The star is a sign of very great importance, wherever it makes its appearance on the hand. I do not at all hold that it is generally a danger, and one from which there is no escape; rather, on the contrary, I consider it, with one or two exceptions, a fortunate sign, and one which naturally should depend upon the portion of the hand, or the line, with which it is connected.
When a star appears on the Mount of Jupiter, it has two distinct meanings, according to its position.
When on the highest point of the mount, on the face of the hand, it promises great honor, power, and position; ambition gratified, and the ultimate success and triumph of the individual (m, Plate XIX).
With a strong fate, head, and sun line, there is almost no step in the ladder of human greatness that the subject will not reach. It is usually found on the hand of a very ambitious man or woman, and in the pursuit of power and position there is probably no mark to equal it.
Its second position on the Mount of Jupiter is when it lies almost off the mount, very low at its base, cutting the base of the first finger, or resting on the side toward the back of the hand. In this case it is also the sign of a most ambitious person, but with this difference, that he will be brought in contact with extremely distinguished people; but unless the rest of the hand be exceptionally fine, it does not promise distinction or power to the individual himself.
The Star on the Mount of Saturn
On the center of the Mount of Saturn it is a sign of some terrible fatality (n, Plate XIX.). It again gives distinction, but a distinction to be dreaded. It is decidedly wrong to class this sign with the old idea of the mark of murder. p. 122 It really means that the subject will have some terribly fatalistic life, but that of a man in every way a child of fate, a plaything of destiny; a man cast for some terrible part in the drama of life—he may be a Judas, or he may be a Saviour, but all his work and life and career will have some dramatic and terrible climax, some unrivaled brilliancy, some position resplendent with the majesty of death—a king for the moment, but crowned with doom.
The second position for the star on Saturn is that almost off the mount, either at the side or cutting into the fingers. This, like the star on Jupiter, denotes that the subject will be brought into contact with one of those who make history, but in this case with one who gains distinction through some terrible fate.
The Star on the Mount of the Sun
The star on the Mount of the Sun (p, Plate XIX.) gives the brilliancy of wealth and position, but, as a rule, without happiness. Such wealth has come too late; the price has probably been too dearly paid in the way of health, or perhaps in peace of mind. Certain it is, however, that, though it gives great riches, it never gives contentment or happiness. When in this case by the side of the mount, it denotes, like the others, that the subject will be brought in contact with rich and wealthy people, without himself being rich in the world’s goods.
When, however, it is connected or formed by the line of sun, it denotes great fame and celebrity, but through talent and work in art. It should not be too high on the hand; a little above the middle of the line is its best position, as in the case of Madame Sarah Bernhardt, an impression of whose hand will be found on Plate XXVII.).
The Star on the Mount of Mercury
The star in the center of the Mount of Mercury (q, Plate XIX.) denotes brilliancy and success in science, business, or the power of eloquence, according to the type of hand, and, as in the foregoing examples, by the side of the mount it denotes association with people distinguished in those walks of life.
The Star on the Mount of Mars
The star on the Mount of Mars under Mercury (j, Plate XVIII.), denotes that through patience, resignation, and fortitude the greatest honors will be gained.
On the opposite side of the hand, the Mount of Mars under Jupiter, great distinction and celebrity will arise from a martial life, or a signal battle or warfare in which the subject will be engaged.
The Star on the Mount of Luna
The star on the Mount of Luna (k, Plate XVIII.) is, according to my system, a sign of great celebrity arising from the qualities of the mount, namely, through the imaginative faculties. I do not hold that it relates to drowning, in accordance with other cheiromants. There is another meaning, however, to this sign, which may have given rise to this idea, and that is that when the line of head ends in a star on this mount the dreamy imaginative faculties will ruin the balance of the line of head, and the result will be insanity. Because this star has been found so often on the hands of suicides, it may have given rise to the former belief, but people lose sight of the fact that water for suicides is going out of fashion. In these days the revolver or the overdose of morphine is much more in vogue.
The Star on the Mount of Venus
In the center or highest point of the Mount of Venus (l, Plate XVIII.) the star is once more successful and favorable, but this time in relation to the affections and passions. On a man’s hand such a sign indicates extraordinary success in all affairs of love—the same on a woman’s hand. No jealousies or opposition will rob them of the spoils of conquest.
When lying by the side of the mount, the amours of such a subject will be with people distinguished for their success in the arena of love.
The Star on the Fingers
The star on the tips or outer phalanges of the fingers gives great good fortune in anything touched or attempted, and on the first phalange of the thumb success through the subject’s strength of will.
The star is one of the most important of the lesser signs to seek for.
In the foregoing remarks it should be borne in mind that the indications denoted by this important lesser sign must naturally be in keeping with the tendencies shown by the general character of the hand. It stands to reason, for instance, that the star could have little power or meaning on a hand containing a weak, undeveloped line of head. In dealing with this, as indeed with every other portion of the study, it must be understood that however clear the directions may be, it is impossible to dispense with the exercise of a certain amount of mentality and discretion on the part of the student.