Palm reading, palmistry or chiromancy, as it is often called, is basically the art of determining an individual’s character and foretelling the future developments within a person’s life through the careful study of their palm. Often also referred to as chirology, this practice is found in varying forms throughout cultures all around the world. Those practicing chiromancy are usually called palm or hand readers, palmists, chirologists or hand analysts. Across the different schools of chiromancy, it is possible to find many different, occasionally conflicting interpretations of the various lines and other features of the palm.
The lengths and shapes of the lines present on the palm, such as, for example, the heart and life lines, etc and the shape and size of mounts or bumps suggest different interpretations in accordance with their relative sizes, overall qualities, intersections and relation to one another. In some of the palm reading traditions, readers will also take the characteristics of the person’s fingers, fingerprints and fingernails, as well as dermatoglyphics (skin patterns), skin colour and texture, the overall shape of the palm and the flexibility of the individual’s hand into consideration.
The reader will begin by reading the individual’s dominant hand, in other words, the hand the person uses the most or writes with. This hand is frequently considered to be the hand that represents the conscious mind, while the other hand represents the subconscious. Some traditions of palm reading believe that this hand carries family or hereditary traits. Depending on the underlying cosmological beliefs the palm reading individual, this hand may also convey information regarding karmic or past-life conditions.
Classical palm reading guide, the tradition most widely used and taught, is essentially rooted within Greek mythology. According to this tradition, each part and area of the fingers and the palm relates to a specific god or goddess, with the particular features of each area indicating the nature of corresponding aspects concerning the subject. For instance, the characteristics of a person’s ring finger, which is associated Apollo, are concerned with the individual’s dealings with aesthetics, art, fame, harmony, music and wealth
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The significance each hand is debated among different palm reading schools, but in general, it is assumed that the left hand reveals the potential within a person, while the right reveals existing traits. Generally speaking, many palm reading experts agree that the left hand is for the past, while the right is for the future, although ultimately, the choice which hand to use is dependent on each reader’s individual attitude, experience and instincts.
Scientifically, the left hand is known to be controlled by the right half of the brain, which controls pattern recognition and relationship understanding. It is regarded as reflecting the inner person, the anima or natural self and lateral thinking. Considered to be part of personal and spiritual development, it is the feminine and receptive element, the ‘yin’ of personality.
The right hand, known to be controlled by the left half of the brain – which is responsible for language, logic and reason – reflects the objective self, the outer person, and the influences from education, experience and social environments. It effectively represents linear thinking and corresponds to the masculine and outgoing ‘yang’ aspect of an individual’s personality.
Rachel Hindle works for the psychic & metaphysical arena and is a Reiki Master, promoting discovery of the personal spiritual pathway through the use of established and expert clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot readers and mediums.