(1) Observe the kind of hands from the front or inside.
Short hands denote an impulsive judgment without analysis.
Smooth hands denote impression, ability, inspiration, intuition.
Hard, firm hands denote great energy and perseverance.
Soft, loose hands denote a kind of debility or laziness, a
disinclination to work.
Knotted hands denote reflection, order, success.
(2) Observe the fingers.
_Pointed._—Forefinger (first), intuitive; middle finger (second),
frivolous, light-hearted, gay; ring finger (third), artistic, testy,
nice, refined; little finger (fourth), eloquent.
_Square._—Forefinger (first), truthful, cautious; middle finger
(second), grave, thoughtful; ring finger (third), reasonable, a thinker;
little finger (fourth), judicious.
_Spatulated._—Forefinger (first), mystic, delighting in occult studies;
middle finger (second), morbid, fanciful; ring finger (third), dramatic,
sympathetic; little finger (fourth), mechanical.
(3) Look at the nails on the hands.
1.—Narrow, indicate an irritable temper or aspiring spirit.
2.—Round and full, indicate learning and liberal views.
3.—Small, indicate pride, stubbornness, narrowness and bigotry.
4.—Broad and flat, indicate a mild and timorous disposition.
5.—Filbert-shaped, indicate refinement and courteous manners.
_Note._—When the hand is allowed to open freely, the space between the
first and second fingers, farthest apart, denotes independence of
thought; third and fourth, independence of action, and if both are very
wide apart, originality and self-reliance.
If the thumb inclines inward, avarice; outward, generosity.
(4) Observe the length and depth of the lines.
(5) The quality, whether they are crooked or straight.
(6) Observe whether they touch or cut other lines.
(7) Observe whether they are touched or cut by other lines.
(8) Their place and position.
_Note._—The lines are sometimes lengthened until certain years of our
life, while others are shortened. At one time they may become pale, at
another they become notably clear and red. The minor marks, such as are
found on the mounts, sometimes quite vanish, and at other times they
will assume different shapes and colours. Therefore the most studious in
palmistry cannot attain a complete knowledge of the events of a life at
once, because they come and go as nature, or the circumstances of life,
change and twist, but can only read for a year or so in advance. These
changes are caused, as before stated, by the progressions and changing
of the laws relating to nature, of which we are a part.