The Fundamentals of Palmistry in Ones Life - Essay Example

Journey Into Palmistry Running head: Take A Journey Into Palmistry Take a journey into palmistry Here learn how the varioussections of palms reveal descriptions of our characteristic and destiny through life Teresa E. Clark MiraCosta Community College Journey Into Palmistry 2 Specific Purpose: To identify the fundamentals of palmistry (palm reading) Central ideal: To understand the process of palmistry, one should have an open mind to life's what ifs and that everything is for a reason. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, "What is life for me all about" Introduction: Palmistry, also chiromancy (Gr. cheir, "hand"; manteia, "divination"), is the art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm. It was known among the Chaldeans, Assyrians, Egyptians, and Hebrews and was recognized by such philosophers as Plato and Aristotle. It was revived during the 19th century, especially in France. Since the turn of the century it has been regarded as a branch of fortune-telling (Access Positive, 2001). The term Chiromancy is based on the Greek word cheir = hand and mancy=divination. There are two more forms for the base word -gnomy and -ology, which were perhaps adapted to make it less of a divination and more of a study (Massey, 2002). Notable people such as Paracelsus (1493-1541) and Fludd (1574-1637) brought respectability to palmistry through their writings. Later Dr. Carl Carus, physician to the king of Saxony in the 19th century matched palms to personality. Advances in genetics, psychology and forensics have propelled palmistry into the modern age. In 1901 Scotland yard adopted the technique of fingerprinting in criminal investigation and identification. Medical researchers studying skin patterns (dermatoglyphics), have discovered a correspondence between genetic abnormalities and unusual markings in the hand (Paralumun, ). Today, palmistry is recognized in every corner of the world. Journey Into Palmistry 3 Discussion Do you like uncertainty Most people would definitely answer "NO." Every one of us, I believe, would like the feeling of security. Whether it be the amount of money that you have in your bank account, the job you have at present, the cozy place that you live in or the plans you have set to achieve your goal-anything or anyone that you think would provide you "a happy ever after." You will look for alternatives if you think that your choice in a given situation would do more harm than good. You may evaluate your previous actions, see what you have done that might have caused or will cause the predicaments, and identify corrective measures. You may even consult other people whom you think could provide you with answers in an instant. There are personal characteristics that, to some extent, will prompt you from choosing a particular action though. It does not apply that if an action (like choosing a particular job, people that you would be attracted to and vice versa, moods that you would have at a particular instance) is universally accepted will also work for you. Some says it is in the genes; others, like palmists, believe that the answers are in the palms of your hands. The purpose of this speech is twofold. First, to present a brief account on the origin of palmistry, some important factors considered in palm reading, and how these supposedly affect your personality and your future. Second, to present a better alternative to palmistry. To understand the process of palmistry one should have an open mind to life what ifs and that everything is for the unknown reason. Sometime we have to ask ourselves, "What is life all about" Journey Into Palmistry 4 A palmistry reader can interpret aspects of a persons' life by reading the lines of his palms. Palmistry begins with the obvious and proceeds, by innumerable intricate steps of judgment and interpretation, to extreme details. Its conclusions are expressed not in terms of certainty but of probability and tendency. A serious palmistry practitioner will begin by examining both hands: with a right-handed subject the left hand is considered the 'birth hand', which shows inherited predispositions of character, while the right hand is thought to reflect individuality, flexibility and potential. For the left-handed subject the opposite would be true (Access Positive, 2001). Palmistry is basically concerned with the mounts of the palm, the lines on the mounts, and the lines interlacing the palm. The left hand supposedly reflects inherited and the right hand acquired characteristics. Each mount signifies a certain personality trait. The mount of Jupiter denotes honor and a happy disposition; of Saturn, prudence and therefore success; of Apollo, appreciation of beauty; of Mercury, scientific, industrial, and commercial interests; of Mars, courage; of the Moon, a dreamy disposition; and of Venus, an amorous nature. The four most important lines represent life (lifeline), intelligence, the heart or sensation (heartline), and personal fortune (fateline). Other (special) markings of the palm corroborate or modify by their positions the deductions made from the mounts and lines (Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia). In palmistry, the overall shape and formation of the hands is one of the first clues to a person's character and destiny: (1) the square hand identifies the practical person, someone forceful, purposeful, and capable of achieving success; (2) the tapering hand is likely to belong to an artist, a convivial, enthusiastic and sensitive soul; (3) the spade-like hand appears to be in motion even at rest and denotes an energetic owner with a need for positive actions; (4) the Journey Into Palmistry 5 pointed hand belongs to the idealist, the sometimes impractical lovers of beauty; and (5) the long hand, knotty at the joints, is that of a thinker, or philosopher. Most people have a mixed hand, displaying features of two or more classic shapes. Besides the shape, flexibility is also considered. Moderate flexibility reveals a reasonable personality; great flexibility indicates nonconformity; and great stiffness shows stubbornness. Thumbs and fingers are considered as well. A thumb set low, at a wide angle to the hand, discloses a careless type. On the other hand, a thumb set high on the hand indicates a cautious, possibly firm character. Long fingers suggest a fondness for details, short fingers a hasty, impatient personality. Palmistry considers all these signs of the hand and more before arriving finally at palmistry's lodestone, the richly articulate assembly of planes, bumps, lines, and markings that form the palm itself. Beyond such enormous signs, the permutation marking in a given hand - circles, stars, crosses and square - begin to flow into infinity. However, it is just this infinity number of possibilities the seeker of a palmistry reading pursues. The health of a person is likewise often indicated by the color of their hands. Dead white hands often indicate a lack of circulation. Pink hands are usually a sign of good health in palmistry. Red hands may indicate high blood pressure. Bluish hands indicate a sluggish condition of the circulation of the blood supply. The normal color of the palm should be rosy and pinkish. Much can be discovered about a person just by examining the lines, mounts, interlacing of lines, etc in one's palm. Naturally, once you hear a person saying things that seem to be desirable or idea you expect to hear, you accept them. Journey Into Palmistry 6 There is a higher being that says otherwise though. Undeniably, you may find temporary answers to your questions that will serve as some sort of security blanket that will make you feel comfortable to some extent. In the same way, although palmistry offers something real, it may not always be for real. However, that Someone who has given the knowledge to the palmist provides a better answer that is definite and infinite. He said, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 Whose palm is it then that outlines the truth Journey Into Palmistry 7 References Access Positive (2001)."Palmistry And The Art of Palm Reading."Retrieved 22 March 2008 from Palmistry, The Art of Palm Reading Massey Anne (1988-2002)."Palmistry". Retrieved 22 March 2008 from Astrologically Speaking Paralumun, "Palmistry." Retrieved 22 March 2008 from Paralumun New Age Village Read More