1. _The Line of Life_, which begins over the ball of the palm, may with
equal reason be called the line of the heart, because it furnishes
the skillful palmist with information concerning the heart as well
as concerning long life. If this line is long, firm, continuous,
it indicates continued good health and a strong heart. It shows
cheerfulness and old age. If the line is discontinued, cut transversely
with short lines, interrupted with small indentions, spots and warts,
and in addition has a pale color, it signifies poor health and heart
trouble. If the line is weak and thin at the beginning, but grows
stronger toward the end, it means that its possessor is not healthy
in his youth, but will acquire robust health as he grows older. If
the line begins firmly and then tapers off toward the end, just the
opposite meaning is to be deduced.
If the Line of Life issues a branch opposite the index finger and
pointing to it, it presages honor and riches for the possessor.
[Illustration]
2. _The Line of Fate or Fortune_, so called because its peculiar
formation holds the secret of the possessor’s fortune, which secret may
be disclosed only by the skillful palmist—runs from the wrist toward
the fingers. If the line begins at the ball of the palm, it signifies
success in love and a rich marriage. But if it begins toward the end
of the hand, it signifies success in one’s journeys and in foreign
countries. Should the line reach the first joint of the middle finger,
it signifies good results, but at the same time it also betrays greed
and selfishness.
If little twigs issue from the main line they indicate riches and
legacies, according to the number of the twigs; while departing
branches, on the other hand, show poverty and sometimes imprisonment.
A skillful palmist does not have to see the actual hand in order to
give a correct reading. An impression of the palm on a sheet of smoked
paper, which is afterward covered with oil in order to retain the
impression, shows him the main line with sufficient distinctness to
enable him to give a correct reading.