I. How Far Palmistry Goes In The Matter Of Dates

In my previous works on Palmistry, my Hand Book, published in 1883 (exhausted), and my recent Practical Palmistry (1897). I have presented my readers with the two more ancient systems for marking dates Upon the Lines of Life and Fate - the only Lines upon which such marks are usual and necessary. I am going to insert in these lessons a method which I personally practice, which was adopted by Desbarrolles himself in his practice during the latter part of his life, and which prominent British palmists consider the most reliable, It has, at any rate, the merit of being simple to a degree, and the results attained by its cautious and attentive use are very generally satisfactory.

But I must say right here, what I am never tired repeating, that, according to both rule and tradition, absolutely exact dates are not to be found in the hand; I mean by this that the day, the mouth or even the year are not to be determined. Anything closer than two years, either way, if not to be expected, counted upon, is nevertheless often obtained by the very careful combination of the various elements found in both hands of the subject. To hope for more is to deceive one's self, or the subject, or both. Every honest palmist must not hesitate stating this fact when reading hands, At no time have respected chiromants claimed more exact results. Of course, if the exact age of the subject is told the reader, he or she may give his statements a more direct, positive form. (I need not state here that the age of the subject, at the time of the examination, is not revealed in the hand). But the amount of knowledge supplied will be practically the same, I will now proceed in my detailed explanation.

II. Time Measurement On The Line Of Life

You measure with a white thread the Line of Life from its starting point to its meeting with the first bracelet of the Rascette. If the Line of Life stops before that, you will follow and measure the curve it would occupy If it did terminate at the first bracelet

This first measuring done, you cut the thread at the terminating point. You then double it and mark with ink its new terminating point. Each of the two halves of the thread you divide into five equal sections.

The markings completed, you stretch the thread on the hand, following exactly the Line of Life, and beginning at the beginning, you memorize the following figures corresponding with each of the ink bars you have traced upon the thread.

The first mark stands for the end of the 6th year.

The second mark stands for the end of the 12th year.

The third mark stands for the end of the 18th year.

The fourth mark stands for the end of the 24th year.

The fifth mark stands For the end of the 30th year.

(This is the middle of the thread).

The sixth mark stands for the end of the 36th year.

The seventh mark stands for the end of the 43d year.

The eighth mark stands for the end of the 51st year.

The ninth mark stands for the end of the 60th year.

The end of the thread marks the 70th year.

As you see, the spaces, as soon as the heyday of life in people of our race and clime is passed, contain a gradually increasing number of years. We are going down hill, and the decline is quicker and quicker. Who ever passed his fortieth year knows that but too well.