Schwarzenegger's Thumbs

California governor Schwarzenegger is here in Vancouver today. When you see his hands, one of the first things you notice is the very flexible thumbs. In hand analysis and palmistry, the flexibility of the thumbs shows how fixed or flexible the personality is, including the morals and ethics. Extremely flexible thumbs show a changeable and chameleon-like personality - Someone who adapts easily to any new group or set of circumstances. Moral and ethical views can be just a changeable.

So what do Schwarzenegger's thumbs say about his real motives and interests? - Just look at who his current associates and friends are. When he's spending his time with philanthropists and thinkers, there's almost no limit to the improvements he can make in countless lives. When he's spending most of his time with people of questionable character, the opposite is true.

Today he's once again spending time with politicians and the media...

More Info on Osteoporosis

Another common hand analysis question I receive is what to do when the fingernails show vertical splitting that could indicate calcium deficiency or possible osteoporosis. As with any health condition, consult a professional for a proper diagnosis. Two of the best sources I've ever found for osteoporosis information are EndocrineWeb.com and MayoClinic.com

A Day Off

Wow, I actually took a day off yesterday! (Well, sort of - I still took care of answering email questions and a bit of other work, but that's as close to a full day off as I can remember!)

It was surprisingly difficult to keep from working - Just another indication that I've been spending WAY too much time on business, and not nearly enough with family and recreation.

Another Free Palmistry eBook

Check it out - I've finally put the Laymans Guide to Cheirology in a much easier to read eBook format. Download your free copy at http://www.humanhand.com/ebooks/laymans.exe

Science Confirms Another Palmistry Interpretation

Cheirognomy is the interpretation of the shape and structure of the hands. For example, most palmistry and hand analysis systems interpret a longer ring finger than index finger as showing (among other things) a "technical-minded" individual.

This week, the British Journal of Psychology partly confirmed this cheirognomy interpretation with a report on how the shape of childrens hands is connected with how well they do in mathematics.

Times Online: Scientists from the University of Bath found that seven-year-olds whose ring fingers were longer than their index fingers tended to get higher marks at maths. Though the results were due to the children’s brains, the shape of their hands appeared to matter.

The probable reason why owes nothing to palmistry. It is well established that the length of the ring finger, relative to the index finger, is affected by exposure to the male hormone testosterone in the womb. Men tend to have longer ring fingers, while in women the index finger is usually longer or both are about the same size.

There is some evidence that high testosterone exposure can improve spatial reasoning, and this skill is as useful in maths as in map-reading. The contours of the hand may thus be a signpost that is suggestive of mathematical ability.

But before you start looking at your children's fingers to see where they might excel, remember not to make too much out of this single hand characteristic.

This is valuable research that casts new light on how human physiology is influenced by hormones in the womb. But the information it reveals must be handled with great care, because the associations between fingers and physical or mental traits are only associations. They reflect averages that may apply at the level of the general population, but which mean little or nothing for individuals.

Thus, while it is tempting and well-intentioned to use traits like this predictively, perhaps to tailor educational strategies to children so they benefit most, that would be utter folly. Many children with the “wrong” finger profile are going to be perfectly good at maths, or even excel.

So once again, it takes more than just one characteristic or marking to make an accurate hand analysis interpretation.

Right Hand Rule

When you want to learn everything you can on all subjects related to the human hands, the number of topics to be studied is virtually endless. Take for example something called the "Right Hand Rule".

Even the definition of "right hand rule" takes a minute to understand.

Wikipedia: In mathematics and physics, the right-hand rule is a convention for determining relative directions of certain vectors.

Mathworld: The rule which determines the orientation of the cross product uxv. The right-hand rule states that the orientation of the vectors' cross product is determined by placing u and v tail-to-tail, flattening the right hand, extending it in the direction of u, and then curling the fingers in the direction that the angle v makes with u. The thumb then points in the direction of uxv.

And then it really gets technical: All You'll Ever Need to know about The Right Hand Rule

Hands in Motion

Here's a neat little video titled "Human Hands are Amazing". I love to watch the creative process in action!

Palmistry eBook - Free Preview

You can now download a free preview version of the Holistic Cheirology course ebook. You don't have to be an enrolled student to read this one, either. Check it out - http://www.humanhand.com/ebooks/cheirology.exe

"Palmistry Bible" Available at Hundreds of Christian Bookstores

"Oops" is a good way to describe this one. Hundreds of online Christian bookstores are discovering that their book supplier also distributes some very un-Christian material. (The "Palmistry Bible" is just one of more than 4,000,000 different books that the company sells.) Other titles include adult-oriented and even worse material.

Worldnetdaily.com - A company called BookManager serves a St. Catharines, Ont., Christian bookstore whose owner recently discovered books on occultism, pornography and the like could be located through its website.

Now Bud Press, who runs Christian Research Service, has told WND that the company actually serves hundreds of Christian bookstores, whose owners now are facing the problem of what to do.

"One manager planned to contact BookManager and request the removal of the non-Christian and pornography materials," Press said. "But the chances of that happening are slim to none."

Carley Bortolin manages the database for BookManager, and told WND that there was no glitch in the programming that produced Playboy pictorials on a Christian bookstore website.

In a search for "Bible," among the products offered included the "Wicca Bible" and the "Palmistry Bible"." Other searches produced more objectionable results.

Bud Press put it best when he said "While secular companies like BookManager have the freedom to advertise, promote, and sell whatever they wish, Christians who own, manage, and work at Christian bookstores are accountable to God and the Biblical guidelines He has established,"

Doesn't Anyone Check Time Zones Anymore?

Another statutory holiday here today, and (as usual) the first telephone call came in around 07:00. Didn't the etiquette used to be 10:00 on holidays, or even 08:00? Sure it was 10:00 or so on the east coast, but don't they check time zones before phoning? Luckily I'm not a late sleeper, but that's my prime meditation time. I really must remember to keep the ringer shut off for holiday mornings. OK, grumbling finished - Back to enjoyment!

Six Times a Week is Enough

I've gotta start taking a real day off once in awhile. The kind with no business or computer work. Seems like I've forgotten how. Often I'm having such fun that it hardly seems like work at all - Guess I'm just a "workafrolic" like so many others.

Think I'll start with changing this blog to posting 6 times a week, rather than every day. Add some more recreation and family time. Hopefully even take a family vacation sometime next month. It's all about keeping things in balance, after all...

Common Questions (unfortunately)

I've answered literally thousands of email questions about the hands. Topics on everything from palmistry and metaphysics, to hand anatomy and surgery. I receive more email questions than I can possibly answer, so priority goes to academical and health-related subjects.

Some questions are tougher than others, and some are just plain bizarre - Here's a sample of some of my more common ones that are impossible to answer. (Remember that these are sent to me with no additional information, no way of seeing their hand image, and I make it clear that I do not make predictions for future events.)

- In which year will I get married?
- Will I have a happy married life?
- Will I fall pregnant?
- Will I get remarried?
- Will I live a long time?
- How many children will I have?
- Will my new grandchild be born perfect?

And then some of them are even more strange or unusual (also sent in with no additional information):

- Will I ever be with the person I am dreaming about?
- Can I win money in a Casino or any other gaming areas?
- I would like to know if I am going to do my PHD successfully.
- Is this weird?
- Identify two atmospheric layers that contain air as warm as 25 degrees Celsius.

No wonder it takes me so long to get through my email.

Does Anyone Know For Certain Who the Real Author Is?

Dr. Ghanshyam Singh Birla of palmistry.com and Dr. Thanu Pillay of palmistry.org are considered by many to be experts in their field. Problem is, both take credit for authoring some of the same material. Take a look at www.palmistry.com/about/faq.html and www.palmistry.org/what_is_palmistry.htm - You'll see this same content, word-for-word.

What is palmistry?

Palmistry is a method of counselling that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It is a part of a vast field of study, referred to as Samudrik Shastra, which literally means the ocean of knowledge. Palmistry is a sub-section of Samudrik Shastra and deals specifically with the study of the hand.

Is palmistry fortune-telling?

In a word: no. The original intent of palmistry was for personality assessment and counselling. One's emotional tendencies, social attitudes, conscious awareness and subconscious fears, blockages and strengths can be understood in great detail through this in-depth system.

Can you make predictions through palmistry?

You cannot make predictions with palmistry. However, since there is a definite mind-body connection, we know that negative or positive thinking affects our well-being. As well, due to our habitual way of thinking, we often repeat the same behaviour in the future as we exhibit in the present. If we can understand the pattern of our habits and thinking, then we can begin to isolate the negative cycles of behaviour and can replace them with positive new ones. Palmistry can help you see these patterns. With this information, you can shape own destiny.

How does palmistry work?

Palmistry is best seen as a dynamic process. The lines of the hand are not carved in stone. Since the lines of the hand reflect our thinking, as our attitudes and behaviour patterns change, the lines reflect these changes. The lines physically change as our thinking changes. In fact, you can see distinct changes in as little as three months.

Which hand do you read?

It is important to look at both hands during a reading. Depending on which hand is active (usually seen as the hand you write with), in combination with the inactive hand, shows where you have been (passive), and where you are likely headed (active) in this life.

I believe that Dr. Birla is the likely original author, and that is how I've currently listed it on the palmistry scams page.

On April 21 I emailed both of them about this apparent plagiarism, but so far have received no answer from either one. (At lease Dr. Birla's secretary emailed me back saying she'd forward my message to him.)

If anyone knows for sure who the original author of this material is, please let me know.

Palmistry Magic - Missing the Point?

People think of palmistry and hand analysis in different ways. Some look more for dermatoglyphic and fingerprint analysis, others attempt to predict the future by reading the lines. Many people put it in the same category as tarot and psychic readings.

Here's something different from a blog about "an open journal covering research / efforts in combining palmistry and magic"

Mark with a fine point brush using a ink (the color of the energies being worked with) on the palm of your hand a symbol. It should symbolize what you desire. Brush the mark on the palm in the area corresponding with the desire. While making the mark say to yourself the intent. Once marked, raise your hand facing away from you in the direction corresponding to your desire. Now, our dominate hand influences the world outside of yourself in casting a palmistry spell. Your non-dominate hand deals with making changes to yourself and/or receive energy with.

The blog only has 1 post total, so I suppose "palmistry magic" isn't very good for productivity and personal commitment...

Holistic Cheirology Course 3rd Edition is Done!!!

Hooray! The 3rd edition of Holistic Cheirology is finally done! New layout, new format, and new information. The file size is also down to less than 3Mb total and can be downloaded directly from the website at http://www.humanhand.com/ebooks/hccourse.exe

Only enrolled students can read this eBook, but the format is the same one being used for the hand analysis eBook coming out in June.

What is the Meaning of Palmistry in Dreams?

So what does it mean if you dream about getting a palmistry reading? Dream dictionaries seem to disagree. Compare these 2 interpretations:

Palm Reading: To dream that you are having your palms reads, represents your life goals and ambition. The dream shows how you want to live your life and where you want to be headed.

Palmistry: If you dream of having your palms read then you are in danger of becoming an object of suspicion and ridicule over some matter that you may have gossiped about.

Perhaps the dream meaning depends on whether you view palmistry as a serious science or as something to ridicule.

Another Old Law Gets New Prosecutions

It's really time that the laws regarding palmistry, astrology, tarot cards and psychic readings were reviewed and updated. In Canada, for example, the law pertaining to palmistry comes under "Pretending to practice witchcraft, etc.".

One palmist convicted in the UK, and now more readers find their professions limited in some cities in the USA.

Banned from Philadelphia: Apparently, a week or two ago someone in the police department brought an old law to the attention of prosecutors: reading tarot cards, gazing into crystal balls, or pretending to be able to read people’s thoughts “for gain or lucre” is a 3rd degree misdemeanor. This law was passed sometime in the 1960s, but everyone had forgotten about it.

Palmistry Sunday

I'm still laughing over this one:

Palmistry Sunday is a Sunday when people run a clothes iron over the palms of their hands in an attempt to erase the creases and fix their fates. It sort of works as they all end up fated to have burnt hands for the next few weeks.

Palmistry Sunday rituals have long been shrouded in mystery. Questions about how the second hand gets ironed abound amongst non believers, but believers counter that the second hand must not know what the hour and minute hand do in its absence.

To celebrate Palmistry Sunday, you should wear a coconut tree on your head and sing Hakuna Matata until you fall over or someone shuts you up. Then partake of the fermented juice of the coconut plant and pass out over the tree. This is also known as a passover.

OK, so my sense of humor is a tad twisted.

Watch Your Child's Hands and Thumbs

As a parent, you can really learn a lot from watching your young child's thumb position. When it falls inside the closed fist, their independent will is being suppressed (broken will). When the thumb stays more extended, the child can reveal their own unique personality instead of just the "approved" parts.

It seems that when a child desperately needs more support and guidance from others, their thumb naturally collapses into the hand. When our daughter got sick with a flu, for example, her thumbs fell inside the closed fists much more frequently than normal. At those times she wanted/needed almost constant physical contact with one or both parents. In the times where we as parents expressed any frustration or anger, our daughter's thumbs seemed to collapse automatically, regardless of what we were frustrated about.

Children appear so much happier and active when their natural relaxed thumb position remains more extended. Their games are more physical and their excitement shines through. Their laughter is real, and their confidence and determination quickly grow. (But of course as their independence and self awareness grow, the child becomes more prone to challenging the parents' authority and decisions.)

Just Another Busy Day

Some days have more to do than others... Today I've been working out how to get the images to display properly in the 3rd edition palmistry course eBook. My pictures of the palmistry lines and fingerprints are being especially challenging - Time to think about a computer upgrade. :(

Tony Blair Steps Down (and Shows Wisdom)

I was somewhat surprised to hear British Prime Minister Tony Blair's resignation announcement on the news today. Blair is one of the most prominent individuals today that has the simian line on both hands.

Blair bows out after 10 years: "Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right," Blair told Labour Party members in his constituency in northern England. "I may have been wrong, that's your call. But believe one thing, if nothing else, I did what I thought was right for our country."

Unfortunately, one quote that Reuters left out was probably Blair's best one:

"Sometimes the only way you conquer the pull of power is to set it down."

Now that's insight and wisdom, especially when you consider the simian lines. I wonder if these were Blair's own words, or if they were done by a speech writer.

Hand Movements and Gesture Recognition Technology

So much for sore index fingers and carpal tunnel syndrome - I suppose every mouse has its day as well.

Making 'Minority Report' computer navigation a reality: "The mouse has had a good run, but it's time to say good-bye," said John Underkoffler, the founder and chief scientist of Oblong Industries.

His company has an operating system, based on human hand gesturing, that enables the user to explore in a 3D plane. The system responds to the pitch, roll and yaw movements that come naturally to the hand and works with cameras that track the positions of targets placed on gloves.

One fascinating thing about this technology is that by using hand gestures instead of a mouse, all the normal chirokinesics interpretations come into play. (Chirokinesics is the study of hand movements and gestures.) Will this gesture recognition technology use the index finger excessively like the mouse does (excessive ego)? Or will it include natural hand movements that indicate a more positive individual expression? Time will tell...

Is This New Age Thinking or "Unusual Thought Content"?

The line between New Age thinking and psychological instability has always been a bit of a gray area. Philosophies that can be embraced by one individual are rejected and ridiculed by another. What one person sees as strength and faith is viewed by another as weakness and delusion.

Psychiatry and New Age Beliefs from The Management of Mental Disorders, Volume 2: Handbook for the Schizophrenic Disorders.

In the manual a list is given of questions that should be asked by health care workers to diagnose "unusual thought content", which in turn was to be regarded as indicative of "schizophrenia".

The list of questions is as follows:

1. "Have you been receiving any special messages from people or from the way things are arranged around you?"
2. "Have you seen any references to yourself on TV or in the newspapers?"
3. "Can anyone read your mind?"
4. "Do you have a special relationship with God?"
5. "Is anything like electricity, X-rays or radio waves affecting you?"
6. "Are thoughts put into your head that are not your own?"
7. "Have you felt that you were under the control of another person or force?"

It adds, that "if the individual reports any odd ideas/delusions" the following questions should be asked:

1. "How often do you think about (use individual's description)?"
2. "Have you told anyone about these experiences? How do you explain the things that have been happening (specify)?"

Above the questions is a list of the kinds of beliefs that should be regarded as "odd"/deluded/bizarre ideas requiring an increase in antipsychotic medication:
"Unusual beliefs in psychic powers, spirits, UFOs or unrealistic beliefs in one's own abilities"

The New Age religion can be summarized in the list of Harper-Collins' "Aquarian Series", published in the 1990s:

1. An Introduction to Graphology
2. Colour Therapy
3. Dowsing
4. How to develop your ESP
5. Incense and Candle Burning
6. Invisibility
7. Levitation
8. The Power of Chi
9. Meditation: the Inner Way
10. Practical Visualisation
11. Understanding Astral Projection
12. Understanding Astrology
13. Understanding Auras
14. Understanding the Chakras
15. Understanding Crystals
16. Understanding Dreams
17. Understanding the I Ching
18. Understanding Numerology
19. Understanding Palmistry
20. Understanding Reincarnation
21. Understanding Runes
22. Understanding Tarot

If these titles are read and believed, they would produce a complex belief system that would satisfy the most careful and rigorous psychiatric evaluation as indicative of "schizophrenia", according to widely accepted textbooks, as well as The Manual of Mental Disorders, Vol2: Handbook for the Schizophrenic Disorders.

Wow - So according to the "Management of Mental Disorders" manual, do we medicate the Buddhist monks and Zen masters, or just watch them closely until they have a psychotic episode?

So Many Palmistry Blogs, So Little Time...

So much of the great palmistry information available is hidden throughout thousands of blogs. A bit here, another there. Most of it is no more than junk and the promotion of junk. More than one of the known palmistry plagiarists have multiple blogs promoting "their" eBooks and websites. Amidst it all, there are certainly a few gems of information out there.

Here is one great anecdote from someone who learned more about palmistry and divination than most people ever will.

My Struggle With Life: Now, looking back, i think it was foolish. The very nature of life is such: make decision, be responsible for it, if it is a mistake, learn from it and grow. Have a clear conscience.

In my quest for knowing the future, i have subjected myself to brainwashing by the masters of the arts. They will tell me "all is fated, no point outrunning your fate". I became scared and passive.

I discovered that i had given up my free will and ability to decide in exchange for "knowing the future".

The price of real wisdom is high.

Free Hand Analysis eBook - $47.00 Value

Here's your chance to receive a free copy of my upcoming hand analysis eBook, which comes out in June. It looks like it will be selling for at least $47.00 USD, so reserve your free copy while you can.

Here's how:

1. Add a comment to this post (to show you've actually read it.)


2. Send an email to ken[at]humanhand[dot]com with the subject line "Free eBook".

You must complete your post comment and email request by May 31, 2007 to get this free offer.

In June I will send you an email with instructions on how to download and access your free hand analysis eBook.

With this being a new blog, I wonder how many people will find out about this offer before the deadline...

Hand Analysis Course 3rd Edition Nearing Completion

The hand analysis certification course currently maintains a waiting list of about 4 months for new students. With the coming release of the course manual's 3rd edition this month, however, the waiting list will finally be dramatically shortened or even eliminated.

I've been wrestling with some new software required to present the Holistic Cheirology course in the most usable format possible. Rather than the old .pdf files, the new eBook format provides tons of additional information, with easy one-click links to various chapters and topics.

Additionally, this new course format for edition #3 will allow me to offer several new palmistry and hand analysis eBooks, some of them for free. Watch for these new books coming in June!

Be sure to read tomorrow's Palmistry and Hand Analysis blog post to learn how you can get one of the new premium eBooks for free.

Combine Hand Analysis with Corrective Massage and Pressure Points

I've been maintaining for years that one of the best uses for palmistry is to combine the hand analysis with corrective massage. PalmTherapy is one good example, which uses techniques very similar to the Holistic Cheirology course. Just reading the hands is not enough - You really need to analyze and correct imbalances simultaneously. Here's another neat correction method:

Korean Hand Acupuncture: Korean Hand Acupuncture is a relatively new treatment. The basic premise is that the hand can be used as a microcosm of the entire human body. A smaller scale of all of the bodies Meridians and acupuncture points can be found within the human hand.

Since the hand is actually a map of the acupuncture points of the entire body, treatments can be done by stimulating points on the hand alone.

A review of the writings of some of its adherents reveals no delusions that their procedure is some sort of miracle treatment that will someday replace all other forms of Medicine. They do not even expect it to replace body acupuncture. It is seen as a tool that can be used in the treatment of certain conditions.

Of course hand acupuncture is a detailed method that is not suitable for most palm readers to learn or use, but anyone trained in hand acupuncture could definitely benefit from studying hand analysis.

Hand Massage to Help With Career Goals

The hand analysis certification course (see link on right side of page) integrates several different subjects, including palmar massage. The students' answers on their tests show how each person is progressing, and highlights areas in need of additional personal instruction.

One of the test questions is: "Which mount could be massaged to help with career goals?"

Many students miss the point and answer this question with just "The Mount of Jupiter" - Partially correct, but very incomplete. It just made my day when one student recognized this was a trick question and showed her progress in understanding the hands with this answer:

"This one is not so simple to figure out. Index finger with its ambition, achievement influences is good for this. But can you overlook the middle finger influence of determination, organization? Also is seems to me the ring finger's influence of self assurance and emotional fulfillment is called for here if one is not sure which path to take. Additionally, Mercury's communication is helpful for getting the ideal job. Upper Mars mount with its mental courage and persistence can't be overlooked either when it comes to career goals. So, I'm thinking a whole hand massage is best. But if you want only one mount, guess I'd have to go with the Jupiter mount."

I love it when students begin to grasp advanced concepts!

UK Palmist Tried and Convicted for Fortune Telling

Think you can be a palmistry professional and keep getting away with breaking the laws regarding fortune-telling? Well think again.

Despite having her clients sign a waiver, an experienced (and apparently charlatan) palm reader in the UK was convicted for her blatant misuse of palmistry.

Palmist misforecast her court verdict:

Martha Archer, professionally known as Madame Naomi, a native of Selby, but who has resided at Scarborough some years, was charged in two cases, with fortune telling by means of palmistry. (She advertised in local papers, and was visited by the wives of four police officers.)

She appeared to have compelled each visitor to sign the following form: “I wish to be entertained by Mme Naomi with reading of palmistry according to my agreement, and I acquit her of any intention of deceive or impose upon me.”

She told each of the four witnesses that she was not a fortune teller, but she read their palms, and told them certain things that would occur in the future.

Her defense? - She claimed that her clients were not being misled because they believed what she was telling them was "rubbish".

Is This a Typical Palmistry Reading?

Even though I see it all the time, I still have a bit of a hard time believing that this is the typical kind of palmistry readings that people receive. If it is, then no wonder hand analysis is disregarded by most scientists and scholars. Does anyone really take readings like this seriously? (Hopefully the palm reader was just having an off day.)

Mystery of the Leadership Triangle: Batya Meets and Reads Coleen Rowley:
“Here, in the very center of your other palm, a leadership triangle hasn’t formed yet. But I do see all these writers’ crosses; three to be exact. So perhaps you could perceive yourself as taking leadership in that respect, in thought and education of the public with what you write.”

- Leadership triangle? - Sounds like a good example of the "Forer Effect" and "Subjective Validation" in action...

“Next item of interest, I see, is that your life line is crossed many times. This indicates that you are very influenced by current events.”

- Who isn't?

“And here,” I added, bending her fingers back gently. “See how easily your fingers bend back? That shows you have psychic potential.”

- Everyone has "psychic" abilities and potential.
-------------------------

Is this really the standard for professional palmistry today? If it is, then no wonder skeptics have such an easy time ridiculing it. What are your thoughts and experiences?