Lesson Four: Palmistry and Ornithomancy
Thanks to circuses around the globe, palmistry is a pretty well-known method for divination. While this is true, Ornithomancy isn't quite as popular and can be some what of a mystery. In this lesson, we will be discussing each. By the end, you should be able to explain each, and be able to explain how one would use each method as a way of divination.
What is Palmistry?
Palmistry has many different other names: Chiromancy, Cheiromancy, Palm-Reading, and Chirology. Palmistry is the study of the lines in the palm and using them to predict future events, usually in that person's life. Some experts cite that palmistry began in India, China, and Roma gypsies. Over 5000 years ago, a Hindu sage Valmiki is thought to have written a book of his teachings of male palmistry. It then spread to other locations near to India, such as Tibet, China, Egypt, and Persia, and eventually found its way into Europe. By 3000 BC, the Chinese were practicing it. It then spread to Ancient Greece, where Anaxagoras practiced it. Classical palmistry as actually based off of Greek mythology, with each area of the hand belonging to their Greek gods and goddesses. Because of this relation to the gods and goddesses, it also meant that each part of the hand had aspects related to it. For instance, the mount of the palm right below the thumb is assigned to the goddess Venus and is connected to aspects such as sociable, elite, and early marriage. Palmistry was also used as a medical aid to Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen.
Palmistry came to Europe and was practiced by Gypsies in the Middle Ages. The Catholic church, meanwhile, branded it as devil worship and forced the practice underground. Once the eighteenth century began taking palmistry and blending it with science, Gypsies evolved their palmistry and became the fortune tellers we think of today. There were many infamous palm readers known for their accurate readings.
Today, it still exists, and some are known to study the lines of hands for scientific purposes, even if there is some skepticism of the practice.
Palmistry came to Europe and was practiced by Gypsies in the Middle Ages. The Catholic church, meanwhile, branded it as devil worship and forced the practice underground. Once the eighteenth century began taking palmistry and blending it with science, Gypsies evolved their palmistry and became the fortune tellers we think of today. There were many infamous palm readers known for their accurate readings.
Today, it still exists, and some are known to study the lines of hands for scientific purposes, even if there is some skepticism of the practice.
Palmistry in the Wizarding World
Palmistry is taught at Hogwarts in students' third year. It is also a part of the Divination OWL, where students are expected to read their examinator's palms in order to pass the OWL. Although palmistry is only mentioned at school in the wizarding world, I suspect it is quite popular outside of school as well and is enjoyed as a pastime to those who wish to see what is in their futures.
How Do We Read Palms?
This topic is quite interesting to me. There are so many areas on our palms that it would take me to cover everything. I suggest you do quite a bit of research on your own after reading the following. However, I will give you a tour of the basics. For more information, you can visit my Sources page on the home tab and find the appropriate website there.
Here you will see a basic description of the lines of your palms and the mounts. By marking the pinky finger Mercury, it means that the mount found at the base of the pinky finger is the Mount of Mercury. You will see the Mount of Venus, as I described earlier, in the spot I spoke about earlier.
The Life Line: The line that indicates how long your life will be. Distinct and thick life lines tend to mean physical strength. No line at all would mean your life is fragile and death could occur at any moment. A short line refers to less energy but not necessarily a short life.
The Head Line: The line that deals with your beliefs. A long line denotes a wide field of understanding. A short line means a more limited mental range.
The Heart Line: The line that deals with love in your life. No heart line would mean cold and immoral. A long, clear line would mean lasting affection.
The Fate Line: The line that tells you the effects events will have on your life. No line means a self-made person. A straight line means often nervous breakdowns based on events.
This is only an introduction to the lines on the palm. For a more extensive, in depth description, be sure to do your own research. There are many websites online describing what your line means.
The Life Line: The line that indicates how long your life will be. Distinct and thick life lines tend to mean physical strength. No line at all would mean your life is fragile and death could occur at any moment. A short line refers to less energy but not necessarily a short life.
The Head Line: The line that deals with your beliefs. A long line denotes a wide field of understanding. A short line means a more limited mental range.
The Heart Line: The line that deals with love in your life. No heart line would mean cold and immoral. A long, clear line would mean lasting affection.
The Fate Line: The line that tells you the effects events will have on your life. No line means a self-made person. A straight line means often nervous breakdowns based on events.
This is only an introduction to the lines on the palm. For a more extensive, in depth description, be sure to do your own research. There are many websites online describing what your line means.
What is Ornithomancy?
Ornithomancy is the act of reading omens from watching the actions of birds. The Greeks and Romans seem to be the only civilizations we know of that practiced this method of divination. The Ancient Greeks studied the songs and flight of birds to read omens. The Ancient Romans had Augury, which were priests that interpreted the gods' will by studying birds. Greeks and Romans alike took these omens quite seriously, so much so, that ornithomancy became a branch of the Roman national religion. Ornithomancy was referenced in the Odyssey, where the actions of birds was interpreted as an omen of the birth of Odysseus and the death of the suitors of his wife.
Ornithomancy in the Wizarding World
Much is still unknown as to how common ornithomancy is in the wizarding world. The only known reference to it is during Delores Umbridge's time at Hogwarts, where she attacked Professor Trelawney with incredible difficult questions on the subject.
Not much is said otherwise on the subject. Perhaps Professor Trelawney taught it, or perhaps it was not one of her most favorite methods of divination and she did not spend much time on it. Regardless, ornithomancy is still part of the wizarding world, even if it is not a big one.
Not much is said otherwise on the subject. Perhaps Professor Trelawney taught it, or perhaps it was not one of her most favorite methods of divination and she did not spend much time on it. Regardless, ornithomancy is still part of the wizarding world, even if it is not a big one.
How do we Practice Ornithomancy?
In order to answer this question, we will use the practice of the augury. Of course, you must study birds in order to complete this type of Divination. Once you notice the birds, you will watch them. Are they flying in groups or alone? What noises are they making as they fly? What direction of flight are they taking? What type of birds are they? You must learn to notice these details and understand what each means. For instance, it is said that two eagles landed on the roof of the chamber of where Alexander of Macedon was being born as his mother was in labor. This symbolized his future mastery of two empires. Birds being in attendance of a birth can symbolize what that person is meant to become. One just has to take notice and read the signs to understand it.
That is all we have for this course. I hope you decide to take my next course, where we will study more fascinating methods of divination, as well as my personal favorite and expertise! Make sure to complete your homework and extra credit for this lesson, as well as your final and final project.