APHORISMS CULLED FROM THE WORKS OF PTOLEMY AND OTHER ANCIENT
ASTROLOGERS
Whosoever may be adapted to any particular event or pursuit will
assuredly have the star indicative thereof very potent in his nativity.
If Virgo or Pisces be on the ascendant the native will create his own
dignity; but if Aries or Libra be there he will cause his own death.
Venus gives pleasure to the native in that part of the body which may
be ruled by the sign she occupies. It is the same with other stars.
Should a disease begin when the Moon may be in a sign occupied at the
birth by some malefic, or in quartile or opposition to any such sign,
such disease will be most severe; and if the malefic also behold the
said sign, it will be dangerous. On the other hand, there will be no
danger if the Moon be in a place held at the time of birth by some
benefic.
In all horary questions remember that there is no affliction to the
Moon so great as when she is in conjunction with the Sun; the ill
aspects for the malefics must affect her, but no evil aspect is so
powerful as her conjunction.
Mercury in trine or sextile to the Moon gives the capacity for
acquiring foreign languages. In bad aspect to the Moon makes the native
envious, sarcastic, ill-natured, given to lying and thieving.
Saturn in trine or sextile to Venus shows much power of attachment to
wife and family. In a woman's nativity this is very good, as it
indicates purity.
Those born near noon are generally successful in life, owing to the
Sun's influence being then most powerful. Those born near midnight are
by no means so fortunate as those born at midday, and it is a singular
peculiarity in such nativities that the most remarkable events of their
lives take place _after_ their thirtieth year, and they are also
certain of some kind of a name after death, meritorious or otherwise,
according to what their horoscope declares. Persons born near midnight
are very imaginative, and subject to see visions, dream dreams, and to
be believers in the unseen world.
In all travels the Moon is to be considered, for she is a general
signifier of journeys, whether by sea or land.
When the moon is besieged between Mars and the Sun in a nativity, it
argues a short life to the native.
Mercury, if posited in one of the houses of Saturn, in trine or sextile
to that planet, gives excellent understanding; and if the moon be also
well-dignified, the native is much given to the study of occult
science, and will have much renown in that particular.
Those born with the Moon powerful in their horoscopes would do well to
be guided by her aspects in their daily avocations. If she should be in
trine or sextile to Jupiter, it is a good day to seek favours of the
great, or to make arrangements with employers. When she is in trine or
sextile to Mercury, all intellectual matters taken in hand will be
likely to prosper. When she is so aspected to Venus, matters undertaken
with reference to love, marriage, or friendship will have a happy
issue. When she is in square or opposition she would have, of course,
the contrary effects.
The Sun and Moon in conjunction with Mercury give to the native great
intellectual abilities.
Those who have the benevolent planets, Jupiter and Venus, well posited
in either the ascendant or the mid-heaven at birth will always be much
beloved during the whole course of their lives.
He who is born with the sun in trine to Jupiter is fond of rule, and
very famous in his generation.
Venus in square to Saturn at a birth causes the native to be sensual
and given to unnatural vices.
All the planets, or most of them above the earth, make the native
eminent and famous, and if all should be well-dignified, he will--like
a comet--outshine all others in the world's esteem. If, on the
contrary, all the planets are under the earth at a birth, the native
will be of a falling fame and fortune, or if they promise by their
natures honour, dignity and fortune (that is, if they appear
essentially dignified in nocturnal genitures), these good things will
only come in the latter part of the native's life.
Jupiter in conjunction with the Moon in a watery sign gives
drunkenness.
Venus in conjunction, trine or sextile to the Moon, gives happy
marriage, but in square to the Moon, prodigality, indolence and
drunkenness.
Saturn in square to Mars means a malicious and murderous temperament,
and liability to imprisonment.
It is advantageous to make choice of days and hours at a time well
constituted by the nativity. Should the time be adverse, the choice
will in no respect avail, however favourable an issue it may chance to
promise.
A sagacious mind improves the operation of the heavens, as a skilful
farmer by cultivation improves nature.
Part II.
CHIROMANCY
"God has placed signs in the hands of all men, that every man may
know his work."--Job xxxvii. 7 (_St. Hierom's Translation_).
CHAPTER XV.
CHIROMANCY AND ITS ORIGIN
Chiromancy is a science which teaches us to read not only the character
but the whole destiny--for good or evil, the length of life and often
the manner of death of a man by the lines and marks to be seen in his
hand. This study is sometimes called Palmistry, in which case, however,
it properly refers _only_ to a judgment formed from what appears in the
palm of the hand, whilst Chiromancy (taken from the word _Cheir_, a
hand, and _Manteia_, divination) signifies the revelations made by the
hand, taken as a whole. Chiromancy is nearly as ancient as astrology,
with which it is _indissolubly_ connected, for the hand represents, as
has been before said, a natural horoscope, which is placed upon it at
the time both of the conception and the birth by the influence of the
stars. The seven planets are all represented in the hand and also the
twelve signs of the zodiac, so that the casting of a nativity is
needless, as by simply examining a hand by the light of Chiromancy we
can indicate what planets have been powerful at the time of birth, and
what, therefore, will be their effect for good or evil over the
existence; and we can also find the dates of the principal events of
the life. We find many allusions to this subject in the Bible, and
still more in the ancient Kabbala.
The Holy Kabbala, as it was called by the Magi, must not be confounded
with what is called "The Black Art"; it is, on the contrary, the
quintessence of reason and morality as they were understood by the
ancients and contains that traditional science of the secrets of nature
which, from age to age, is borne towards us as the wave is carried by
the tide to the shore; but it has been transmitted obscurely, because
the doctrines of the Kabbala were known only, in those early ages, to
the adept and the initiation, later on, of neophytes was only yielded
after a series of severe and terrible ordeals, whilst the revelation of
its mysteries to the uninitiated was punished by death.
The necessity of silence was, in fact, one of the principal tenets of
the Kabbala and is represented, in the figure of Adda-Nari,[16] by the
position of the fingers of the hand holding the flowering branch of
Abundance; the thumb and the first two fingers, which in Chiromancy
represent _will_, _power_ and _fatality_, are held open; whilst the
third and fourth fingers, representing light and science, are closed.
This was meant to indicate to the good--the initiated--that they would
have, when united, strength and will to direct Fate; but that they must
keep hidden from the wicked and ignorant both light and science. It
must, however, in justice to the ancient Kabbalists, be suggested that
their inculcation of silence probably arose, not so much from a desire
of domination, but rather from the fact that, feeling themselves
superior in knowledge, they thought they were obeying a divine law in
refusing to the wicked those lights which, when possessed by them, led,
as perhaps they had sometimes found, to error. We, seeing things in a
wider light, give, or try to give, equal knowledge to all, without
submitting the ignorant to the ordeal of initiation to prove their
worthiness as recipients; but, after all, it amounts to much the same
thing--give to all men truth and light in abundance, but all will not
profit by it. We see this every day in our college system; the lesson
is the same for all, but it is only the few who profit by it; and
although we appear to be obeying a divine law in opening the way of
light and life--the life of knowledge--to all, as God makes His sun to
shine on good and bad equally, still we can, in some sort, understand
the feeling of the ancient Magi, whose motto was: "Know, Dare, Will,
but _keep Silence_."
[16] Adda-Nari, Nature--that is, the deity known under the
name of Isis by the Egyptians.
[Illustration: _To face Chapter XVI._]
CHAPTER XVI.
THE PRINCIPAL LINES IN THE HAND AND THE MOUNTS
In the plate belonging to this chapter we give a hand on which are
marked the principal lines seen on the palm; three of which, viz., the
Line of Life, the Line of Head and the Line of Heart, are found in a
clearer or fainter degree on all hands, but which vary, as regards
their relative position, in every hand. The first and largest, that
which encircles the thumb, is called the Line of Life; by the length,
colour and evenness, or the reverse, of this line the length of life is
indicated, and also the illnesses and accidents by which the life is
menaced in running its course. The line immediately above it, crossing
the palm of the hand, is the Line of Head; by it we are to judge of the
intellectual powers. Above it is the Line of Heart, from which we form
an opinion of the strength of affection, or the want of it, in the
native.
The lines which are not always to be found are the lines going from the
wrist to the finger of Saturn, which is called the Saturnian line, and
which shows the events of the life; the Line of the Sun, which goes
towards the finger of the Sun and which indicates success in art,
literature, or the pursuit of riches; and the Line of Health, which
goes from the wrist to the finger of Mercury: this line is often absent
in a hand.
All these lines will be more fully discussed further on; at present it
is only necessary to name them in order to explain the plate belonging
to this chapter.
At the base of each figure there is a mount, more or less developed, on
every hand. Now, each of these mounts corresponds with one of the
planets from which it has received more or less influence, according to
its development, and the signs or marks to be found upon it.
It will be seen also, from the plate, that the ancients gave to each
finger the name of one of the planets, thus:--
The first finger represented Jupiter, the mount at its base being
called the Mount of Jupiter.
The second, Saturn, the mount at its root being the Mount of Saturn.
The third, the Sun, the mount below being the Mount of the Sun.
The fourth, Mercury, the mount at its base being called the Mount of
Mercury.
The thumb is sacred to Venus, and the root of the thumb is called the
Mount of Venus.
It will also be seen that the planet Mars (although no finger is
dedicated to it) is twice represented in the hand, along the side of
the palm by the Mount of Mars, and in the palm, between the Line of
Life and the Line of the Head, which is called the Plain of Mars.
The Moon is only represented by the Mount of the Moon, at the lower
part of the palm on the opposite side of the hand to the thumb.
When these mounts are well in their places, and clearly but not too
strongly defined, they give the qualities of the planet they represent;
but when any mount is not well marked, or even, as frequently happens,
is quite deficient, there is a want of the qualities shown to exist
where the mount is clearly defined. If the mounts are not only
ill-defined, but represented by a cavity, that cavity would indicate
the existence of qualities which are the reverse of those indicated by
the mount; whereas an exceeding development would denote an excess of
the qualities given by the mount.
Thus the Mount of Jupiter, which is immediately under the index finger,
when fairly developed, indicates noble ambition, will-power, love of
nature, kindliness, generosity, religion and happy marriage. When in
excess--that is, when the mount is so large as to invade that next
it--the Mount of Saturn--it gives superstition, exaggerated pride and
domineering self-assertion. The total absence of this mount (which is
sometimes, but rarely, seen) indicates coldness, selfishness,
irreligion and that want of dignity which is produced by the utter
absence of self-respect.
The Mount of Saturn is found immediately beneath the second finger,
which the ancients assigned to Saturn, the planet of Fatality. Saturn
gives extreme misfortune, or extreme good fortune, according to the
development of the mount and the signs and lines to be seen upon it,
and the course of the Saturnian Line, or Line of Fate (of which we will
speak further on), in the palm of the hand. This mount also denotes a
tendency to occult science. Those born specially under the influence of
Saturn are timid, lovers of solitude, and very seldom marry, but are
very persistent in their affections when they do love.
Saturn, when well developed, gives prudence, wisdom and, to a certain
extent, success; when in excess it gives sadness, taciturnity,
asceticism, dread of the after-life and yet, sometimes, a
predisposition to suicide. The total absence of the mount indicates an
insignificant existence.
The Mount of the Sun is placed at the root of the third finger, which
was sacred to the Sun; when this mount is well developed it indicates
love of art and literature, which shows itself (according to
temperament) in poetry, painting, sculpture, or music; it gives also
religion of the æsthetic, tolerant sort, grace, riches and celebrity;
in excess it gives love of show, frivolity and vaingloriousness. The
total absence of the mount means a thoroughly material existence;
absence of all taste for art--a life without colour, a day without
sunlight.
The Mount of Mercury is found at the base of the fourth finger, and,
when well defined, indicates intelligence, success in science and in
occult studies, the love of work and activity, both of mind and body
and eloquence; in excess it gives impudence, theft and falsehood:
absence of the mount indicates no aptitude for science, no
intellectuality--a negative existence. Of course, should the Mount of
the Sun be well defined, the last quality would be overridden by the
success which that indicates.
The Mount of Mars is at the side of the hand opposite the thumb, just
below the Mount of Mercury, and, when well developed, indicates
courage, ardour and resolution; in excess it gives cruelty, anger,
revenge and tyranny: the absence of the mount gives cowardice and want
of self-command.
The Mount of the Moon is found immediately below that of Mars, and,
when well developed, gives imagination of the dreamy, sentimental
order, gentle melancholy and love of solitude; in excess it gives
morbid melancholy, caprice and fantastic imagination: the absence of
the mount indicates want of poetry in the nature, positivism.
The Mount of Venus, which is formed by the root of the thumb,
indicates, when fairly developed, love of the beautiful, melody in
music, the desire of pleasing and sensuous tenderness; in excess it
gives love of material pleasures, coquetry, inconstancy and (when other
signs, afterwards to be explained, are also seen in the hand) extreme
sensuality.
Each planet has a special influence over certain parts of the body.
Jupiter governs the head and lungs; Saturn, the spleen and ears; the
Sun, heart, eyes and arms; Mercury, the liver and legs; Mars, the head
and throat; the Moon and Venus, the lower parts of the body. Any excess
in the length or size of the fingers or mounts argues a tendency to
disease in the organs represented by that finger or mount. When a
mount is--instead of being high--broad and full, it gives the same
indications as if it were high; if much covered with lines it shows an
overabundance of the quality of the mount, and is equal to an excess of
height. _One_ deep perpendicular line upon a mount is a fortunate sign;
_two_ show danger of too great force of the quality; and _three_ give
misfortune arising from excess of the qualities of the mount. Crossway
lines on the mount always denote obstacles. Some old Italian writers
affirm that fine cross lines on a mount signify wounds to that part of
the body over which the mount on which they are seen has influence.
The mounts are often irregularly placed. If one should lean towards the
other, it absorbs some of the qualities of the mount which it invades.
[Illustration: _To face Chapter XVII._]
CHAPTER XVII.
THE LINE OF LIFE
The ancient Chiromancists divided the Line of Life into ten
compartments (see plate), each representing ten years of life, and thus
they were enabled to prognosticate at what date in the life the
illnesses or dangers indicated by the form or colour of the line would
be likely to happen. This plate is copied from one in the Sieur de
Peruchio's interesting work, _La Chiromance_, published in Paris in
1657.
It will be noticed that the mounts are here indicated by the
astrological symbols of the various planets they represent, Mars being
placed on the Plain of Mars, and again on the Mount of Mars, which, as
we have already seen, lies immediately below the Mount of Mercury, It
will also be seen that the signs of the zodiac are also represented on
the hand: Aries (March), which begins the astrological year, is placed
at the base of the hand, close to the Mount of Venus; Taurus (April) is
on the Mount of Venus; Gemini (May) is at the base of the Mount of
Jupiter. These represent the spring-tide of the year, and also of life:
therefore they are placed on and near Venus, which planet represents
happiness and enjoyment. The signs Cancer (June), Leo (July) and Virgo
(August) represent the second age, which is given to the accumulation
of riches and honours: so these signs appear on the finger of Jupiter.
In the third age a person is supposed to enter upon the enjoyment of
dignities, therefore Libra (September), Scorpio (October) and
Sagittarius (November) are on the third finger, that of the Sun, which
is supposed to accord position and reputation. The last months of the
astrological year are thus placed: Capricornus (December) is beneath
the Mount of the Sun; Aquarius (January) is on the upper part of the
Mount of the Moon; and Pisces (February) will be seen at the base of
the Mount.
When the Line of Life is long, well-formed, slightly coloured and goes
all round the thumb, it indicates a long life and free from serious
illness; but when the line is wide and pale in colour, it indicates bad
health; when it is short, it means early death.
If the Line of Life is broken on one hand, but is marked in a
continuous line on the other, these signs indicate an illness of a very
serious nature; but if the broken line should appear in _both_ hands,
it means death at the epoch corresponding with the place on the line
where the break occurs. When the Line of Life is not clearly defined,
but is formed by a sort of chain of small lines, it indicates
continuous small illnesses.
When the Line of Life, instead of starting from the side of the hand,
takes its rise in the Mount of Jupiter, which is sometimes, but rarely,
the case, it indicates a life of successful ambition, honours and
celebrity--qualities given by the influence of Jupiter.
If the Line of Life joins the Line of the Heart and the Line of the
Head, it indicates grave misfortune or violent death, by which the
ancients probably meant to infer that when the heart and the head are
dominated by merely vital instincts, the life is menaced by misfortune,
but, when the Line of Life is _very far_ from the Line of Head, it
indicates a life that accomplishes its course without much
intelligence; so also if the Line of Life is very far from the Line of
Heart, it indicates a life without love.
When the Line of Life is bi-forked at its termination, near the wrist,
it means a total change in the way of life towards its close and,
should one of the branches tend towards the Mount of the Moon, it
indicates madness towards the end of existence. A double Line of Life
is sometimes, but rarely, seen: this indicates excess of health and
long life and also success in a military career. This line is sometimes
called the Line of Mars. To a woman it indicates success in love. Three
stars inside the line, but so close to it as to be almost on it, show
that the subject will be much loved of men or women as the sex will
determine, but that these signs will bring distress.
A circle on the Line of Life shows loss of an eye or disease of the eye
at the period at which it appears on the line. If two circles appear
the person will become blind. If the Line of Life terminates with many
small lines it means slight illnesses towards the close of life.
A woman having two crosses on the upper part of the Line of Life is
sensuous and immodest. A line going from the Line of Life and
terminating with an island on the Mount of Jupiter shows lung disease
or pleurisy at the time where such line starts. If at the end of the
Line of Life, towards the wrist, there is a small triangle, it denotes
loquacity and falsehood; but with a good Line of Head and Heart, tact
and eloquence.
When the Line of Life throws branches upwards towards the Plain of Mars
it means that, after long struggles, riches and honours will be
acquired in old age. A line upwards from the Line of Life to the Mount
of Jupiter shows success by the subject's own merits. This often makes
its appearance quite suddenly.
A black spot on the Line of Life indicates an illness or some
misfortune which affects the health. Lines going from the base of the
thumb across the Mount of Venus and cutting the Line of Life denote
illness from money worries if they stop at the Line of Head; and from
heart troubles if they go direct to the Line of Heart. A line going
from the Line of Life straight to the Mount of Saturn indicates
accident from a four-footed beast. A line going from the Mount of Venus
to the Line of Heart and terminating with a fork shows separation after
marriage.[17] When this is seen, in conjunction with an island on the
line of Fate, it has a worse indication--that of adultery and divorce.
_One_ deep line going from the joint of the thumb across the Mount
of Venus and just cutting the Line of Life indicates a deep heart
sorrow from the death or faithlessness of someone much loved.
[17] The date of this event would be determined by the place
where the separation line crosses the Line of Fate.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LINE OF HEART AND LINE OF HEAD
The Line of Heart is placed immediately beneath the mounts at the root
of each finger. This line, when clear, straight and well coloured,
rising in the Mount of Jupiter and extending to the outer edge of the
hand, signifies that its possessor has a good heart capable of strong
affection. If, instead of commencing on the Mount of Jupiter, it does
not take its rise till the Mount of Saturn, then the love will, in that
nature, be rather of a sensual character. The Line of Heart sometimes
stretches across the whole of the hand; such a line announces a too
great amount of tenderness--a passionate and blind devotion in
affection.
When the Line of Heart is broken in several places, it means
inconstancy, both in love and friendship. Should the breaks be seen
immediately beneath the Mount of Saturn, it indicates a tragic end to
the love; if beneath the Mount of the Sun, by pride;[18] but if between
the Mount of Saturn and the Mount of the Sun, the heart-break will be
occasioned by folly; if between the Mounts of Apollo and Mercury, by
cupidity--the desire to make a better marriage in a worldly point of
view; if the break occurs immediately beneath the Mount of Mercury, the
evil issue of the love will be from caprice.
[18] If the Sun is one of the dominant planets, the Line of
Heart broken under the Mount of the Sun shows serious
physical affection of the heart; if this sign is on both
hands it is fatal.
When the Line of the Heart appears in the form of the links of a chain
instead of in one clear line, it indicates inconstancy and
indecision--a tendency towards a series of _amourettes_ rather
than to a high and serious affection. If it goes round to the
percussion of the hand it indicates jealousy.
The Line of Heart of a deep red colour indicates a power of love ardent
even to violence; but when, on the contrary, the Line of Heart is pale
and wide, it is an indication of coldness of temperament.
When, at its starting-point, the Line of Heart is seen to turn round
the base of the Mount of Jupiter somewhat in the form of a circle, it
is what the ancient Chiromancists called "Solomon's Ring," and
indicates an aptitude for the occult sciences. If the Line of Heart
joins the Line of Life between the thumb and forefinger, it is a sign
(if the mark is in _both_ hands) of a violent death; if only in one, of
a serious, but not fatal, illness connected with the heart.
Should the Line of Heart droop towards the Line of Head and touch it,
it is a sign of coldness in the affections: the instincts of the heart
are swayed by worldly considerations. Red punctures on the Line of
Heart mean as many wounds in the affections as there are spots. White
spots, on the contrary, show the persons of the opposite sex who, at
some time of the subject's life, have given him, or her, a strong love.
Should the spot be at the beginning of the line, above the Mount of
Venus, the person will have the appearance and qualities given by that
planet; if under the Mount of Jupiter he would be a Jupiterian; if
under Saturn he would have the appearance and character of a Saturnian;
under the Sun of a Sun person; if under Mercury the appearance and
character would be those of a Mercurian; if near the side of the hand,
of Mars; and if quite at the percussion of the hand, the qualities and
physical appearance given by the Moon would describe the person.
If, on starting, the Line of Heart is bi-forked and one branch of the
fork rises towards the Mount of Jupiter, it indicates great happiness
of a glorious nature; but if the other branch stops between the finger
of Jupiter and that of Saturn, it is merely negative happiness--a life
passed without great misfortunes. When a hand (but this is rare) is
entirely without the Line of Heart it indicates an iron will,
wickedness and cruelty, unless the Ring of Venus is deep and goes
towards the Mount of Mercury, in which case it would supply the place
of the Line of Heart.
The Line of the Head rises between the Line of Life and the Mount of
Jupiter and, when it is long and clear, it denotes a sound judgment,
good memory and masterly intellect; but it must not extend across the
hand in a _straight line_, as that signifies a disposition to avarice,
or at any rate of extreme economy, because unless corrected by a rich
Line of Heart, it would indicate an excess of calculation in the
character.
If the Line of Head is long, but droops towards the Mountain of the
Moon, it signifies ideality in excess. Life and its numerous duties and
cares will be considered from an artistic and unreal point of view, for
the Mount of the Moon, it will be remembered, represents imagination in
excess, romanticism and superstition; and if the Line of the Head
droops very low to the Mount of the Moon, it indicates more than
superstition--it is then mysticism.
If, instead of drooping towards the Mount of the Moon, the Line of Head
rises towards the mounts at its close, the intellect will partake of
the qualities of that mount towards which it rises: thus, if it rises
beneath the Mount of Mercury, the intellect will be employed
successfully in affairs or on the stage; if towards the Sun, in art and
literature.
The Line of the Head pale-coloured and wide indicates a want of
intelligence; so also does a very short line, only extending half-way
across the hand. This is often seen in persons of medium intellect.
The Line of the Head broken in two immediately under the Mount of
Saturn means, where the sign is on both hands, death on the scaffold,
or at least, a fatal wound on the head. When this sign appears in only
one hand (no matter which), it indicates a probability of madness from
an unfortunate passion, or a broken limb, or a blow, but not fatal, on
the head. When it is broken under the Mount of the Sun it shows injury
to the right arm or, in a very artistic hand, illness from over-strain
of the mental powers.
If the Line of the Head is long, thin and not deeply marked, it shows
infidelity and treachery. If, towards its close, it mounts suddenly to
the Line of the Heart, it signifies early death.
When the Line of Head is cut by a number of small hair lines, it
indicates continuous nervous headaches; a cross in the middle of the
line is a sign of approaching death, or of a mortal wound.
When the Line of the Head is not joined to the Line of Life at its
starting-point, it indicates self-confidence and impulsiveness,
jealousy and that sort of untruth which springs from exaggeration of
facts, from over-impressionability. With the planets of Mars and
Jupiter in excess, the Line of Head separate from the Line of Life
gives audacity and enthusiasm and, therefore, success.
If large, round, red spots are seen on the Line of Head, they indicate
so many wounds on the head; whilst white spots on the Line of the Head
indicate as many successes in literature as there are spots to be seen.
A star on the Line of Head means a wound on the head, or madness if the
line droops much to the Mount of the Moon, and the star appears at its
termination.
A sister (or double line) of Head is rarely seen; but if it appears it
is a sure sign of fortune by inheritance.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE SATURNIAN LINE
When the Saturnian Line starts from the wrist, exactly below the finger
of Saturn, and goes in a direct line to it, cutting through the mount,
but stopping at the root of the finger, it is a sign of a life of
extreme happiness. If the line goes toward the mount of Jupiter, this
happiness is the result of a marriage bringing both riches and love. If
the Saturnian Line stops short at the Line of Head, it is misfortune in
affairs through a false calculation; or, taken in conjunction with a
troubled Line of Life, it would mean a physical brain affection.
If the Saturnian Line is straight and well-coloured at its
termination--that is, as it nears the finger of Saturn--it indicates
happiness and success in old age, however troubled the life may have
been before. If this line only starts from the Line of Head, it denotes
poverty and stupidity.
The age, on the Saturnian Line, is counted from the wrist upwards; from
the wrist to the Line of Head chiromancists count thirty-five years,[19]
from the Line of Head to the Line of Heart fifteen years; and from the
Line of Heart to the root of the finger are the remaining years of
Life.
[19] If the Head Line it placed very low, then the date where
it crosses the Saturnian Line would be 30, and if the Heart
Line is proportionately low the date where it crosses the
Saturnian would be 45 years.
If the Saturnian Line is broken and irregular, it means trouble and
worry in life; and according to whether these breaks occur on the Line
of Head or on the Line of Heart, so will the troubles be of the head or
heart--troubles arising from affairs or from the affections. If the
Line of Life be irregular, denoting uncertain health, these troubles
may be physical evils to the heart or head.
Short Lines crossing the Saturnian show vexations in either the affairs
or in love-matters. A downward branch from the Saturnian going towards
the Moon shows sorrow from the death or treachery of a woman. This is
the same whether it be on a man's or a woman's hand.
If the Saturnian Line is twisted in a sort of spiral at the
starting-point, but yet the upper part of it goes in a clear, direct
line to the Mount of Saturn, and cuts through it to the root of the
finger without penetrating beyond, it indicates a troubled and anxious
youth, followed by riches and good fortune in middle age. If the
twisted line continues and crosses the Line of the Head and the Line of
the Heart, the troubles will continue until old age, and the good
fortune be only quite at the close of life. A triangle, or small
island, at the commencement of the line, shows death of the father or
mother in early childhood.
If the Mount of Saturn is much wrinkled, and the Saturnian Line cuts
through it, and is of a deep-red colour, and mounts as high as the
third joint of the finger of Saturn, it indicates a violent and
disgraceful end--death on the gallows. Upward lines from the Saturnian
Line mean events of happy omen either in the affections or affairs at
the age shown on the line; downward lines have the reverse
signification.
There are some hands in which the Saturnian Line is very faintly
indicated and, when this is the case, it signifies an uneventful,
insignificant existence. The Esquimaux, for example, who live in a
wretched climate, and live hard, unlovely lives, have absolutely, some
of them, _no_ Saturnian Line in their hands; and M. Serres, a
famous French anthropologist, asserts that this line (which he calls
the Caucasian Line) is only to be found in the hands of the white
races; whilst M. Desbarrolles, another French writer on this subject,
goes farther, and affirms that, among persons condemned to a dry,
unintellectual vegetative life, even among the white races, the
Saturnian Line is often found entirely wanting.
The Saturnian Line is one of great importance, for it corrects and
modifies the significations both of the lines and of the mounts.
A double Saturnian Line, which is sometimes, but very rarely, seen,
indicates great moral corruption and physical infirmities, brought
about by abuse of material pleasures. A cross upon the line shows a
change of position or a crisis in the affections at the age indicated
by its position on the line. A star on the line shows disaster at the
date at which it appears.
Downward lines from the Line of Heart towards the Fate Line show heart
sorrows at the period when they cross the line. Widowhood is indicated
in this way if the Line of Fate breaks and shows a total change in the
way of life immediately afterwards. It sometimes only means a death at
the period when it crosses the Fate Line.
CHAPTER XX.
THE LINE OF THE SUN AND LINE OF HEALTH
The Line of the Sun takes its rise either in the Line of Life or from
the Mount of the Moon, and, ascending, it traces a furrow in the Mount
of the Sun, but stops at the root of the finger; it signifies, when
straight and well defined, and taking the course we have described,
celebrity in literature or art, whether in poetry, painting, sculpture,
or music. The mounts decide in some measure which branch of art is
preferred. With Venus large it would probably be music or painting;
with the Moon much developed, poetry--or at any rate literature of an
elevated kind. Those having the Line of Sun thus traced, even who are
not artists by profession and whom destiny has placed in quite
inartistic careers, will always have artistic tastes, eye for colour,
ear for music, or a perception of beauty in form or in language. Where
the line only begins in the Line of Heart the artistic feeling is only
appreciative, not productive, but when it rises as low as the Mount of
the Moon, it signifies _creative_ power.
If the Line of the Sun subdivides, in traversing the Mount of the Sun,
into several lines, it indicates a tendency to cultivate several
branches of art, which prevents the success which generally crowns
excess of artistic feeling when confined in its expression to one
especial art; it also indicates too great a struggle after effect in
art; it is more significative of the dilettante, or patron of art
generally, than the artist _pur et simple_. When the Line of the Sun,
in its upward course, is barred by several transverse lines, there are
obstacles in the career of art; but if the line continues and marks a
single deep furrow in the mount till it reaches the root of the finger,
these obstacles will, in the end, be conquered and success, riches,
honours and celebrity will be attained. In a hand where the Sun Line
begins above the Head Line, the deep line at its close only means
riches after fifty, and has nothing to do with art.
The Line of Health, or, as it is sometimes called, the Line of the
Liver, takes its rise at the wrist, near the Line of Life, and mounts
in the direction of the Mount of Mercury. If it is well coloured and
the line is not broken, it denotes good health, great power of memory
and success in business pursuits; if the line becomes broken, or is
forked at its close, before it reaches the mount, it indicates severe
illness in old age. If this line starts from the Line of Life it is a
sure sign of weakness of the heart's action. If the line is unequally
coloured and gets redder as it crosses the Line of Head, it indicates a
predisposition to apoplexy; if it stops suddenly on the Line of the
Heart, a serious physical heart affection is likely.
The Line of Health sometimes takes a curved form on _one_ hand, forming
a sort of half-circle, from the Mount of the Moon to the Mount of
Mercury. In this case it is called the Line of Presentiment and
indicates vivid intuition, especially if Mercury is strong in his
influence. When the Line of Health on _both_ hands takes this form, it
indicates mediumistic powers and powerful second sight. Should there be
a long island at the starting-point, that is, near the Mount of the
Moon in the Line of Presentiment, it indicates somnambulism.
When the Line of Health forms a large and distinct cross with the Line
of Head, it shows a disposition for the study of occult science, but
this is not the mystical cross which will be described farther on. An
island on this line shows some internal illness at the date on which it
appears on the line--that is, if before it reaches the Head Line, it
would be _before_ thirty-five; if after and between the Lines of
Head and Heart, it would be between thirty-five and fifty; if later,
during the remainder years of life. A twisted Liver Line is a sign of
biliousness and indigestion; if it is of a red colour (as it frequently
is where Mars is one of the ruling planets) it shows a tendency to
feverish complaints.
The Line of Health is sometimes, but rarely, accompanied by another
line called the Milky Way; when this line commences side by side with
the Line of Health and mounts with it in an unbroken line, towards the
finger of Mercury, it signifies a long life of uninterrupted happiness.
This line, which is sometimes called the Via Lasciva, gives ardour in
love, because a super-abundance of health gives force to passion.
CHAPTER XXI.
ON THE RING OF VENUS, THE WRIST LINES AND THE LETTER M TO BE SEEN IN
MOST HANDS
The Ring of Venus seems to enclose, as in an island, the Mounts of
Saturn and the Sun; this line is not seen in many hands and, when fully
developed, signifies unbridled passion and debauchery of all kinds
when, in conjunction with it, the Mount of Venus is strongly developed
and marked with crossway lines.
If, with the signs mentioned above, the Ring of Venus is strongly
marked, yet _broken_ at its centre in _both_ hands, it is a sign of
eccentric and depraved passion; still, there are always modifications
of these bad signs, and a very good Line of Head would, by bringing
reason to bear upon passion, considerably mitigate the evil indications
of the broken ring.
When the Ring of Venus is seen on a hand where both the planets Venus
and the Moon are strongly indicated and where it is traversed by
innumerable fine lines, it is a true sign of an hysterical temperament.
Sometimes the Ring of Venus will be seen to ascend and lose itself on
the Mount of Mercury, leaving one end of the semicircle open, which
mitigates, in some sort, the terribly strong instincts of
voluptuousness indicated by this mark; but if, on the contrary, the
semicircle, after extending itself to the Mount of Mercury, closes
itself at the root of the finger, such a mark in the hand would
indicate a terrible and absorbing power of passion, which would not
hesitate at any means to secure its end.
A line traced on the wrist is a sign of long life and, if there are
three of these lines, as is sometimes seen, it forms the triple
bracelet. These lines indicate, in Chiromancy, thirty years of life
each and the three lines form what is called the magic bracelet,
indicating long life, health and riches. If these lines are formed
irregularly, like the links of a chain, and more especially if the
first one--that next the hand--is so formed, it indicates a long life
of labour, but acquiring ease and competency at its close. If a cross
appears in the centre of the wrist, it indicates a rich heritage at the
close of life.
When lines start upwards from the bracelet, and ascend towards the
Mount of the Moon, they denote as many travels by land as there are
lines. If a line starts from the wrist and, after traversing the Plain
of Mars, goes to the Mount of the Sun, such a line presages riches and
honours coming from royalty.
When these travel lines go as high as the Line of Head and Heart, they
denote journeys during which some person is met who influences either
the fortunes or the affections, according to whether the line stops at
the Line of Head or Heart.
Lines lengthways on the Mount of the Moon mean sea-voyages; if these
lines terminate with a star, it denotes shipwreck; if on both hands,
death by drowning.
The letter M, formed more or less regularly in every hand by the Line
of Life, the Line of Head and the Line of Heart, represents the three
worlds--the material, the natural and the divine.
The first, the Line of Life, surrounds Love and Generation, as
represented by the thumb, which is, as we have seen, sacred to
Venus--the material world, or world of sense--but the Mount of Venus
may either degenerate love to vice, or perfectionate it to tenderness.
With high instincts the Mount of Venus is a good quality, since,
_without it_, all the other passions are hard and selfish.
The second line--the Line of the Head--stretches across the natural
world; it traverses the Plain and the Mount of Mars, which represent
the struggle of Love and Reason in existence--the natural world, life
as it presents itself to most persons. There is in the hand the Plain
of Mars and the Mount of Mars; both mean a struggle: the Mount is the
struggle of resistance; the Plain of Mars (which is between the Lines
of Head and Heart) is the struggle of aggression.
The third line, that of the Heart, encloses the divine world, for it
surrounds the mounts which represent Religion, Jupiter; Fate, Saturn;
Art, the Sun; Science, Mercury; all of which are especially influenced
by the astral light, or fluid, emanating from the planets.
According to the proportions--the relative proportions--which these
three lines bear to one another, so the life is influenced by the three
different worlds represented. Thus we have a hand in which material
(sensual) pleasure dominates: the line of the material world enclosing
a space greatly superior to that of the two others. It is needless to
give further examples of these differences, for, after all, this matter
is but a _résumé_ of what has been said before about the power of
correction which one line has over the others. Given a wide range to
sensual pleasure in the hand, but a good and extensive Line of the
Head, the former will be corrected by it, as reason dominates passion;
or given the strong powers of sensuality, with a wide range to the
divine world by the space occupied between the Line of Heart and the
mounts, and again, religion, love of art and science, will correct and
keep under extreme sensuality. In reading the hand, each line must be
judged with reference to the others, and the hand must be considered in
all its bearings, before an opinion on the tendencies it indicates can
be arrived at with any degree of correctness.
[Illustration: _To face Chapter XXII._]
CHAPTER XXII.
CONCERNING CHANCE LINES; THAT IS, LINES WHICH ARE SOMETIMES--BUT ONLY
RARELY--SEEN ON ANY HAND
When two lines, starting from the Mount of Venus, join with a star on
the Plain of Mars (see Plate 3, Fig. 1) it indicates two loves carried
on at once and both having a disastrous issue.
A square with spots at all four corners placed on the Mount of the Sun
(see Fig. 2) shows danger by fire with preservation.
A line from the Mount of Mars going to the Mount of the Sun (see Fig.
3) indicates love of glory, desire to attain distinction in life. A
person with this mark in his hand would be stimulated rather than
intimidated by a large audience, and would have great success in
addressing multitudes. This line is good for soldiers, orators and
actors, as it shows force, energy and moral as well as physical
courage.
The figure of the sign Aquarius when seen on the Mount of the Moon (see
Fig. 4) is a certain sign of death by drowning, _even when marked on
one hand only_.
A circle on the Heart Line beneath the finger of Mercury (see Fig. 5)
denotes the person as likely to cause--though unwittingly--the death of
someone much loved.
A star on the Mount of Venus, low down on the Mount (see Fig. 6),
indicates a man or woman who shall fall into dishonour by reason of
sensual indulgence or unnatural vice.
A line starting from the Wrist Line, crossing the Mount of Venus and
ending in a star on the palm of the hand (see Fig. 7), indicates that
the person will lose some dearly-loved friend in a tragic manner.
The symbol of the planet Saturn, when seen in the palm of the hand (see
Fig. 8), denotes the person to be malicious beyond expression, and
likely to cause the death of someone by poison.
A line starting from the Head Line going through the Mount of Jupiter
with a star (see Fig. 9), is an indication of a violent death before
the age of thirty. Should the person be ruled by Venus, by poison; if
under the Moon, by drowning; if under the Sun, by fire; if under Mars,
by firearms; if under Jupiter, by horse accident; if under Mercury, by
fits consequent on loss of money.
The Saturnian Line, crossed by transverse lines on the Mount of Saturn
(see Fig. 10), indicates dangerous, but not fatal, wounds on the head.
Many rings encircling the thumb (see Fig. 11) indicate an amorous and
very inconstant disposition in either man or woman.
Two lines starting from the middle of the Mount of Venus and
terminating in the form of an apex on the Mount of the Moon (see Fig.
12) indicate a great tendency to hysteria and to abnormal attachments;
the latter is more especially indicated if Saturn and the Moon should
be the ruling planets.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CONCERNING THE FINGERS AND THUMB AND NAILS
As the shapes and relative proportions of the fingers to the palm
modify the indications given by the lines and mounts, it is necessary
to consider them very attentively before giving a judgment in
Chiromancy.
Fingers longer than the palm and with pointed tips show idealism; they
are the expression of the Moon's influence when she is well-dignified
at a birth. The Mount of the Moon in these hands would always be large.
People with these fingers see everything in the golden light of
imagination and find happiness in dreams of intangible beauty; poetical
expression (ethereal, not passionate) is their natural language. They
always incline to the marvellous--the sublime, the spiritualistic side
of all things. Theirs the belief in omens, in occult literature, in the
supernatural. Without, perhaps attaching themselves to any fixed creed,
they are, by nature, worshippers; and the mysterious moan of the sea,
the song of the brook, the roar of the torrent, and the sighing of the
wind, are to them but so many revelations of the Deity. They are loyal
to old associations and are never in advance of their age. They are
easily moved to tears and are graceful in all their gestures. They can,
in exalted moments, do without the necessaries of life and yet, from
their intuitive worship of the beautiful, they are lovers of the
luxurious superfluities which make up an elegant and refined existence.
People with these fingers do not age much; their hearts are eternally
young, for they live a life of perpetual illusion and though often,
alas! necessarily disappointed in both men and things, they never
entirely lose faith in the poetry of existence.
Fingers the same length as the palm, and with slightly pointed tips,
show refinement, correct taste and love of art--these are the fingers
of those born under the dominant influence of the Sun.
Fingers the same length as the palm, but fleshy at their base and
square at the tips, show practicality, family affection, love of
animals, good judgment, respect for the world's opinion and much
appreciation of material comfort. These fingers show the strong
influence of Jupiter.
Long fingers, knotty at the joints and with square tips, show reasoning
power and taste for science. Persons with these fingers are always in
harmony with progress and have little or no veneration and are,
therefore, never stirred by associations; with the antiquity of
Catholicism, its mystical and somewhat sensuous worship, its celibate
priesthood and golden aureole of saints and martyrs, persons having
these fingers have no sympathy. If they belong to any fixed creed (and
their logical powers are rather against this) they prefer
Protestantism--or its offshoot, Dissent--where their real deity,
Reason, is permitted full sway. These people love--with all the force
of their nature--the study of history, jurisprudence, mathematics and
the exact sciences. They are naturally clever at calculation and have
much sense of order. Such fingers show the influence of Saturn, but not
when most dignified; Saturn when most exalted gives mysticism, but then
the fingers are not knotted at the joints and the tips are always
spatulated.
Fingers that are shorter than the palm and with spatulated tips, show
sensuality in love and materialism in all things, energy, love of field
sports and indomitable courage. Such fingers indicate the influence of
Mars at birth.
Fingers shorter than the palm, but with very pointed tips and thick at
the base, show self-indulgence and love of luxury. Persons with such
fingers are very sensuous and are, therefore, ardent pursuers of
material pleasures, but yet with a certain refinement of taste which
prevents their becoming grossly sensual. Such fingers are often seen in
the hands of singers of both sexes; they indicate the strong influence
of Venus in the nativity.
Fingers that are slender and longer than the palm, but with spatulate
tips, indicate versatility, wit and intuitive perception. Such fingers
show the dominant influence of Mercury.
In the relative lengths of the three divisions of the fingers
Chiromancy also recognises the indications of three separate
influences--that of the soul, that of the mind, and that of the body.
Fingers that have the first division (that containing the nail) long,
show high aspirations and power of veneration--soul; fingers with the
second division longer than the other two indicate intellectual
force--mind; whilst fingers having the lowest division longest show a
love of material pleasure: people having such fingers, unless there are
other modifying indications in the hand, are slaves to the body.
The first joint of the thumb (that which is nearest the nail)
represents _Will_; therefore, when this is short, such a form indicates
want of will--a character very impressionable and therefore easily led;
when this joint is long, it indicates great power of will and therefore
force of character. The second joint represents logic, judgment and
reason; therefore, where this joint is long these qualities exist in
excess and, where it is short, they are wanting in both.
The third joint (that which is outside the Mount of Venus) represents
the power which love--more especially the love between the sexes--will
have on the character. If long and thick it implies the existence of
strong passion; if short and flat a cold disposition--no attraction
towards the opposite sex.
Poets have frequently the first joint of the thumb short (because want
of will gives the rein to impulse and impressionability), and whilst
the second--the intellectual one--is fairly long, the third is almost
always large, full and long. This combination of impressionability,
intellectuality and warmth of passion gives us the poets full of "the
sweet, sad music of humanity."
These various types of finger-tips are often seen in the same hand,
which shows that several planets have much the same amount of
influence, in which case the following indications should be
considered: The finger of Jupiter pointed gives idealistic religion and
sense of honour; square, it would show reasoning power; spatulate,
energy and impulse.
The finger of Saturn is rarely pointed, but when it is so, it rather
mitigates the melancholy given by the planet and shows callousness and
(if Mercury is strong in the hand) frivolity. Square tipped, it
indicates prudence, love of agriculture and mechanical genius;
spatulate, which is the ordinary termination of this finger, it
betokens sadness and superstition, and, when the finger is abnormally
long, a tendency to suicide; especially where, with it, there is a
small weak thumb.
The third finger--that of the Sun--pointed shows idealism and artistic
tastes; when square-tipped, realism in art and a love of wealth;
spatulate, it gives spirit of adventure, especially when it is as long
as the first finger; when the third finger is _longer_ than the first
and spatulate it indicates love of gambling and of speculation.
The fourth finger--that of Mercury--pointed shows occultism, intuitive
perception, eloquence and talent for languages; square at the tip it
denotes logic, facility of expression, science and love of research;
spatulate, it gives movement, vivacity and, where the rest of the hand
is bad, knavery in business and theft; a very short little finger shows
unselfishness and, some old writers say, happiness in marriage.
A pointed thumb gives impressionability; square at its tip, decided but
not obstinate will; the thumb bending outward shows generosity and
impulse and, when much bent inwards towards the palm of the hand,
avarice and reticence. People with short fingers are quicker, more
impulsive and have more intuition than those who possess long fingers.
Those with long fingers have much love of detail--often to a worrying
extent; they are inquisitive and somewhat distrustful.
As regards the nails, short strong nails show courage, combativeness
and critical faculties. White polished and filbert-shaped nails
indicate sensitiveness and refinement, but no force of character.
Short, weak, crooked and black-coloured nails show deceit and
slothfulness. Round nails indicate a luxurious, pleasure-loving nature.
Very thin nails--especially when the tips are bent inwardly--show
delicacy of constitution. Red nails with little white marks on them
indicate a choleric and cruel nature.
Those who have on the root of the thumb--that is, on the Mount of
Venus--many crossbar lines are sensual and prone to gross indulgence in
licentiousness. They who have these marks on their hands will have in
their nativity--Venus in the 6th or 8th house (which houses rule the
lower parts of the body), thus showing the entire concordance of
Chiromancy with Astrology.
[Illustration: _To face Chapter XXIV._]
CHAPTER XXIV.
OF THE VARIOUS MARKS TO BE SEEN ON THE HAND
Besides the Lines and Mounts already described there are other signs or
marks which, as they modify the qualities given by the lines and
mounts, should be carefully considered in giving judgment on the hand
as a whole.
A star (Fig. 1) indicates something beyond our own power of action--a
fatality for good or evil over which we have, personally, no power. A
star on the Mount of Jupiter indicates honours and distinction in
marriage and great and unexpected glory, for Jupiter is always a
favourable planet.
A star on the Mount of Saturn means assassination or death on the
scaffold; or, in an otherwise good hand, death by paralysis.
A star on the Mount of the Sun (with no Line of the Sun) indicates
fatal riches, which bring of themselves unhappiness in the affections.
Should the Sun line be strong it would signify success in art, or
military glory in a hand where Mars is strong.
A star on the Mount of Mercury shows theft and dishonour; on the Mount
of Mars, death in battle; but a star on the plain of Mars, military
glory.
A star on the Mount of the Moon, when on a voyage line, means death by
drowning; when not on a voyage line, an illness connected with water,
such as dropsy or diabetes.
A star in the centre of the hand shows that some person of the opposite
sex will influence the life in an unhappy manner.
A star on the Mount of Venus means unhappiness caused by love.
Two stars on the top joint of the middle finger indicate death on the
scaffold.
A square (Fig. 2) shows power and energy of the qualities of the mount
on which it appears, except on the Mount of Venus, when it means
imprisonment. A square announces preservation from accident when seen
near any indication of such accident.
A circle (Fig. 3) on any of the mounts, but above all on the Mount of
the Sun, signifies success in the qualities given by the mount on which
it appears; but a circle on the lines of the hand has always a bad
signification. A circle on the Line of Life means loss of one eye, and
two circles would indicate total blindness.
An island (Fig. 4) is again always a bad sign; on the Line of Heart, it
signifies adultery; on the Line of Life, illness, corresponding in time
to its position on the line; on the Line of Head, it would mean ruin
arising from false speculations, or if illness is shown on the Life
Line, it might indicate brain illness or neuralgia; on the Line of
Health, disorders of the liver and the digestion; on the Saturnian
Line, an island indicates happiness from an adulterous liaison; but if
the island is broken in shape, it indicates poignant grief arising from
an illicit affection. The duration of these affections is shown by the
size of the island. An island at the commencement of the Saturnian Line
indicates an event of an unfortunate nature, probably death of father
or mother, in childhood or very early youth. The lines which go
lengthways round the side of the hand, between the Line of Heart and
the root of the finger of Mercury, show the serious attachments. A
horizontal line barring these, or a black spot, shows widowhood. If the
lines take the form of islands, it shows love for cousins or near
relatives.
A triangle (Fig. 5) announces aptitudes of a favourable signification.
On Jupiter it shows diplomatic distinction; on Saturn, mystical
ability; on the Sun, success in art or literature; on Mars, military
glory; on Venus, happiness in love; on Mercury, distinction in law,
physics, or mathematics; but on the Mount of the Moon it indicates
danger from the water.
A branch (Fig. 6) shows aptitude in the qualities of the mount on which
it appears.
Chains (Fig. 8) always show obstacles and worries in connection with
the qualities of the mount on which they appear.
A spot (Fig. 9) is sometimes favourable and sometimes the reverse. Red
spots on the Line of Heart mean physical suffering from that organ.
White spots show love conquests, and the lover is indicated by the
mount under which these spots appear by the physical description of the
planet to which the mount belongs.
Curved lines (Fig. 10) mean disaster wherever they appear. On the Line
of Head, madness, especially should the line droop to the Mount of the
Moon.
Hair-lines (Fig. 11) show an excess of the quality of the line on which
they appear.
Cross-bars (Fig. 12) are always obstacles, and show excess in the
qualities of the mounts on which they appear; on the Moon, morbid
imagination; on Venus, lasciviousness.
Two lines going from the Mount of Venus to that of Mars denote the
pursuit of two love affairs at the same time, and a star joined to
these lines shows that the matter has ended or will end in disaster.
A long island, extending from the Mount of Venus to that of Saturn,
shows, on a woman's hand, seduction at the age when the sign crosses
the Line of Life. Should a square appear on the line, she escapes the
temptation.
A Line extending from a star on the Mount of Venus, and terminating
with a fork on the Mount of Saturn, shows an unhappy marriage.
A Line going from a star on the Mount of Venus straight to the Mount of
the Sun, foretells a great inheritance from the death of a near
relation.
[Illustration: THE HAPPY HAND.
_To face Chapter XXV._]
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TRIANGLE, THE QUADRANGLE, AND THE HAPPY HAND
The Triangle is the name given to the space enclosed between the Line
of Life, the Line of Head and the Line of Health. If the angle is an
equal one and the lines well coloured, it signifies a good disposition
both as regards mind and body and also much health, courage, good
reputation and a long and happy life. When the angles of the Triangle
are not well defined, it signifies a dull and mean person, who will not
rise above mediocrity. When the Triangle is wide as well as clearly
defined, it indicates liberality and nobility of mind. When it is
narrow, it signifies avarice, cowardice and poverty. If the Triangle is
altogether wanting in a hand, it portends much evil, a short life and
much illness. A cross in the Triangle shows a quarrelsome disposition.
The Quadrangle is the square space contained between the Lines of Heart
and Head. When broad it signifies a liberal, courageous person with
much sense of honour, who will attain to the highest dignities in his
profession and position in life.
Those who have the Quadrangle narrow are covetous and deceitful, and
therefore untrustworthy in all business relations. A star in the middle
of the Quadrangle shows honours and dignities, and a line from the
Mount of Mercury running down to the centre of the Quadrangle indicates
the friendship of great men, and much honour and distinction from these
friendships.
In the plate at the beginning of this chapter we have a sketch of what
is called "The Happy Hand," which is given as showing what are the
happiest prognostications to be shown on the hand. An explanation of
the lines and marks of this is given below.
_The explanation of the Happy Hand._
Double Line of Life, which means good health and long life. The
Saturnian Line straight and well-defined till it reaches its
termination on the Mount of Saturn, which shows happiness in domestic
life and good fortune to the end of life. Branches at beginning and end
of the Heart Line, power of passionate tenderness. Cross on Mount of
Jupiter, love and marriage. Ring of Venus, power of passionate
attachment and much force of sympathy. The Line of Head long with
branches to the Mount of the Moon, intellectual gifts and vivid
imagination. Direct Line of the Sun, success in art and celebrity.
Union of Venus with Mercury, love and good fortune in connection with
the affections. Line of Health strong shows a vigorous constitution.
Triple branches on the wrist, superabundance of vitality and long life.
A Cross on the Mount of Venus. This, taken in conjunction with the
cross on the Mount of Jupiter, shows happiness in married life.
Of course it is seldom that such a conjunction of good lines is seen on
the same hand; but still, in those born under a fortunate conjunction
of the stars, many of these lines are seen together; but such hands are
rare, for anxiety, grief and disappointment are the general rule and
happiness the exception in this world.
Part III.
PHYSIOGNOMY
"La fisonomia è lo specchio dell' anima."--FINETTA.
CHAPTER XXVI.
PHYSIOGNOMY
"The face is the mirror of the soul," says Finetta, a mediæval Italian
writer on the subject of physiognomy; and, to those who take the
trouble to study the matter, the intelligence, the sentiments and the
instincts of a person are all clearly manifested by the form of the
head and features and their relative proportions, by the colouring of
the skin, eyes and hair, by the fugitive expressions which, to an
attentive observer, are seen to pass over even the most impassable
faces, and "last, but certainly not least," by the lines left by the
habitual passage of the expression of strong feeling, which, to the
physiognomist, are visible even when the face is in repose.
We are in the habit of applying the term physiognomy to the _face_
only, but the word has really a much wider signification. All things
animate and inanimate have their physiognomy and, when judging of the
character by the form of the features of the face, it would be
impossible to ignore that given by the shape of the head, for, without
altogether believing that the brain is mapped out in the manner
described by phrenologists, there is no doubt that a good development
of the front of the head shows intelligence, whilst a head which is
inordinately protuberant at the back indicates the dominance of animal
instincts in the organisation. If the back of the head is quite flat,
it indicates coldness--want of passion in the nature. A head which is
large just above the ears shows a tendency to anger and if the signs of
benevolence on the brow and lips are entirely wanting it would mean
cruelty; but in physiognomy the signs on both the head and face must be
considered as a _whole_, and the qualities shown by _both_ must be
weighed one against another, before any right judgment can be arrived
at. In this study, as in that of graphology and chiromancy, a deductive
power of mind is required. Among twenty persons who may be sufficiently
interested in physiognomy to study it, there will be scarcely more than
one who will become a good physiognomist. One among the countless
objections which have been urged against physiognomy is that many
physiognomists make erroneous judgments; but, granted that they do so,
it is their want of discernment, or more probably their want of
deductivity--not the science--which fails.
There is a certain sort of _instinctive_ power of judging character by
the face, possessed by children and animals, which is in harmony with
the theories of those who have thought and written most upon this
interesting subject.
We are all of us--women, perhaps, more than men--daily influenced by
this sort of _instinctive_ physiognomy: for there are few people who do
not, when they first see a stranger, form a judgment of him, in which
they are, of course, only swayed by his outward appearance, although
they may never have even heard the word physiognomy.
The _temperament_ has an immense amount of influence over the character
and this temperament is shown more especially by the colour and texture
of the skin and hair. It is temperament which precipitates, or retards,
the effects of illness and age and temperament is the result of the
astral influence which presided at our birth.
These temperaments have been classified under four heads--viz., the
sanguine or choleric, the lymphatic, the bilious and the melancholic.
The first, the sanguine or choleric, is the result of the astral
influence of Mars and Jupiter; the lymphatic, of the Moon and Venus,
but more especially the Moon; the bilious (which is especially the
intellectual temperament) of the Sun and Mercury and the melancholic
temperament is the result of the dominance of the sad planet, Saturn.
The sanguine temperament is shown by a skin with a good deal of colour
in it, either of a soft pinky white with a rosy peach-like colour on
the cheeks, in which case it is Jupiter which dominates in the
temperament, or of a deep red colour all over the face, when the
sanguine temperament is dominated by Mars, the hair being red or brown,
crispy or curling.
The lymphatic temperament is shown by a soft, pale skin of a thick dead
white, the lips and cheeks being only slightly coloured; the hair is
fine and long, but not thick, and is light, not golden, but rather
colourless, or what the French call "_un blond cendré_"--that is,
of an ash-coloured fairness, sometimes of a soft brown, when Venus is
the dominating planet. The bilious temperament is the result of the
combination of the astral influences of the Sun and Mercury, the
planets which give artistic feeling and intelligence.
Those having this temperament have yellow skins of a soft, fine texture
and when the Sun is the dominant planet they have a vivid colour in the
cheeks; the hair of those of the bilious temperament is golden and is
generally curly or wavy; if the melancholic temperament given by Saturn
is in combination (and it is frequently so in the bilious temperament)
with the yellow-tinted skin of the bilious temperament, we find also
the straight, deep black hair peculiar to the Saturnian.
The melancholic temperament is that of those born under the dominant
influence of Saturn. People of this temperament are of a pale or livid,
and, sometimes, of a greenish-tinted or earth-coloured skin and their
hair is always of a dead black. It must be remembered that though one
planet may dominate at a birth, there are always present others which
have also their influences, though in a secondary degree, so no person
is of _one_ temperament without any admixture of the others, although
one may and often does dominate the others.
Thus no one is _exclusively_ sanguine, bilious, lymphatic, or
melancholic. One person could be at once bilious, melancholic and
lymphatic. We sometimes see the apparently contradictory temperaments
of the melancholic and sanguine in the same person, but, generally
speaking, one temperament dominates, modified by one or more of the
others. This makes one of the sources of the variety of character we
see in those about us, no one person having precisely the same
modification of temperament, to say nothing of the difference of
intellectual gifts. Now, as the temperament produces the character and
the character the passions, it is very necessary, in order to be a good
physiognomist that we should be thoroughly expert in being able to
assign to each person under judgment the exact amount of domination of
each of these four temperaments and this is only to be done by noting
the colour and texture of the skin and hair. Aristotle has said that
though there is a certain physiognomy of the whole person, the
principal signs to guide us in a knowledge of human beings are to be
found on the face; and this is perhaps because the skin of the face is
somewhat differently constituted to that over the other parts of the
body. It is more transparent than that of the other parts of the body,
and thus more readily reflects the different colours--the vivid flush
of joy, the blush of shame, the livid hue of envy, the pallor of fear,
the different passions by which we are agitated. The face also is the
seat of the eyes and the lips, both of which features (being
continually in movement) make the face, as the old Italian writer has
said, "the mirror of the soul."
Even those who habitually deny the power given by a knowledge of the
science of physiognomy admit that _in certain moments_ they have been
able to judge of what they could ask for from the expression they saw
on the face of the person with whom they were dealing. Now, if this
were so at one moment, why should it not be so always? When the soul is
agitated, that agitation shows itself, at once, upon the face by the
variation of its colours and by the contraction of certain muscles
about the features. Both this changing of colour and this movement of
the features vary according to the passions which produce the agitation
and these different expressions most people can read at a glance. No
one confounds the expression of happiness with unhappiness, of love
with hatred, of hope with despair, of jealousy with trustfulness, of
envy with sympathy. Habitual drunkards show their vice on their faces,
even when they are perfectly sober; so also do the other vices show
themselves by the lines left on the face by the constant recurrence of
the contraction of the features when under the immediate and violent
influence of the ruling passion. By dint of continually exercising the
faculty of observation they come to see expressions and lines on the
face which, though perhaps quite lost upon others, give them
indications of character which are sometimes startling revelations.
Here, again, is another objection which is often advanced against the
study of physiognomy. Does it not, by laying bare the vices and
weaknesses of human nature, induce a cynical opinion of human nature?
No; for, whilst it makes us clear-sighted as to the vices, it also
reveals to us many sweet and noble qualities in those by whom we are
surrounded, which, perhaps, were never suspected by us. No one better
understood his fellow-men, no one was ever more alive to "the sweet,
sad music of humanity," than Shakespeare. His large-hearted,
sympathetic nature gave him intuitive perception of character, and
this, aided by his wonderful powers of observation, must have made him
a physiognomist. He "looked quite through the thoughts of men," and
yet, with all this wondrous knowledge of human nature, he says, "What a
piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties!
In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an
angel! In apprehension how like a God!"
[Illustration: _THE PLANETS' PLACES ON THE FACE FACSIMILE FROM AN
OLD WOODCUT, DATE 1657_
_To face Chapter XXVII._]
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FOREHEAD AND EYEBROWS
"One part of the forehead," says a Chinese proverb, "shows our
faculties, the other part the use we make of them." This is, in a great
measure, true; for the form and height of the brow show the degree of
thought and power of intellect, whilst the skin of the forehead, its
colour, lines and tension, denote the passions and the state of mind.
Though the skin of the forehead may be equally wrinkled in different
faces, the forms which these lines take vary very much. The first line
next the hair, which is rarely seen till past middle age, is referred
to the influence of Saturn; the second to Jupiter; the third to Mars;
the fourth, over the right eyebrow, to the Sun; the fifth, over the
left eyebrow, to the Moon; the sixth, between the eyebrows, to Venus,
whilst Mercury is assigned his place on the bridge of the nose (see
plate).
When the Line of Saturn is long and well-defined, it indicates the
prudence and sagacity which ought to come with age; when it is broken
or curved in an oblique manner it shows peevishness and avarice.
The Line of Jupiter, straight and clearly-defined, shows an honourable
and just person; if broken or taking oblique curves it indicates a very
voluptuous person.