Part 8

The lips that are moderately plump and even, declare the person to be good-humored, humane, sensible, judicious and just, neither giddy nor torpid, but pursuing in every particular a just medium.

The lips that are thin, show the person to be of a quick and lively imagination, ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, indefatigable in labor, not too much attached to money, eager in the pursuit of love, more brave than otherwise and tolerably happy in life.

The lips that are thin and sunk inwards, denote the person to be of a subtle and persevering disposition, everlasting in hatred and never sparing any pains to compass his revenge; in love or friendship much more moderate and uncertain.

The chin that is round, with a hollow between it and the lip, shows the person to be of a good-humored disposition, kind and honest; he is sincere in his friendship and ardent in his love; his understanding is good and his genius capacious. If he has a dimple it makes him better.

The chin that comes down flat from the edge of the lips and ends in a kind of a chisel form, shows the person to be silly, credulous, ill-tempered and greedy of unmerited honors; captious, wavering and unsteady; he will affect great modesty in the presence of others, though he will not scruple to do the vilest actions when he thinks himself secure from discovery.

The chin that is pointed upwards shows the person to be much given to contrivances. However fair he may speak to you, you can never depend on his friendship, as his purpose is only to make you subservient to his own designs. In love his generosity will be of the same stamp.

Of the face in general, the person whose features are strong, coarse and unpleasant to the eye, is of a selfish, brutal, rough and unsocial disposition; greedy of money, harsh in expressions, but will sometimes fawn with a bad grace to gain his ends.

The face that is plump, round and ruddy, denotes the person to be of an agreeable temper, a safe companion, hearty, jovial, fond of company, of sound principles and a clear understanding, faithful in love, &c.

The face that is thin, smooth and even, with well-proportioned features, shows the person to be of a good disposition, but penetrative and active; somewhat inclined to suspicion, yet of an agreeable conversation; assiduous in the pursuits of love and strongly addicted to the delights of love.

A face whose cheek bones jut out with thin jaws, is of a restless and thinking disposition; fretful, &c.

A face that is pale by nature, denotes a timorous disposition, but greatly desirous of carnal pleasures.

A face that is unequally red, whether streaked or appearing in spots, shows the person to be weak both in body and mind, yielding easily to affliction and sickness.

A face blotched shows the person to be addicted to drinking and vice, though frequently possessing the art to conceal the inclination therefor.

The head that is large and round shows that the person has a tolerable understanding, but not near so good as he imagines.

The head that is small and round, or if the face comes tapering, shows the person of an acute, penetrating disposition, much given to bantering humor, but of great sensibility.

The head that is flat on either side, and deep from the face to the back, shows the person to be of a good understanding, deep penetration, great memory and of an agreeable temper; of slow belief and not easily imposed upon.

Big and broad ears signify a simple man, of no understanding; sluggish, slothful and of an ill memory. Small ears denote a good understanding; but very small ears signify nothing but mischief and malice. Those that have them well proportioned, and neither too small nor too large, are persons of good understanding, wise, discreet, honest, shamefaced and courageous. Those that have them somewhat long and thin, are bold, impudent, unlearned, gluttons and very proud and scornful.

A thin, soft beard denotes a person lustful and effeminate, of a tender body, fearful, delicate and inconstant.

A red beard denotes first, a placid forehead, and the person is courteous and friendly, but not without some craft; is a very great flatterer, very soon angry and affects consequence.

A dark beard is good, but the possessor is usually of a melancholy disposition; yet it denotes a person to be ingenious, sincere, thoughtful, constant, cordial, bold and fit to make a warrior.

A pale beard denotes a phlegmatic person, who is temperate enough and tolerably prudent.

He that hath a decent beard, handsome and thick of hair, is good-natured and reasonable in all things.

Those who have little or no beard, but a small mustache, are of an ill humor, but very luxurious.

CHIROMANCY, OR PALMISTRY.

The practical part of chiromancy is that which gathers probable predictions from lines, the places of the planets in the hand, and from the notes and characters everywhere posted and marked out in the hands and fingers. These lines and their planetary relevancy are thus defined:

1. _Cardiaca_, or the line of life. 2. _Hepatica_, or the love’s line; also called the natural mean. 3. _Cephalica_, or the line of the head and brain. 4. _Thoralis_, or the table line. 5. _Restricta_, or the dragon’s tail. 6. _Via Solis_, or the sun’s way. 7. _Via Lactea_, or the milky way. 8. _Via Saturnia_, or Saturn’s way. 9. _Cingulum Veneris_, or the girdle of Venus. 10. _Via Martis_, or the way of Mars. 11. _Mons Veneris_, or the mound of Venus. 12. _Cavea Martis_, or the cave of Mars. 13. _Mons Jovis_, or Jupiter’s mount. 14. _Mons Saturn_, or Saturn’s mount. 15. _Mons Solis_, or the sun’s mount. 16. _Locus Luna_, or the moon’s place. 17. _Mons Mercurii_, or the mount of Mercury. 18. _Mensa_, or the table containing the part of fortune. 19. _Pollex_, or the thumb. 20. _Index_, or the forefinger. 21. _Medius_, or the middle finger. 22. _Annularis_, or the ring finger. 23. _Auricularis_, or the little finger.

The question often arises as to whether judgment should be given by the right hand or the left. It is certain that in one hand the lines and other signatures are very often more manifest, and are thus more plain to be seen than the other, as well in the hands of gentlemen as ladies. That hand is the proper one (in both sexes) which shows and exhibits the lines thereof most clearly, and abounds with a series of characters and signs, yet so as that the other, whose lines are more obscure, may pay its contribution. If in both hands they consent, and appear to be fair and comely, they declare a constancy of fortune and health. The cause of diversity is that he who is born in the daytime, and has a masculine planet (the Sun, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars) lord of his geniture, bears the more remarkable signs in his right hand, especially when the sign ascending is also masculine. The contrary happens to those born at night, as often as a feminine planet predominates. If both hands agree, it must be that in a diurnal nativity the feminine planets rule, or that there falls out a mixture of masculine and feminine; so in the nights by the contrary reason.

I.--OF THE LINE OF LIFE. THIS IS CALLED CARDIACA, OR THE HEART LINE.

This being broad, of a lively color, and decently drawn in its bounds, without intersections and points, shows the party long lived and subject to few diseases.

If slender, short and dissected with obverse little lines, and deformed either by a pale or black color, it presages weakness of the body, sickness and a short life.

If orderly joined to the natural mean, and beautified in the angle with parallels, or a little across, it argues good wit, or an evenness of nature.

If the same have branches in the upper parts thereof, extending themselves towards the natural mean, it signifies riches and honor.

If these branches be extended towards the restricta, it threatens poverty, deceits, and unfaithfulness of servants.

If in this line there be found some confused lines, like hairs, be assured of diseases, and they happen in the first age. When they appear below, if towards the cavea, in the middle; if towards the patica, in the declining age.

If this line be anywhere broken, it threatens extreme danger of life in that part of the age which the pace of the breach shows. For you may find out the dangerous or diseased years of your age; this line being divided into seventy parts, you must begin your number and account from the lower part thereof, near the restricta, for the number falling where the branch is determines the year.

If the character of the sun (as commonly it is made by astrologers) be ever found in this line, it presages the loss of an eye; but, if two such characters, the loss of both eyes.

A line descending from the vital, beneath the congress of it and the hepatica, to the tuberculum of Saturn, shows an envious man, who rejoices at another’s calamity, the sight of others concurring. This also frequently shows a most perilous Saturnine disease in that wherein it touches the vital, and it is much worse if it cut the same.

But such a line passing from the vital to the annular, to the ring finger, promises honors to ensue, from or by the means of some famous lady.

The vital lines being thicker than ordinary at the end under the fore finger, denotes a laborious old age.

A line passing through the vitals to the cavea of Mars, foretells of wounds and fevers, and also of misfortunes in journeys.

II.--OF THE HEPATICA, OR NATURAL MEAN.

This line being straight, continued, and not dissected by obverse little lines, denotes a healthful body.

If it be short or broken, and reach not beyond the concave of the hand, it shows diseases and shortness of life.

By how much more the same is produced, by so much longer the life may be warranted.

If cut at the end thereof by a small intervening line, it threatens poverty in old age.

If in the upper part it be distant from the vital by a great space, it shows distemperatures of the heart, as palpitations, syncope, &c.

This also shows prodigality, especially if the table be broad.

If tortuous (that is, if it wind and turn several ways), unequal, of a different color and dissected, it argues an evil constitution of the liver, and thence diseases, proceeding from the weakness thereof. Covetousness also, and a depravity both of nature and wit, especially if it be under the region of the middle finger, and near the cardiaca, thereby making a short or narrow triangle.

If decently drawn and well colored, it is a sign of a cheerful and ingenious disposition.

If it has a sister, it promises inheritances.

If continued with some little hard knots, it denotes manslaughters, either perpetrated, or to be committed, according to the number of these said knots.

If therein a cross be found under the region of the middle finger, it announces death to be at hand.

If it terminates with a fork towards the ferient, it is a sign of depraved wit, of hypocrisy, and of evil manners.

When it tends to the mensa, it is a token of a slanderous tongue and of envy.

When it projects a remarkable cleft through the vital to the mons veneris, and the sister of Mars, especially if the same be of a ruddy color, it warns you to beware of thieves, and also intimates fraud and deceit of enemies.

This cleft likewise insinuates a most vehement heat of the liver, proceeding from the rays of Mars; so that the life becomes in danger, seeing that the line of life is dissected.

This line having some branch, yet such a one as nevertheless seems to be continued, shows that the manner of life will be, or is already changed; and this in a declining age if the breach be under the ring finger; but, if under the middle finger, in strength of years.

III.--OF THE CEPHALICA.

This is called the line of the head and brain, which, if (arising from its place in a due proportion) it connects the lines of the liver and heart in a triangular form, have a lively color, and no intersection falling out between, declares a man of admirable prudence, and one of no vulgar wit and fortune.

By how much more decent the triangle is, so much the better shall the temperature, wit and courage be; but if it be obtuse, it argues an evil disposed nature, and a man that is rude; if no triangle, far worse.

The superior being a right angle, or not very acute, foretells the best temperature of the heart; but when it is too acute, especially if it touch the line of life, upon the region of the middle finger, it argues covetousness.

The left angle, if it be made upon the natural mean in the ferient, and be a right angle, confirms the goodness of intellect.

But when the cephalica projects unequal clefts to the mons lunæ, thereby making unusual characters, in the gentleman it denotes weakness of the brain, and dangerous sea voyages. But in the lady’s hand it shows frequent sorrows of mind, and difficulties in child bearing.

Equal lines (thus projected) presage the contrary in both sexes, viz., in gentlemen, a good composure of the brain, and fortunate voyages by sea; in ladies, cheerfulness and felicity in child bearing.

This one thing is peculiar to the cephalica: if it project a cleft or a manifest star, upwards to the cavea martis, it signifies boldness, &c. But if it let fall the same downwards, thefts, &c.

The cephalica, jointed to the dragon’s tail by a remarkable concourse, promises a prudent and a joyful age.

The same drawn upwards in the shape of a fork, towards the part of fortune, signifies subtlety in managing affairs, and also craftiness either to do good or evil.

If in this said fork a mark appears resembling the part of fortune, as it is noticed by astrologers, that gives an assurance of riches and honor to succeed by ingenuity and art.

IV.--OF THE THORAL LINE.

This is also called the line of fortune; it is termed likewise the mensa, because it makes up the table of the hand. Which said line, when it is long enough, and without incisures, argues a due strength in the principal members of man, and also constancy; the contrary if it be short, crooked, cut or parted.

If it terminate under the mount of Saturn, it shows a vain fellow.

If projecting small branches to the mount of Jupiter, it promises honors.

If there it be naked and simple, it is a sign of poverty and want.

If cutting the mouth of Jupiter, cruelty of mind and disposition, with excessive wrath.

If it projects a branch between the fore and middle finger in a gentleman, it threatens a wound in his head; in a lady, danger in child bearing.

Three lines ascending upwards from this line, viz., one to the space between the middle and fore finger, a second to the space between the middle and ring finger, and a third to the space between the ring and the little finger, argues a contentious person in many respects.

A little line only thus drawn to the interval or space between the middle finger and the ring finger, sorrow or labor.

If annexed to the natural mean, so that it makes an acute angle, it brings sorrow and labor.

If the natural mean be wanting, and the thoral annexed to the vital, it threatens decollation or a deadly wound.

If no mensa at all, it shows a man malevolent, contentious, faithless, inconstant and of base condition.

Confused little lines in the mensa, denote sickness; if under Mercury, in the former part of the age; under the sun in the prime thereof; under the middle finger, in old age.

When in this line there are certain points observed, they argue strength of the genitals and burning lust.

V.--OF THE CAUDA DRACONIS, OR THE RESTRICTA, AND THE LINES ARISING THEREFROM.

If this be double or treble, and drawn by a right and continued track, it promises a good composure of the body.

That line which is nearest the hand continued, and of a good color, assures great riches.

But if the same line be cut in the middle, crooked and very pale, it announces debility of body and want of all things.

A cross or star upon the restricta, foreshadows tranquility of life in old age.

If there be a star, simple or double, or any lines near the tuberculum of the thumb, in ladies, they denote misfortune or infamy.

A line running from the restricta through the mons veneris, presages adversities, either by the means of some kindred or a wife.

A line extending from the restricta to the mons lunæ, denotes adversities and private enemies; if it be crooked, it doubles the evil, and betokens perpetual servitude.

Such a line also being clear and straight, and reaching as far as the region of the moon, foretells many journeys by sea and land.

If it extend to the tuberculum of the fore finger, it informs the gentleman that he shall live in a foreign country in great estimation.

If to the hepatica, it argues honest behavior, and prolongs life.

If to the mons solis (be it simple or double), it argues exceeding goodness, and enables to govern or rule in great affairs.

By the same reason, if it pass to the mons Mercurii, it betokens the gentleman is of a sufficient capacity for any employment; but if it reach not the mons Mercurii, but is broken about the middle and end beneath the mons Mercurii, that makes out a prating fellow, &c.

If directly ascending to the mons Saturni, it signifies a good position of Saturn in the geniture, whose decree shall shortly follow; but, if crookedly towards the restricta and the hepatica especially, it shows man laborious, &c.

VI.--OF THE VIA SOLIS, OR THE SUN’S WAY.

This being whole, equally drawn and well colored, promises the favor of great men and great honor; but, if dissected and unequal, the contrary, and exposes to divers impediments, and envy in attaining the same.

VII.--OF THE VIA LACTEA, OR THE MILKY WAY.

This well proportioned and continued, presages that journeys will be fortunate both by sea and land, as ready wit and the favor of the ladies (Venus assenting), and of a composed and graceful speech; but if it be distorted, it argues infelicity and lies; but whole and ascending to the little finger, it is a sign of happiness.

VIII.--OF THE SATURNIA, OR LINE OF SATURN.

This being wholly and fully protracted to the middle finger, is an argument both of profound cogitations and likewise of fortunate events in counsels and actions.

Combust or deficient, an evil sign, portending many misfortunes, unless other positions favor it.

Bending backwards in the cavea of the hand, towards the ferient, in the form of a semi-circle, threatens imprisonment.

A line drawn from the vital, through the hepatica, to the tuberculum of Saturn (if it touch the Saturnia), the same.

IX.--OF THE CINGULUM VENERIS, OR THE GIRDLE OF VENUS.

If this line have a sister, it argues intemperance and lust in both sexes, and baseness in the gratification of lewd desires; and if dissected and carefully examined, it shows losses and infamy by reason of this vice.

X.--OF THE VIA MARTIS, THE WAY OR LINE OF MARS, OR THE VITAL SISTER.

This line (as often as it appears), augments and strengthens the things signified by the cardiaca; but particularly it promises good success in war, provided it be clear and red.

SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING LINES.

The quantity of lines must be wisely observed, that is, the length and depth, so likewise their quality, that is, their complexion and shape, whether they are crooked or straight; next their action, which is to touch or cut other lines. Their passion to be touched or cut of others; and lastly, their place and position.

We must know that the lines are sometimes prolonged until certain years of our age, otherwise shortened; now they wax pale, then they become plain and strong, and as it were luxuriate with a kind of redness, and this as well in the principal as less principal lines. Again, as touching the less principal, and such as are found in the tubercula of the planets, it is most certain that some do at one time quite vanish, and that at another time others arise of a different shape and complexion; the cause of which is supposed to be no other than the various progressions of the alphabetical places in their nativities; that is, fortunate and unfortunate to the influence whereof man himself is wonderfully subject. The signs of his hands are presented at different times with different faces. _Such a virtue, such a love resideth in the imagination of the greater world towards the lesser._ And, therefore, the most studious in chiromancy cannot attain the knowledge of particulars by one inspection only, made to a certain year of the person’s age; things that worthily merit our observations, yet known or approved of by a few.

OF THE PLANETS.

The planets also administer not a little judgment from their respective places, for if they are happy and benevolent, good things are portended, but being unhappy and froward, judge the contrary. Here we must also note that these planets are termed benevolent, in whose tubercula and places the accustomed lines are found equal, their characters fair and proportionable, as a cross, stars, three or four parallel lines, ladders, little branches, a quadrangular, the character of Jupiter. But the froward and unfortunate are those planets whose tubercula and places are deformed with troubled lines and uncouth figures; as a lame and interrupted semi-circle gridirons the character of Saturn. This is to be duly observed in the lines of the hand. Now, as touching the planets, let us proceed according to the general rules of art.

XI.--OF VENUS.

VENUS shining well and happily (that is) when in her tuberculum, she presents a clear star, or furrows that are red and transversely parallel, and so often as her tuberculum is much elevated, makes such men to be merry, cheerful and luxurious; yet amorous, comely and libidinous, very honest and just, with whom an uninterrupted tie of friendship once made is permanent.

She renders the body somewhat tall, the eyes pleasant and sparkling with the splendor of beauty, full of allurement and temptation, the hair thick and curling; she instills a spotless and noble mind, yet oftentimes gives men that are full of boasting and inconsistency. She inclines the mind to music, &c.; sometimes according to the strength of the geniture, she produces priests, apothecaries, &c.

But being unfortunate, she causes lasciviousness, incontinency and boasting, and if you find a cross also, near the first joint of the thumb, it denotes an adulterer, or such a person on whom a misfortune has happened in some luxurious matter. If the place of Venus be untilled, it points out an effeminate, rude and sorrowful person, foolishly and ridiculously addicted to be merry and jesting.

XII.--MARS.

MARS is fortunate, so often as his sister appears red, clear and decently drawn, and when either star or cross is found in his cavea. Thus, therefore, he denotes such as are bold and full of courage, stout, warlike, contentious, strong and lusty; imperious; the hair for the most part yellow; the eyes from black waxing red and terrible. If Jupiter participate, he possesses the gall, the reins, the back, the liver, &c. If with Venus, those parts of the body under her dominion. But if he be froward and unfortunate, he describes men to be litigious, violent, deceitful, passionate, &c.

XIII.--JUPITER.