The Art and Science of Hand Reading: Classical Methods for Self-Discovery through Palmistry

by Ellen Goldberg, Dorian Bergen

A comprehensive guide to the inner psychology revealed by the hand • Details how to interpret the entire hand--the shape of the palm and fingers, mounts, lines, fingerprints, flexibility, nails, and skin texture • Reveals the personality archetypes, strengths, and weaknesses connected with each of the seven mounts and how the rest of the hand modifies these traits • Explains how lines change and the decisive influence of the person’s own mind in healing defects found on the lines Palmistry is a science and a universal language. The hand tells a story about your talents, relationships, health, and how you feel about yourself. It reveals periods of ease or challenge in your life, and it speaks about your weaknesses and the traits you need to develop. As you change, so do your hands, reflecting the progress you have made. In this comprehensive guide to hand reading, based on Ellen Goldberg’s 40 years of teaching palmistry and the Western Mystery tradition, the authors make the powerful insights of the hand accessible in an inviting and user-friendly manner. The book presents the character traits and personality archetypes associated with each of the seven mounts of the palm and shows how to determine which are most influential in the nature of the individual. The mount archetypes reveal the lifestyle, love,sex, and marriage preferences; the best career choices; and the unique strengths and weaknesses for each person. The book also examines other factors that enhance the qualities revealed by the mount types, including the flexibility of the hand, texture of the skin, and the shapes of the fingers, fingertips, and nails. The meaning of each major and minor line is described in detail as well as the influence the person’s own mind has in healing defects and obstacles found on their lines. The authors also provide accurate timing guides for each line, making it possible to locate specific events and to see how your lines change over time. Presenting the hand as a guide to self-fulfillment, The Art and Science of Hand Reading incorporates correspondences to other mystical sciences such as astrology, Kabbalah, the Hermetic teachings, and archetypal psychology. It also includes practical examples and more than 600 illustrations to show how to integrate the meanings of each part of the hand to form a complete picture of your inner psychology and your ever-changing destiny.

Genres: Palmistry, Divination, Occult, Spirituality, Reference, Nonfiction, Research

1360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2015

About the author

I am both a psychotherapist and a mystic living and working in New York City. In my own journey towards wholeness I have investigated many paths, and this has made me a rich resource for others.

I have been a long time student of both Eastern and Western spiritual philosophies, including Buddhism, the Tao, Kabbalah, Mythology, the Western Hermetic Tradition, Spiritual Alchemy, Nature, and Mindfulness Meditation. My special talent is my ability to synthesize the information I’ve learned from my studies, and integrate this knowledge with my teaching of the mystic sciences of Palmistry, Tarot and Astrology.

I have combined these studies with years of psychotherapy, meditation, psychic development and contemplation. I know from experience that you can change your way of being with yourself and being in the world.

The Art and Science of Hand Reading draws from both traditional Palmistry, and newer insights. The book integrates the correspondences with Astrology, Mythology, and Psychology. I am especially interested in the psychological archetypes as they are shown in the hand and manifested in the personality.

My book is written in an easy to understand, conversational tone, as I dictated the entire book to my book partner,co-editor, and long-time student, Dorian Bergan. It was our intention for the book to be just as if I were teaching a class. Indeed, it is that. I sat with my teaching notebook on my lap and spoke the book aloud as we entered it into the computer. I have been teaching Palmistry for 44 years.

I also love giving readings, in person and through Skype, that combine all the mystic arts. I am a clear and gentle communicator and an excellent synthesizer of information. I can bring together the information in the hand, the astrology chart and the tarot cards for a comprehensive picture of yourself and your situation.

I have been in counseling fields for over 40 years. I began as a social worker in 1968. After achieving an M.A in Psychology (Goddard College, 1985), I opened my private therapy practice in Manhattan, which combines both traditional and spiritual methods. I have continued to have the pleasure of evolving in this work for over 40 years.
You may read more about my work at www.schooloforacles.com

Reviews

[Tarot · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the most in-depth resource on Western Palmistry I've found with over 500 pages of full descriptions and photographs of all aspects of mounts, palm lines, hand shapes, palm shapes, finger shapes, nail shapes, etc. The only thing I would've changed is having color photos for the aspects that consider color.

[Kong Meas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for palm reader

I read many books for palmistry but this book is best one that I read many time since I give more knowledge about Pamlistry. All Palmists should by this Books.

[Tsinoy Foodies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting if you're interested in assessing your health, psychology - innate and growing character and temperament through the an observation of your own palm. But, of course just take it as an amusement or a grain of salt.

Half of the content, even the palm photo examples, are either redudant or for iteration.

[Cee Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm doing research for work. This book is really thorough and well written -- it's a high-quality text. The content is okay but I can't forgive the strong ableism inherent to a lot of these palmistry texts.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like this book

Easy to read and understand. Good amount of pictures and examples. Interesting to learn from it. I like the book.

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 2/22/2017.

Sorry for the delay in posts. I’ve been doing the headache thing pretty bad and I’ve also been busy adulting. (If you want to read about term life insurance conversions, just say so!) And while we’re discussing delays, I’m reviewing a book that debuted roughly a year ago! However good things come to those who wait, and “The Art and Science of Hand Reading” is quite good!

I love reading about divination. Who doesn’t wish they could get a glimpse into the future? Out of all the divinatory arts, palmistry has always held a particular fascination. Maybe it is the act of giving over your hand to someone and the idea that your whole life is written on your hands that makes it feel more intimate. If you want to learn how to read hands, then I’ve got the book you need!

“The Art and Science of Hand Reading: Classical Methods for Self-Discovery through Palmistry” by Ellen Goldberg and Dorian Bergen has everything you need. The methodology used in the book is in the Benham lineage of palmistry. At the age of 13 William Benham discovered palmistry. He was so devoted to the study of the palm that he earned a medical degree to further his understanding. In 1900 he published “The Laws of Scientific Hand Reading”. The authors say “that this book is a great-grandchild of Benham”.

The book is dense. For readers thinking this is some sort of beginner’s guide, you’re wrong. “The Art and Science of Hand Reading” is a complete text book. 544 pages that demand study and review. There are copious diagrams, photos, and palm prints. Every inch of the hand is explored; ranging from palms to fingernails to hand flexibility. It’s fascinating stuff.

“The Art and Science of Hand Reading” by Ellen Goldberg and Dorian Bergen is the only book on the subject of palmistry that you may ever need. It’s certainly a resource you’ll turn to again and again.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fully illustrated, not only how-to, but history of. Very revealing and simply beautiful book.