Thursday, July 30, 2009

Learn to Read Palms: A Comprehensive Beginners' Guide to Palmistry

So first off, what is Palm Reading? Basically, it holds true that the lines/creases and shapes of the palm reveal an insight into the palm owner's character and manner of life. It is a belief that has been around for centuries and is used by everyone from doctors to party-goers.

Now, I realize that many people scrunch their faces up at activities and beliefs of this nature (Tarot, Runes, Horoscopes, etc), but whether you 'believe in it' or think it's 'a bunch of bologna,' it is just plain ol' fun and interesting. So spice up your life while learning about yourself!

So go on, give yourself or a good friend a free palm reading!
Let's get started:

Which Hand Do You Use?

Each hand has its own unique lines. The traditional/easy method is that you read a man's RIGHT hand and read a woman's LEFT hand.

For the purpose of this post we are going to go with the ACTIVE/DOMINANT and PASSIVE/WEAK theory.

If you are left-handed, then your ACTIVE/DOMINANT hand is your left hand. (Vice versa for righties.) This hand represents how you have changed as a person. Your PASSIVE/WEAK hand represent your true self and your inherent traits.

For the best reading, I would suggest starting with the PASSIVE/WEAK hand. Do a full reading, and then put it beside the ACTIVE/DOMINANT hand to see if there are any obvious differences. They can sometimes be surprising and quite telling!

Texture of the Hand

So now that you have decided which hand to read, take a good look at it.

Note the texture of your hand, both palm and back. If you have really soft hands, it is usually indicative of a sensitive person who enjoys some of the finer things that life has to offer. You also might be spoiled, high-maintenance, or dependant.

A hand resembling sandpaper is the sign that you are a straightforward person who has little patience for the nonsense in life. You could a very direct and blunt person.

And if your hand contains a lots of cracks and/or calluses. It could be a sign of a hard worker. You are also someone that is very grounded or 'down to earth.'

Shape of the Palm

In Palmistry, there are a few basic types of hand shapes that some argue correspond to the four elements. (It is not uncommon for a person to possess a mixture of 2 shapes.)

Hold up the hand you are examining and pay close attention to the shape of the palm, the length of the fingers, and the overall color.

Palm Shape


BROAD and SQUARE Palm: indicates that you are a very careful person who is reliable and thrifty. You are someone who is 'over-prepared' for everything. You can be very stubborn, because you are very solid in your morals and values. (Corresponding Element: Earth)

THIN and RECTANGULAR Palm: indicates a very outgoing person who is known for being a chatter-box and very witty. You are often the 'life of the party' but can also be very shallow and very cold toward others. You love being around others, but often have problems with holding grudges and long term commitments. (Corresponding Element: Air)

LONG and OVAL Palm: indicates a empathetic person. You are always 'in the know' when it comes to social groups and are very 'in touch' with others' feelings. This is also the hand of an artist--a true creative person. You are usually quiet and very emotional. You don't take criticism well and have lax code of principles. (Corresponding Element: Water)

BROAD and RECTANGULAR Palm: indicates a person who is full of energy. You take risks, are always on the go, and very excited about your life. You cannot sit still and are very active. You are very impulsive, have a big ego, and find it hard to understand how others feel. (Corresponding element: Fire)

Other Hand Shapes
Fingers

SHORT Fingers: You are someone who is very outgoing, serious, acts based on the 'gut' more than the 'head' (Fire)

THICK and SHORT Fingers: You are someone who likes the tangible, materialistic, learns by doing, superstitious, afraid of change, works with hands (Earth)

LONG fingers: You are someone who completes things in unique ways, innovative, isn't traditional, isn't afraid of the unexplained, very comfortable with intangible things, unsympathetic, not afraid of change (Air)

THIN, LONG, with PRONOUNCED KNUCKLES fingers: You are someone who is very quiet and doesn't like attention being drawn to them, very sensitive to others, doesn't like to lead, is very good at reading others, a thinker, These people value external beauty over inner beauty. (Water)

Nails

LONG and TAPERED Nails: creative, gentle, and accepting

SHORT and SQUARE Nails: very structured and skeptical of others

Finally: We're 'Reading' the Palm

In Basic Palmistry, there are three lines that are read: the Heart Line, the Head Line, and the Life Line. In this section, I will show you how to identify and 'read' these three lines. I will also be including some of the 'extra' lines in later section of this article for those who want to really impress people with your skills.

The Heart Line - Your emotional and romantic self
The heart is top horizontal line that runs under the base of your fingers. (Refer to the picture) .

The Ending Point - Now that you have identified your HEART LINE, take note of where the end of it lies. Does it lie under the base of your index finger, middle finger, or in between the two?

INDEX FINGER: indicates you are someone who gives more than they receive. You are very caring, stable, and dedicated to relationships even when you are getting nothing from it.

IN BETWEEN: indicates a good balance of the two extremes

MIDDLE FINGER: indicates a receiver rather than a giver. When it comes to relationships, you are very demanding, expect gifts, and loads of attention.

Shape and Style - Okay, now that you have identified the ending point of your heart line, take a second and note the shape and length of it. Also, note the texture and consistency of the line.

VERY LONG LINE - If your heart line is very long, to the point where it continues to the end of your palm, you are probably a person who doesn't 'let things go.' You hold grudges and become easily consumed with envy. People with very long heart lines look for 'true love' and are interested in finding lifelong partners.

SHORT LINE - This is the sign of someone who shies away from monogamy and who is very into the physical parts of a relationship more so than the emotional. You probably have a lengthy dating history.

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STRAIGHT LINE - The straighter the line, the more you are in control of your emotions.

UPWARD CURVING LINE
- The more curvy the line, the more you are affected by your emotions.

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Here are some telling characteristics that may be present in your heart line:

SMALL INTERSECTING LINES - indicates times of emotional trauma in your life

WAVY - this is present in someone who has a long dating history and has trouble committing

DEPTH - the deeper the heart line, the stronger emotions you possess; a very deep line would indicate a person with extreme emotional levels

INTERRUPTING CIRCLE - indicates depression

BREAKS IN THE LINE - severe emotional trauma

Now, that you have learned more than you ever thought from a single line on your palm, let's more on to the next one:

The Head Line - Your Philosophy, Intellect, and Manner of Thought
The HEAD LINE is the horizontal line found right under your HEART LINE. (Pictured Above)

First, take note of the shape of the line.

CURVED - The more curved the line, the more creative you are. You probably have/had big dreams and a short attention span.

STRAIGHT - Indicative of a deep thinker; you are someone who is logical and very realistic in expectations.

Next, look at the length and depth of the HEAD LINE.

LENGTH - the longer the head line, the more emphasis is placed on intellect rather than matters the heart

DEPTH - the deeper the line, the more impressive your memorization skills

Lastly, look at all of the lines that cross your HEAD LINE. The more that cross it, the more cautious you are. Also, if there are any breaks in the line, they indicate radical changes in thinking and perspective. These can also indicate that you are a very conflicted or hypocritical person.

The Life Line - Quality of Life and Nature of Health
The last of the basic palm lines is the LIFE LINE. It is a curving vertical line that is the closest to your thumb. (Refer to picture.)

First, let's look at the position of the LIFE LINE.

Does it run very close to your thumb or to the middle of your palm?

CLOSE TO THE THUMB - Indicates a 'home body', you are someone who is chill/laid back, stable, and routine

CLOSE TO PALM CENTER - You are someone who loves travel and discovery, is never content to stay home, and seeks out new things

Now, let's look at its shape.

VERY CURVY - The curvier the line the more positively you view your life and the more energy you put into it.

SEMI CIRCLE
- You are a person who is very excited about living their life, an eternal optimist, and is very honest and to others, and shows great tolerance.

STRAIGHT
- You are a person who stays away from risks, carefully thinks out every decision, lacks spontaneity, and values things for their longevity. You probably have a few close friends and aren't too interested in making new ones.

Observe the LIFE LINE again. Does it have these characteristics?

DEEP - the deeper the line, the healthier the person. It can also be indicative about how well you enjoy your life.

BREAKS
- These are signs of poor health either present or past.

MULTIPLE LINES
- You love life and are very healthy and positive.

Extra Credit: Additional Lines That Are Sometimes Present

The following lines are not found on everyone's hand, but still are very interesting nonetheless. Sometimes there is a special meaning even if there isn't one present.

Fate Line - How Much You Are Controlled By Your Fate, Affected by External Forces, and How Successful You Are
This line is also sometimes called the Line of Saturn. This vertical line runs straight down the center of your palm. (Pictured Above) Now, as you can tell from the picture, some FATE LINES extend the entire length of the palm, but not all do. If you having trouble locating it, see if you have one starting at the center of your palm or even close to the bottom. If you still cannot locate it, don't worry not everyone has a FATE LINE.

If you do not have one, it could mean that you are a very indecisive person. It could also mean that you are young and a path hasn't been laid out for you yet. If you are older, it could also be a sign that you have deviated from you path--either in a good or bad way.

If you have identified your FATE LINE, take a second and take note of how DEEP and DEFINED it is. The deeper and more defined the line, the stronger effect that external forces have on your life. (Fate or what have you.) The more shallow it is, the more uncertainty and disappointment you have present in past.

Next, study the line again. See if you have any of the following characteristics:

BREAKS - You are a person who revels in change and does it often. You are very influenced or bothered by what others say and think. You are also a person who spreads themselves too thin.

CROSSES LIFE LINE - You are a person with a large support base. Perhaps you are blessed with many great friends or a very large family. This influences you heavily in your life.

DIRECTION CHANGE - This indicates you are a person whose life is in someone or something else's control. Perhaps, you do not get a say in many things that happen. You are heavily controlled by external factors.

JOINS LIFE LINE - If it joins the LIFE LINE towards the center or end, it shows you are a person who frequently gives up your dreams and desires to instead help someone else realize theirs. If it joins at the top of the LIFE LINE, it indicates you are a person who takes control of their own fate. You are someone that has great expectations and grand dreams. Perhaps, you own your own business or were always top of the class.

DOUBLE FATE LINE - You are a person who laughs at the idea of a controlled Fate. You are probably very successful and materialistic. You are a highly motivated individual that has a hard time with the intangible. This, in rare cases, may also be a sign of someone with two distinct fates.

FORKED FATE LINE - This is rare, but this is when the bottom of your fate line is forked with one end continuing down and the other heading to the outer part of the palm. (Or the Mount of Luna) This is sometimes called a writer's fork , a traveler's fork, and could indicate you are a person whose job would put them in the public eye. It is also a sign of a conflicted person. You are somone whose fate could go many ways. You probably are an eccentric and talented person who has many destinies awaiting you and influencing you.

Health Line - Represents the Person's Present State of Health
This is also known as the Line of Mercury or the Line of Hepatica. It is also the line that changes most often throughout a person's life. It is located on the 'pinkie' side of the palm (Or under the Mount of Mercury) and extended down straight or slightly slants toward the inner palm. (Refer to Picture)

If you do not have one? That is actually thought to be a great sign. It means that you are very healthy and aren't sick very often. (So go celebrate!)

If you do have one, take note if if has any of the following characteristics:

CROSSES THE LIFE LINE - You are perhaps suffering from an illness or become ill very easily.

WAVY LINE - You are a person with a weak stomach and perhaps a history of digestive issues. You may also suffer from an anxiety disorder and get worried very easily.

SEVERAL SHALLOW LINES - This health line is made up of lots of little lines with no clearly defined center. If you have this, you are probably currently making a change or have recently changed healthwise--good or bad. You are also a person who quickly gets tired or worn out.

Marriage Line - Marriage and Serious Relationships
This is a line, or lines, that appears under the 'pinkie' (mount of Mercury) and to the outer part of the hand. (pictured above) Some lines extend toward the center of the palm while others are entirely on the side.

If you do not have a MARRIAGE LINE, don't worry. I know plenty of people who are happily married without marriage lines. So, don't freak out. Just think of it this way, your current or upcoming relationship is so awesome that it knocked those lines right off of there. :)

If you have a MARRIAGE LINE, or several, they usually signify serious romantic relationships and marriage(s). This doesn't necessarily include intimate partners, but real emotionally connected relationships. The general rule is that the deeper the line, the greater chance it would/will end in marriage. That being said, a very faint line indicates a relationship that had no permanance or importance to you.

Here are a few characteristics that your line may have:

BREAKS - a bad break up, falling out, or divorce

SHORT DEEP LINES
- serious relationship that could have ended in marriage but did not

DOUBLE LINE - involvment in multiple relationships at one time

SINGLE UPWARDLY ARCHING LINE - the ultimate bachelor, appreciates the physical aspect of a relationship above all else, not likely to be tied down any time soon

More Comprehensive Study of the Marriage Line

Even More Lines to Explore
Believe it or not, there are even more lines to explore when reading your palm. For length control purposes, I will not be discussing them in this article, but here are some useful links if you decide to take the extra step:

Ring of Jupiter
Ring of Saturn
Ring of Venus
Line of Mars
Apollo Line / Sun Line
More Minor Lines

Comparing Hands - Did the left listen to the right?

It is believed that your ACTIVE/DOMINANT hand represents your persent self and how you are changing, and your PASSIVE/WEAK hand represents your past self and natural self. Just take a minute to see if you notice any differences. You might be surprised!

Another note: Now that you have finished your reading, you should know that palm lines are not permanent and do change over time. So if you are concerned about something, know that it isn't etched in stone.

In Closing - Basics and Beyond

Though this is a very long post, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Palmistry/Chiromancy is a very complex art/science/trade with many schools of thought and very extensive ways to read lines. Unfortunately in this post, for length consideration, I have decided to omit the discussion of reading and incorporating the Mounts of the Palm. (Chirognomy) It may be something I revisit in a later post, but as for now here are some sites that explain the basics of Palm Mounts:

Basic Mount Description and Diagram

Comprehensive Mount Description

If this article has gotten you interested and you would like to learn more about Palmistry, here are a few very useful sites to check out:

Palmreadings.org
Palmistry International
Chiromancy Online

Hope you enjoyed it,
And gave it a try,
Thanks for reading,

Jenn
Spakewithtwang.com


Note: I am not a professional palm reader nor do I give free readings. I am just someone who got interested in this subject years ago and have accumulated this information and method as a result. I have no way of predicting the future or or providing scientific evidence for or against this subject matter.

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