may serve some purpose. For an instance, hand features in psychology or in the case of ADHD or Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and Schizophrenia. At the same time, the finger length ratios being a factor to be considered in musical aptitude, homosexuality, and depression.
Palmists as Psychics
Because of their capacity to have some predictions about the future, palmist are oftentimes considered as attested psychics capable of doing cold reading. Well, cold reading is a technique that lets palmists and readers of all types look and seem to be psychic.