What Is Palm Reading?

Palm Reading, also known as palmistry or chiromancy, is one of the most popular forms of divination.  Palmistry is the practice of reading hands. A palm reader analyses the features of the hand to reveal our individuality and uniqueness, qualities and character traits and provide insight into our past circumstances, present situation and the possible course of future events.

In palmistry, our hand’s attributes, from the shape and size of the hands, length of the fingers, and the lines and mounts on the palms themselves are believed to hold a wealth of information about ourselves.

Palm reading has fascinated people for thousands of years. Palmistry goes back over five thousand years and is thought to have originated in India, moving to China, Greece and Egypt. It eventually found its way to Europe through nomadic tribes of Gypsies.

Types of Hands: The Four Elements

Hands come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When doing palm reading, a reader often starts by examining the type of hand. The hands provide the foundation needed to help determine our character. Over time, different categories have been proposed to describe hand shapes, but the most popular is using the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

Earth Hand

Broad hand, broad fingers, very few lines. The Earth hand would belong to someone practical and down to earth. Their nature may be easy going and they would be noted for their stability and strength. They prefer to be around people with whom they are familiar with, such as family and friends. Loyalty, reliability and trustworthiness would be part of their nature. They love the outdoors and would prefer to be involved in work that does not confine them to four walls. They have a great deal of energy and would not tire easily. Emotionally, they are usually well balanced.

Air hand

Long palm, long fingers, numerous lines. This hand can also be classed as intellectual hand. Communication and creativity would be important, however, this type of person may need to keep others at arm’s length. They may be viewed by others as being detached, aloof and impersonal. They may have difficulties in dealing with the brass tacks of life. This type of person needs to be involved in work using their mind and engaging in socially stimulating activities. They assimilate knowledge, weigh facts and question the validity of the information. They would need to prove themselves using their logic. Their active minds usually make them yearn for new experiences.

Fire hand

Small hand, small fingers, numerous lines. People with this type of hand are usually quick off the mark. They think quickly, but rarely systematically. They then act just as quickly and spontaneously without standing back and thinking of the consequences. Usually, people with this type of hand get bored quickly. They need to be involved in some project, but only if they can see a quick result. They make plans but prefer that others carry out the ideas. The need for action in all areas of their lives would see them as impatient, enthusiastic and raring to go. This person is energetic, optimistic and adventurous.

Water hand

Small hand, long fingers, delicate lines. This type of person is a feeling, sensitive type. They feel things deeply and may take matters personally. Emotionally, they would react quickly in any situation where they feel out of their depth. The need for harmony in their life is of paramount importance to them and if this is lacking, they can sink into depths of despair. The need to feel loved and the need to express their feelings is a top priority. They can be compassionate, empathic, and protective. Using their imagination and intuition in a work situation would give them an edge, which others may be lacking.

The Lines on the Palm

The lines depict a map of our journey in life, the talents we possess, our capacity to demonstrate these talents and the probable direction our life will take. Normally, both hands are analysed during palm reading. The dominant hand shows what we are doing with our life at the moment while the non-dominant hand reflects our capabilities and whether we are fulfilling our full potential or not.

Heart line

The heart line begins at the side of the palm beneath the little finger and sweeps across the hand heading towards either the index finger, the middle finger, or somewhere in between.

The heart line relates to love and relationships. However, it does not only show how you connect on a relationship level, but it also reveals how you relate to other people, whether family, friends or work colleagues.

Your heart line can also change depending on your emotional state. It indicates how you express your emotions, whether you show love and affection or whether you keep your feelings private. It shows whether you act sensitively and compassionately or whether your manner comes across as uncaring and heartless.

The way the line is shaped reveals what you would expect from a relationship. A deep line with no breaks or islands would signify a more positive attitude, whereas breaks and islands would indicate setbacks and disappointments. The deeper the line the more in tune you are with your feelings.

Life line

The life line begins between the thumb and the index finger. A popular fallacy relating to this line would be that often people assume it shows the length of a person’s life, whereas, in reality, the line shows your enthusiasm and passion for life.

Your life’s journey is depicted on this line showing your progression through life with major events and traumas clearly visible.

Life line can indicate your strengths and your weaknesses and can show concerns you may need to resolve. This is the line a palm reader would look at to check a person’s health. A deep, well-defined line would indicate a healthy and positive outlook on life. It shows that you have the energy and ability to deal with everyday issues. A faint line indicates that you need to look after yourself and recharge your batteries.

The life line on both hands can appear quite different. The line, on one hand, can show what you are capable of and where your life’s journey is taking you. The other hand can show how you are handling the situation; whether you are partaking and contributing to what is going on, or sitting back and hoping someone else to come along and wave a magic wand in order to change your life for the better.

Head line

The headline begins just above the life line, starting somewhere between the thumb and the index finger. It may start by being connected to the life line before separating and moving across towards the centre of the palm. In other instances, the head line can be quite separate to the life line.

The head line deals with your intellect and brain power, with the way you think, with the way you use your mind and whether you are intuitive or practical and realistic.

It shows whether you are using your intelligence to the best of your ability. It indicates your mental capacity and whether your thoughts are based on logic and reason or whether your mind flits around irrationally.

The length of the headline is important, although a long headline does not necessarily indicate wisdom. The strength and clarity of the head line show your capacity to appraise a situation. Anxiety, confusion and depression are indicated by a weak or fuzzy line.

The head line can cut straight across the hand or it may curve down to the Mount of the Moon. At times, the line can divide and branch out in two different directions giving you a good balance.

Fate Line

The Fate line is also known as the Line of Destiny or the Line of Saturn. The line starts at the wrist and makes its way up the palm towards the fingers.

This line indicates your well-being and how you view life. The stronger and deeper the line, the more content you will be with your lot in life. Unhappiness is shown in a weak and irregular line.

As this line also indicates your career path, it shows your talents and your capacity to realise these talents. It would denote your sense of purpose in life, your responsibilities and how you cope with your tasks. You have a personal responsibility for your life and the direction you wish to take. You are in control of your own destiny at all times.

The lines on your hands are constantly changing, reflecting the situation you find yourself in at any given point in time. Your Line of Destiny is like a signpost, depicting past events and indicating the direction you are taking and the likely course of future events.