The Fingers
and Thumb
We’ve already learned about finger lengths and how the fingers are held when the hands are displayed. I frequently meet people who are surprised to learn that the fingers have any part to play in palm reading. In actuality, a great deal of information can be learned by examining the fingers and thumb. I usually tell these people of a palm reader I met in India who read the thumb of his clients and nothing else. I asked him why he didn’t look at the rest of his clients’ hands while he had the opportunity, and he replied that it wasn’t necessary. I disagreed with him, and I think you will too after reading this chapter.
Gaps Between the Fingers
How people hold their hands when they don’t know they’re being observed reveals a great deal. The gaps between the fingers are a good example of this.
Someone with a noticeable gap between the first and second fingers, for example, is confident and has a healthy self-esteem. This person can stand up for him or herself and is likely to build up a strong faith or philosophy of life.
A noticeable gap between the second and third fingers reveals someone who lives for the moment and has no interest or care about what tomorrow might bring. This gap is rarely found.
The most commonly found gap is between the ring and little finger. Someone with this gap is an independent thinker who prefers to make up his or her own mind rather than accept too much on trust. It can also indicate problems in expressing emotions and other deep-held feelings. This person is likely to be able to speak confidently on matters that are not important but find it hard to discuss deeply personal matters.
When the hand is held with all the fingers widely apart, the person will be independent, lighthearted, friendly, and outgoing. The fingers show this person has nothing to hide.
When all the fingers are held together the person is cautious, reserved, reticent, and takes time to make friends. He or she will be concerned about what other people might be thinking of him or her.
A small space between each of the fingers indicates someone who is open, friendly, and independent in thought and deed.
The Fingertips
Each finger provides its own special energy to the person, and the fingertip shape indicates how this energy should be used.
The tips of the fingers come in three main types: square, spatulate, or conic. Square fingertips are squarish, spatulate fingertips flare at the end and resemble a spatula, and conic fingertips are rounded. Some people have the same type of fingertip on every finger, but it’s more usual for someone to have a mixture of different tips on their fingers. People with a mixture of different types of fingertips are versatile, curious, and adaptable. However, one type of fingertip will still predominate. They’re likely to use the qualities of this fingertip in their careers and make use of the others in their hobbies and interests.
Figure 15: Square tips
People with square fingertips are down-to-earth, capable, and practical. They are cautious, conservative, conventional, orthodox, patient, and methodical. They don’t like to be rushed into making a decision, preferring to take as much time as necessary to make their minds up. They enjoy details and dislike change.
Figure 16: Spatulate tips
People with spatulate fingertips are practical, intelligent, unconventional, impulsive, original, creative, inventive, restless, intuitive, and entrepreneurial. They are busy people who seek change and variety, and love discussing and thinking about new ideas and concepts.
Figure 17: Conic tips
Conic fingertips are found more frequently than the other types. People with these are quick-thinking, easygoing, sociable, imaginative, sensitive, and idealistic. They appreciate beauty in all its forms, and rely on their feelings as well as cold, hard logic.
Occasionally, you’ll find people with pointed fingertips. This is an extreme form of the conic fingertip. People with these are intuitive, idealistic, sensitive, inspirational, spontaneous, spiritual, dreamy, and highly-strung. They’re not particularly practical and find everyday life difficult, usually preferring to live inside a close relationship. However, this doesn’t necessarily make life easier, as they’re possessive and have a constant need for attention.
It’s sometimes difficult to determine the shapes of fingertips, and it can be helpful to run your thumb and first finger up and down the sides of the fingertip you’re evaluating to help determine what type it is.
Very rarely, you’ll find someone with droplets on the tip phalanges of their fingers. When the palm is held facing downward, the droplets look like tiny drops of water near the tips of the fingers. People with droplets are extremely sensitive and intuitive. They are caring, supportive, and loving. Unfortunately, they’re often taken advantage of by others.
The Phalanges
The fingers are divided into three sections that are called phalanges. Each phalange relates to a different area of life. The tip, or nail, phalange relates to spirituality and intuition. People with long tip phalanges on each finger will be kind, thoughtful, and interested in the spiritual side of life.
The middle phalange relates to the person’s intellect. People with long middle phalanges usually do well in their careers.
Figure 18: The Phalanges
The base phalange, nearest to the palm, relates to the material aspects of life. People with long, thick, puffy base phalanges seek physical gratification and indulge themselves whenever they can.
Base phalanges that are slightly soft and spongy to the touch reveal a person who enjoys food and is usually a good cook. A friend of mine had never cooked anything until he was widowed several years ago. Since then, he’s become an excellent gourmet cook. This was no surprise to me, as he’s always had slightly spongy base phalanges on his fingers.
You’ll occasionally see fingers that have only one crease instead of the usual two where the joints appear. This can be found on the hands of normal people, but usually relates to a congenital condition such as Down syndrome.
Lines on the Fingers
Fine vertical lines on the base phalanges of the fingers are a sign of strain. People with these have been overdoing things and would benefit by having a day or two off. Even a good night’s sleep has a positive effect on these lines.
Figure 19: Strain Lines
Figure 20: Stress Lines
Stress lines are much more serious than strain lines. These are fine horizontal lines on the tip phalanges of the fingers. These show that the person has been suffering stress and strain for a considerable amount of time. Stress lines take time to appear and disappear slowly once the stress-producing situation is over. The best remedy for someone with stress lines on his or her fingers is to have a relaxing vacation, or at the very least, to move away from whatever is causing the stress. This may not be easy, as these lines are most likely caused by relationship or work pressures.
If the stress is ongoing, stress lines will appear in the other phalanges. This shows that the person’s health is at risk if he or she doesn’t resolve the ongoing problem.
Straight, Curved, and Twisted Fingers
In palmistry, if all the fingers are straight, it shows that the person is able to make use of the qualities of each finger. Curved fingers show that the person is subconsciously underrating him or herself in the area denoted by the curved finger and is gaining strength and support from the finger it is curving toward.
A curved little finger can also indicate a medical condition, such as autism, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome. However, a curved little finger can also be found in the hands of people in good mental and physical health and is sometimes inherited.
Occasionally, you’ll see a little finger that looks twisted. It’s hard to interpret this, as it may be an inherited trait. However, it could indicate someone who lies, even when it’s not necessary, and is potentially dishonest. Consequently, you need to be cautious with any financial dealings you have with people exhibiting this trait.
Smooth and Knotty Fingers
Knotty fingers occur when the joints are highly visible. These people like to analyze everything they do and take little on trust. People with smooth fingers have knots that are less visible. They are more trusting and intuitive than people with knotty fingers.
An easy way to remember this is to imagine thoughts coming into the body through the fingertips. Every time a thought reaches a knotty joint, it goes around and around, analyzing and examining the thought before it can continue. As smooth-fingered people do not pause in this way to analyze their thoughts, they flow into their hands more quickly than they do with people with knotty joints.
In the nineteenth century, one of the hand classifications was called the philosophical hand. Not surprisingly, this hand contained knotty fingers.
The knots between the first and second phalanges are called the “knots of mental order.” People with visible knots in this position are logical, methodical, and mentally alert. They work almost entirely on logic, rather than intuition.
The knots between the second and third phalanges are known as the “knots of material order.” People with these tend to overanalyze everything and this limits their creative potential. People who have knots of material order almost always have plenty of worry lines on their palms as well.
Finger Settings
The fingers are set on the palm in one of four ways. The most usual formation is a gently curved arch. This occurs when the first and fourth fingers are set slightly below the second and third fingers. This shows that the person is well-balanced, friendly, open, and easy to get along with.
The curved arch becomes a tented arch when the first and fourth fingers are set considerably lower than the second and third fingers. This shows that the person lacks confidence and self-esteem. This person will feel inadequate and have frequent doubts about his or her own abilities.
Figure 21: Curved Arch
Figure 22: Tented Arch
When the fingers are set in a straight line, the person will be confident and feel proud of what he or she has accomplished. If the first and second fingers are also almost equal in length, the person will be egotistical, vain, condescending, and enjoy putting other people down.
Figure 23: Dropped Little Finger
Many people have what is known as a “dropped” little finger. This occurs when the first three fingers are arranged in a gentle curve, but the little finger is set considerably lower than the others. This shows that the person will have to learn through setbacks, disappointments, and mistakes. Usually, this person’s life will go well for a while, and then suddenly he or she will be dropped into a situation that takes a great deal of time and effort to resolve.
Flexibility
People with supple fingers have flexible minds. They enjoy discussing different points of view and often act on hunches and feelings. If the fingers are so flexible that they almost appear to be double-jointed, the person will be excitable and tend to dominate the conversation.
Fingers that appear hard and unyielding belong to people who are fixed and rigid in their outlook and approach to life.
Fingernails
We all subconsciously notice other people’s fingernails and make judgments about them based on their appearance and condition. We assume that someone with manicured fingernails will be cultured and refined and assume the opposite when we encounter someone with dirty, broken, or uncut fingernails.
The ideal fingernail is wide and medium in length. It should be slightly longer than it is wide. Fingernails of this sort belong to people who are energetic, honest, and faithful.
Long fingernails belong to people who are sensitive, creative, and emotional.
Narrow fingernails belong to people who are narrow-minded and are unreceptive to new ideas.
People with fingernails that are long and narrow are self-centered, egotistical, and always want to get their own way.
People with short fingernails are critical, impatient, and suffer from nervous tension. They are harder on themselves than they are on others.
People with short, narrow nails that look small compared to the fingertips avoid spending money and take pleasure in being parsimonious.
Vertical ridges on the fingernails are usually a sign of nervousness but can also be caused by a deficiency in the diet.
Horizontal lines are a sign of stress or illness at the time the line first became visible.
White dots on the nails are a sign of anxiety and stress. However, they can also indicate a calcium deficiency.
The color of the nails is also revealing. The ideal nail is pinkish in color and has no spots or ridges. Red fingernails belong to people who become overexcited, agitated, or angry quickly and easily. White fingernails usually belong to people who are anemic. Yellowish fingernails indicate liver problems. Bluish fingernails are a sign of circulation problems. However, if the nails have always been bluish, the person is likely to be cold, unfriendly, and lacking in kindness.
The Jupiter/First Finger
Keywords: ambition, independence,
confidence, faith, and philosophy.
The first, or index, finger is named after the Roman god Jupiter. It symbolizes ambition, assertiveness, pride, leadership, confidence, self-esteem, and the ego. This finger will be either shorter, longer, or the same length as the ring finger (the Apollo finger) on the same hand. It’s easier to determine the relative lengths of these fingers by looking at the back of the hand.
It’s been known since the nineteenth century that men usually have ring fingers that are longer than their index fingers. This is believed to be caused by the amount of testosterone that the fetus is exposed to in the womb.
It’s a simple matter to work out what is called your 2:4 digit ratio. (It gained this name as it’s the ratio between your second and fourth fingers.) Measure your index finger from the center of the crease where it joins the palm to its tip. Measure your ring finger in the same way. Your ring finger is likely to have more than one crease. Use the crease that is closest to the palm. Divide the index finger length by the ring finger length to calculate your 2:4 digit ratio. An average rating is .95 for a man and .97 for a woman.
People with a rating that is less than average are more assertive and dominant than people with a rating that is above average. If the person’s rating is higher than average, he or she will be likable and easy to get along with.
As the first finger is related to ambition, an index finger that is longer than the ring finger on a man’s hand shows that he’s motivated, ambitious, and prepared to work hard to achieve his goals. In extreme cases, the person may affect his health by not knowing when to stop. Sadly, graveyards are full of people who worked too hard for too long.
If the index finger is noticeably shorter than the ring finger, the person will lack confidence in his or her early life. He or she might be inclined to hold back when people with longer index fingers push forward. This ceases to be a disadvantage in later life, as the person will know when to slow down and relax and when to work hard and progress.
When the index and ring fingers are approximately equal in length, the person will be reasonably ambitious but will also take time out to rest and unwind when necessary.
The index finger is usually straight. It’s a sign of weakness and low self-esteem if it curves toward the second finger. This person will feel sorry for him or herself and will need a great deal of support and encouragement from friends and family.
The phalanges, or sections, of the index finger should be approximately equal in length. If the tip phalange is the longest, the person will be interested in philosophy and spirituality and will enjoy discussing these subjects with others.
If the middle phalange is the longest, the person will possess a positive and practical approach to life. He or she will be shrewd and pick up information quickly.
If the base phalange is the longest, the person will have a strong interest in philosophy and religion. In some cases, this will be channeled into a full-time career, but more usually it’s found in people who gradually build up a faith and philosophy of their own.
The base phalange of the index finger is the section that is most likely to be the longest. It can sometimes also be unusually short. When this occurs, the person will be modest, self-effacing, and happiest when left to follow his or her own interests.
The Saturn/Second Finger
Keywords: responsible, technical, reliable,
duty, conscience, and common sense.
The second finger is named after the rather gloomy Roman god Saturn, who was responsible for agriculture and the harvest. Saturn also gave his name to Saturday and saturnine. The Saturn finger relates to service, restrictions, responsibility, reality, and obligations.
The Saturn finger should be the longest finger on the hand. If it is overly long compared to the fingers on either side, the person will be a loner and need little contact with other people. If this finger is short compared to the other fingers, the person will lack all sense of responsibility. As most people have Saturn fingers that are neither long nor short, this is rare. I have met only one person who had a Saturn finger that was shorter than her Jupiter and Apollo fingers.
The second finger is the finger that is most likely to curve toward an adjacent finger. If it curves toward the first finger, it’s a sign that the person is trying to gain strength from the other finger and is lacking in confidence and self-esteem. This person underrates him or herself, and may have an inferiority complex. This is especially the case if the person’s first finger is shorter than his or her third finger.
If the second finger curves toward the third finger, it’s a sign that the person holds him or herself back creatively and needs constant encouragement and support from others. These people are usually aware of their creative potential but often choose not to develop it to avoid the possibility of criticism, rejection, or failure.
The second finger is often held close to an adjacent finger when the hand is held open This is called a “finger cling.”
It’s a positive sign if the second finger almost touches the first finger, as it means the person will ultimately become influential in his or her career.
If the second finger almost touches the third finger, it’s a sign that he or she is interested in the arts and would be happy working in a creative field.
The three phalanges on the second finger should be approximately equal in length. If the tip (nail) phalange is longer than the others, the person will be cautious, studious, and proud of his mental skills. He or she may feel superior to people who aren’t similarly blessed. This intellect is often channeled into law, religion, or the occult. If the tip phalange is extremely long compared to the other two phalanges, the person will be gloomy, melancholic, saturnine, and lack a sense of humor.
If one phalange on the second finger is longer than the others, it’s most likely to be the middle one. This shows that the person can organize him or herself, as well as others, and enjoys detailed work. He or she will be methodical and conscientious. A long middle phalange, especially if the finger is smooth and without noticeable joints, gives the person an interest in metaphysics and the occult.
Sometimes the middle phalange is noticeably short compared to the others. This shows that the person will be idle and dislike work. He or she will procrastinate and be unlikely to achieve his or her potential.
A long base phalange gives an interest in agriculture. The Saturn finger probably gained its name because of this, as Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture. People with a long base phalange enjoy being outdoors in contact with nature and make good farmers and gardeners.
The Apollo/Third Finger
Keywords: creativity, versatility,
self-expression, talent, and adaptability.
The third finger is called the Apollo finger and represents beauty, refinement, creativity, and the aesthetic sense. An average-length third finger reaches halfway up the fingernail of the second finger and is about the same length as the first finger. If the third finger is longer than this, the person will possess a creative nature and a love of beauty in all its forms. This person is likely to be versatile and talented in a number of areas, which can make it difficult to decide which one to pursue. If the third finger is extremely long and is almost the length of the second finger, the person will take unnecessary risks. This can sometimes lead to reckless gambling.
The third finger should be as straight as possible. If it curves toward the second finger, it’s a sign that the person is neglecting his or her creative ability to focus on other matters, such as making a living. Sadly, creativity is not always well rewarded, and many creative people are forced to work in fields that do not appreciate this talent.
If the third finger curves toward the fourth finger, it’s a sign that the person is subconsciously underrating his or her creativity. If you know a talented person who always downplays his or her creative talent, you’re likely to find that he or she has a third finger that curves toward the little finger.
The three phalanges are usually about equal in length on the third finger. This shows that the person appreciates and works best in a pleasant environment and enjoys attractive objects.
If the tip phalange is longer than the other two, the person will have high ideals and will expect people close to him or her to live to those standards too. A long tip phalange usually enhances the person’s creative abilities.
The middle phalange is the one that is most likely to be longest on the third finger. This shows that the person has the ability to use his or her natural good taste in his or her career. Art and antique dealers often have a long middle phalange on this finger. They find it easy to sell something they personally like but find it difficult to sell something that doesn’t appeal to them.
It’s rare for the base phalange to be longer than the other two. Someone with this formation will be highly materialistic and lack any interest in aesthetic or cultural activities. These people often do well financially and, when they do, surround themselves with expensive possessions to impress others.
The Mercury/Fourth Finger
Keywords: communication, curiosity,
quick thinking, and the business world.
The fourth finger is named after Mercury, the Roman messenger of the gods. Not surprisingly, the fourth finger, often known as the “pinky finger,” relates to communication, as well as commerce and money.
An average-length fourth finger reaches up to the first joint on the third finger. The longer the Mercury finger is, the more intelligent the person will be, and the better he or she will be at communicating his or her thoughts and ideas. He or she is likely to be a good negotiator, and this skill can lead to business success. Conversely, people with short Mercury fingers find it hard to express themselves. If this finger is extremely short in comparison to the other fingers, the person will remain emotionally immature. This often reveals itself with difficulties in sex and relationships.
Before assessing the length of this finger, you need to observe how it is set on the palm. Many people have what is known as a “dropped” little finger, which means it is set noticeably lower on the palm than the other fingers. When this occurs, you need to mentally set the fourth finger alongside the others to see if it’s short, average, or long.
People with a dropped little finger usually suffered from a lack of confidence when they were young and throughout life have to learn through experience. They’re also likely to be shy and find it hard to express what they really mean or feel.
Because this finger is related to money and finance, it’s important that it be straight. If it’s bent or twisted, the person could be tempted into dishonesty or act unethically. This is not the case if the finger is twisted as a result of arthritis or an accident.
The three phalanges on the fourth finger are seldom equal in length. The tip phalange, governing verbal communication, is almost always the longest. This is a useful trait in people who make their livings using their voice. Examples include actors, teachers, entertainers, and salespeople.
If the tip phalange is short, the person will usually be shy and find it hard to express him or herself.
The middle phalange relates to written communication and is usually the shortest phalange on the finger. Even if they dislike writing, people with large middle phalanges express themselves well with words on paper. They’ll be able to write good letters and will usually be able to express themselves better in writing than they can when using speech.
The base phalange relates to business, money, and commerce. If this section is the longest, the person will want to become financially successful and will not hesitate to bend the truth when money is involved.
The fourth finger sometimes curves toward the third finger. This creates what is known as the “finger of sacrifice” and is a sign that the person will give up his or her own ambitions to help others. It is frequently found on the hands of caregivers and healers of all sorts.
The Thumb
Keywords: logic, willpower, independence, and vitality.
The thumb reveals a great deal about the person’s character, and I’ve met many palmists, especially in India, who devote more time to reading the thumb than to any other part of the hand.
People with large thumbs often achieve success as they’re ambitious, persistent, and motivated. People with short thumbs are easygoing and take life as it comes. They can be stubborn when necessary but lack the willpower that people with larger thumbs possess.
Most thumbs are neither short nor long. An average-length thumb reaches at least halfway up the base phalange of the Jupiter finger. People with average-length thumbs are fair-minded and can stand up for themselves.
The setting of the thumb can sometimes make it hard to determine if it is long, medium, or short. If the thumb is set high up on the palm of the hand toward the fingers, the person will be outgoing, innovative, curious, and adventurous. If the thumb is set low down, close to the wrist, the person will be cautious and think before acting. Most people’s thumbs are set between these two extremes.
Typically, thumbs rest at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the hand. People who hold their thumbs like this are reasonably broad-minded but conform with society’s expectations. The wider the angle of the thumb, the more gregarious and generous the person will be.
People who have a small angle of the thumb focus on their immediate family at the expense of everything else. In extreme cases, these people can be petty, small-minded, and selfish.
There are two angles, or bumps, that can be found on the thumb. The angle of practicality is an angle, or bulge, found on the outside of the thumb at the bottom of the second phalange where it joins the palm. People who possess this angle are good with their hands and often choose careers that utilize this skill. The larger the angle, the more practicality the person possesses.
This angle is sometimes called the “angle of time.” This doesn’t necessarily mean that a person with this angle will be punctual. However, he or she will have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. This angle gives people a good sense of timing. Stand-up comedians, for example, need a good sense of timing when performing their routines.
Many people have no angle at the base of the second phalange. These people are not naturally dexterous and are better off working in occupations that use their heads more than their hands.
The second angle on the thumb is found at the base of the thumb where it joins the wrist. It is called the “angle of pitch.” It gives people who possess it a good ear for music and a natural sense of rhythm.
Many entertainers have both angles on their palms. This gives them a good sense of timing, a good ear, and a natural sense of rhythm, all useful qualities for a versatile entertainer.
Like the fingers, the thumb has three phalanges. The first two are on the thumb, while the third comprises the mount, or mound, of flesh that is encircled by the life line. This area is called the “mount of Venus.” We’ll look at the mounts in the next chapter.
The tip phalange of the thumb relates to willpower, and the second phalange relates to logic. If these are similar in length, the person will possess an equal amount of logic and willpower. This person will think first and then act.
The most common formation is for the middle phalange to be longer than the tip phalange. People with this formation come up with good ideas but seldom get around to making them happen. They procrastinate and daydream much more than they act.
When the tip phalange is longer than the second phalange, the person will be impulsive and act before thinking the matter through. He or she will make many mistakes but will get up again after each one and keep on going. As a result of this persistence, people with this formation often achieve success.
Many people have what is known as a “waisted thumb.” This occurs when the second phalange curves inward on both sides and looks as if it has a waist. People with a waisted thumb are tactful, diplomatic, and empathetic. These people are often taken advantage of, but they can also tell people where to go in such a gentle way that they don’t fully realize what has been said until they think about it later.
Many people have heard of the “murderer’s thumb.” Over the years, several people with this formation on their hands have shown it to me, as they were worried about what it meant. The first phalange of the murderer’s thumb is like a bulbous knob sitting on top of the second phalange. This shows that the person will be tolerant and understanding for a long time, but then something inconsequential will cause them to erupt in sudden anger. This is probably why this type of thumb gained such a bad name.
Interestingly, this type of thumb is usually inherited. Once I met a man with murderer’s thumbs who told me his grandfather, father, and son all had similar thumbs.
Missing Fingers
Some people are born with deformed or missing fingers, while others have lost fingers in accidents. The absence of a finger can be interpreted as it indicates a lost potential. For instance, if the index finger is absent, the person will have lost some of his or her personal power and confidence. If the middle finger is missing, the person will have lost some of his or her potential to express feelings. If the ring finger is missing, the person will have lost some of his or her creative potential. If the little finger is missing, the person will have lost some of his or her ability to communicate effectively. If the thumb is missing, the person will have lost some of his potential for recognition and fame.
Naturally, the loss of any body part is a personal tragedy. However, I’ve met several people who’ve lost all or part of a finger and turned it to their advantage. One man I met told me he’d found more peace of mind after losing his index finger. He told me that he always felt driven to greater and greater success at the expense of his home and family life. After losing the finger, he became quieter, kinder, and more loving. He started putting his family ahead of his career and is a much happier person as a result.
Now that we’ve looked at the shape of the hand, fingers, and thumb, it’s time to examine the lines and other markings on the palm. In the next chapter, we’ll look at raised areas on the palm, known as the mounts.