HOW TO TELL TIME AND DATES OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN THE LIFE
The most correct way in which to tell time by the hand is to divide the
Line of Life into periods of seven years, and also the Line of Fate,
following the accompanying design (Plate XXVI.).
The Line of Head may also be divided into sections of seven years (_see_
page 25).
This division into periods of seven is the most natural one of all, as
the entire nature changes every seven years. Long experience has proved
that, by dividing the hand in the manner shown in the accompanying
illustration, the best possible results as regards dates are obtained.
I have also made the following curious observation concerning the most
important years in people's careers, which I now publish in this work for
the first time.
People born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th of any month, and especially
in the months of July, August, and January, will find the following years
of their lives the most eventful:
1st, 7th, 10th, 16th, 19th, 28th, 34th, 37th, 43d, 46th, 52d,
55th, 61st, and 70th.
[Illustration: PLATE XXVI.
TIME AND DATES OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS.]
Those born on the 2d, 11th, 20th, and 29th of any month, but more
especially in July, August, and January, will find the following years of
their lives the most eventful:
2d, 7th, 11th, 16th, 20th, 25th, 29th, 34th, 38th, 43d, 47th,
52d, 56th, and 70th.
Those born on the 3d, 12th, 21st, and 30th of any month, but more
especially in the months of December and February, will find the
following years of their lives the most eventful:
3d, 12th, 21st, 30th, 39th, 48th, 57th, 66th, and 75th.
Those born on the 4th, 13th, 22d, and 31st, especially in the months of
July, August, and January, will find the followings years of their lives
the most eventful:
1st, 4th, 10th, 13th, 19th, 22d, 28th, 31st, 37th, 40th, 46th,
49th, 55th, 58th, 64th, 67th, 73d, and 76th.
Those born on the 5th, 14th, and 23d of any month, but especially in the
months of June and September, will find the following years of their
lives the most eventful:
5th, 14th, 23d, 32d, 41st, 50th, 59th, 68th, and 77th.
Those born on the 6th, 15th, and 24th of any month, but especially in the
months of May and October, will find the following years of their lives
the most eventful:
6th, 15th, 24th, 33d, 42d, 51st, 60th, 69th, 78th, and 87th.
Those born on the 7th, 16th, and 25th of any month, especially in the
months of July, August, and January, will find the following years of
their lives the most eventful:
2d, 7th, 11th, 16th, 20th, 25th, 29th, 34th, 38th, 43d, 47th,
56th, 61st, 65th, 70th, 74th, and 79th.
Those born on the 8th, 17th, and 26th of any month, but more especially
in the months of January, February, July, and August, will find the
following years of their lives the most eventful:
8th, 17th, 26th, 35th, 44th, 53d, 62d, 71st, and 80th.
Those born on the 9th, 18th, and 27th of any month, but more especially
in the months of April, October, and November, will find the following
years of their lives the most eventful:
9th, 18th, 27th, 36th, 45th, 54th, 63d, 72d, and 81st.
This curious system it will be seen has embraced every day of every month
that people can be born on. It is based on a strange law of periodicity
that after years of study I have found extremely accurate and wonderful
in its meaning.
PART II--CHEIROGNOMY
OR
THE SCIENCE OF INTERPRETING THE SHAPE OF HANDS
CHAPTER I
THE STUDY OF THE SHAPE OF THE HAND
We now leave the domain of what must be considered Palmistry, the study
of the Lines of the Palm--or Cheiromancy, as it was called by the Greeks
from the word [Greek: cheír], the hand, and proceed to consider the
meanings that can be derived from the shapes of the hands, fingers, etc.,
which is called Cheirognomy.
These two studies may be taken up separately, but by a knowledge of both
the student will be doubly armed, especially in the reading of character.
To a judge of horseflesh the limbs of the horse give him such a fund of
information as to the animals' breed, training, etc., that it enables him
to draw conclusions that he could not otherwise obtain.
In the same way the shape of the hand gives an enormous wealth of
information as to breed and peculiarities of human beings.
In a book of this nature I shall be able to give only the leading traits
denoted by each type, but if readers wish to carry out this study
further, I must refer them to my larger works on the subject, in which
the shapes of the hands are described in the fullest detail.
The most casual observation of character as shown by the formation of
hands will soon convince any person of the value of this study. Even in
itself it possesses the most far-reaching possibilities in helping to a
clear understanding of the difference that exists in races, their various
blends of types, that have now spread themselves by intermarriage and
travel over the surface of the earth.
For example, the difference in the shape of the hands of the French and
German or the French and English races would convince any thinking person
that temperament and disposition are indeed largely indicated by the
shape of the hand itself.
It is even a remarkable thing that though work and exercise may enlarge
and broaden the hand, yet the type to which it belongs is never
destroyed, but can be easily detected by anyone who has made a study of
such matters.
The Seven Types or Shapes of Hands are as follows:
(1) The Elementary--or lowest type.
(2) The Square--or the useful hand.
(3) The Spatulate--or nervous active type.
(4) The Philosophic--or jointed hand.
(5) The Conic--or the artistic type.
(6) The Psychic--or the idealistic hand.
(7) The Mixed Hand.
THE SEVEN TYPES OF HANDS
THE ELEMENTARY
As its name implies, the Elementary is the lowest type of all. It is just
a little above the brute creation. This type is extremely short (Plate
I., Part II.), thick set and brutal-looking. In passing I must draw the
reader's attention to the fact that the shorter and thicker the hand is,
the nearer the person is to the animal.
In examining this type one can therefore only expect to find it the
expression of all that is coarse, brutal, and animal.
People having such hands naturally have very little mental development or
ability. They are found engaged in occupations requiring only unskilled
labour and the very lowest even of that.
They are violent in temper, and have little or no control over their
passions or their anger. They are coarse in their ideas, possess little
or no sentiment, no imagination or feeling, and it has been found that
even the nerve system of such types is more or less in a state of
non-development. They do not feel pain as the higher types of humanity
feel it, and have little ambition except to eat, drink, and sleep.
Note.--The thumb is extremely short and low-set with the Elementary type.
[Illustration: FIG. 1--THE ELEMENTARY HAND. FIG. 2--THE SQUARE OR USEFUL
HAND.
FIG. 3--THE SPATULATE HAND. FIG. 4--THE PHILOSOPHIC HAND.
PLATE I.--PART II.]
THE SQUARE TYPE
The Square type (Plate I., Part II.,) is so designated on account of the
palm being like a square in shape, or at least nearly so. Such a hand in
fact "looks square." It is rather straight or even at the wrist, at the
base of the fingers, and also at the sides. The fingers themselves also
have a "square-cut" appearance. The thumb is, however, nearly always
long, well-shaped, and set high on the palm, and stands well out from the
palm.
The Square Hand is also called the practical or useful hand. People who
possess this type are essentially practical, logical, and rather
materialistic. They belong to the earth and the things of the earth. They
have little imagination or idealism, they are solid, serious workers,
methodical and painstaking in all they do. They believe in things only by
proof and by their reason. They are often religious and even
superstitious, but more from habit than from anything else.
They are determined and obstinate, especially if their thumbs are long
and the first joint stiff.[7]
[7] _See_ Chapter on Thumbs, page 127.
They succeed in all lines of work that do not require imagination or the
creative faculties, and as business men, lawyers, doctors, scientists,
they do extremely well, and are generally to be found in such callings.
THE SPATULATE HAND
The Spatulate or active nervous type (Plate I., Part II.) is usually
crooked or irregular looking, with large tips or pads at the ends of the
fingers, rather like the spatula chemists use and from which peculiarity
this type gets its name. The people who possess this type are in fact
always "pounding" at something. They are full of untiring energy,
enormous workers in everything they take up, and generally remarkable
for their originality.
They are not built on the hard set square lines of the former type. These
persons have enormous imagination, their creative faculties largely
developed. They are inventive, unconventional, emotional, demonstrative,
and in fact the complete opposite in character to the class who possesses
the square type of hand.
The Spatulate type has also the palm irregular in shape. It may be wider
at the base of the fingers than at the wrist, or it may be found _vice
versa_.
In the first case they are then more practical in their work and views
and less impulsive. With the larger development at the wrist, they are
more carried away with their impulses, hasty and impetuous in temper,
speech, and action.
THE PHILOSOPHIC HAND
The Philosophic Hand (Plate I., Part II.) received this name from the
Greek [Greek: philos]--love, and [Greek: sophich]--wisdom. When the
Greeks made a study of hands they noticed that all those persons who
possessed this type had a bent for philosophy in their blood that nothing
could eradicate.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--THE CONIC OR ARTISTIC HAND.
FIG. 2.--THE PSYCHIC OR IDEALISTIC HAND.
FIG. 3.--THE MIXED HAND.
PLATE II.--PART II.]
The Philosophic Hand is long, bony, and angular with knotty joints, and
is as a general rule fairly thin. People with this type of hand are
always studious. They are great readers and usually have a strong
tendency towards literature. They love sedentary work, and have a
somewhat lonely, ascetic disposition. Perhaps on account of this quality
they are very often found in church-life, or largely associated with
religious movements. The monks of old, I mean those who compiled those
wonderful manuscripts on doctrine, science, art, alchemy, and occult
matters, all had this class of hand. In our modern times this type may be
easily recognised, and the qualities it expresses remain the same even in
the age of money-getting and machinery.
It is, however, more usual nowadays to find a slight modification of the
true philosophic hand in that of the hand with the palm square and with
the fingers only belonging to the philosophic type. In such cases the
practical nature is a basis or foundation on which the studious mind
builds its theories, its religion, its literary achievements, or its
scientific researches.
As a rule the Line of Head on such hands is rather sloping, but it may
also be found almost straight, and when it is, a more "level-headed"
disposition will make more practical use of the studious nature. But
speaking generally, people with this type of hand rarely accumulate as
much wealth as those possessing the Square Hand.
The knotted or jointed fingers give carefulness and detail in work or
study. They arrest the impulse of the brain, and so acquire time for
thought and reflection.
The Philosophic Hand is one of the highest developments of the mental
side of the human family.
THE CONIC OR ARTISTIC HAND
The Conic, also called the Artistic, Hand (Plate II., Part II.), is
always graceful looking, with the fingers tapering and pointed. It has,
not only on account of its appearance but also because of the qualities
it represents, been called the Artistic Hand.
Its possessor may not always paint pictures or design beautiful things,
but he will have the emotional, artistic temperament, which loves
beautiful surroundings, and is most sensitive to colour, music, and all
the fine arts. It largely depends on the kind of Head Line and the will
power shown by it, to determine whether its owner will develop the
natural artistic temperament that he or she possesses.
Such hands being generally full, fleshy, or soft, there is always a
decidedly pronounced indolence in the nature which, if not overcome,
combats the hard work necessary to achieve any real result. All very
emotional people have more or less the characteristics of this type, but
great numbers simply squander their time in the appreciation of art,
rather than in making the effort in themselves to create it.
The harder and firmer this type of hand is, the more likely it is to find
that its possessor will really make something out of his artistic
temperament.
THE PSYCHIC OR IDEALISTIC HAND
This type (Plate II., Part II.), may in many ways be considered as the
highest development of the hand on the purely mental plane, but from a
worldly standpoint it is the least successful of all. Its possessors live
in a world of dreams and ideals. They know little or nothing about the
practical or purely material side of existence, and when they have to
earn their own bread they gain so little that they usually starve.
These beautiful hands do not appear made for work in any sense. They are
also too spiritual and frail to deal blows and hold their own in the
battle of life. If they are supported by others, or have money of their
own to live on, all may be well, and in such cases they will be likely to
develop strange psychic gifts dealing with visions and ideals that some
few may hear and understand. But if not, their fate as a rule is a sad
one, they will easily be pushed aside by the rougher types of humanity
or, in sheer helplessness, take their own lives, and so end the unequal
struggle.
In constitution they are seldom strong physically, and consequently they
are doubly unfitted for the struggle for existence.
THE MIXED HAND
What is called the "Mixed Hand" (Plate II., Part II.), is an aggregation
of all the types, or at least, some of them.
It is very often found having all the fingers different from one another,
as for example one pointed, one square, or spatulate, and so on. Or
sometimes the palm may be of one type, say spatulate, with all the
fingers mixed.
Such persons are always versatility itself, but so changeable in purpose
that they rarely succeed in making much out of any talents they may
possess. They can generally do a little of everything but nothing well.
They can talk on any subject that may crop up, but never impress their
listeners with depth of thought on any subject.
It is only when the Line of Head is found on such hands clear and
straight that there is a likelihood of these persons developing some one
talent out of the versatility that this type gives.
CHAPTER II
THE THUMB
In the judgment of character by the formation of the Hand, the Thumb is
of about the same importance as the nose is to the face. It must be
understood to represent the natural Will Power, whereas the Line of Head
represents the Mental Will.
In my larger works on this subject I have gone into very deeply the
medical reasons why character should be expressed by the Thumb and the
extraordinary rôle it has played in civilisation, and also in the various
religions of the world.
The Thumb proper represents the three great worlds of ideas, viz., Love,
Logic, and Will (Plate VI., Part II.).
Love is represented by the base of the Thumb which is covered on the hand
by the Mount of Venus.
Logic is the middle phalange, and Will is the top or nail portion.
When these divisions are found large, the qualities are increased; when
small, they play a smaller rôle in the life of the individual.
There are two distinct classes of Thumbs, the supple-jointed and the
firm-jointed.
The former of these divisions is the Thumb bending outwards and supple
at the joint underneath the nail (Fig. 2, Plate III.).
This denotes a nature pliable and adaptable to others, very broad-minded,
rather unconventional, and not obstinate in its views of life. These
characteristics will be increased if the Head Line be found sloping and
bending downwards. If, however, the Line of Head be found lying straight
across the palm, they are more conventional. The "supple-jointed" thumb
also denotes generosity of mind both as regards thought and money. In all
ways these people are more extravagant than people who have the straight
firm-jointed thumb. In other words they "give more" even in what they
think as well as in what they do.
The nearer the Thumb approaches the side of the hand, or the more it
looks tied down or cramped to the palm, the more the subject is inclined
to grasp or hold. The true miser has always a thumb cramped towards the
hand, and the nail phalange as a rule slightly turned in, as if the mind
wanted to grab hold or retain.
The supple-jointed Thumb is more impulsive in its desire to give than is
the stiff-jointed class, whereas the latter type demands reflection
before he even gives an opinion.
If a favour should be asked of the man with the supple-jointed Thumb, one
should remember that he is more inclined to give in on the impulse of the
moment, and if one does not press one's point home at once, he is likely
first to promise, and later, on reflection, change his mind.
The man with the stiff-jointed Thumb (Fig. 3, Plate III.) on the
contrary, is more likely to refuse at first and on reflection to agree to
the proposition; but it he does make up his mind, he will stick to his
judgment or opinion, and the more he is opposed the more determined he
will be to hold to his view.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--THE CLUBBED THUMB.
FIG. 2.--THE SUPPLE-JOINTED THUMB.
FIG. 3.--THE FIRM-JOINTED THUMB.
FIG. 4.--THE WAIST-LIKE THUMB.
FIG. 5.--THE STRAIGHT THUMB.
FIG. 6.--THE ELEMENTARY THUMB.
PLATE III.--PART II.]
The firm-jointed thumb is then the outward sign of a more resisting
nature, and the longer the first or nail phalange is, the stronger and
more powerful the Will force.
These people seldom make friends so easily or rapidly as those belonging
to the other type. On a railway journey they rarely begin a conversation
with a fellow traveller, and if they have to do so it will generally be
in the form of an argument that "the window must be left open or shut,"
as the case may be. Heaven help the other poor traveller if he should
also happen to have a stiff thumb, and oppose his ideas to those of the
first.
The supple-jointed class, on the contrary, enter readily into
conversation with strangers, and they often make their greatest friends
while travelling. They are affable, charming companions, and give in
readily to the wishes of others. In fact, this quality inclines to a
weakness that should be guarded against. Among all those men and women
who take the "easiest way" a large majority will be found to have very
supple-jointed thumbs. This, however, will be greatly qualified by the
position and appearance of the Line of Head, the indicator of the
developed mental Will.
To have a supple lower or middle joint does not relate to the Will but to
the phalange of Logic of the possessor. When this second joint is found
supple the subject adapts himself to circumstances rather than to
persons. He reasons out that he must bend or adapt himself to the
conditions or circumstances of the life in which he is placed.
The Clubbed Thumb (Fig. 1, Plate III.), is so called from its being thick
like a club. People possessing this class of Thumb belong to the
Elementary type as far as Will is concerned. They are brutal and like
animals in their unreasonable obstinacy. If they are opposed they fly
into ungovernable passions and blind rages. They have no control over
themselves, and are liable to go to any extreme of violence or crime
during one of their tempers. In fact the clubbed-shaped Thumb has also
been designated "the murderer's thumb" on account of so many murderers
having been found with this formation.
The possessor of a Clubbed Thumb could not, however, plan out or
premeditate a crime, for he would not have the determined Will or power
of reason to think it out.
The shorter the Thumb, the nearer the possessor is to the brute in
passion and lack of self-control.
The "waist-like" Thumb (Fig. 4, Plate III.), and the "straight" formation
(Fig. 5), must also be considered as the opposite of one another in their
characteristics, but in this case the difference is in the quality of
Logic or Reason. The former will not use or depend much on such things,
he will rely, on the contrary, on tact and diplomacy to gain his point or
win his way. The second class have little or no tact, but in all matters
depend on argument and reason.
The third phalange of the Thumb, which is placed under the designation of
Love (Plate VI., Part II.), when found long, denotes more control over
the quality of Love or Sensuality; when short and thick-set, the passion
or sensual nature is more brutal and animal.
The space at my disposal in this work will not allow me to go deeper
into all the shades of character that can be made out by a study of the
Thumb alone, but I think I have said enough to show my readers the great
truth in D'Arpentigny's words that "the Thumb individualises the man."
CHAPTER III
THE FINGERS--LENGTH TO ONE ANOTHER
THE SMOOTH AND THE KNOTTY
The First Finger is called the Finger of Jupiter.
The Second is called the Finger of Saturn.
The Third is called the Finger of The Sun.
The Fourth is called the Finger of Mercury.
The Finger of Jupiter, when long, gives love of power and command over
others. When short it denotes dislike of responsibility and lack of
ambition.
The Finger of Saturn when long gives prudence, love of solitude and a
reserved, studious disposition. When short it denotes frivolity and
general lack of seriousness in all things.
The Finger of the Sun when long gives love of the beautiful, desire for
celebrity and fame, but when excessively long, the tendency inclines more
toward notoriety, risk in speculation, the love of money and gambling.
When short it denotes a dislike of all these things.
The Finger of Mercury when long gives mental power, grasp of languages,
and power of expression, especially in speech. When short it denotes
difficulty in speaking, and in the expression of thoughts. When crooked,
with an irregular Head Line, it is an evil sign of the Mentality.
The fingers should be long in proportion to the palm; they then denote
greater intellectuality and mental power. When short and stubby looking,
the subject is inclined to animalism and gross materialism.
When the fingers lean towards one another, they take after the qualities
expressed by the finger towards which they lean.
[Illustration: _THE SQUARE WITH SMOOTH JOINTS_
_THE POINTED_
_THE KNOTTY_
PLATE IV.--PART II.
DIFFERENT SHAPES OF FINGERS.]
A wide space between the thumb and first finger denotes independence of
will and fearlessness.
When wide between the first and second fingers, independence of thought;
between the second and third fingers, independence of circumstances; and
wide between the third and fourth fingers, independence of action.
When the fingers are found loose and inclined to curve backwards, the
subject is "open-minded" and quick to grasp ideas or suggestions. They
will not, however, have the more methodical stick-at-it quality of those
whose fingers are found firm and stiff.
When the fingers are curved inwards, the subject is slower to grasp new
ideas, very cautious, and inclined to hold on to what he knows or what he
has.
Smooth-jointed fingers are more impulsive than those with "knotty
joints". The "knotty joints" arrest the impetuousness of the disposition
and give reflection, love of detail in all their work and are more
frequently found in the hands of all great organisers and those who
require thought and reflection in carrying out their plans.
CHAPTER IV
THE NAILS OF THE HAND
A study of the Nails of the Hand is a remarkably accurate guide to many
diseases. This part of Palmistry is now recognised by the majority of
medical men, who seldom fail quietly to observe the appearance of the
nails on a patient's hand.
They are peculiarly indicative of hereditary diseases, especially lungs,
heart, nerves, and spine.
They are divided into four very distinct classes. Long, Short, Broad, and
Narrow.
LONG NAILS
When the Nails are found very long, the general constitution never
appears to be so strong as when they are medium in size.
Persons with long Nails are more liable to all diseases of the Lungs and
Chest (Plate V., Part II.), and still more so when these long Nails are
seen ribbed or fluted, with the ribs running upward from the base to the
edge of the nail.
The same type of Nail, but shorter in appearance, indicates that the
delicacy lies higher up towards the throat, and denotes tendencies for
laryngitis, inflammation of the throat, and all bronchial troubles.
When especially long Nails are bluish in colour, they denote a still more
delicate constitution, coupled with poor circulation of the blood.
[Illustration: SHORT SQUARE NAILS. WEAK ACTION OF THE HEART.
SHELL-SHAPED NAILS. STRONG TENDENCY TOWARDS PARALYSIS.
DELICACY OF THROAT.
CHEST DELICATE AND BRONCHIAL.
LUNGS DELICATE.
SPINAL WEAKNESS.
SPINAL WEAKNESS.
PLATE V.--PART II.]
SHORT NAILS
Nails short in appearance denote a tendency towards weak action of the
heart, more especially so when the "moons" are very small or barely
noticeable. When the Nails appear very flat and sunk into the flesh at
the base they denote nerve diseases. When they are "ribbed" across the
Nail from side to side, the danger is still more apparent.
When a deep furrow is found across the Nail, it is a sign in any hand
that an unusual call has recently been made on the nervous system by
illness. If the following rule be studied, the date of this illness or
strain can be very clearly indicated.
As it takes about nine months for a nail to grow out from the base to the
outer edge, the nail can easily be divided into sections. When the furrow
or very deep "rib" is seen close to the edge, the illness took place
about nine months ago; when the furrow is seen about the centre, the date
was about from four to five months, and when at the base, about one month
previously.
White spots on the Nails are a sign of general delicacy, and when the
Nail is seen covered with small white flecks, the whole nervous system is
in a low state of health.
LONG NARROW NAILS
Very narrow Nails (Plate V., Part II.), show spinal weakness, and when
extremely curved and very thin they indicate curvature of the spine and
great delicacy of the constitution.
FLAT NAILS
When the Nails appear very flat and inclined to lift themselves up from
the flesh towards their outer edge, the threatened danger is towards
paralysis, and still more so when they look like a shell and are pointed
towards the base (Plate V., Part II.). When these Nails are without any
signs of moons, and whitish or bluish in colour, the disease is in a very
advanced stage.
THE MOONS OF THE NAILS
Large "Moons" always denote strong action of the heart and rapid
circulation of the blood, but when unusually large they indicate too much
pressure on the heart, rapidity in its beat, the valves over-strained and
danger of bursting some blood vessel in the heart or in the brain.
Small "Moons" indicate the reverse of this; they always denote poor
circulation, weak action of the heart and anæmia of the brain.
When close to death the "Moons" are the first to take on a bluish look,
and later on the entire Nail becomes blue or almost black in colour.
CHAPTER V
THE MOUNTS OF THE HAND AND THEIR MEANING
The Mounts of the Hand (Plate VI., Part II.) vary in the most remarkable
manner in accordance with the character and dispositions of races and
their different temperaments.
In almost all the Southern and more emotional races, these Mounts are
more noticeable than those belonging to Northern countries. It has been
observed that all people with the Mounts apparent or prominent are more
swayed by their feelings and emotions than those people who have flat
palms and undeveloped Mounts.
The names given to the Mounts of the Hand are those also given to the
seven principal planets that sway the destiny of our earth, viz., the
Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
These names were given to the Mounts by the Greek students of this
subject, and were associated by them with the qualities attributed to
these seven planets, such as:
Venus = Love, sensuality and passion.
Mars = Vitality, courage, fighting, etc.
Mercury = Mentality, commerce, science.
Moon = Imagination, romance, changeability.
Sun = Brilliancy, fruitfulness, success.
Jupiter = Ambition, power, domination.
Saturn = Reserve, melancholy, seriousness.
[Illustration: PLATE VI.--PART II.
THE MOUNTS OF THE HAND]
In my own long experience I could not help but remark the intimate
relation between the effect of these great planets of our Universe and
humanity in general. Although it would not be within the scope of this
work to teach also Astrology in these pages, I must, however, in order to
help all earnest students and readers of this book, put before them the
following curious evidence of the influence of the planets on our lives.
This is also demonstrated by the position and shape of the Mounts on the
Hand, and, as far as I know, has never been published in any book dealing
with Palmistry before.
In the accompanying pages it will be noticed that I have for the first
time dealt with these Mounts as Positive and Negative. The following
explanation of my reason for doing this should be of the greatest
assistance to my readers, and will also be useful in showing the close
relationship between the two sciences Astrology and Palmistry.
There are, it is well-known, in the Zodiac which surrounds our earth,
what are called "the twelve Houses" of the seven principal planets of our
Solar System.
The Zodiac itself is described both by Astronomers and Astrologers as a
pathway in the Universe, about sixteen degrees broad, in which the
planets travel. It is divided into twelve Signs or Houses of thirty
degrees each, and our Sun enters a new sign on an average of every thirty
days. At the end of twelve months it has completed the zodiacal circle of
360 degrees, or one Solar year.
The Sun, the creator of life, and itself the greatest mystery of our
Universe, is in bulk 330,000 times larger than our earth. It therefore
follows that in entering a new sign of the Zodiac, it changes the
magnetic vibrations of the effect of each sign towards our earth.
Consequently it is reasonable to presume that a person born, say in
April, and another in May, would have very different characteristics and
naturally a distinct destiny, because character is Fate or Destiny.
My readers will now easily follow me when I state that, especially as
regards health and disease, the following tables concerning the Mounts of
the Hand, taken in conjunction with the date of birth, will enable them,
when reading the hand, to tell many things with an accuracy that will be
most convincing both to themselves and to their hearers.
CHAPTER VI
THE MOUNT OF MARS
This Mount has two positions on the palm (Plate VI., Part II.); the first
is to be found immediately under the upper part of the Line of Life, and
the other opposite to it in the space lying between the Line of Heart and
the Line of Head. The first relates to the physical characteristics and
the second to the mental.
The first if large is Positive, and it has more importance when the
person is born between the dates of March 21st and April 21st, and in a
minor way until April 28th, which portion of the year in the Zodiac is
called the House of Mars (Positive).
The second is considered Negative, and it has more importance when the
person is born between October 21st and November 21st, and in a minor way
until November 28th, because in the Zodiac this portion of the year is
denoted as the House of Mars (Negative).
We will now consider the difference of these two positions, how
distinctly they affect the mind and temperament, and also their relation
as to health and tendency towards disease.
THE FIRST MOUNT OF MARS
In the first Mount of Mars, at the commencement of the Line of Life, and
especially when the subject is born in the House of Mars (March 21st to
April 21st, and in a minor way until the 28th), he possesses a strong
martial nature which will make its tendencies manifest in all actions of
the life, whether the man be a business man, a soldier, or a leader of
men in any line whatever.
These subjects are born fighters in every sense of the word. They brook
little or no control in all their affairs; they aspire to be leaders in
whatever career they undertake, and with even average intelligence they
generally become heads of business houses or organisations and take on
large responsibilities.
They have great obstinacy of purpose and determination, they resent all
criticism, they are decided and dogmatic in all their views, and seldom
ask the advice of others, until it is too late to alter their purpose for
good or evil.
They must do everything their own way, and as they always believe their
way is the only right one they resent the slightest interference from
others, and will even turn on their best friend who may attempt to
dissuade them from their plans or purpose.
They can only be handled or managed by kindness, patience, tact, or by
their affections.
The slightest attempt to fight or coerce them will bring them up "in
arms" in a moment. The temper is hasty and explosive, but at the same
time quickly over, and when the storm subsides they bitterly regret the
outburst of passion and the cruel things they may have said in the heat
of the moment.
As a rule these people are good-natured and generous, but spasmodic and
impulsive in all their actions. Their greatest fault lies in their
impulsiveness and lack of self-control, and unless a good Line of Head be
shown on the hands, they rush madly into all kinds of difficulties and
dangers and often make a complete muddle of their opportunities and the
magnificent powers of leadership that they nearly all possess.
These people as a rule are unhappy in their love affairs or domestic
life. They rarely meet women who understand them, and if they are lucky
enough to escape opposition from their wives, they usually meet with it
in their children.
In health they are prone to fevers and blood diseases, especially in
their early life. In youth they are also very liable to fits, epilepsy,
severe headaches, often water on the brain, and suffer greatly with their
teeth.
In old age they have a grave liability towards apoplexy, vertigo, pains
in the head and softening of the brain, and especially so if on their
hands the Line of Head looks frayed, or made up of little pieces like a
chain.
Such people should be advised to cultivate repose self-control, and above
all to avoid wines, spirits, and stimulants of all kinds, to which as a
rule these natures are very much inclined.
They should endeavour to sleep more than any other class, to take more
recreation and exercise in the open air, and above all things to curb
their pride and control their temper.
The higher types of these subjects and those among them who practise
self-restraint, can rise to almost any height in life and do great
things for the benefit of their fellow men.
THE SECOND MOUNT OF MARS
The second Mount of Mars, lying between the Heart and Head Line (Plate
VI., Part II.), is more important when the subject is born between the
dates of 21st October and the 21st November and until November 28th. In
the Zodiac this period of the year is called the House of Mars Negative
or Mental.
In character they are the complete opposite of the former type, all the
Mars qualities being in the mind and in the mental attitude towards
people and things.
The latter type are mentally very courageous, and possess _moral courage_
more than physical. They hate to have scenes, or to be mixed up with
physical violence or bloodshed.
They love to fight mentally, however, and in debates or arguments they
also fight to the finish. They are more quietly determined than the
former class of Mars subjects. They are even more obstinate in their
views, but conceal their opinions, and often pass for assenting parties
when in reality they are but waiting for the right opportunity to strike
their "mental blow" and confuse their opponent.
These people make better organisers than leaders, and their mental
martial spirit often finds a splendid field for their talents as the
brain behind an army. In plans, tactics and strategy, in carefully
thought-out stores of ammunitions, provisions, or in financial schemes
that may bring ruin or discomfiture on a more warlike enemy.
When not highly cultivated or developed, they employ cunning and craft
of every description to carry out their plans. They will stop at nothing
to carry out their purpose. They can be the most treacherous and deadly
enemies of all, and poison in opposition to the sword is one of the chief
weapons they most readily employ.
All these Mars Negative people have a mysterious power of magnetism,
which they seem almost unconsciously to use in their dealings with
others. They make natural hypnotists and thought-readers, and have strong
leanings towards occultism and secret societies of all kinds. When on a
highly developed plane, they use these wonderful qualities for the good
of others, especially if they take up the study of medicine or science,
for which work they seem usually well suited.
Mars Negative people are generally so versatile and many-sided that they
are the most difficult of all to place in some special career. If a good
Line of Head be found on the hand, then there is nothing in the world of
mental endeavour in which they will not make a success. It is a curious
fact that these people seldom carry out what they were first trained for,
and in fact in the course of their lives they are likely to change their
profession or vocation as many times as the proverbial cat has lives.
The worst fault of this type is that they are rather too adaptable to
their surroundings and to the people with whom they come in contact. If
they are thrown with evil-minded persons they are inclined to adapt
themselves to their companions and even attempt to "go one better," but
if in contact with good influences they just as rapidly develop the best
that is in them.
Their period of the Zodiac has from time immemorial been symbolised in
their lower development as the figure of a scorpion wounding its own
tail, and in their higher development that of an eagle with its head
pointing upwards to the sky.
Such symbols perfectly illustrate the dual nature of the type under
consideration. In their lower aspect no type can be more vicious or
harmful, even to wounding themselves and bringing about their own
destruction. In their higher form, however, there is probably no class
whose spiritual nature can, like the eagle, soar to such heights or be so
free from earthly ties.
Mars Negative people, especially when young, should above all things be
carefully brought up with good companions. They should be especially
warned to control their sex nature and be kept aloof from all perverse
persons and evil books.
As regards health, this type is usually inclined to be both slight and
delicate in their early years, but generally incline towards corpulency
after passing middle life. Both the men and women have a likelihood of
weakness or illness in the sex organs, especially in youth, also in the
kidneys and the bladder, while in advanced years the stomach and
digestive organs become disordered. All through their lives they should
be most careful and abstemious in their diet.
CHAPTER VII
THE MOUNT OF JUPITER AND ITS MEANING
The Mount of Jupiter is found at the base of the first finger (Plate VI.,
Part II.). When large, it shows desire to dominate, to rule and command
others, to lead and organise, and to carry out some distinct object. But
these good qualities will only be employed if the Line of Head is clear
and long. When this line is poor and badly formed, then a large Mount of
Jupiter gives pride, excess of vanity, a self-confident and a
self-opinionated person. But on what is known as a good well-marked hand,
there is no Mount more excellent and no surer indication of success from
sheer strength of character and purpose.
This Mount may be considered Positive when a person is found born between
November 21st and December 20th, and in a minor way until the 28th. These
persons are naturally ambitious, fearless and determined in all they
undertake, but in acting on their impulses, they generally "hit too
straight from the shoulder," or show their ambition too plainly, and so
arouse antagonism, opposition, and enmity.
They concentrate all their attention on whatever they may be doing at the
moment and see no way but their own, especially if they feel the least
opposition to their plans. They are, however, honourable and high
principled in almost all they undertake and respond to any trust or
confidence placed in them.
They are usually extremely truthful and bitterly resent any attempt at
deception, and do not hesitate to unmask any effort to deceive others,
even when such an action on their part may ruin their own plans.
They have great enterprise in business and all matters requiring
organisation, and easily become the heads of businesses, or hold
responsible positions in government offices or under the government. They
rarely become politicians, for the simple reason that they cannot bear to
bend to any party plans or schemes.
They are perhaps the most independent of all types in choosing their own
careers. Because their father may have happened to be a clergyman will be
no reason for them to follow his example or even hold the same views on
religion.
It is for this reason that in early life such subjects are a cause of
worry and anxiety to their parents; but they should always be allowed to
choose their own career and even change it a dozen times if they wish,
until at last they find their true vocation.
The great fault of this class is that they are inclined to go to extremes
in all things, and in doing so exhaust their efforts, and then change and
fly off in another direction. But in all cases where the Line of Head is
well-marked, especially when lying straight across the palm, there is no
height in position or responsibility that they may not reach.
HEALTH
These subjects are more inclined to suffer with rheumatism and acid
complaints than from any other form of disease, also inflammation of the
tongue and throat, boils, carbuncles, eczema, and all skin troubles.
THE MOUNT OF JUPITER (NEGATIVE)
The Mount of Jupiter may be considered negative or mental when the
subject is born between the dates of February 19th and March 20th, and in
a slighter degree until the 28th.
In this case the ambition takes rather the mental form than what might be
termed material. Brain work and brain development is more their
speciality than other forms of effort.
They seem to possess a kind of natural understanding of things and easily
acquire all sorts of knowledge about a large variety of things,
especially the history of countries, races, peoples, geographical,
botanical, and geological researches.
In spite of this mental ambition, these people are usually so very
sensitive and so lacking in self-confidence that they find the greatest
difficulty in carrying out their plans and making people believe in their
projects. For this reason they appear to shrink from coming before the
public, and have to stand aside and see others getting the credit for
what really was their plan.
A great number of literary people, composers and artists are born in this
period and exhibit all the qualities that it represents. It is again a
strong clear Line of Head which, if found on the hand, will determine
whether the mental will power is sufficient to make this type overcome
its natural sensitiveness and use the great qualities they have to carry
out their aims and ambitions.
HEALTH
People born in this period suffer largely from despondency, insomnia, and
a feeling of martyrdom. Like the Positive type of the same Mount, they
are also much inclined towards rheumatism and disorders brought on
through the blood.
They also suffer from internal chills, liver, and very often jaundice.
Climate has the greatest possible effect upon their health, so they
should endeavour to live in a bright, dry atmosphere and have plenty of
air and exercise, and variety of change and travel.
CHAPTER VIII
THE MOUNT OF SATURN AND ITS MEANING
The Mount of Saturn is found at the base of the second finger (_see_
Plate VI., Part II.). Its chief characteristics are love of solitude,
prudence, quiet determination, the study of serious sombre things, the
belief in fatalism and in the ultimate destiny of all things.
A complete absence of this Mount indicates a more or less frivolous way
of looking at life, while an exaggeration of it denotes an exaggeration
of all the qualities it represents.
The Mount of Saturn may be considered Positive when the subject is found
to be born between the following dates, December 21st and January 20th,
and during the subsequent seven days while this period is fading out and
being overlapped by the period following.
People born in these dates have strong will force and mentality, but they
usually feel exceptionally lonely and isolated in going through life.
They are very much children of fate and circumstances, over which they
appear to have no control, and seem to make or mar their careers
independently of their strong will.
In character they are usually remarkable for their independence of
thought and action, they also detest being under the restraint of others.
For kindness and sympathy they will do almost anything, but they usually
feel so isolated that they scarcely believe in the affections that may be
offered.
They have strange ideas of love and duty, and for this reason they are
usually called somewhat peculiar by those few who attempt to penetrate
their isolation.
They have a deeply devotional nature, even when appearing not to be
religious, and they make every effort to do good, especially to the
masses, even when there may be no likelihood of their getting recognition
or reward for their efforts.
Such people as a rule feel the responsibilities of life too heavily and
in consequence often become despondent and gloomy or retire into their
own shell.
If at all inclined to be very religious, they generally go to extremes
and become fanatical in any Church they may adopt.
Mysticism and occultism of all kinds appeal very strongly to their inner
nature, but here again they are also inclined to go to extremes.
They almost worship clever, intellectual people, and are deep thinkers in
all matters that interest them, but they cannot brook interference in
their views from others.
They are often found holding positions of great responsibility, but in
all matters fatalism seems to play a strange rôle in their life. They
seem chosen to be the instrument or mouthpiece of Destiny, often hurling
thousands to destruction in what they believe is their duty. If called
upon to make a sacrifice of their own flesh and kin they will be the
first to plunge the knife into the heart of their dearest.
Nearly all people born in this period are strange, strong characters,
equally feared, loved, and hated.
HEALTH
The chief tendencies towards illness with persons born in this period are
towards rheumatism, gout, pains and swellings in the feet and legs, also
accidents to the feet, knees, and limbs, trouble with the liver and
kidneys, ruptures, and disease of the teeth and ears.
THE MOUNT OF SATURN (NEGATIVE)
The Mount of Saturn may be considered negative or mental when the person
is found born between the dates of January 21st and February 18th, and
also for the seven days following.
These people are like the preceding type in almost all things, except
that the same things appear to affect them more mentally than physically.
They also feel lonely in life, but more mentally than the former
type--they seem to feel less companionship in their ideas and thoughts,
whereas the former feel it more in their lives and careers.
These latter types are more sensitive and very easily wounded in their
feelings.
They read character instinctively and seem to "see through" people too
easily to be really happy. They bitterly resent being taken in or
deceived, and when they think they have been, they astonish people by the
bitterness of their resentment.
They make loyal, true friends, if their feelings are once aroused, and
they will undergo any sacrifice for the sake of a friend, but they will
stop at nothing to avenge an injury if they think they have been
deceived.
They are usually very active for the public good, and they give a good
deal of their time and money to doing good, but in their own way. Like
the positive type of Saturn they have very decided views of their own
about religion and especially the regular observances and ceremonials of
Church life.
They are very different from the previous type in that they usually take
a keen interest in public meetings and large gatherings of people. They
love theatres, concerts, and places of amusement, and yet always if they
told the truth, they feel alone in life.
They have a quiet controlling power with their eyes, and although highly
nervous people themselves, yet they have the greatest control over
excitable and nervous patients and also over the insane. It is a strange
fact that in the run of their careers they seem fated to be brought into
contact with such cases.
HEALTH
These people suffer most from the nerves of the stomach and the digestive
organs, and ordinary remedies seem to fail entirely to relieve them.
They have as a rule poor circulation of the blood, cold feet and hands,
very delicate teeth, and suffer much from accidents and hurts to the
feet, ankles and limbs.
They seldom feel strong in health and yet they have enormous power of
resistance, and when a call is made on their will power, they usually
astonish every one by what they can stand, especially if they in any way
think that their duty or principles are involved or at stake.
CHAPTER IX
THE MOUNT OF THE SUN AND ITS MEANING
The Mount of the Sun is found under the base of the third finger. To this
Mount the Greeks also gave the name of Mount of Apollo (Plate VI., Part
II.).
When large or well developed it indicates glory, publicity, a desire to
shine before one's fellows. It is always considered a good Mount to have
large.
It also indicates enthusiasm for the beautiful in all things, whether one
follows an artistic calling or not. People with this Mount large, even if
they have success in practical life, build beautiful houses or have
artistic surroundings of some sort. They also have an expansive
temperament, are generous and luxurious in all their tastes. They are
bright and sunny by nature and have a forceful, happy, lucky personality.
This Mount may be considered Positive when the subject is found to be
born between the dates of July 21st and August 20th, and generally until
the 28th of this month, which portion of the Zodiac is called the "House
of the Sun."
These people represent what may be called the heart force of the human
race, and as a rule are generous and sympathetic even to an extreme.
They have great force of character and personality, and even when
constrained by circumstances to exist in the lower walks of life, they
play, even there, a rôle distinct from their fellows, and their
clean-cut, well-marked personality is sure to make itself manifest.
At heart they are really most sympathetic, though they often seem to hide
this quality on account of their strong sense of trying to force people
to do what is right towards others.
They have no mercy for "weaklings" or evaders of the truth, and in brutal
frankness they will even denounce their own children should they find
them falling into evil ways.
They display the greatest loyalty if any friend of theirs is attacked,
especially if in an underhand way. They love intensely and they hate
intensely. Theirs is no middle path, for they must be either at one
extreme or the other.
Although truthful and naturally honest they often get terribly deceived,
and the danger is with such people that towards the sunset of their
lives, the glorious Sun that has shone, as it were, through them gets
darkened by the deceit and treachery of others and sets in clouds, or
gets hidden before the ending of life's pathway comes to view.
Many of these people who have cheered others, who have brought their
grand sunshine of good into the hearts of others, cannot cheer themselves
when the twilight comes, and so they often fall victims to gloom and
melancholy, and many commit suicide.
Among other marked characteristics these people are extremely proud and
would sooner die than ask favours from others. They are extremely easily
wounded through their pride and are unusually sensitive.
Impetuous and hot-tempered, they make many enemies, and when engaged in
public life, which they are usually well fitted for, they often find
themselves bitterly attacked in the most unscrupulous manner.
HEALTH
Those born in the dates I have given, or who have the Mount of the Sun
large, are most inclined to suffer with pains, palpitations, and trouble
of the heart, head, and ears; with inflammation of the eyes, kidneys, and
swellings and injuries to the feet.
MOUNT OF THE SUN (NEGATIVE)
This Mount may be considered Negative when the subject is found born
between January 21st and February 18th, and for the seven days following.
In this case they are far more successful when managing for others than
for themselves.
They are usually found most active in their plans towards the relief of
all distress and for what they believe to be the public good.
They are also often as a class found in governmental positions, or as
leaders of some party or section of public opinion. Usually they take the
part of the "under dog," and cause themselves to be greatly abused and
disliked by the richer and more powerful classes.
They seldom attract wealth as do those of the Positive type, who are
usually lucky in money, and when they do they are inclined to impoverish
themselves in their efforts to help those around them, or in the
execution of their philanthropic plans for the good of the poorer
classes.
In strange apparent contradiction to this, these people are usually
excellent in business and in their financial plans, but again it is more
for others than for themselves. Many of them make fortunes for others and
keep the merest pittance for their own homes.
As a rule, they find great pleasure in public ceremonies, and meetings of
all kinds. They love theatres and all places where large numbers of
people congregate, and when wound up to the occasion they can display
great eloquence, power of argument, and influence in debates. They rarely
hold the positions they win for the run of their careers, they seem to
play the rôle of the moment, and when that is passed they just as quickly
retire into obscurity or into a quiet private life, and often end their
days in the most unusual or unheard-of places.
Quite the reverse of the Positive type, these people seldom if ever
commit suicide; on the contrary, they can endure any kind of martyrdom or
suffering. They are buoyed up with the feeling they have done their duty
to their fellow beings, and this feeling seems to sustain them against
all disappointments, or losses or attacks on their name.
HEALTH
These children of the Negative period of the Sun suffer mostly with the
stomach and internal organs, also with poor circulation of blood, loss of
natural heat, and with liver and kidney complaints.
They are also prone to have accidents to their bones, especially to
limbs, knees, and ankles.
Very dry climates and plenty of sunlight is their greatest safeguard
against all their maladies.
CHAPTER X
THE MOUNT OF MERCURY AND ITS MEANING
The Mount of Mercury is found under the base of the fourth finger (Plate
VI., Part II.). On a good hand it is a favourable Mount to have, but on a
hand shewing evil tendencies, especially mental, it increases the bad
indications.
It seems to relate more to the mind than anything else. It gives
quickness of brain, wit, thought, eloquence. It also relates to
adaptability in science and commerce, but if evilly afflicted, it denotes
mental excitability, nervousness, lack of concentration, trickiness in
business, and everything that is unreliable in character.
This Mount should always be considered with the kind of Line of Head
found on the hand.
With a Line of Head long and well marked, it increases all the promise of
mental aptitude and success, but with a weak, badly marked, or irregular
Head Line, it augments all its weak or bad indications.
THE MOUNT OF MERCURY (POSITIVE)
This Mount can be considered positive when the subject is found to be
born between the dates of May 21st and June 20th, and until the 27th of
that month, but during the last seven days its influence is considered
dying out and not so strong.
People born in this period are represented in the Zodiac by the symbolism
of the twins. It is a curious fact that all persons born in this part of
the year are singularly dual in character and temperament. One side of
their nature may, in fact, be described as perpetually pulling against
the other, and although nearly always possessed with unusual
intelligence, they often spoil their lives by lack of continuity in their
plans and in their purpose.
They seldom seem to have a fixed idea of what they really want. They
change their plans or their occupations at a moment's notice, and unless
they chance to be very happily married, they are just as uncertain in
marriage.
They are the most difficult of all classes to understand. In temperament
they are hot and cold in the same moment, they may love passionately with
one side of their nature and just as quickly dislike with the other.
They are very critical, and especially notice small faults or mannerisms
in others, and they can express their views with a sarcasm that is as
cutting as it is clever.
In all business dealings or affairs where a subtle, keen mentality is
useful, they can out-distance all rivals, provided they are sufficiently
interested to enter into the competition.
They are excellent in diplomacy and are gifted talkers, but they usually
leave their listeners at the end of their conversation no wiser than they
were at the beginning.
If taken as they are and with their moods, they are the most delightful
people imaginable, but one must never expect them to be the same to-day
that they were yesterday.
They believe that they are the most truthful persons in the world, and so
they may be at the moment they are telling the story, but to them moments
seem entire lives, and so in a day or a week the same story may have a
totally different colouring.
None of these people will probably admit this to be true of his
character, but a little study will convince anyone that it is a fairly
accurate description of this subject's chief characteristics.
Mental work, especially the class of mental work that requires quickness
of wit and change, appeals to them more than any other. They make clever
actors, barristers, and a certain class of public speakers, also
diplomatists, stock brokers, company promoters, or inventors of new
methods in business. In all careers that require keenness of brain, they
can attain success, provided they have developed a sufficient amount of
will power and continuity of purpose to stick long enough to any one
thing.
HEALTH
Everything that can affect the nerves and the nervous system especially,
afflicts these people.
Indigestion caused by nervous worry or anxiety, catalepsy, paralysis,
afflictions of the tongue, stammering, insomnia, vivid dreams; to all
such things they are specially liable. They are also inclined towards
delicacy of the throat and bronchial tubes, and particularly to trouble
with the nose and eyes.
THE MOUNT OF MERCURY (NEGATIVE)
This Mount may be considered negative when the persons are born between
August 21st and September 20th, and until the 27th, but these last seven
days of this period are not so marked, but take more from the
characteristics of the incoming sign.
People belonging to this negative type of the Mount of Mercury have all
the good points of the positive class, and even some added in their
favour. For example, they stick longer and with more continuity to
whatever study or career they adopt. They have hardly the quickness or
the brilliancy of the first type, but they have a more solid, plodding
course of action, and as a general rule they make more out of their
lives.
They are also more materialistic and practical in their views of life,
but they analyse and reason everything from their own way of thinking
outwards towards others. If they see a thing is right, it is right to
them, and for this reason they are often found doing exactly the opposite
from what one would expect.
Women born in this period are especially curious puzzles. They are either
extremely virtuous or the direct opposite, either extremely truthful and
conventional or the reverse; but whether good or bad, they are all a law
unto themselves, and in all things they usually think of themselves
first.
People born in this period often abandon their husbands or their children
just because they think they ought to do so. They also are liable to
change their religious views half way through life, or from the most
conventional suddenly become the reverse. In the same way women who have
commenced their career by leading unconventional lives, may just as
suddenly become religious and enter some extremely severe order or
community.
Again, as in the positive type, it is the Line of Head that must be
carefully considered if one should endeavour to form an estimate of what
they will eventually become.
If it be clear and straight, their best qualities will, as a rule, come
to their rescue; but if weak or poorly marked, it is more than likely,
especially with this class, that the evil side of the nature will in the
end predominate.
HEALTH
These people are more open to mental suggestion as far as health is
concerned than any other class.
If they think they are ill it is quite sufficient that they are so, and
they can become cured in exactly the same manner.
In reality they have excellent constitutions, except when they are ruined
by taking drugs and medicines.
As they always imagine that they have something the matter, they are
invariably the willing prey of quack doctors and every new cure that is
advertised.
They can hardly pass a chemist's shop without buying something, and if
they sit next to a doctor at a dinner table, they are certain to walk off
with some prescription.
Their greatest fault is that they will persist in talking to everyone of
their supposed ailments or afflictions, for the slightest ache, pain, or
anything that concerns them, has the most exaggerated importance in their
mind.
On the contrary, Nature can do more for these people than for any other
class of humanity. Peace of mind, a country life, and plenty of fresh air
will banish all their ills and ailments into oblivion.
But, if badly mated, or living in unhappy surroundings, their health
quickly breaks up, and if they cannot make a change into happier
conditions, then no medicine in all the world can help them.
CHAPTER XI
THE MOUNT OF THE MOON AND ITS MEANING
The Mount of the Moon, or as it is also called the Mount of Luna, is
found on the base of the hand under the end of the Line of Head (Plate
VI., Part II.).
This Mount relates to everything that has to do with the imaginative
faculties, the emotional artistic temperament, romance, ideality, poetry,
change of scenery, travel, and such like.
This Mount may be considered positive when it looks high or
well-developed, and also when the subject is found to be born between the
dates of June 21st and July 20th, and until July 27th.
People who belong to this positive class are gifted with strong
imagination which tinges everything they do or say. They are intensely
romantic, but idealistic in their desires, and have not that passionate
or sensual nature that is given by the Mount of Venus on the opposite
side of the palm.
As a rule they have the inventive faculties well developed, and succeed
in inventions and in all new ideas in whatever careers they may have
entered.
Even business people born in this period are remarkable for their
originality, and the inventive manner in which they will tackle the most
practical affair.
They are, however, inclined to speculate or gamble even with their
chances, also in stocks, business or, in fact, anything in which they are
engaged.
Although their imagination is large, they often achieve great success and
make money in business. Some great financiers and heads of large
organisations have been born in this period and have also had the Mount
of Luna very highly developed on their hands.
It has been said "that what one sees in one's dreams one shall gain in
reality," but the fact remains that imaginative people have been found
among the most successful of all classes. Imagination may be another name
for Inspiration.
People born in this period are seldom hide-bound by any rule of thumb or
set convention. They love what is new in everything, and perhaps for this
reason they love travel and change, and generally see the greater part of
this planet before they voyage over the last river of all.
Change in every way affects their careers as it also does their lives.
Even the successful members of this period have more ups and downs than
almost any other class.
They rarely, however, give in to the blows of Fate. Their imagination
probably helps them through, and they seldom remain down or down-hearted
for long.
Inventors, a large number of artists, musicians, and composers are found
among people of this type, but almost without exception they have a love
of mystic and occult things, and their dreams and visions are tangible
and clear.
These Children of the Moon owe much to the influence of their planet that
they are even more magnetic and successful when the Moon appears in the
heavens. Even their health appears to change and become better under her
benign influence, and they should always be advised to commence their
plans or operations when their planet is to be seen illuminating the
skies.
That the Moon plays an important rôle in the affairs of this earth cannot
for a moment be doubted. Recent discoveries are every day revealing more
and more that her strange magnetic influence has a power almost beyond
belief in its effect upon the growth of vegetables, and even inanimate
things.
There are other thinkers besides those interested in occult subjects who
have noticed the effect of this planet on mundane things. If the Moon can
affect vegetables, eggs, and the growth of chickens, as it is proved to
do, how much more easily and wonderfully it must affect the grey matter
of the human brain, which is the most subtle and mysterious essence of
all.
People born in the period I have mentioned should be most careful of
those with whom they associate, because they are extraordinarily
sensitive to the magnetism of others.
They should, if possible, avoid marrying early in life unless they are
absolutely sure they have met their affinity. These natures both change
and develop rapidly, and they have a strong tendency to "grow away" from
those with whom they associate in early life. It is the same with
partners in business; they should be as much as possible "on their own"
or, if partnerships are made, they should not be of a binding or
restricting order, and provision should always be made for the
partnership to be dissolved when it has become irksome.
HEALTH
These Children of the Moon are chiefly inclined towards all watery
ailments and inflammatory diseases. In early life they are prone towards
having water on the brain, gastric and dysentery attacks, and later in
life, inflammation of the lungs and chest, pleurisy, and dropsy.
THE MOUNT OF THE MOON (NEGATIVE)
This Mount is considered negative when it appears very flat on the hand,
and it may also be taken as negative when people are found to be born
between the dates of January 21st and February 20th, and in a minor
degree, until about February 27th.
People born between these dates have good mental powers, but their
imaginative faculties are seldom as much in evidence as is so strongly
the case with the positive period.
These persons, on the contrary, are good and quiet reasoners-out of
problems and matters relating to the organisation of business, and are
also excellent in all forms of government work. They make splendid heads
of departments and rise to any responsibility very quickly and easily.
They are high-minded and have very decided views on love, duty, and
social life. They make great efforts to do good to others, but as a rule
their best work is done towards helping the masses more than individuals.
They are extremely kind-hearted and love to give a helping hand when they
can, but at the same time they have an unfortunate knack of making many
bitter enemies, and when holding government positions they are most
bitterly attacked by the opposition press. Their work seldom receives
its proper recognition and reward until they have passed from their
sphere of influence, or have left this world of mistrust and ingratitude.
They generally make excellent speakers, but more from "plain speaking,"
in a particular way of their own.
As a rule they espouse the unpopular cause and take the part of the under
dog in the fight.
They make devoted and loyal friends once their friendship is aroused, but
at the same time they are extremely sensitive and easily wounded by those
they care for.
They are strongly inclined to be religious and generally bring their
religious views into all they do. They are in danger of becoming too
fanatical, and when opposed, they become extremely obstinate, dogmatic,
and hard to manage.
Heavy responsibility for others suits them best of all, especially if
such responsibility lies in the form of government work, or in some
position of management.
HEALTH
These people usually worry themselves into bad health. They overwork
themselves and bring on nervous breakdowns, palpitation and weakness of
the heart, and often paralysis. They suffer with the nerves of the
stomach, acidity of the blood, rheumatism, liver complaints, and gout.
They are particularly liable to meet with accidents to the feet, ankles,
and limbs.
They should be very guarded when travelling by water, for they seldom get
through life without sooner or later experiencing grave danger of
drowning.
CHAPTER XII
THE MOUNT OF VENUS AND ITS MEANING
The portion of the palm under the base of the Thumb and inside the Line
of Life is called the Mount of Venus (Plate VI., Part II.).
When well-formed and not too large, it denotes a desire for love and
companionship, the desire to please, worship of beauty in every form, the
artistic and emotional temperament, and it is usually very prominent in
the hands of all artists, singers, and musicians.
This Mount, the science of Physiology teaches, covers one of the most
important blood vessels in the palm, viz., the "Great Palmer Arch." If
this loop or arch is large, it indicates a plentiful supply of blood and
strong active circulation; consequently, the health is more robust. It is
found that persons possessing this Mount well developed, being in active
strong health, are naturally more full of passion than those individuals
in poor health, and who, in consequence, have this portion of the hand
either flat or poorly developed. Hence, when this Mount is large it has
been considered to show passion and larger sensuality than when flat,
flabby, or non-developed.
This Mount is therefore called Positive when high or large, and Negative
when small or flat.
With the rest of the hand normal, this Mount well shaped is an excellent
sign to have, as it denotes magnetism and attraction of one sex to the
other, but if found together with vicious or abnormal signs in the hand,
it increases those tendencies.
When considered with the birth date, as alluded to in the former
chapters, it helps to throw considerable light on characteristics that
might otherwise be overlooked.
The student may consider it Positive when the subject is born between
April 20th and May 20th, and in a minor way until May 27th, the chief
characteristics of this period being as follows:
These persons have a curious dominating power over others, and are found
rather inclined to be too dogmatic in their opinions, and also often too
unyielding and tyrannical. They are considered stiff-necked and
obstinate, but the strange thing is that when they love they become the
most abject slaves of all to the object of their devotion, and they will
consider no sacrifice too great for that one being who holds or attracts
their affection.
They are hospitable and generous, and especially love to entertain their
friends. They make wonderfully good hosts, have great taste about food,
and love to give excellent dinners.
They dress with great taste, and are generally considered richer than
they really are, and they can make a good show on very little.
They are impulsive in their likes and dislikes, rather too frank and
outspoken, quick in temper, and when their blood is up they have no
restraint on what they say.
Their passion or temper is, however, quickly over, and when the storm is
passed they are most regretful for the wounds their temper may have
caused.
These types are most easily influenced by their surroundings, and become
morbid and depressed when they are forced to live in gloomy and
uncongenial conditions.
Neither the man nor woman born in this period should marry early, for
their first attempt is usually a mistake. They are so independent in
character that, especially if they marry early and find their mistake,
they lead unconventional lives and get severely criticised in
consequence.
They are inclined to be very jealous when their affections are roused,
especially if the peace of the home is in any way disturbed.
HEALTH
People born in this period have usually short or round-shaped nails which
indicate a tendency to suffer with complaints of the throat and nose.[8]
They also suffer, as a rule, with pains in the head and ears, swellings
in the neck, and have a tendency towards tumours, appendicitis, and other
internal troubles, chiefly relating to the intestines.
[8] _See_ Chapter on Nails, page 136.
THE MOUNT OF VENUS (NEGATIVE)
This Mount may be considered Negative when the subject is born between
the dates of September 21st and October 20th, and in a minor way until
October 27th, and with people born in this period it is seldom found so
prominent. The fact is, that the affections these subjects possess may
be just as intense, but more mental than physical.
Their love is spiritual rather than sensual, and they crave more for soul
companionship than for that of the physical senses.
Of course there are exceptions to all rules, but these exceptions can be
easily seen by watching if the Mount of Venus is large with people born
in this period.
All mental characteristics rule, however, very strongly. Those born in
this latter period have keen intuition and a mental balance of all things
not given to the other class. They have presentiments and psychic
experiences, dreams, clairvoyance, and such like, which they often spoil
by their reasoning faculties, and they endeavour to answer all problems
through the medium of their mind or mental faculties.
In love they are nearly always unhappy. They cannot "let themselves go,"
like the Positive Venus type. They hesitate and miss their opportunities
whilst they think or reason, and so love goes by and often leaves them
nothing but regret. They should be advised to act more on their first
impressions and intuition, and take the opportunities that Fate throws in
their way.
They occupy themselves very much with all mental questions concerning
their fellow beings. They are often found studying Law, but more with the
desire of improving it for others than for their own personal advantage.
They have a great desire for knowledge, and often spend their lives in
studying abstruse subjects, but always weighing and balancing each point
in the most conscientious manner. They make excellent doctors, judges,
lawyers, but more as masters of some particular branch than that of
gaining worldly advantage.
HEALTH
The people born in this period are inclined to suffer from lack of
physical strength, exhaustion of the nerves, depression of spirits,
melancholia, intense feeling of loneliness, and such like. Also severe
headaches, pains in the back, loins, and kidneys; just as in the case of
those of the other period of this Venus sign they have a great tendency,
especially the women, to suffer from internal ailments, and often undergo
severe operations.
CHAPTER XIII
ADVICE TO THE STUDENT. THE BEST MEANS TO MAKE CASTS OR TAKE IMPRESSIONS
OF THE HANDS
I would strongly advise students of this subject to make casts of hands
in plaster of Paris, wax, or any other suitable material, in order to
make a library or collection, both for their own private study, and also
as a valuable record of their work.
Before I read any hands professionally, I had some thousands of casts,
impressions on paper, and photographs of hands in my possession, and I
found that I derived the most valuable aid from being able to analyse and
study their shapes and markings at my leisure.
In making casts I would advise the very finest plaster of Paris to be
used. When the plaster is worked up to the proper consistency, it is
necessary to rub a fine oil into the hand before bringing it into contact
with the plaster, as otherwise the hair may stick and so cause trouble
and annoyance.
Dental wax heated in hot water and made very soft is also an excellent
material to make moulds from, especially as it does not make a mess, and
is very little trouble to employ.
The great disadvantage of making a collection of casts arises from the
large space that such a collection will eventually occupy. To avoid this
the student can also make a library of impressions of hands on paper, and
keep them marked and numbered in a series of albums or scrap-books that
may easily be obtained at any stationer's.
The best means of taking these impressions is to obtain a small gelatine
roller used by printers for fine work, such as die stamping, a tube of
printer's ink, and a small sheet of glass to roll the ink out until it
covers the surface of the roller in an even way.
The roller may then be passed over the surface of the palm, the hand
pressed firmly down on a smooth sheet of white paper, and with a little
practice, most excellent impressions can easily be obtained.
When the impression is dry it can be dated, numbered, and placed in an
album for reference.
In order to remove the black ink from the hand, powdered washing soap,
well brushed into the hand with a nail brush, and a little hot water is
all that will be found necessary.
These impressions taken with printer's ink are far better than those
taken by smoking a sheet of paper by camphor, or by a candle, or any
other means.
The best time for examining hands is during the day, first because the
light is better and, above all, because the circulation of the blood does
not redden the entire palm as it does at night, and the finer lines can
consequently easily be detected.
As I described earlier in these pages, the right and left hands should be
examined together to note what difference there may be in the shape and
position of the lines, but the markings on the right hand are the only
ones to be relied on.
Lastly, do not be for ever on the lookout for faults and failings in the
subject whose hands you may be examining, remember no one is perfect, and
that faults and failings may in the end be as stepping stones "by which
we rise from our dead selves to higher things."
Transcriber's notes:
P(ix) d'Arpentigny corrected to D'Arpentigny
P10 dveloped corrected to developed.
P76 forshadows corected to foreshadows
P63 Removed extraneous comma.
P130 Period added at the end of a paragraph.
P132 Added "is called the Finger of" instead of " to clarify.
P135 Period added before a capital The.
P142 decribed corrected to described.
P158 Extra opening parenthesis removed.