the line of destiny or fate
the line of destiny, otherwise called the line of fate (1-1, plate xi.) is naturally one of the most important of the principal lines of the hand.
although one may never be able to explain why it is, this line undoubtedly appears to indicate at least the main events of one's career.
it may be found on the hand even at the moment of birth, clearly indicating the class of fate or destiny that lies in the far distant future before the individual.
in some cases it may look faint or shadowy, as if the path of destiny were not yet clearly defined, while in other instances almost every step of the road is chiselled out with its milestones of failure or success, sorrow or joy, as the case may be.
that some human beings seem to be more children of fate than others has been admitted by almost all thinkers, but why they should be so has been the great question that baffles all students of such subjects.
there are some who appear to have no fate, and others who seem to carve their destiny from day to day.
i have seen hundreds of cases where every step of the journey was indicated from childhood to the[pg 48] grave; others where only the principal changes in the career were marked in advance. there are, again, others where nothing seemed decided, and where the events indicated by the line of fate appeared to change from year to year.
the why and wherefore of such things may be impossible to fathom, but there are so many mysteries in life itself that one more or less does not seem to matter.
some of the greatest teachers and philosophers have come to the conclusion that fate exists for all. in the 17th article of religion in the episcopal church it is stated, and in no uncertain manner, that "predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of god." all through the bible the destiny of nations and of men is clearly laid down, and from the first chapter of genesis to the last page of revelation the trials, tribulations, and pathway of the jews was prophesied and predicted ages in advance.
thousands of years before the birth of christ, it was foretold in holy writ in what manner he should be born, and in what manner he should die. it was predicted that a virgin should conceive and that a judas should betray, and that both were necessary "that the scriptures might be fulfilled."
in more recent ages thousands and thousands of predictions have been fulfilled, and all point to some mysterious agency that underlies the purpose of humanity, and that nothing from the smallest to the greatest is left to blind chance.
it may be that the soul—in being part of the universal soul of all things—knows all things, and so through the instrumentality of the brain writes its knowledge of the future in advance.[pg 49]
to the mysteries of the mind there are no limits. medical science has, in late years, gone so far as to prove that there must be an advance growth or change in the brain cells years before action or change in character become the result of such development. for all we know, every deed in our careers is the result of some such mental change, and as there are more super-sensitive nerves from the brain to the hand, it may then follow that such changes and subsequent actions in our lives may be written in our hands even long years in advance.
it may be, then, that to all living beings there is a destiny "that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will."
i would, however, humbly suggest that each of us endeavour by knowledge to find what our fate may be, and like loyal workmen accept whatever the task should prove, and so carry it out to the utmost of our ability, willing to leave the final result to the master that thought fit to employ us in the working out of his design.
all such questions as these the student of this subject must settle in his own mind, for when he or she once broaches this study of fate, he will be assailed on all sides, and the student must be prepared to give "an answer for the faith that is in him."
in studying the hand it will be found that the line of fate may rise from the following distinct positions:
it may rise from and out of the line of life (2-2, plate xi.), straight up from the wrist (1-1, plate xi.), from the mount of the moon (3-3, plate xi.), or from the middle of the palm.
the following is the meaning of these principal positions:[pg 50]
rising from the line of life
rising from the line of life (2-2, plate xi.), the subject's success will be made by personal effort and merit; the early years of such a fate will be cramped and difficult; circumstances and the early surroundings will not be favourable, and such people will be greatly hampered or sacrificed to the wishes and plans of their parents or relatives. if the line of fate, however, should run on clear and strong from where it leaves the line of life, then the subject will overcome all such difficulties and win success by his own personal effort and merit, and not depend on what is termed luck at any time in the career.
another striking and important point is that the date or years marked on the line of fate of such a breaking out into the palm, will be found to coincide with the year in the subject's life in which he asserted his independence or launched out into what he more particularly wanted to do. (see also end of chapter on time, page 112.)
in any case this date as indicated will be found to be one of the most important in his career.[1]
[1] for how to obtain dates and years see chapter xix.
rising from the wrist
when the line of fate rises from the wrist (1-1, plate xi.) and goes straight up the centre of the palm to the mount of saturn, provided at the same time the line of sun (4-4, plate xi.) is found well marked, luck, brilliance, and success will attend the destiny, and extreme good fortune may be anticipated.[pg 51]
rising from the mount of the moon
rising from the mount of the moon (3-3, plate xi.) the fate will be more eventful, changeable, and largely depending on the fancy and caprice of other people.
plate xi. the line of destiny and its modifications. plate xi. the line of destiny and its modifications.
if such a line be found joining the line of heart (1-1, plate xii.), it foretells a happy and prosperous marriage, but one in which idealism, romance, and some fortunate circumstances play their r?le, and[pg 52] one which results more from the caprice or fancy of the person of the other sex.
if the line of fate be itself straight but with a line running in and joining it from the mount of the moon (5-5, plate xi.), it indicates that the influence of some outside person has helped the subject's fate, and it is generally an indication of the influence of another sex to the one on whose hand it appears.
when this line of influence from the mount of the moon does not, however, blend with the fate line (2-2, plate xii.), it denotes that the other person's life will always remain distinct, and the influence will last only for the length of time that it runs by the side of the subject's fate.
when this influence line cuts the line of fate and, leaving it, travels on for some distance towards the mount of jupiter (3-3, plate xii.) it tells that the person whose influence it denotes will only be attracted to the subject by personal ambition—that this person will use the subject for the furthering of his own aims and ambitions, and will desert the subject when she is of no further use. this is more commonly seen on the hand of a woman than on that of a man.
if the line of fate ascending the hand sends an offshoot from it on or towards any of the mounts, such as to jupiter, the sun, or mercury, then the destiny will be more largely associated with the quality that the mount it approaches symbolises.
for example: if such a line be seen approaching or going towards jupiter (6-6, plate xi.) it denotes responsibility, power of command over others, or some high position which will commence to be realised from the date when the offshoot leaves the line of fate. if such a mark continues its course and finishes[pg 53] on the mount of jupiter, it is one of the most magnificent signs of success that can be found for that particular aim or purpose.
plate xii. the line of destiny and its variations. plate xii. the line of destiny and its variations.
if this offshoot ascends towards the mount of the sun (7-7, plate xi.) the success will be in the direction of riches and public life, which will give great publicity or renown; this is also a magnificent sign of success.
if the offshoot goes towards the mount of mercury (8-8, plate xi.), the success it indicates will be more[pg 54] in the direction of some special achievement either in science or commerce.
if the line of fate itself should not ascend towards its habitual position on the mount of saturn, but, instead, run up towards or on to any other mount, then the whole effort of the life will be tinged with whatever quality that particular mount signifies. such an indication must not, however, be considered as the certain or sure sign of success as when the line of fate keeps to its own place and sends branches to some particular mount.
when the line of fate ascends the hand without branches and runs like a lonely path up and on to the mount of saturn, such a person will be like a child of fate chained to an iron road of circumstances. it will be impossible for him to avert the trials of his destiny or mitigate them in any way. he will receive no help from others, and little will ever happen except to bring him sorrow or tragedy. such a mark of fate through the hand must never be considered as "a good line of destiny."
to have a really good line of fate it should not be too heavily marked, but just clear and distinct, and, above all, be accompanied by a line of sun in some form or other.
if a line of fate run over the mount of saturn and up into the base of the finger, it is an unfortunate sign, as everything the subject undertakes will get out of his control, and he will not apparently know how or when to stop in whatever he takes up.
when the line of fate appears to be stopped by the line of heart, the career will always be ruined through or by the affections being badly placed.
when, however, it joins the line of heart and they[pg 55] together ascend the mount of jupiter (1-1, plate xii.), the subject will have happiness through his affections and will be helped by love and affection to attain his highest ambitions. he will also be extremely lucky through the friendship and love of those he meets, and will be greatly benefited and helped by others.
when the line of fate appears to be stopped by the line of head (4-4, plate xii.), it foretells that his career will be spoiled by the subject's own stupidity or mental foolishness.
rising from the middle of the palm
when the line of fate only makes its appearance far up in the centre of the palm, in what is called the plain of mars, it indicates a hard early life and that the subject must always have a hard fight to gain his ends; but should the line ascend clearly and strongly from the plain of mars and have a branch to or on towards the mount of the sun, such a person will be the architect of his own fortunes, and without help or assistance will win success and fortune by his own personal hard work and merit.
when the line of fate rises from the line of head and when it is well marked, everything will come to the subject late in life and only then by his own brains.
when the line of fate is seen with one branch on the mount of venus and the other on the mount of the moon (1-2, plate xiii.) it indicates a career of romance and passion, by which the whole of the destiny will be swayed.
when the line of fate itself rises inside the life[pg 56] line on the mount of venus (2-2, plate xiii.), passionate love will affect the whole career, and such persons, it will be found, usually place their affections on impossible people or on those who are in some way tied up by marriage or who otherwise are unable to gratify the love that the other person demands. this is a most unlucky sign for affection to find in the hands of a woman.
plate xiii. the line of destiny and its modifications. plate xiii. the line of destiny and its modifications.
when the line of fate is broken or made up in little bits, the career will be found full of troubles, breaks,[pg 57] and nothing that one gets will last long enough to bring any settled or continuous success.
a break in the fate line is not always a bad sign to have, provided that one side begins before the other ends; in such a case it foretells a complete change in surroundings and position, and if the new line looks good and straight it will be found to mean that the change will bring about an advancement in position commencing at the date when the second line first makes its appearance.[2]
[2] for dates on the line of fate see chapter xix.
influence lines
when any small line joins the fate line or goes on with it as an attendant line, such a mark usually indicates marriage at the date when these lines join (3-3, plate xiii.). if, on the contrary, these lines do not join, marriage with the person is not likely to occur although the affection and influence will be present in the career.
when one of these influence lines appears by the side of the fate line and crosses through it towards or on to the mount of mars, it indicates that the influence thus shown will turn to hate and will injure the career of the person on whose hand it is found (1-1, plate xiv.).
double lines of fate
when the line of fate is itself double (2-2, plate xiv.), it is a sign of what is called "a double life," but if, after running side by side for some length[pg 58] these two lines join or become one, it foretells that "the double life" has been caused by some great affection, that circumstances prevented a union, but that the preventing cause will be removed at the point where these two lines join.
when, however, a double line of fate is clearly marked, especially if they incline towards different mounts of the hand, such a mark indicates that two careers would be carried out simultaneously—one perhaps as a hobby and the other as the principal career.
when the line of fate is extremely faint or just barely traced through the palm, it will be found to indicate a general disbelief in the idea of fate and destiny. it is often found on the hands of very materialistic persons, those who rebel against the idea that they are governed in any way by fate or by any power save themselves.
when this is found, and at the same time a good clear line of head, such people will be sure to win success by their mentality alone, but the details of their destiny will not be able to be told, and one must content oneself with chiefly describing their characteristics, peculiarities, etc.
when no line of fate whatever is found and only a very ordinary line of head, then there will be nothing very particular to say about the destiny; such people, as a rule, lead very colourless lives, nothing seems to affect them much one way or the other, and they will be found to have very little purpose to illumine the drab monotony of their existence.
an island (3, plate xiv.) is an extremely bad sign to find in the line of fate.
when found at the very beginning of the line (4,[pg 59] plate xiv.) it indicates some mystery regarding the commencement of such careers, such as illegitimate birth.
plate xiv. the line of destiny, islands, and other signs. plate xiv. the line of destiny, islands, and other signs.
an island, when found on a woman's hand connecting the fate line with the mount of venus, is an almost certain indication of her seduction (5, plate xiv.).
an island in any part of the plain of mars indicates a period of great difficulty, loss in one's career, and[pg 60] in consequence, generally loss of money (3, plate xiv.).
an island on the fate and head lines together means loss also, but more brought on by the person's own stupidity or lack of intelligence (6, plate xiv.).
an island over the fate and heart lines indicates loss and trouble connected with affairs of the heart or brought about by the affections.
an island on the mount of saturn or towards the end of the line of fate (5, plate xiv.) foreshadows that the career will finish in poverty and despair.[3]
[3] for more details concerning the meaning of "islands" in general, see chapter xv.
when the line of fate finishes suddenly with a cross, some great fatality may be expected, but when the cross is found on the fate line and on the mount of saturn, the ending of such a destiny will be some terrible tragedy, generally one of public disgrace and public death.
