Aristotle's works:: Containing the Master-piece, Directions for Midwives, and Counsel and Advice to Child-bearing Women with Various Useful Remedies
Aristotle · en
The line of Venus, if it happens to be cut or divided near the
fore-finger, threatens ruin to the party, and that it shall befall him
by means of lascivious women, and bad company. Two crosses upon this
line, one being on the fore-finger and the other bending towards the
little finger, shows the part to be weak, and inclined to modesty and
virtue; indeed it generally denotes modesty in women; and therefore
those who desire such, usually choose them by this standard.
The liver line, if it be straight and crossed by other lines, shows the
person to be of a sound judgment, and a piercing understanding; but if
it be winding, crooked, and bending outward, it shows deceit and
flattery, and the party is not to be trusted. If it makes a triangle, or
quadrangle, it shows the person to be of a noble descent, and ambitious
of honour and promotion. If it happens that this line and the middle
line begin near each other, it denotes a person to be weak in his
judgment, if a man; but if a woman, in danger by hard labour.
The plain of Mars being in the hollow of the hand, most of the lines
pass through it, which renders it very significant. This plain being
hollow, and the lines being crooked and distorted, threatens the party
to fall by his enemies. When the lines beginning at the wrist are long
within the plain, reaching to the brawn of the hand, that shows the
person to be much given to quarrelling, often in broils, and of a hot
and fiery spirit, by which he shall suffer much damage. If deep and
large crosses be in the middle of the plain, it shows the party shall
obtain honour by martial exploits; but if it be a woman, she shall have
several husbands, and easy labour with her children.
The line of Death is fatal, when crosses or broken lines appear in it;
for they threaten the person with sickness and a short life. A clouded
moon appearing therein, threatens a child-bed woman with death. A bloody
spot in the line, denotes a violent death. A star like a comet, threaten
ruin by war, and death by pestilence. But if a bright sun appears
therein, it promises long life and prosperity.
As for the lines of the wrist being fair, they denote good fortune; but
if crossed and broken, the contrary.
CHAPTER V.
_Judgments according to Physiognomy, drawn from the different parts of
the Body, from the Hands to the Feet._