In the palm of your hand

Read between the lines and tap into a person's unique personality and potential - Johnny Fincham introduces the ancient art of palmistry...

- Johnny Fincham

Humans have always been fascinated by their hands. If we take a deep dive into history, even prehistoric cave dwellers saw their hands as markers of their individuality. Anthropologists argue that the palm prints found in prehistoric caves around the world were our ancestors' attempts to leave a personal signature of ownership. As each palm print is unique, this would have shown exactly who lived where.

Today, palmistry is principally a means of self-knowledge. It isn't a form of fortune telling; no tall, dark, handsome strangers are marked in your hand, nor will it tell you how long you'll live. But truly astonishing information can be gleaned from the palm: sensitivity, emotional balance, confidence, intelligence, and many other qualities.

There are four basic skin textures you will find on a person's palm, and each one indicates a different thing...

SILK SKIN

If the skin feels ultra-fine and soft, or the print shows barely visible ridges and lots of fine lines, the person is hypersensitive-they have an aversion to conflict and harsh situations, and they are physically delicate, with a fussy, fragile disposition. This skin type - known as silk skin-is common among alternative therapists, carers, spiritual seekers, intuitives, artists and aesthetes.

GRAINY SKIN

If the skin feels grainy, or the print shows firm, hard skin ridges with strong, red lines like cuts, the person is action-orientated. They are always busy and are by nature 'doers. This skin type -known as grainy skin - is common among sporty and business-minded people. Grainy skin is much more common on males than on females.

PAPER SKIN