In the first place, I would advise the student to seat himself opposite his subject, so that a good light may fall directly on the hands. I would also advise that no person be allowed to stand or sit in close proximity, as unconsciously a third person will distract the attention of both subject and palmist. There is no special time absolutely necessary for the successful reading of hands. In India they advocate the hour of sunrise, but that is merely because of the fact that the circulation of the blood is stronger at the extremities in the early morning than after the fatigue of the day, consequently the lines are more colored and distinct. By placing the subject directly opposite, the student is in a better position to examine both hands at the same time. In proceeding with the examination, first notice carefully the type the hands belong to, whether the fingers are in keeping with the palm, or in themselves relate to a distinct class; next carefully examine the left hand, then turn to the right—see what modifications and changes have occurred there, and make the right hand the basis of your reading.
On all important points, such as illness, death, loss of fortune, marriage, and so forth, see what the left promises before coming to the conclusion that this or that event will take place.
Hold whatever hand you are examining firmly in yours; press the line or mark till the blood flows into it—you will see by this means the tendencies of its growth.
Examine every portion of the hand—back, front, nails, skin, color—before speaking. The first point should be the examination of the thumb: see whether it is long, short, or poorly developed; whether the will-phalange is firm or supple, whether it is strong or weak. Then turn your attention to the palm: note whether it is hard, soft, or flabby.
I would next advise that you remark the fingers—their proportion to the palm, whether long or short, thick or thin; class them as a whole, according to the type they represent, or if they be mixed, class each individual finger. Then notice the nails for their bearing on temper, disposition, and health. Finally, after carefully examining the entire hand, turn your attention to the mounts: see which mount or mounts have the greatest prominence; and then proceed to the lines. There is no fixed rule as to the line to examine first; the best plan, however, is to start with the lines of life and health combined, then proceed to the line of head, the line of destiny, the line of heart, and so on.
Speak honestly, truthfully, yet carefully. You can tell the plainest truths, but you need not shock or hurt your consultant by doing so. Be as careful with that complicated piece of humanity before you as you would be in handling a fine and delicate piece of machinery. Above all things, you must be sympathetic: take the deepest possible interest in every person whose hands you read; enter into their lives, their feelings, and their natures. Let your entire ambition be to do good, to be of some benefit to the person who consults you. If this be the foundation of your work, it will never tire or distress you; on the contrary, it will sustain you. If you meet friends, be thankful for their friendliness; if you meet enemies, be not argumentative for the sake of argument. Think of your work first, of self last.
Above all things, be not impatient in the pursuit of this knowledge; you will not learn a language in a day, neither must you expect to learn cheiromancy in an hour. Be not dismayed if you find it more difficult than you have imagined. Consider it earnestly—not in the light of an amusement, but as a work entailing depth of thought, patience of research, and one worthy of the highest talents that you can give. If we study it aright, we hold within our hands the keys of the mysteries of life. In it are hereditary laws, the sins of the fathers, the karma of the past, the effect of the cause, the balance of things that have been, the shadow of things to be.
Let us be careful, then, that this knowledge be used aright. Let us be earnest in work, humble if success may crown work. Let us examine self before we examine others. If we see crime, let us consider the temptation of the criminal. If we see faults, let us remember we are not perfect.
Let us be careful lest in the pursuit of knowledge we despise what may seem to be beneath us—there is nothing beneath us; there is nothing common, for all fulfil the purpose of humanity. Let us not think there is no truth because we do not know, or that we possess the mysteries of the sun because we see its light. Let us be humble, that knowledge may raise us; let us be seekers, that we may find.