How to Make
Handprints
You’ll find it helpful to create a library of handprints of the people you have read for. This enables you to build up a collection that you can refer to when necessary.
If someone returns to you for another reading, for instance, you’ll be able to compare how his or her hands have changed since you last saw them. I took palm prints of my children’s hands as they were growing up and it was fascinating to see how their different interests and potentials revealed themselves when they were still very young.
You’ll be able to see if someone inherited his or her talents from a mother, father, or maybe a grandparent. You’ll be able to see how certain traits have been passed on from generation to generation. You’ll be able to detect similarities in the palms of people working in the same field.
You’ll be able to see health factors more easily in a palm print than you can by examining the palm.
You can measure time more accurately on a print than you can from the hand itself.
You can also do original research. If you find an unusual marking on someone’s hand, you can check your collection of prints to see if anyone you’ve read for before has the same marking. If you’ve discovered something new, you’ll have a permanent record of it and may be able to contribute something valuable to the art.
Your growing collection will be a valuable resource that you’ll refer to often. Every time you examine a palm print, you’ll notice something that you’d overlooked before.
Taking a Print
You’ll need a supply of good quality bond paper at least 8.5" × 11" (or the European A4 size). You’ll also need a tube of artist’s water-based black ink and an ink roller about four inches wide. You can buy these at any artist’s supply store or online.
In addition to this, you’ll need a slightly spongy surface to put the paper on. Many years ago, I started using a stack of tea towels folded in half, and I still use them today, as they work well. Prior to that I used a large piece of soft rubber that had supported an old-fashioned typewriter. Foam rubber is readily available and works well. The surface needs to be slightly spongy, as this enables you to take a print of the hollow of the hand.
Start by placing a sheet of paper on top of your stack of tea towels or other flexible surface.
Squeeze a small amount of ink onto a pane of glass or a spare sheet of bond paper. Roll it with the roller until the ink is smooth and the roller is covered with an even coating of ink.
Ask the people whose prints you are taking to remove their rings if possible, and to hold their hands palms-upward in front of you. Starting from the wrist, cover the palms with a fine coating of ink using long, even strokes of the roller. If the person has a deep hollow in the middle of his or her palms, you might have to use small, fine movements to ensure the entire surface of the palm is evenly covered.
Tell the person to hold his or her hands naturally and to place both hands simultaneously onto the sheet of paper that’s resting on the tea towels. Press down gently on the backs of their hands to ensure that the middle of the palm makes an impression on the paper.
If you wish, you can use a pencil to make an outline of the palm to record its shape.
Hold down each end of the paper and ask the person to raise both hands straight upward. This reveals the print and you’ll be able to see if it’s good enough to use.
If the center of the palm has failed to leave an impression, you’ll need to do it again. This time, after they’ve placed both hands on the paper, ask them to raise both hands in the air with the paper still attached. Gently press the paper into the hollow of their palms, and then carefully pull the paper off their hands.
Palm prints reveal only the side of the thumb. Consequently, you’ll need to take separate prints of them.
You’ll find that most people you read for will want to take their palm prints away with them. Consequently, I always ask if I can make an extra print for my files. Most people are happy for me to do this, but occasionally someone will refuse. There is no need to ink the hand again to make another print.
I identify and date the prints on the print itself. I also make notes about the firmness, coarseness, flexibility, height of the mounts, presence or absence of knots, information about the fingernails, and anything else I feel is relevant about the person’s hands on a separate sheet of paper. I keep these with the prints for future reference.
It takes practice, but you’ll soon be able to make perfect prints almost every time. It’s easier to take prints of the hands separately, but I don’t do this as I prefer to have both hands on the same sheet of paper.
Once you’ve taken the prints, escort the person to the bathroom and turn on the cold tap. Water-based ink comes off right away if the person simply holds his or her hands under cold running water. After this, your client can wash his or her hands with soap and warm water. You’ll find that starting with cold water makes the job easier and faster than starting with soap and warm water. It also keeps the basin clean.
I file the prints alphabetically using the person’s surname. Some palmists file their prints based on different features revealed in the hands. This is useful for research but makes it difficult to quickly find someone’s prints when he or she returns for another reading.