Each one of us longs for deep and meaningful relationships. In a lifetime, we have numerous opportunities to experience a union of souls: between business associates, friends, a parent and child, a husband and wife, a teacher and student, a guru and disciple. We come together—consciously or subconsciously—to help each other fulfill a purpose. We have a choice. Either we can enter into a relationship fully aware of the impact the union is likely to have on us, or we can enter into one oblivious to what we may be about to set in motion.

Palmistry is the study of the lines and signs of the hands. Throughout our lifetime, our bodies register change. For example, the lines on our face that we acquire with age reflect experience and, we hope, wisdom. Lines and signs on our hands, present at birth, grow as we evolve, signifying the accumulated experience of our lives.

Centuries ago, the sages of India established a system of knowledge stemming from the Vedas, the earliest sacred Hindu writings. They studied the hands as a means to unveil and understand the self and relationships with others. They saw that the unique patterns of lines and signs in the hand come into being as a direct result of the way we think. Just as a pebble thrown into the water creates ripples, so our thoughts create similar effects.

Our hands offer us an objective view of who we really are. They show to what extent our thoughts and feelings influence our happiness and the harmony of those around us. As we exercise our will in choosing positive patterns of thinking to replace any negative ones, we see our lines begin to change, reflecting a shift in our consciousness. As Shakespeare observed, we are masters of our own fate, that “the fault...is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

The process of forming a bond with another person is analogous to going for a drive in the country. We can venture forth with no goal in mind, and take whatever country lanes or woodland roads seem attractive. We may have the adventure of a lifetime or we may become completely lost. However, with a map, we can still choose the interesting fork in the road; but we will always know where we are and where we are going. Palmistry is the roadmap we consult on our journey through life. The study of the features of the hand with its lines and signs allows us to see where we are —physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. We can also see the direction we are likely to take—unless we choose otherwise. The map of the hand shows us possible obstacles and impediments to our progress, which we can either avoid or transform.

For example Paul, a happy, rambunctious nine-year old boy, lived a carefree life. This is reflected by a well-defined, unbroken line of head in the handprint taken at that time. During his teenage years, he could not reconcile the fact that his parents had decided to divorce. The mental breakdown that he suffered is reflected by the broken head line in the print taken when he was 16 years old. This break reflected his inability to comprehend the dissolution of his family. However, Paul’s strong heart line indicated he had the inner resources to go through this traumatic experience. The handprint taken several years later showed the break in the head line beginning to repair.

Paul’s long heart line signifies his ability to feel deeply. He had a choice. He could have allowed negative feelings to overwhelm him and make him bitter, first toward his parents, then in his own dealings with others. Instead, he overcame his pain and learned to recognize that human relationships are complex; he became forgiving and compassionate. In his adult life, he was able to develop healthy bonds with others. He became a personal trainer and enjoyed coaching others to develop their strengths. In time he established a family of his own. By recognizing human frailty and being able to accept it with understanding brought about the transformation in Paul that is reflected in his changing head line. Increasing self-awareness leads toward greater personal magnetism and happiness.