Although each individual hand is different, all hands have specific lines and shapes that are examined during a palm reading. When a palmist conducts the reading, she first examines the six major lines of the palm, and then moves on to special markings, the five fingers and nails, and the fleshy mounts to uncover your characteristics and potential layer by layer.

Six Major Lines of the Palm

Each person's palm has six major lines, although these lines vary tremendously in their shape, texture, and length. These are the heart line, head line, life line, Mercury (health) line, Apollo (creativity) line, and Saturn (fate) line:

• The heart line can tell you about your emotional life, complete with your insecurities, fears, and passions. It also indicates potential for love or marriage and is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the marriage line.

Heart, head, and life line

Mercury, Apollo, and Saturn line

• The head line can provide you with a clearer picture of your mental abilities, career or business acumen, and potential for success.

• The life line is more than just an indicator of how long you will live. This line speaks to your personal longevity, stamina, and vitality.

• The Mercury line carries information about your health (and especially your central nervous system, which is the “messenger” system in your body). This line may also show your spirit of adventure and a healthy curiosity.

• The Apollo line demonstrates your potential for successful development of special talents, creativity, and life energies.

• The Saturn line is your fate line. It can tell you what fate has in store for you, and whether you are willing or able to accept the responsibilities that will come with whatever fate deals you in life.

Special Markings

Special hand markings that carry meaning in palmistry also vary quite a bit, and each marking has a particular interpretation that relates to a challenge or obstacle you may face. First, lines are examined in terms of their depth; then, the palm reader evaluates their unique characteristics. For instance, your life line could have several crosses or tassels around it; this is not an inherently bad thing but could definitely point to some major life obstacles you've had (or will have) to overcome.

Time is determined in specific increments along each line, and these imaginary markings (documented only on palmistry charts) could well be called “mile-markers along the highway of life.” These, too, are not hard and fast — there could be a variance of a year or more in some areas of your life. The important thing is to realize that your opportunities in life come in increments or units of time rather than on specific dates. If you're looking for a reading that says you will find the perfect mate on Thursday, January 9, 2004, you won't find what you're seeking through palmistry. Rather, palmistry will tell you during which period of your life you have the greatest chance to find lasting love and happiness.

A Two-Handed Proposition

The overall size, shape, and texture of the hand are also taken into consideration during a palm reading. For instance, long, thin hands generally indicate that a person is creative and intuitive, while shorter, stubbier hands typically connote a hardworking or athletic type of person.

Both hands must be read to achieve the fullest picture of where you've been and where you're going in life. Your primary hand, and the first one to be read, is the one you use the most in your daily life (usually the one you write with). This hand will tell you how well you've been able to meet the challenges or opportunities presented in your minor hand. You'll notice lots of similarity between the hands, with slight to moderate variance on the lines.

Many palmists believe that as your mind undergoes changes, so do the lines on your palms. You should read your palms over a long period of time to record any changes that may occur.