Difference between revisions of "Chiromancy"

84 bytes added ,  07:55, 19 November 2024
 
Line 15: Line 15:


===Modern palmistry===
===Modern palmistry===
Palmistry experienced a revival in the modern era starting with Captain Casimir Stanislas D'Arpentigny's publication ''La Chirognomie'' in 1839.
Palmistry experienced a revival in the modern era starting with Captain Casimir Stanislas D'Arpentigny's publication ''La Chirognomie'' in 1839. Today, it is often linked in with other esoteric practices as a [[New Age]] belief.


The Chirological Society of Great Britain was founded in London by Katharine St. Hill in 1889 with the stated aim to advance and systematise the art of palmistry and to prevent charlatans from abusing the art. Edgar de Valcourt-Vermont (Comte C. de Saint-Germain) founded the American Chirological Society in 1897.
The Chirological Society of Great Britain was founded in London by Katharine St. Hill in 1889 with the stated aim to advance and systematise the art of palmistry and to prevent charlatans from abusing the art. Edgar de Valcourt-Vermont (Comte C. de Saint-Germain) founded the American Chirological Society in 1897.


A pivotal figure in the modern palmistry movement was the Irish William John Warner, known by his sobriquet, Cheiro. After studying under gurus in India, he set up a palmistry practice in London and enjoyed a wide following of famous clients from around the world, including famous celebrities like Mark Twain, W. T. Stead, Sarah Bernhardt, Mata Hari, Oscar Wilde, Grover Cleveland, Thomas Edison, the Prince of Wales, General Kitchener, William Ewart Gladstone, and Joseph Chamberlain. So popular was Cheiro as a "society palmist" that even those who were not believers in the occult had their hands read by him. The skeptical Mark Twain wrote in Cheiro's visitor's book that he had "exposed my character to me with humiliating accuracy".
A pivotal figure in the modern palmistry movement was the Irish William John Warner, known by his sobriquet, Cheiro. After studying under gurus in India, he set up a palmistry practice in London and enjoyed a wide following of famous clients from around the world, including famous celebrities like Mark Twain, W. T. Stead, Sarah Bernhardt, Mata Hari, Oscar Wilde, Grover Cleveland, Thomas Edison, the Prince of Wales, General Kitchener, William Ewart Gladstone, and Joseph Chamberlain. So popular was Cheiro as a "society palmist" that even those who were not believers in the occult had their hands read by him. The skeptical Mark Twain wrote in Cheiro's visitor's book that he had "exposed my character to me with humiliating accuracy."


Edward Heron-Allen, an English polymath, published various works including the 1883 book, ''Palmistry – A Manual of Cheirosophy'', which is still in print. There were attempts at formulating some sort of scientific basis for the art, most notably in the 1900 publication ''The Laws of Scientific Hand Reading'' by William Gurney Benham.
Edward Heron-Allen, an English polymath, published various works including the 1883 book, ''Palmistry – A Manual of Cheirosophy'', which is still in print. There were attempts at formulating some sort of scientific basis for the art, most notably in the 1900 publication ''The Laws of Scientific Hand Reading'' by William Gurney Benham.