Palm reading also known as “Chiromancy” is the art of telling the future through the study of the palm. Those who practice palm reading are called chiromancers or palmists. The practice of palm reading is regarded as pseudoscience. Some studies have been made in medical journals that give palm reading some validity.
A reader will usually begin by reading the person’s dominant hand. The dominant hand is the hand a person uses to write with. In some traditions the other hand is believed to carry past-life information.
There are three lines that are on almost all hands: the heart line, the head line and the life line. These three are the main three lines used in palm reading.
The heart line is the first line examined by a reader. This line is found under the fingers, toward the top of the palm. This line represents matters of the heart, both physical and metaphorical. The reading of this line starts at the edge of the palm under the little finger and going across the palm towards the thumb.
The head line is the next line to be examined by a reader. This line represents a person’s mind and how it works. This includes things like their learning style, communication style, intellectualism and thirst for knowledge. To read this line a reader will start at the edge of the palm under the index finger and go across the palm toward the outside edge. Often the head line will be joined with the life line.
The reader will then examine the life line. This line represents a person’s vitality and physical health. This line is also believed to represent major life changes, physical injuries and relocations. Modern palmists generally do not believe that the life line is tied to the length of a person’s life. To read this line a reader will begin fro the edge of the palm above the thumb and go across the arc toward the wrist.
Other lines that are looked at during palm reading include the fate line, sun line, union lines, travel lines and the mercury line. Other than the fate line these lines are considered to be minor lines in palm reading.
The fate line is tied to the person’s life path, including school and career choices. Successes and obstacles are also reflected in this line. This line runs from the bottom of the palm near the wrist, up through the center of the palm and towards the middle finger.
The sun line represents fame or a scandal. This line runs parallel to the fate line, under the ring finger.
The union lines represent close relationships. Sometimes but not always will these close relationships be romantic ones. The union lines are short horizontal lines found on the percussive edge o the palm between the heart line and the bottom of the little finger.
The mercury line represents persistent health issues and business acumen. This line runs from the bottom of the palm near the wrist and up through the palm towards the little finger.
With travel lines each of the lines represent trips taken by the person. The longer the line the more important the trip is to the person. These lines are horizontal lines found on the percussive edge of the palm between the wrist and heart line.
There are other characters in the palm that a reader will look at. These characters are the simian crease and the Girdle of Venus. The simian crease is part of the major characters in the palm and the Girdle of Venus is grouped with the minor lines making it a minor characteristic.
The simian crease is the fusing of the heart and head line. If present on a person’s palm it represents that the person has no distinction between what is desired and what is thought. Resulting in a person just rushing into things.
The Girdle of Venus represents emotional intelligence and the ability to manipulate. The girdle of Venus starts between the little finger and the ring finger. It runs in an arc under the ring and middle fingers to end between the middle finger and the pointer finger.
There are some great books that can help you to learn and perfect you ablity to read palms. Try reading some of these to better understand and practice palm reading.
Palmistry: How to Chart the Lines of Your Destiny
by Roz Levine
Complete Illustrated Guide to Palmistry: The Principles and Practice of Hand Reading Revealed
by Peter West
Palm Reading for Beginners: Find Your Future in the Palm of Your Hand
by Richard Webster
