The ancient study of Astrology and Palmistry has many things in common and interwoven. Which is probably why particularly in India the two are almost synonymous. To be an astrologer one was almost expected to be able to read palms or to have at least some familiarity with the art of Rekha ( reading the lines of the palm ) Whereas in the West that common expectation or commonality between the two is not mutually expected.
Both Astrology and the study of the hands, Chirology or Palmistry as it more commonly known, seeks to shed insight and enlightenment on one of the greatest unfolding mysteries that there is. Which is human nature, character and the fate of our personal destinies. Many people will turn to a Palm reader or an Astrologer in order to try and gain a better understanding of themselves, ultimately in the hopes of having their pending futures almost prophetically read back to them. And practitioner’s of the two arts know that it is not as simple a case as that… Which is an interesting paradox, as particularly in the West where there is a certain belief in self determination, and having the ability to personally be able to shape and mold one’s personal reality and henceforth future. The Eastern Worldview encompasses a greater acceptance of the hand of Fate and Karma playing a pivotal role in the outcomes of one’s life. Yet still even in the West, when it comes to a Palm reading there is the expectation that one’s fortune’s are just laying in wait to be revealed via the palms. But like many things in life, it is never quite as simple as that.
These two dual perspectives are nevertheless still reflected back through our hands. Such is the dual and complementary aspect to nature. Our brains comprise both a left and right hemisphere. Both regions govern two different aspects of what makes us who we are. The right brain deals with our everyday cognitive, analytical abilities, linear finite time. And the left brain with the more intuitive, unconscious, creative and untapped layers of ourselves. Encompassing cyclical and infinite time. The night and day aspects of ourselves are reflected through these two hemispheres. Just as they are with our hands. Neuroscience has shown that the human hand is a continuation and extension of the brain. And the many lines found in our palms are the result of the continuation of brain nerve endings being expressed via the lines on our palms. As a result of the experiences, communication and dialogue exist between these two hemispheres.
These two aspects of the brain. As well the two philosophies pertaining to fate/destiny and Freewill can also be seen via the palms. The traditional view in Palmistry was that the left hand represents our past, and also the innate talents we are born with. As well as the unconscious side of our nature. An untapped storage vault of potential. Encompassing data accumulated through countless reincarnations, a genetic memory bank of personal experiences. Some could call it karma. Whereas the right hand represents our current, lived experiences in this lifetime, and how we are utilising and displaying ( or not ) the talents implicated in the left or passive Palm. The right or dominant hand displayed our current efforts, thought processes, and character traits being expressed. To add, in practice when reading palms, whichever dominant hand that is used daily would be considered the ‘right’ and the other the ‘left’. So a left handed person’s left hand/ palm, would signify the dominant hand and be read as such.
Looking at it from an Astrological perspective, the passive ‘left’ palm would represent the South Node, Ketu, whilst the dominant ‘right’ palm would be the North Node, Rahu. The ‘South’ embodies our collective past lives, experiences and innate talents brought over. Whilst the ‘North’ would come to symbolise our present experiences, and where we are heading. How we are shaping our destinies through our freewill, choices and actions.
No two palms on a person are
ever rarely identical. The main three lines of the Life, Head and Heart lines may be slightly different in each palm. And new minor lines may take growth in different regions of the palm whilst others may recede and fade. New geometric patterns and signs may also appear. All this is due to the constant unfoldment that takes place in our lives. Which is then reflected back to us via our palms. We are constantly evolving beings. Yes, we may be born with an innate set of abilities, but life allows us the freedom and experience to express and display whatever may be in our souls calling. Call it fate, destiny or freewill. Two sides of the same coin at the end of the day!
© Maame Esi
Tao of Astrology, March 2022 ( originally published Jan 2020
All rights reserved
Image credits are in the public domain via WC
