Palm reading was (and still is) a predominantly Asian and Oriental skill, and this knowledge has only in relatively recent times been analyzed and written down, rather than passed on verbally. The connection of ideas between palmistry and astrology makes more sense when we look at them both from the viewpoint of astrological ideas that pre-date Jungian psychology, and also as they are considered in the East. The traditional names of the various parts of a hand are linked to the seven visible planets—the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The energies connected to those hand areas were once closely linked to astrology, but both palmistry and astrology have become modernized, and the two systems have drifted slightly apart. So let us look at the links between them and perhaps learn something of older forms of astrological thinking, and also the way people thought of themselves and the world they lived in way back when.

• The Public And Private Hand

  Using either hand, take a ruler or a pen and lay it down your hand, from between the two middle fingers down to the wrist. The side of the hand that includes the thumb concerns public life, so it has an “Ascendant” and “Midheaven” feel to it. The other side of the hand connects more closely to relationships and home life, and thus has a “Descendant” and “Imum Coeli” feel to it.





• The Jupiter Section

  The forefinger and the “mount” that is on the palm immediately below this finger is known as “Jupiter.” This is concerned with self-confidence, belief systems, our approach to life, morals, leadership abilities and ambition. A person with a strong ego and a streak of independence has a long and strong Jupiter finger that pulls away from the middle finger, and a well-developed Jupiter mount. This may seem a long way from our modern day Jupitarian ideas of travel, the law, education, philosophy and expansion of horizons, but it is close to the more ancient forms of astrology that assigned the notion of beliefs and moral attitudes to Jupiter. A person who lives life to the full and who has status in his community, who has strong political and moral beliefs and is law-abiding, has a strong Jupiter finger and a definite Jupiter mount. Strong personalities wag this finger around while lecturing or berating others. To see this in action, watch the kind of politicians who harangue their audiences, or better still watch the unfortunate people on the Jerry Springer Show who try to scream and shout their partners into obeying their wishes and doing what they think is “right.” Jupiter ambitions might include changing the world, becoming rich and respected in the community or being known for some talent, but they can also include the desire for a secure and happy home and family life and the notion that one’s partner should share these beliefs. A drifter who has no real ambition, or one who leans on or who is dominated by others, has a short and weak looking Jupiter finger and a small and flattened Jupiter mount. Such a Jupiter finger may also lean inward and “cling” to the middle finger. A strong Jupiter not only knows what is right for him but also wants to instruct others. A weak one couldn’t care less. In older communities through the ages, what we know as “politically correct” thinking was wrapped up in religion. Public behavior, attitudes and even the type and color of clothing that people wore were dictated by the prevailing Jupiter philosophy of each place and time. In some parts of the world, it still is. Modern astrologers brush over the religious and moral aspects of Jupiter, concentrating far more on travel, education and luck, but belief (including belief in oneself) is fundamental to this planet.

• The Saturn Section

  The middle finger and the area on the hand directly beneath it is called “Saturn.” This also once related to religion, but in this case, to the study of religion and equally importantly, the study of science; plus math, logic, languages and a myriad of practical skills such as building, farming, engineering and, invariably, the ability to handle details. A strong and long Saturn finger belongs to a responsible person who accumulates resources in the form of knowledge or power, wealth and goods. Today, we exhort our children to acquire skills so that they will be able to make their way in the world. It must have taken some mightily Saturn fingered types to climb out of European, Asian and African poverty and peasantry in order to make the journey to the New World and to make a success of it! A very short or weak Saturn finger suggests a personality who doesn’t wish to study and work in order to gain wealth or status. He may drift, gamble or lean on others and avoid taking responsibility for his own life. This person is unlikely to try to improve his mind or his position by studying, and he will have an “unscientific” mind. A birth chart with a weak Saturn is much the same. There is no real “mount” below the Saturn finger, but the appearance of vertical lines on this area of the hand suggests enjoying a decent length of life, which is very Saturnian. A heavy concentration of lines here suggests that the subject will always work for his bread, while lines that veer away from the Saturn finger suggest a fairly easy old age. If you want to know something about the connections between palmistry and astrology regarding Venus, Mercury, Mars, the Sun and the Moon, and more, look for Part Two of this article