The division of the Life line (19) begins at the starting of the line under the finger of Jupiter and ends at the rascette; the intervening sections recording all the various years of the life. For convenience and to facilitate quickness in reading the line, I divide it in the centre, fixing that point as the age 36, which is approximately one half of 70. The space above this central point I divide into the ages 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and the portion of the line after the central point to read as ages 43, 51, 60, and 70. To reach a date as close as a year, it is necessary to subdivide the line between ages 4 and 70 into periods, each representing one year, and mark the space on the line, as few can so accurately gauge it with the eye. With a little practice you can recognize where the ages 4, 6, 12, 18. 24, 30, 36, 43, 51, 60, and 70 are marked on the line, and learn to read these ages quickly and accurately. In a case where the indication you are reading does not come at one of these ages, you may, if you wish to be very accurate, mark off the line into years and arrive at the exact date as indicated above.

In reading offhand, without marking the line with a pencil, always consider whether the hand is long or short, and, after first noting the central point on the line, which indicates the 36-year division, mentally mark off the several spaces in proportion to the length of the hand. A long hand will have wider spacing between each 6-year period, and in a short one they will come closer together. The above division of the Life line I have found more accurate than any I have ever used, and, while the results obtained depend entirely upon the correct judgment of the practitioner, they can be made very accurate if sufficient pains is taken.

No. 19.

Reading periods of time on the lines of the Heart and Head is often useful in order to see whether events marked on them fit into conditions seen on the Life line. To estimate time on these lines the same rules must be observed, and the same remarks and reasoning apply to these lines as to the Life line. They begin under the finger of Jupiter and their course is across the hand. As these two lines have many variations in the direction they pursue, I have found it best to use an imaginary line beginning in the middle of the Mount of Jupiter and running across the hand to the percussion as a guide to measure by. On this imaginary line (20) I lay out the periods of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 43, 51, 60, and 70, and when anything is to be read on the Heart or Head line, note under which of these periods it lies, and this is found to be the proper age. If closer dates are desired, mark the Heart or Head line into spaces representing single years, and proceed as directed in the use of the Life line.

The above tables of measurements I have used with much success, and believe them to be correct if properly applied.

Age on the line of Saturn is read from the bottom upward (21), the space from the rascette to Head line covering the years from o to 30, from line of Head (normally placed) to line of Heart 30 to 45, and from line of Heart to finger of Saturn 45 to 70 years. By remembering these three general subdivisions, you will soon accustom yourself to quickly read the principal periods. If you wish to read within a year, mark off the line and proceed as with the Life line. The different directions in which the lines of Head and Heart often run across the hand make the location where the line of Saturn crosses them not always the same. If they are misplaced, producing a wide or a narrow quadrangle, do not rely on the space between them as covering the ages from 30 to 45, but at once measure the entire line of Saturn for correct dates.

No. 20.

No. 21.

No. 22.

No. 23.

The line of Apollo (22) is read from the bottom upward as is the line of Saturn, and the same rules and measurements apply to it as to the line of Saturn, and also the same methods of arriving at exact dates. The line of Mercury (23) is read from the bottom upward, the same scale and rules applying to it as to the other lines, except that the spaces on this line are closer together, inasmuch as the line is shorter. It is often desirable to read age on this line, as it is such a valuable line in connection with the line of Life. It is not necessary to read age on chance lines. These lines will either cross the Main lines, start from them, or so near, that age on the chance line can be read from the Main line. These chance lines, which are the changes or possibilities in the natural map of the life, run in so many directions, and start from such unexpected places, that no rule can be made for reading age on them. You will, however, never have trouble in arriving at the proper dates with these lines by computing from the Main lines. No part of Palmistry requires more practice than the reading of dates, and time can be valuably employed in gaining this practice. At first you will record many failures, but it is your judgment and not the rules that is at fault.

This you will prove for yourself as you become careful and deliberate in making up your mind before you speak. No one reads dates so fluently as the beginner. The older in experience he becomes, the more carefulty he works and the better results he achieves. Some disappointment in line-reading comes to beginners from the fact that they do not look in the right places for events. At present few look for illness anywhere but on the Life line, while the Head, Heart, and Mercury lines and the Mounts all record health afflictions, their date to be read from these lines.