...and large indexes of personality. It is the lines in particular, a minute handwriting inscribed in the books of our lives, that reveal the workings of our inmost thought and emotion. In a way, all handwriting is a practical extension of the markings that the hands themselves bear.

The major lines on the hands, the Life line, Head line and Heart line are large chapters in these books of our lives. Smaller lines work like subheadings and marks such as squares, stars, and islands are minute but powerful footnotes to the greater work itself. The placement of the smaller lines and marks are, of course, significant. All of cheirognomy is a study in balance and relationship.

The Via Hepatica, or line of Health, works its way up from the base of the palm where the Life line tapers down into the wrist, across the outer plain of Mars towards the little finger of Mercury. This line has also sometimes been called the Liver line. If the line of Health is broken as it crosses the Head line, it may indicate a nervous temperment and a need for stability and quiet in one's life. If the Health line breaks at the line of the Heart then romance may have a serious impact upon the physical well being of the subject.

Many people don't have this line of Health at all. And that is an indication of great physical vigor. However, the fact that one may have a health line is no particular indication of disease, but rather the potential for illness. Running as it does adjacent to the Mount of the Moon and up to Mercury, the line of health displays the connection between the mind and emotions and physical well-being. Crosses and breaks on the Health line indicate illness. If it is exceedingly red, a tendency to headache is shown. An island on the Health line is a sign of physical weakness or a period where special care must be taken. A double or sister line of Health indicates great vitality.

There is an old legend that a star at the base of the Health line indicates "no family." Stars in general are a rare, but significant mark to look for. Falling on the line of Health a star would indicate a period of danger or potential for change. Stars are always indicative of quantum change, for good or ill. Squares indicate a narrow escape, a preservation during a critical time.

We should not be surprised to find that the line of Health, of all the lines on the hand, is the one most subject to change. As the subject assumes greater health, this line may fade completely away, particularly where it might cross the line of Life. It is a useful inscription of one's physical well being that will show great fluctuation throughout one's course of life.

RAY ZONE has been called the "King of 3-D." Visit his website at: ray3dzone.com or email Ray at: r3dzone@earthlink.net