On Chiromancy

The middle of the hand itself, situated between the ascent and the descent, will signify the middle of our life; and therefore, in whatever part of the hand the aforementioned lines are found, they will also demonstrate their own significance within that age of life, such as liberality or, conversely, prodigality. And these things are sufficient as far as the significance of the principal lines is concerned. For there are other, non-principal lines which do not possess such a true significance, nor can a natural reason be given for them as can be for the principal ones. Nature has greater care and solicitude for the latter, since all natural powers operate for the favor of human life, just as a thing is brought about by nature herself. For she always strives to make every thing most perfect. Wherefore, she strives in a wonderful way to favor those same parts which it is necessary for nature to favor, and also to mitigate and temper the overly superfluous parts which occur in human life due to excess of cold or heat, just as has been said above; and it will also be declared in the significations of the hands and their lines, speaking much more aptly and individually of all signs—namely, of lines, fissures, mounts, fingers, or the signs of crosses, stars, or similar things. Furthermore, I shall also add triangles, counter-triangles, and finally polygons formed in diverse manners. For sometimes they are heptagonal, sometimes hexagonal, and sometimes none at all are seen. Sometimes, also, the four natural lines are not found in the hand. For in some, the line of prosperity, in others the natural, and in others the mensal line is missing. Some people have only four fingers on a hand, as I have known one such person. This can happen from a defect of nature and the operation of celestial bodies. Some people sometimes have six fingers, which I have also seen elsewhere: plentifully.