The FINGERS

Most hands are of the mixed type. Each finger must be considered separately.

The fingers, being instruments of the brain, connected with it through the tiny telegraph wires of the nerves, certain qualities. Each finger indicates specific talents or represent size of the finger, its shape, its texture and propor- The failings. modify the basic qualities represented by that finger. be considered good, fingers should be straight, in proportion to the rest of the hand, and they should be set level with each other tions, To A low base detracts from the qualities represented by a finger. Fingers set close together indicate a formal, restrained, sus- picious nature. Wide spaces show unconventionality and a free and at their bases. easy trend. In chirology, there are only four fingers (see plate 9), the thumb being so important that it is classed by itself. The index finger is called the first, or finger of Jupiter. The middle finger, the second. 10 11 is the finger of Saturn. The ring finger, third, is the finger of Apollo. little finger, fourth and last, is the finger of Mercury. These names were adopted in early times. Because palmistry was The associated with astrology, the four fingers received the names ofANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 20 more remotely, of Roman gods. For convenience, I am re- taining the traditional finger names, though of course I do not con- planets, nect them any way with the schematic in superstitions of astrology. LONG AND SHORT FINGERS In studying the fingers, two important things must first be deter- mined: whether the fingers as a whole are long (see plate 10) or short (see plate 11) and which one or two fingers are dominant ones. Length cannot be judged entirely from the relative size of the fingers and the palm, for a hand may have an unusually long palm with normal fingers, which would make the fingers appear short rather When palm is approximately the same in width as fingers would be about as long, reaching almost to the wrist if doubled over. Long ones would reach the wrist or even beyond it, and short ones would end above. This test cannot, however, actually be made by bending the hand, for the stiffness of the hand and its thickness, almost as much as the fingers’ length, would determine how far the fingers reach. The best method is to than normal. in length, the normal judge the distance by eye or actual measurement. For ideal balance, the thumb should be as long as the fourth and the first as long as the third. Of course, greatness rarely with ideal balance. It is the unusual strength of certain traits goes which gives us geniuses and leaders as well as crackpots and crim- finger Long system and inals. fingers, on the whole, indicate patience, love of detail, order. Short ones go with impulsiveness, action, speed. WIDTH AND CONTOUR OF FINGERS Thick fingers are the practical, materialistic ones. When they are very thick, they show love of luxury and a tendency towards self- indulgence. Thin fingers may show indulgence of a different kind petulance and worry for thin fingers are exacting and nervous. As to the contours, smoothness when the joints do not protrude indicates an open, frank, company-loving nature, light-hearted, talkative and somewhat shallow. Knotty joints go with seriousness, thought and mental self-sufficiency.FINGERS 21 FLEXIBILITY Whether the fingers are flexible or stiff is extremely significant. Firm fingers show an intense, passionate, violent nature, one which might accomplish great things individually or as a leader, but which cannot cooperate with others or work as a subordinate. The draw- backs of such fingers are intolerance, stubbornness and lack of tact. 12 13 The as last is especially pronounced when the fingers are short as well stiff. With flexibility goes an intensification of the qualities of the mount and finger. Supple fingers indicate adaptability, tact, wit and success in social contacts, though not necessarily a love of company. CROOKED FINGERS Crooked fingers (see plate 12) show distortion or misuse of the which go with the misshapen finger, but the knotty, bony structure of the profound hand should not be confused with bent or qualities crooked shape. Nor is crookedness the same as a slight bending toANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 22 one side. Fingers bent laterally (see plate 13) always emphasize shrewdness, and this indication should be studied in conjunction with the particular qualities ascribed to the finger having such a A bend. finger twisted on its axis exaggerates the moral or physical defects associated with that finger. DOMINANT FINGERS In most persons, the fingers length, smoothness, thickness, differ greatly and so from each other in forth. It is therefore important not only to determine which qualities predominate for the hand as a whole, but to relate them to the traits which go with each particular There will, of course, be contradictions. In some cases, these for most of us are indicate actual conflicts within the personality characteristics. In desires and of made many warring up complex, finger. other cases, a dominant trait of an opposing quality. For that reason, may have found I it completely negate the signposts extremely important to decide, quite early in the process of an analysis, just which are the domi- nant characteristics. Size, both length and thickness, and the gen- eral contours of a hand A will indicate which finger which is larger than normal or one toward which the others appear dominant influence in a hand. one. finger is the dominant in proportion to the others, to lean, usually shows the THE PHALANXES But before considering the fingers individually, I want to discuss the divisions of the fingers, that is, the three joints or phalanxes. The nail phalanx is always referred to as the first (see plate 14, the marked A) the middle division as the second (see plate 14, the joints marked B) the one nearest the palm, the third (see plate divide the 14, the joints marked C). I have found that you can joints ; ; phalanxes roughly, classing the first (A) in each finger as indi- cator of mental qualities, the second (B), of practical and business (C) as guide to physical qualities. experience that persons with long first phalanxes are qualities, the third It is myFINGERS 23 most active in the mental field. When the second phalanx is longest and largest, the practical and business side will be uppermost. When the third phalanx leads, I have found the subject greatly absorbed in the physical side of life. 14 15 THE JUPITER FINGER The Jupiter (see plate 9), indicates ambition, love of and also devoutness. When this finger is the leadership power, pride, dominant one (see plate 15), some or all these qualities will, in vary- first finger, ing degree, be strong motivations. When cruelty and tyranny may be added the finger is very inflexible, to the qualities of leadership. hooked, the ambition will be a selfish one, finger may not be overscrupulous in his thin and nervous index finger, even though very If the Jupiter finger is and the owner of such a A choice of means. long, does not it mean purposeful ambition indicate the frustrated wish for or leadership. Rather does power, realized only in day- dreams. Of course, the first phalanx and the fingertip modify the general24 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION of a long first finger. A pointed tip on the first finger de- notes intuition especially if the inside surf ace is very full; square tip shows love of truth; a spatulate one, bigotry; an oval one, re- meaning finement. When the nail phalanx sized; while a short is long, intuition is again empha- phalanx indicates the skeptic. Thickness of Jupiter’s first phalanx implies sensual qualities, and a thin nail first phalanx on the first finger indicates austere rigidity. The middle phalanx when long shows determination; lack of en- ergy when it is short selfishness when it is thick and honors, rather than riches, as the spur of ambition, when this phalanx is thin. A long base phalanx on the index finger is a sign of love of power; ; ; a short one, of modesty and resignation. Thickness here shows sen- suality or gluttony; slenderness, control of the appetites. THE SATURN FINGER The second, or Saturn finger as the middle finger is called (see plate 9), governs thought. When this finger is the dominant one (see 16 plate 16), towering above its two neighbors, our subject is likely to be serious and given to solitude. He may have humor, but it is prob- weak second finger, whether unusually ably of a satiric nature. A short or abnormally thin, shows frivolity or lack of concentration.FINGERS If the nail 25 phalanx of the Saturn finger (see plate and tapering, we can be sure 14, of a cautious, persistent 2A) and is long sincere personality. If the tip is pointed, look for lightness. When it is square, spatulate tip on the expect a serious person with sound judgment. A Saturn finger shows the pessimist. A short first phalanx indicates the fatalist; a thick one, carelessness; a very thin one, cruelty. the Saturn finger (see plate 14, 2B), when shows precision and a scientific approach; when short the opposite credulity and a mystical bent. Thick, it goes with great The middle phalanx on long, physical energy and capacity for manual labor; thin, with philo- sophic logic and exactness. A long base phalanx on the middle finger (see plate 14, 2C) indi- either cates love of solitude; a short one, lack of control in giving meanness or overgenerosity. This phalanx, if thick, shows a material- istic and plodding temperament; if thin, it indicates miserliness. Thus, a short, thin base phalanx on the Saturn finger would certainly indicate meanness rather than overgenerosity. THE APOLLO FINGER The third finger, that of Apollo (see plate 9), governs sociability, the arts, and self-esteem. To have lent sign for actors, singers, arts. The top phalanx this finger dominant is an excel- and those who seek careers in the applied in this finger (see plate 14, 3 A) has a great variety of connotations, depending on its size and shape. Bent back, indicates appreciation of beauty. This appreciation takes on a formal quality when the phalanx is thin, a hint of sensuality if it is it A pointed tip on the Apollo finger signifies a tendency towards mysticism and a clinging to false values in judgment. A short phalanx thick. shows simplicity; a long one, eccentricity, a seeking after queer, sometimes unattainable objectives. With an oval tip, I have usually found ease in speech, sometimes lack of discretion. A square tip shows a positive, certain nature; a spatulate The middle phalanx one energy and activity. in the Apollo finger (see plate extremely important for those in creative fields, for ability short. when it is long and lack it of aesthetic sensibility Thickness goes with originality. 14, 3B) is shows creative when it isANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 26 The base phalanx the realist if it is of the Apollo finger (see plate 14, short, the coxcomb if it is 3C) indicates long. Thickness in this phalanx bespeaks a sense of dramatics and a love of color; a thin, waisted shape, indifference, lack of enthusiasm. THE MERCURY FINGER The fourth, or little finger, which is called the finger of (see plate 9), governs business abilities whether written or and physical strain, when values, ; The tip of this an active and resourceful nature, when restlessness, spatulate shape oral. Mercury and the faculty of speech, finger shows inventiveness common when it is it is oval. If when it has a a visionary, meta- pointed; and refinement, a formal sense of sense, it is square ; Mercury’s top phalanx is hooked, it indi- cates a self-centered, not overscrupulous person and when it is bent back, you will find someone who is inquisitive and talkative. Length ; in this phalanx shows love of study, though usually study of a practi- mental laziness. Thickness is a sign of cal nature. Shortness indicates lack of delicacy. A very thin middle phalanx in the little finger (see plate 14, 4B) gives us the gambler, or a very ambitious person who is impatient of the usual methods of fulfilling his ambitions. A long middle phalanx indicates a commercial or legal bent. A short middle phalanx shows loyalty. When the base phalanx of the Mercury finger (see plate 14, 4C) long, look for eloquence and cunning; when it is short, a straight- forward, credulous nature. If this phalanx is thick, you have an indi- is cation of sex complexes; thin, of a precise, analytical mind. HOW TO INTERPRET THE The FINGERS they do the special talents and aptitudes are you studying, are most important in applying hand to vocational analysis guidance or training. The indications of the fingers must, however, be read in conjunction with the information fingers, indicating as of the person revealed by the hand as a whole and by the lines and markings in when a very long base on the finger of Mer- the palm. For example,THUMB 27 cury, the little finger, indicates eloquence and cunning, and you find that other signs show a timid, retiring nature, you may be sure you have a potential demagogue, but one who is likely to remain anony- mous, appealing through the written word, or possibly making no use at all of his gift of eloquence. Thus, the various contradictory evi- dences must be balanced against one another. You should accept as keynotes to the personality you are studying only the strong traits or those which are consistently indicated throughout the entire hand.