CHAPTER XII.

THE LINE OF INTUITION AND THE VIA LASCIVA.

The Line of Intuition (5, Plate XX.) is seldom found on other types of hand than those of the Philosophic, the Conic, and the Psychic, but it is sometimes found on the Spatulate.

It takes more or less the formation of a semi-circle from the face of the Mount of Mercury to that of the Mount of the Moon, or may be found on the Mount of the Moon alone. It must not be confounded with the Hepatica, or Line of Health, but is found as a distinct mark in itself.

It denotes an extra highly-strung sensitive temperament, also presentiments, inspiration, clairvoyance of the highest kind, clear vivid dreams which often come to pa.s.s, intuition as to how things should be done, and very often manifests itself in inspired speaking and writing of the loftiest character.

It is much more often found on women's hands than on men's, although many cases have come under my notice of its being unusually clearly marked on some men's hands. In each case the possessor of it had most remarkable powers and unusual faculties, as well as the gift of intuition, even concerning purely mundane subjects that in an ordinary state they knew nothing whatever about.

I use the words "ordinary state" advisably here, because such people are not always in the condition of mind when these strange faculties may be employed. Several of these men were absolutely uneducated, and yet at times, when thrown into an inspired state, they were able to explain the most intricate problems with the greatest accuracy. If asked, however, from where they obtained their knowledge, they were only able to reply that "it came to them" when in certain moods.

One man I knew well had such remarkable dreams of coming events that he was able to warn many people weeks and months in advance of dangers that lay before them, and his warnings in many cases saved life.

With all people who were gifted in this way I have noticed that they completely lost their strange powers the moment they indulged in alcohol of any kind.

THE VIA LASCIVA.

This is a strange mark (6, Plate XX.) which takes the form also somewhat of a semi-circle, but in this case it connects the Mount of the Moon with that of Venus, or it may simply run off the hand from the lower part of the Mount of Luna into the wrist.

The first-mentioned formation indicates unbridled sensuality and pa.s.sion, and where it cuts through the Line of Life it indicates death, but one usually brought about in connection with the licentiousness that it denotes.

This Line running from the Mount of the Moon into the wrist denotes the most sensual dreams, desires, and imaginings, but, unlike the other cla.s.s, it is usually only dangerous to the person on whose hand it is found.

In both cases there is generally a tendency towards the taking of drugs such as opium, morphine, especially when the hand is noted to be soft, full, and flabby. With a firm hard palm the subject usually indulges in excessive drinking fits, and when under drink seems to have no control whatever.

If the Line of Head is found weak-looking, full of islands and descending downwards on the Mount of the Moon, insanity or the worst form of degeneracy will sooner or later destroy the whole character and career.

CHAPTER XIII.

"LA CROIX MYSTIQUE", THE RING OF SOLOMON.

What is called "La Croix Mystique" is found in the quadrangle of the hand between the Lines of Heart and Head (7, Plate XX.).

It is more usually found in the centre of this part of the hand, but it may be also found nearer the one side of the quadrangle or the other.

This mark denotes a natural gift or talent for mysticism and occultism of all kinds.

When placed nearer Jupiter, it denotes the employment of these studies more to gratify the subject's own pride or ambition than the following out of such things for their own sake.

When it is in the centre of the quadrangle, across the Line of Fate, or immediately under the Mount of Saturn, such studies become more of a religion or are followed for their own worth and the influence and truth of occultism will play a leading role in the whole career. Most likely the possessor of this mark will follow it as a profession, or will crystallise his researches into the form of books.

When this mark lies lower down in the quadrangle, nearer to the Mount of the Moon, the subject will study some form of occultism more from a superst.i.tious standpoint than any other. None the less, he will be likely to succeed in doing so, and influence other people through his studies, and with this latter form he will be more likely to write beautiful mystic poetry with the prophetic note running through it very strongly.

THE RING OF SOLOMON.

The Ring of Solomon is also one of these strange marks of mysticism and occultism, but in this latter case, owing probably to the qualities signified by the Mount of Jupiter, its possessor will aim at having the power of a master or an adept in such subjects (8, Plate XX.).

CHAPTER XIV.

TRAVELS, VOYAGES AND ACCIDENTS.

Travels and voyages may be seen on the hand by the little lines that leave the Line of Life and bend over towards the Mount of the Moon and also by the lines found on this Mount (2, Plate XXI.).

When these fine lines of travel are seen on the Line of Life, by referring to the map showing dates (Plate XXVI.), it may be possible to obtain a very clear idea of when these travels take place.

When, however, the Line of Life itself divides, and one branch of it leans over towards or on to the Mount of the Moon (I, Plate XXI.), it denotes that the entire life will be full of change and travel. In such a case it will not be possible, except by the use of some gift such as clairvoyance, to tell accurately in advance the dates of voyages that will be undertaken.

If the Line of Life apparently leaves its ordinary course and sweeps over to the Mount of the Moon, the life will be one continual round of travel. The person will settle nowhere, and the end of the life in such a case will take place in some land far distant from the place of birth.

If the Line of Life has no line or branch leaving it and going in an opposite direction, but keeps to the form of a semi-circle round the Mount of Venus, then such a life will be remarkably free from change and travel, and the person will remain all his life in the land of his birth (3-3, Plate XXI.).

When a travel Line from the Line of Life ends in a small cross the journey undertaken will end in disappointment (4, Plate XXI).

When the Line ends in a square, there will be great danger to the subject on such a journey, but he will escape, as the square is a sign of preservation from danger.

When the Line ends in an island, the journey will end in loss (5, Plate XXI.).

When the Travel Line crosses over near or on to the Mount of the Moon and ends in a fork or a circle, there will be great danger of the subject losing his life in undertaking such a journey.

There is always more danger in travelling on water when the subject is found to be born in the following dates: (1) Between the 21st of June and the 21st of July. (2) The 21st of October and the 21st of November. (3) Between the 21st of February and the 21st of March.

There is more likelihood of danger from collision of trains and accidents on land when the subject is born between: (1) The 21st of April and 21st of May. (2) The 21st of August and the 21st of September. (3) The 21st of December and the 21st of January.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XXI.

TRAVELS, VOYAGES, ACCIDENTS AND DESCENDING LINES PROM THE MOUNTS.]

Danger from storms, tornadoes, thunder and lightning, is more likely to occur when people are travelling whose birthdays fall between: (1) The 21st of May and the 21st of June. (2) The 21st of September and the 21st of October. (3) The 21st of January and the 21st of February.

ACCIDENTS.

Accidents are generally marked by lines descending from the Mount of Saturn and touching the Line of Life (6, Plate XXI.).

When falling on the Line of Head, they increase the danger to the head itself (7, Plate XXI.).

Descending lines are those that look thicker on the Mount and taper as they come downwards.

CHAPTER XV.

THE ISLAND, THE CIRCLE, THE SPOT, AND THE GRILLE.

The Island is never a fortunate sign. Whereever it makes its appearance, it reduces the promise of the Line or Mount on which it may be found.

On the Line of Life it shows delicacy or illness at that particular date where it appears (1, Plate XXII.).

On the Line of Head, weakness of the brain, danger of brain illness (2, Plate XXII.).

On the Line of Heart, weakness of the heart (3, Plate XXII.), and especially so when under the Mount of the Sun.

On the Line of Fate, heavy loss in worldly matters, worry, and anxiety about the subject's destiny (4, Plate XXII.).

On the Line of Sun, loss of position and generally by some scandal (5, Plate XXII.).

On the Line of Health, serious illness (6, Plate XXII.); if on the upper part of the Line and with small round finger-nails, throat and bronchial troubles. With long nails, delicacy of the lungs and chest. With short nails without moons, bad circulation and weak action of the heart; and with very flat nails, nerve diseases and paralysis (see Nails, page 137).

Lower down on the Line of Health on the Mount of the Moon, it indicates a grave tendency towards kidney and bladder troubles (7, Plate XXII.).

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XXII.

THE ISLAND, THE CIRCLE, THE SPOT, THE GRILLE, THE STAR, THE SQUARE.]

Any Line that forms itself into an island or that runs into one, is a bad sign for that Line or particular part of the hand on which it is found. An island on any of the Mounts weakens the qualities of what the Mount expresses.

THE CIRCLE.

On the Mount of the Sun the Circle is favourable (8, Plate XXII.) in all other positions it is unfavourable. On the Mount of the Moon it threatens death from drowning.

THE SPOT.

The Spot is a sign of temporary arrest of the qualities of any Line on which it may be found.

On the Line of Head, shock or injury. (9, Plate XXII.) On the Line of Life, sudden illness.

On the Line of Health, fever.

On all the other Lines it appears to have less significance.

THE GRILLE.

The Grille (10, Plate XXII.) is very often seen on the Mounts of the Hand. It denotes difficulties and obstacles in connection with whatever the Mount represents, and a lack of success in whatever quality or talent the Mount symbolises.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE STAR, THE CROSS, THE SQUARE.

The Star (11, Plate XXII.) is with only one exception a most fortunate mark to possess. On the Mount of Jupiter, the Star promises added honour, power, and position.

On the Mount of Sun, it gives riches and glory, but generally a.s.sociated with a public life.

On the Mount of Mercury, unusual success in commerce, business, science, or great eloquence, according to other indications of the hand. (11, Plate XXII.) On the Mount of Mars under Jupiter, great distinction and celebrity in martial life or in some one decisive battle, which gives renown to the rest of the career, like a Wellington at Waterloo.

On the Mount of Mars under Mercury, it gives honour won by the mentality fighting the battle of life (see Mounts, page 144).

On the Mount of the Moon it is a sign of great celebrity arising from the qualities of this Mount, viz., through the imagination or inventive faculties.

On the Mount of Venus the Star on the centre of this Mount is also a sign of success, but in relation to animal magnetism and sensuality it gives extraordinary success with the opposite s.e.x.

On the Mount of Saturn it is the one unfavourable sign of this particular mark, and on this Mount it gives distinction, but one to be dreaded. Such a person will be the plaything of destiny, a man cast for some terrible part in the tragedy of life. Such a man's life will end in some terrible disaster, but one which will cause his name to be on everyone's lips. A king perhaps, but one crowned by doom.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XXIII.

MINOR MARKS AND SIGNS.]

THE CROSS.

This sign is the direct opposite to the preceding sign, and has only one favourable position, viz., on the Mount of Jupiter where it indicates some extraordinary fortunate affection which will come into the life. On all the other Mounts it is evil.

On the Mount of Saturn, violent death. (12, Plate XXII.) On the Mount of Sun, disappointment in riches.

On the Mount of Mercury, dishonesty.