hand

Hand sweating, or palm sweating, is not such a uncommon problem as you might think. There are literally thousands of people who suffer from this problem, but in some cases, they have just learned how to mask it well.

If you suffer from hand sweating, you might find that you are one of those people who are constantly wiping their hands on their trousers or skirts in preparation to shaking hands or coming in contact with other people. You might also find that if you suffer from an excessive hand sweating problem, that you are even afraid to pick up anything which is glass – and therefore slippery – when you are in public.

This can be painful in the extreme not only to you mentally, but also to you emotionally and socially. You might find that you go out of your way to avoid these things which can highlight your hand sweating problem, and in turn you will find yourself ever more reluctant to face these situations.

It doesn’t need to be this way and if you can but find a preventative method to deal with your hand sweating problem, you will find that you are more confident when you go out in society, and that you are not anxiously, and surreptitiously, wiping your hands on any available piece of clothing, in preparation for shaking someone’s hand.

To that end it behooves you to find the one or two preventative methods out of the many thousands out there, which suits you best, and which can help you to deal with hand sweating. Of course, it will take a little bit of time to find the perfect one, but perseverance is the key here, and you really shouldn’t give up.

And although some people resort to using a commercially available antiperspirant you might find that these products are not the ones for you. Besides the fact that they tend to be sticky and might even leave a residue on your hands, you might find that they don’t work as well as they should when applied in context with hand sweating.

There are of course, other methods which people use, such as acupuncture. In this method the root cause of your hand sweating is sought before any proper treatment is given. The same applies to ayurvedic practices, but although these are very good options to help you deal with your hand sweating problem, you’ll want to make sure that you go to a properly trained professional of the field. Anything less can leave you with more problems than you desire.

And if you’re not sure where to start with finding a good remedy for your hand sweating problems, you might prefer to consult with your doctor to begin with. This individual will be able to point you in the right direction, where to begin your search. After that it should just be a matter of time before you are on you way to finding the right preventative method for your hand sweating problems.

I would like to thank you for visiting and reading this article. The topic has been carefully researched and documented for your benefit.

There are many unlike tools and equipment that building workers and wood workers use. Of these tools the most exploited tool is that of the hand saw. This diverse tool may seem primitive in comparability to the more sophisticated electrical tools but it is capable of cutting the items and materials you need.

Now while these hand saws are capable of cutting into just about any surface there are unlike saws that are more suited for different tasks. You should take these saws and their capabilities into thought when you are choosing a saw to purchase or use for the job at hand. You will also need to see if the hand saws you are looking through have all of the requirements which are part of the makeup of these hand saws.

These requirements are Basically the rake, pitch and set measurements of the hand saws. Based on the three qualities of which can be found in dissimilar hand saws you will get an idea of whether the saw you are choosing is appropriate to use or if you should look at another character of hand saw. The way these three qualities impact the use of the saw is easily explained.

The pitch of the saw for instance is merely a measurement of saw teeth you will find per inch on the blade of the saw. The rake is looked at to see the angle that the saw teeth have been ground. The set measurement on the other hand examines the way the saw teeth have been set. These teeth are placed in different ways in various types of hand saws.

Having covered these details we should take a brief look at the another(a) types of hand saws that you can use. Remember that some of these saws are more suitable for certain tasks than others. The back saw is one of the hand saws. This saw has a rectangular blade....read further on a site....

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found the information useful and interesting.

Arthritis is a familiar term to most people. However, there are many different types of arthritis, each with its own specific affected area and the types of arthritis vary in degrees of severity. One type of arthritis that particularly limits your ability to complete daily activities is hand arthritis.

Think about it—you use your hands for just about everything. What would happen if you feel pain every time when you use your hands? People affected by hand arthritis face this challenge, every day. Knowing the symptoms of hand arthritis could result in earlier diagnosis, which in turn could contribute to arthritis prevention.

Arthritis of the hand occurs when the cartilage (nature’s “shock absorber”) in the hand begins to deteriorate. The body begins to produce a fluid called synovium to try and cushion the joints in place of the cartilage. However, this fluid causes the joint to swell and results in the restricted motion of the joint. The joint covering, Called the capsule, stretches, which causes the pain that arthritis is known for.

Early on, people with hand arthritis might experience a dull or burning pain in their hands . For example, many people feel this sensation when grasping or gripping something. However, others do not experience these symptoms until several hours later.

As hand arthritis advances, smaller uses of the hands will result in these symptoms. The pain typically worsens as the disease progresses; some people complain that arthritis pain keeps them up at night. Others claim that rainy weather negatively affects their arthritis. As the arthritis grows worse, those affected by it will begin to find simple tasks, such as tying shoes and opening jars, more difficult.

There are several ways that hand arthritis can be treated. One way to treat the symptoms of arthritis is medications. Medications eliminate the pain associated with the arthritis, but they do not fix the problem of the deteriorating cartilage.

Some people discuss surgical options because they eliminate the problem completely. The types of surgeries that can treat hand arthritis are numerous. One option, for example, is to have the affected joints replaced altogether.

If you are suffering from hand arthritis, then you do not have to live with your pain. There are so many options available for treatment that can significantly increase the quality of your life and life the limitations that have been placed on your daily activity.

For more Details check http://www.arthritisreliefhelp.info

Are you happy with your work right now? Are you so caught up with its demanding tangles? Do you find it hard to launch away from it? Are you one of those professionals who suffer from low wages? Gather your thoughts and make a move as soon as possible. You don't have to stay on the shore when you can explore the waters, right?

Are you a neophyte who is just about to enter the real world? Feeling the cramps already? You ought to ask professionals how the world of business works. You can't just stay with your parents forever. Like what I said, make a move now.

Going to a new job line is not easy. It takes so much time and patience. You need to do some research about the company's structure and employment terms. It is better if you know someone who works for that certain employer and ask him or her about the details of the establishment. Aside from that, you need to prepare some papers, certificates, clearances, and all those kind of stuff. Most if not many even require a medical examination and a clearance to assure them that you won't break an epidemic in their firms. But these requirements are secondary to your resume, the most important requirement of all. This has to be submitted prior to everything stated above. This is utilized as an evaluation source to consider you for an interview or directly reject you. In short, your future partly depends on this sheet of information.

However, with the technology today, you don't have to worry about a single thing. With the famous, though overused internet access, there now exists a resume writing online service. You don't have to use all of your power to write a convincing vita and you won't be spending too much time worrying about this matter. To start, you could ask friends who have already taken advantage of this service from reliable sites. Or, you can use your search engines and click the link that you think shall serve you best. When you have already chosen a site, you should read their terms and conditions because they may require heavy payments for your request. Read as well the instructions they will present on how to process your online written resume. Make sure to give them all of your details necessary for job application so you won't have errors in your vita. Declare your personal data, family and educational background, skills and interests, and work experience/s, that is if you have one. You also have to inform them your character references and their contact details.

With this online help, you just won't have a resume but a professionally-written and convincing one. For beginners, you won't be stressing out too much in risking your application for a poor resume. For those who have substandard jobs, you won't have extra burdens and worries for a new job application and can slowly sever the ties with your present company. With your online hand, it is hassle-free and successful!

Buying a second hand stairlift it becoming simpler with the advent of the internet and sites such as eBay.

It is now possible to buy a second hand stairlift relatively cheaply, especially from new home owners who have purchased a house with a pre fitted lift, which they do not require.

Before buying second hand it is worth considering the age and history of the stairlift. Questions to ask may include:

How old is the stairlift?
Can spare parts still be obtained?
Has it been regularly serviced?
Can it be easily re –fitted in your property?

One of the main concerns when buying second hand other than ensuring it is in good working order, is whether the lift can be fitted in your home, and finding someone who can undertake the fit for you. There is no point buying a cheap second hand stairlift if it cannot be fitted. If you have a curved staircase the likelihood of finding a second hand lift is slime, as curved stairlifts are usually tailor made for each staircase. Straight staircase is much simpler and the likelihood of find a second hand lift is much greater, as it usually a matter of adjusting the length of the track.
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It is possible to purchase second hand or reconditioned stairlifts from reputable retailers, rather than private individuals. Although buying from a retailer will generally be more expensive you are assured that the lift can be installed professionally and with the possibility of ongoing maintenance and servicing if require.

During the day our hands are exposed to constant aggression from external factors, such as water, cold weather, sun exposure, daily chores...Hand skin care is very important if we want to avoid old and wrinkled hands before our time.

We are exposing our hands to others all the time, and it can create a good impression if they are well looked after. For hand skin care we could go to a beauty salon or spa and leave the professionals take good care of our hands with a specialized hand care treatment. But if we don't have the money or the time to go to a beauty salon, then taking care of our hands at home is really easy.

Apart from wearing sunscreen in your face and neck, apply it also in your hands to protect them from sunspots and wrinkles. Use a good hand moisturizer daily and every time you feel your skin dry and tight. It is also very effective to bathe them in natural products at least three times a week to keep your hands soft and moisturized.

Hand Skin Care Recipes

1- How to get soft hands with cacao cream

You will need two spoons of cacao cream, two spoons of almond oil and a liquidized cucumber. Melt the cacao cream and add the almond oil and the cucumber. Mix well all the ingredients and use it as a hand care cream, applying it with a massage. Add more almond oil to the mixture, and bathe your hands on it for five minutes to intensify the effect.

2- Olive oil hand care

Rub your hands with warm olive oil, leave it on for about five minutes and rinse off with warm water and natural soap. For an intensive hand care treatment leave it overnight, but wear some cotton gloves.

3- Hand skin care with milk

You will need a glass of milk and lemon juice. Warm the milk and add the lemon juice. Mix well and leave your hands in this mixture for about ten minutes. Avoid if you have any cuts or wounds in your hands.

4- Oats hand mask

You will need a glass of water, one spoon of oats flour, olive oil and glycerin. Mix all the ingredients until consistent. Apply the resulting paste over the hands with a massage. Leave it on for twenty five minutes and rinse off with warm water and natural soap. This oats hand mask will regenerate the hands and get rid of any hand redness.

5- Hand honey mask

You will need one potato, two spoons of milk and two spoons of honey. Peel and boil the potato. Mash the potato and mix it with the honey and milk. Apply this mixture to the hands with a massage and leave it on for about fifteen minutes. Rinse off with warm water and natural soap. This hand skin care recipe will nourish and rejuvenate the hands

6- Apple vinegar remedy

Rub your hands with some apple vinegar every day if they are rough or have sunspots. Wear some cotton gloves for fifteen minutes or leave it overnight to intensify the treatment.

Finding used cars online is no longer a complicated task. Gone are the days when users had to search for used cars on directories, yellow pages or by typing in relevant search phrases in search engines. The simplest way to find a used/second hand car is by visiting used car search websites. Used car search websites like onestopcaradvice.co.uk can offer users the flexibility of searching for second hand car dealers without typing in a single search phrase.
To better understand how used car search websites function; let’s assume a person is looking for a used Vauxhall. The traditional method of searching for a second hand Vauxhall will be to type in ‘Second hand Vauxhall’ in Google and other search engines. The problem with this approach is that apart from ‘organic’ search results, Google will also show numerous sponsored results that can further complicate the selection process. It is important to understand that the above mentioned search query will only yield a list of used car dealers and used car websites that are offering used cars like Vauxhalls.
To refine the above mentioned search, a person would have to type in a specific search query. For example, the search query ‘Second hand Vauxhall London’ will return a list of all websites and used cars sites that are offering second hand Vauxhalls in the London area. Once again, the search results might not always be relevant.
Another problem with using search engines like Google for finding used cars is that the used car dealers might not have the cars available at all. Contrary to popular belief, it takes weeks (sometime months) before changes in a web page can actually reflect on Google. In essence, even if a website is regularly updating all its used car listings, Google will only acknowledge the changes every few weeks. The best way to find latest used car listings is to visit a used car search website that is constantly updating its database of used cars and removing defunct entries from its database.
Another feature offered by some used car search websites is a post code search for used car dealers. A user can search for used car dealers by entering the first part of his post code and the used car search returns a list of car dealers that are located in and around the same post code. It is important to remember that all used car listings are made by the used car dealers listed, and one should contact the used car dealer to verify the validity of the listing.
In a nutshell, used car search websites are the ideal place to begin your search for a used car, as you can find what you are looking for without typing in lengthy search phrases. In addition, you can also find the latest used car listings in the market and it is also possible to find used and new car dealers located in and around your specific post code with ease.
Things to remember while using a used car search website
There is no denying that a used car search website will have the latest used car listings, but there is a possibility that the listings might not always be up to date. It is always a good idea to get in touch with the used car dealer before making any decision. Another thing to look for a in a used car search website is the ease with which you can find listings. A website like onestopcaradvice.co.uk has one of the simplest search features on the internet; a user can select the make, year of manufacture and other specs via a drop down box and then find used cars and used car dealers that are offering cars that meet the user’s specifications.
For a comprehensive used car search website visit www.onestopcaradvice.co.uk

If you use our tips and follow our advise, you're sure to have a good experience. So, let's get started!

Check your envelope size before you make your card.
If you are making your own card check you have an envelope that will fit the size your are planing to make.

Finding white or coloured envelopes the size you want might not be as easy or as cheap as you may think. There is nothing worse than making a lovely card to find the only envelope you can find that it will fit in is brown.

Don't be in a hurry, let it dry.
When using ink pads, ink pens and glue you are going to have to be a little careful. Some inks dry faster than others,if you work with a card with wet ink on it you are likely to accidentally smudge you beautiful work, move on to a different card and go back to it later to put the finishing touches in.

It's never as bad as you think.
Remember that your cards are hand made, they are not supposed to be perfect.

The effort involved in making a hand made card gives them meaning. It is so much nicer to receive a hand made card.

Keep it simple.
Simple cards are just as effective. Don't feel you have to make complicated cards.

Try not to mix stickers with stamps.
When using stickers to make cards be careful about adding ink stamp art to the card, as the two together do not always complement each other.

Use colours that contrast with their backgrounds so they can be seen.
When making cards it sometimes looks nicer if you put your picture, sticker or stamp on a cut out shape of coloured card that contrasts and compliments your picture.
For example if you are using a dark blue background a pale blue or pale yellow card shape stuck on the front with your design on may set off the picture and make it look more interesting.

Other peoples tastes vary to your own.
If you design a card and you are not sure if it looks quite right, or you think that others will not like it, do not worry, there is always someone out there who it will appeal to.
Place the card to one side, you can always ask someone's else's opinion or go back to it and change it at a later date.

Sawing wood is one of the most basic and necessary DIY skills. So its not surprising that whatever you do – be it cutting intricate shapes or sawing a plank to size – there’s a saw to suit the job.

Most of us take wood for granted, but in fact, what saw you should use depends on the job. This also depends on the type of wood you are cutting. In spite of the widespread use of power saws, sawing by hand is often still the only efficient way to cut wood. The choice in handsaws in enormous and with many of them designed for specific cutting jobs, choosing the right ones is an important step towards successful carpentry.

When you use a saw, the cutting edges or teeth score into the wood. The kerf is the width of this cut. The severed wood crumbles into sawdust, and then away from the work piece with the spaces or gullets between the teeth.

Most saws have there teeth bent out from the blade with alternate teeth in opposite directions. This is the set. The set makes it far easier to cut with and stops the saw teeth from clogging with the sawdust. The set also enables you to adjust your cutting line slightly while you work, as it makes the saw cut a little wider than the actual thickness of the blade.

The size of the teeth makes a saw suitable for some jobs and unsuitable for others. Tooth size is a measurement, taken according to how many teeth there are per inch of saw, abbreviated to ppi. The more teeth a saw blade has the finer the cut. Consequently a saw with 16 teeth to the inch has 16ppi will cut finer, though slower, than a saw which has 12ppi.

For most jobs, a straight cut is normally all that is required – for this, you will need a hand or back saw.

There are several kinds of handsaws, but for most general-purpose work, a panel saw will prove the most useful. This gets its name from its traditional job of cutting up panels for wardrobes and cupboard backs, drawer bottoms and so on. A panel saw has a thin, flexible un-backed blade and will cut chipboard, ply, hardboard and any light timber. A panel saw can also be used for joint making, in some circumstanced. The best size for a panel saw is between 560mm and 600mm long and has 10ppi.

Although the traditional shape has scarcely changed for centuries, modern designs incorporate some new ideas. For example, one has a handle which can be used to measure angles of 45 degree’s and 90 degree’s, with the back of the saw serving as a straight edge.

Backsaws are identified by their steel or brass back. This has two functions: it grips the whole blade along its length to keep is rigid; and provides weight and stability when the saw is in use. The most useful type of backsaw is the tenon saw, used to make small accurate cuts both with and across the grain. For general cuts use 250mm to 300mm tenon saw with 14-16ppi is best.

Both panel and tenon saws are available with wood and plastic handles. The type of handle you choose is really a matter of personal preference. Wood tends to be more comfortable to use over long periods as it absorbs perspiration better, but plastic will almost certainly be cheaper and is less vulnerable to damaged.

Picture this: You are running from a fire with your fellow team members. Your team leader is ahead of you while you and your teammates are trying to catch up, to reach safety. Safety, though, means crossing a raging river over a steep ravine. The only way out is to stretch out your arm over the river and grab your leader by the hand.

What do you do now? Do you hang like a wet noodle and make them hoist up your dead weight all on their own? Do you think they would even be able to save you if you did that? Of course, they would not! In fact, it is likely you would pull them down with you! You will do everything you can with all your might and every ounce of energy and strength you can muster, to scramble up and help yourself, and help them help you, right?

Why should marketing with a team be any different? Have you ever started with a new marketing venture, or joined a new program and just sat there waiting for something to happen? OK maybe you have never done that, but you undoubtedly know someone who has done this. If you are their leader, how do you handle that? Communicate to your team how you can help, yet make sure they know they are expected to pull some of their own weight. You can do this in a nice way, too. Here is a sample opening dialogue for someone who is "noodling":

"Mary, I am excited to have you on board. Now that you are a part of our team, we can help you in many ways. Tell me your biggest obstacle right now, and let's work on how to get you through it."

Maybe you have experienced the opposite effect, through leaders who hold out their hand but do not pull you up, making you do all the work. Here is how I might handle that: "I am glad to be a part of you team, Joe. Right now I am having trouble figuring out how to get from point a to point b. I am not doing myself or anybody else any good until I can work this out. Do you have any suggestions?" Either way, remember you are part of a team. Really, no matter what business you are in, you are part of some kind of team, and two people working together can accomplish much more than two people working independently.

Communicating your needs and asking for help from leaders and team members needs to be an absolute priority for you on a regular basis. Weekly at least, preferably more often, you need to check in with your team just to let them know what's going on and that you are still available to help. If you need their help, do not be afraid to ask. People like to be needed. This is a basic fact of human nature. As human beings, we need food and shelter, but that is not all. Everyone needs to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves.

How do we do this? We offer our help, and, we ask for help. When we accept help, we do it with resolve to help ourselves at the same time and participate in the progress. Offering helps means being willing to get our sleeves dirty and invest in a little sweat equity in order to help out our team. It really is a simple concept.

Copyright (c) 2007 Karen Kay

Furniture is important in a home to make its style. Furniture can change your house or room or kitchen appearances. Select your furniture based on your room size and color. When you are going to buy or modify your home or kitchen always-select suitable furniture set. Always looks its color check whether it suits your room or kitchen and also checks the size to suit your room. The main thing to notice is the quality of the product. There are lots of shops available to buy your furniture. But it’s important to check the quality of the furniture that means mainly the wood quality.

Once you have decided to modify your home or kitchen then its better to buy handmade furniture. Because handmade furniture always keeps quality and they are ever lasting also. You can select any color, size you want. Different types of wood furniture available like oak, pine, cherry, ash etc. Most of the shops provide furniture but the main problem is the rate or amount of the furniture that you need to pay. There are companies who directly in to the furniture business and they give you the furniture product with a budget that you can afford.

When you directly contact the company who are in handmade furniture business you will get the advantage of getting your own designs in perfection with affordable prize. Here experts do the work for your furniture by step by step. Firstly they make a rough sketch and they will contact with you for your approval. After that only they will get in to the real work. Then you will get the handmade furniture with hand painted, so you will get the one that you wished. Here you can select your color, timber, design and size of your furniture. The handcrafted designs make your eyes delighted and you will get the frame you want with satisfaction.

Hand Dermatitis is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Hand Dermatitis may occur to the people at any age. Hand dermatitis varies in severity. It may affect the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent. Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Longstanding dermatitis at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed nails. Hand dermatitis can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet.
We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Hand Dermatitis.

Causes of Hand Dermatitis

Genes: A tendency to develop skin reactions or a certain type of eczema is often inherited.

Allergy: An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to something that does not cause everyone’s immune system to overreact. Common allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction) that lead to hand dermatitis include nickel, Balsam of Peru (added to fragrances, foods, and skin care products), rubber, and topical vitamin E.

Irritation: With repeat use or short but heavy exposure, numerous everyday items can irritate skin. Water is probably the most common irritant. Frequent hand washing or immersing the hands in water too often can remove protective oils from the skin. When the oils are removed faster than they can be replaced, the skin becomes less pliable and more susceptible to hand eczema.

Poor glove hygiene: Wearing gloves can protect the skin from substances found in the workplace and while working around the home. However, slipping gloves on and off may allow irritants or allergens to get inside the gloves. This can trigger a flare-up. If this occurs, be sure to talk with a dermatologist about best practices for wearing gloves.

Symptoms of Hand Dermatitis include:

1) Mild, itchy rash to severe itching, swelling, and blistering
2) Irritant contact dermatitis usually affects the top of the hand, often appearing as dry, chapped skin around the knuckles and tops of the fingers
3) When hand dermatitis is caused by a fungal infection, the symptoms include itchy blisters along the sides of the fingers.
4) If caused by metals, the irritation appears under a ring
5) Allergic contact dermatitis also usually appears on the top of the hand and around the fingers.
6) The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy papules (bumps) and fluid-filled blisters (vesicles), scaling, cracking (fissures), weeping (exudation) and swelling (oedema).

Treatment of Hand Dermatitis

Methods for Treating Hand Dermatitis are:

• Where possible, avoid wet-work and contact with irritants.
• Protect your hands using vinyl gloves, which are less likely than rubber to cause allergic reactions. Don't wear these for long periods, as sweating will also aggravate dermatitis. Always make sure the gloves are scrupulously clean inside.
• Use emollients frequently. A thin smear of a thick barrier cream should be applied to all affected areas before work, and reapplied after washing and whenever the skin dries out.
• Your doctor will prescribe topical steroids to reduce inflammation. These come in various strengths and should only be applied to areas of active dermatitis once or twice daily. Generally a potent topical steroid is used for several weeks.
• If your dermatitis is infected, your doctor will prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic such as flucloxacillin for about a week.

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]

According to its votaries, the hand of the crucified Jesus is believed to possess occult virtues. When worn as an amulet it is said to be an all-round good-luck charm. Prayers are said in conjunction with its presence on one's person. One prayer associated with this particular amulet is as follows:

"I carry a likeness of your pierced hand as a fervent symbol of your infinite kindness. Thou who has known such suffering, reach out your hand with a blessing. Thy pierced hand inspires this humble prayer that I may call on Thee to grant me peace and happiness. Amen."

Generally, charms in the form of hands, and in any pose--whether made of metal, stone, or inscribed--were often carried to ward off the "Evil Eye," or the ietattura as it is called in Southern Italy, or ain al-hasad, the "Eye of Envy," by the Arabs. The ancient Sumerians referred to it as IG-HUL, "Eye Evil." The Evil Eye is an ancient belief and not without any metaphysical substantiation. From the metaphysical point of view, eyes radiates energy and the quality of this force is tainted by the will and character of its emanator. Like all forces, the power flowing from the eyes may bless or curse others. There are many examples of amulets with a single eye on the palm of the hand. It is believed that this attracts the Evil Eye in accord with the Law of Attraction and absorbs its malevolent influences.

In order to counteract the malignant rays emanating from the eyes of negative individuals, the Hamsa Hand, or the Hand of Fatima charm was invented by the Arabs to re-direct these individuals' willful attention and malefic glances. Fatima was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed and Khadijah. She was said to be a very virtuous woman, and it is believed that the charms representing her embody all of her solid virtues and would protect and bring good fortune to its bearer. The fingers of the Hand of Fatima symbolically represent the five pillars of Islam: 1) observance of the Ramadhan fast; 2) pilgrimage to Mecca; 3) alms-giving; 4) observance of the daily prayers; 5) profession of faith. The right hand is used to symbolize the Hand of Fatima, for it is the hand of honor, in contradistinction to the left, which is the "unclean hand." In most Eastern cultures it is considered rude and inappropriate to give things with the left hand.

Like the Arabs, the ancient Egyptians used a symbol called "the Great Hand" for various protective purposes, one of which is to ward off evil magnetism. Most hand amulets appear with a single eye on the palm. There are instances of this in various cultures.

Amulets were not of value only to the living, but to the "dead" as well. In ancient Egypt, an amulet called dejebaui, or "two-fingers" were often placed among a mummy's swathings to help the deceased one to ascend and ride on the boat of Ra to the afterlife. This amulet depicted the index and middle fingers and was usually made out of black basalt, green stone, or obsidian.

During the enunciation of a pledge the right hand is often raised in the air. This originated in ancient customs where the raising of the hands were used to invoke the presence of the gods. Raising the right hand while making a pledge is therefore, tantamount to saying, "In the name of God . . ." Another version is to place the right hand on a holy book while uttering an oath. The significance is similar to the above.

In the West, many hand-signs have been made popular with its constant use throughout the centuries. For instance we have the V-sign with the index and middle finger raised while the others flexed and clasped by the thumb. This signified victory and triumph. Similar to this is the Mano Cornuto, where only the index and little finger are raised, and the rest folded onto the palms. This represents horns, the devil, and the powers of evil. In the Orient, though, this sign is said to have the power to ward off demons. Kuan Yin is often depicted with this mudra. The Hung Society of China uses it as a sign of membership and also to signify "Man," who embodies both Heaven and Earth. In Italian witchcraft, the Mano Cornuto represents the crescent moon of the goddess Diana.

Another prominent hand sign is the Mano Fica, or figa, the sign of coitus where the thumb protrudes between the first and second fingers of the closed hand. It is of ancient origin The Romans and Etruscans were well familiar with this sign having made images of it. Lika Mano Cornuto, the latter sign is a popular amulet against negative forces. Crossing the index finger with the middle finger also has a sexual significance. It symbolizes the generation of life and by association a good outcome in one's hopeful expectations, in one's enterprise possessing an ambiguous upshot. Another sexual gesture much more explicit is the repeated insertion and withdrawal of the forefinger of the right hand (the phallus) into a circle formed by the thumb and index finger of the left hand (the vulva). The pose of the left hand in the above gesture is also an "O.K." sign.

One of the old superstitions states that the sexual act brings good luck, good fortune, and prosperity. Perhaps because of its connection to fertility rites where the energy aroused and released during sexual ceremonies in open fields is believed to empower crops to grow abundantly. This belief is also one of the reasons why phallic and coital amulets were carried on one's person. Such charms were thought to bring about fortunate circumstances to the wearer. Sexual amulets made out of metal, bone, and wood were very popular in the classical worlds of Greece and the Roman Empire.

A hand sign that is mainly used by the sacerdotal priesthood of the Christian Churches, is the Mano Pantea. This is the sign of benediction posed by extending the thumb and first two fingers. The ring and little fingers are folded onto the palms. This mudra can be seen in the various paintings and murals of Jesus, the Saints, and priests. In Latin countries, the Mano Pantea is also often used as an amulet against the "Evil Eye," when thus employed it is normally covered with other protective symbols as reinforcements.

An upraised thumb represents the erect phallus and is a sign for life, success, prosperity, and acceptability. In contrast, the downward pointing thumb denotes defeat and is the veto sign of condemnation or the death sentence. The middle finger solitarily extended is one of the obscene gestures vulgarly referred to as, "up yours." It signifies the command to perform an unnatural or perverse sexual act.

The famed Buddhist temple, Borobudur in the island of Java was constructed in the form of a mandala--a symbolic diagram of the cosmos. It is built in tiers, and at every level, there are numerous statues of Buddhas sitting in silent meditation. At each point of the compass the contemplative Buddhas assume a certain mudra. Those facing North bear the Abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while those in the East show the Bhumisparsha (earth-touching) gesture. The Dana (giving) mudra is the hand pose of the Buddhas facing South, and the Dhyana (meditation) mudra of those facing West. Other mudras in the precincts of the temple are also to be found such as the Vitarka (debate) and Dharmachakraprayartana (teaching) gestures. This careful orientation of mudra bearers to compass points is symbolic. It is related to the quaternary principles to be found in the micro- and macrocosm. Comprehensive teachings concerning these may be found in the esoteric aspects of Buddhism and esotericism in general.

Symbolic marks or imprints are often found on the palms of statues and icons of Buddhas and Avatars. These marks indicate the power, virtue, or attribute of these God-incarnates. In Hinduism, Shiva appears the most with these hand drawings. Many kinds of marks exist. Several are to be found on just the palms of Gautama (Shakyamuni) Buddha alone. These palmar designs probably originated from the special marks that do physically appear on the palms. Cheiromancy identifies several of these as the square, the grille, the island, the cross or star, etc.

Hands were revered by the Hindus for centuries. One of the Shivaic tantrik rituals of India gives the following liturgical adoration to the fingers of the hands:

"Om Sham I bow to the thumbs Namah. Om Shim I bow the index fingers Svaha. Om Shum I bow to the middle fingers Vashat. Om Shaim I bow to the ring fingers Hum. Om Shaum I bow to the little fingers Vaushat. Om Shah I bow to the front and back of hands Phat."

This chant is accompanied by specific mudras that purifies the subtle channels of the upper limbs. Not only is this ritual practiced in India but variations of it may be found in Bali as well.

In the marriage ceremonies and sexual rites of Oriental cultures such as in Tantrism, Yoginis or Shaktis often paint Yantras and other symbolical diagrams on the palms of their hands with henna or red dye. These diagrams normally have intricate floral patterns and are magical and hypnotic. They are used to attract, to mesmerize, and to empower themselves and their sexual partners.

In Islamic mysticism, specific gestures are often employed to help produce an altered state of awareness. Dervishes, for instance, pose their hands in specific mudras and hand signs while dancing and whirling around on a single spot. Some Sufi sects would trace the 99 names of God on their bodies with their right hand while engaging in zikir, or recollecting and focusing upon God through constant chanting.

In ancient times there were the Mystery Schools that taught to the selected few the laws and secrets of Nature and the Universe. History has recorded numerous of these schools and temples of esoteric knowledge among which were the mysteries of Isis, Sabazius, Cybele, Eleusis, Orpheus, Mithra, Asar-Hapi, and Odin. To state the mission and purpose of these metaphysical institutions we can do no better than to quote the eminent Freemason, Robert Macoy:

"It appears that all the perfection of civilization, and all the advancement made in philosophy, sciences, and art among the ancients are due to those institutions which, under the veil of mystery, sought to illuminate the sublimest truths of religion, morality, and virtue, and impress them on the heart of the disciples. Their chief object was to teach the doctrine of one God, the resurrection of man to the eternal life, the dignity of the human soul, and to lead the people to see the shadow of the deity, in the beauty, magnificence, and splendor of the universe."

Within some of these Mystery schools, when the candidate is first initiated and accepted as a neophyte, he or she is often given an effigy of a human hand filled with symbolic images to contemplate. This hand is referred to as the Hand of the Philosopher, or the Hand of the Mysteries. When these symbols are understood, they provide the neophyte the keys to facilitate the transformation of their lower nature into divinity--from man to god. Regeneration, transmutation, and empowerment are the consequence of the application of the laws and principles that these ancient symbols represent. Among the many secrets that they portray, they teach how one may commune with one's Holy Guardian Angel, or one's Higher Self. The practitioner of the secrets of the Mysteries undergo a rebirth as a result of the growing influence and expression of the Higher Self in everyday consciousness.

The Philosopher's Hand may be regarded as an alchemical manual taking the conscientious student step by step through the alchemical process. In Freemasonry, the Hand of the Mysteries is known as the hand of the Master Mason. In some Masonic groups, this is the title for the highest of the three degrees to be found in the hoary and august fraternity. In this article we have included three examples of these symbolical hands. The first illustration shown is a bronze hand to be found in the British Museum. This specimen in the Mano Pantea gesture, is covered with several important symbols among which are : a ram's head, serpent, frog, vase, crocodile, turtle, cornucopia, scales, woman with child, table with loaves of bread, and a cane. It is supposed to be Egyptian in origin.

The second hand is a painting redrawn by J. Augustus Knapp from an 18th century water color, and is taken from Manly Hall's "Secret Teachings of All Ages"; it was executed with the alchemical process in mind. In this illustration there is a figure of a fish which symbolizes mercury--the principle of the Spirit within the microcosm. This aquatic creature is surrounded by the element of fire that represents the psychological aspect of man, or the human soul. The rest of the fingers individually refer to the various steps of the spiritual path of transmutation of the base nature of man into the resplendent gold of divinity. Kaballistically, the hand shows the mastership of the crowned thumb (the Will) over the four worlds represented by the fingers. These four worlds are referred to as Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah, or the World of Archetypes, the World of Creation, the World of Formation, and the World of Manifestation. Atop of the fingertips in Knapp's illustration are symbols representing the various components of the microcosm: the lantern, the Concrete Mind; the Sun, the Abstract Mind; the Star, Buddhi; the Crown, Atma. The little finger holds aloft a philosophical key, which reveals the secrets of the Mysteries. It also symbolizes the etheric body, which is considered by Western Initiates as the key to occult development. The wings surrounding the hand is a sign for transcendentalism--the things of the Spirit as opposed to matter. The eyes, on the other hand, indicate the divine aspect of omniscience unfolded in the Master Mason after having discovered and applied the "Lost Word."

Hindu versions of the Hand of the Mysteries are diagrams known as Hastakara Yantra. Like their Western counterpart, these hands have various symbolic images depicted on them. Among other things they illustrate the relationship between man and the cosmic forces.

Like Hindu yoga, in Feng Shui, or Chinese geomancy, there are 5 elements: Water, Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. In Chinese palmistry the little finger is associated with air, the ring finger with fire, the middle finger with earth, the forefinger with water, and the thumb with chi or metal as mentioned before. This system differs from the Hindu yogic mudra tradition. First of all, in yoga philosophy the fifth element is akasha or space, which although correspond to chi, does not relate to metal at all. According to mudra teachings, Angutha or the thumb corresponds to fire, Tarjani or the forefinger to air, Madhyam or the middle finger to akasha, Anamika or the ring finger to earth and Kanishthika, or the little finger to water. In this work on mudras, we will stress more on the Hindu yogic assignment of the elements to the fingers and thumb. The application of elemental mudras in conjunction with the elemental tattvic tides is a great tool in elemental magick.

Hand Signs in Religious Art

Hand signs are an essential part of life. They are used to convey silently but powerfully the intention and thoughts of their user. Humanity has for ages utilized sign languages. It originated at a period of Man's evolution when he was incapable of communicating his abstract and concrete thoughts with words and phrases lingually. He was solely dependent upon gesticulations as a media for expressing his feelings and passions. This primitive form of communication is still being used by modern man in certain situations and expediency. Not surprisingly, the intelligent classes of anthropoids also make use of hand-sign movements such as the beating of the chest in expressing anger or authority. The fictitious Tarzan could not resist aping this gesture from his Darwinian guardians.

Certain specific hand signs are to be found all over the world. Many cultures preceding and succeeding the Christian era share common gestures that express particular concepts. It has been suggested that these gestures all have comparable basic ideas or significance because of their appearances in similar contexts. This is known through their repeated portrayal in the many paintings, sculptures, and drawings of the past available for our scrutiny and study. Mediaeval Christian art of saints, prophets, and the Holy Trinity, and the gods and devas of Egypt, India and the South American Indians are often depicted with similar hand positions.

Contemporarily, we find school children perpetuating certain traditional signs that have their origin in religion and pagan practices. For instance, crossing the fingers as a sort of prayer so that they may be free from chastisement when interrogated of their wrong behavior--this may be a corrupted form of the ecclesiastical use of the Sign of Benediction.

There are many professions that make use of signs only known to their members or affiliates. For instance, merchants, masons, tramps, gamblers, prostitutes--all have signs known only to themselves with which they signal one another.

Because of the profuse use of signs and gestures by the Italians in their everyday life, anthropologists believe that these descendents of Romulus and Remus are not able to carry out a satisfactory conversation if they were prevented the use of gesticulation.

Occultists believe that most gestures or hand signs that are found in religion and in society have a common origin in the prevalent Mystery Schools of the past where they were used in a ceremonial setting. Modern Freemasonry as one of the many descendents of these Occult Temples of Wisdom and Knowledge still perpetuates this custom of hand signs in their initiatory rites.

Like the Freemasons, secret societies in the Orient also have ceremonies where esoteric signs are employed. One of the secret associations of China, the Hung Society, have certain signs and gestures with which communication is carried-out among the affiliated members--not only in the ceremonies but in everyday life as well. The aforementioned society, likewise, have plentiful mudras or signs representing the principles of their philosophy. In its doctrines, the five elements of Taoist esotericism are signified by poses that are also to be found elsewhere around the globe.

The mystical Dervishes, established by the Sufi Rumi, apply hand signs for occult purposes. They invoke the Divine Presence by utilizing these signs that corresponds with the 99 names of God in their dance rituals, as already alluded to previously.

Artists of all ages have secret codes and teachings with which they unveil in their artwork. In archaic times it was a dangerous matter to openly publicize occult and spiritual teachings that religions steeped in fundamentalism were dramatically opposed to for these teachings threatened their political structure and lessen their value in the eyes of an evolving humanity. It is for this reason that the Mystery and metaphysical schools established by the ancient sages went underground and operated clandestinely. They promulgated their teachings through signs and symbols that acted on one level as their calling card.

Copyright © 2006 Luxamore

Human hands have never lost their fascination to our ancient forefathers, and even now in contemporary times, the novel roles that hands play in the humanities with their dexterity and grace never cease to amaze us. The wondrous execution of a Chopin piece, or an objet d' art fabricated carefully by a master hand--they constantly evoke a sense of joy and wonder within us. The Spirit within us responds positively to the beauty, the harmony, and the symmetry of sound and form as manifested by Nature and human hands.God's gift to man is the freedom of choice and the will to implement that choice.

On the physical plane, the hands are naturally the instruments of that will and divine blessing and have come to symbolize Man, or Adam; for only beings on the evolutionary level of man are given the prerogative to determine their own fate. It is said that not even angels have this freedom to choose, for their nature compels them to abide by the divine law. Man on the other hand, through choice, learns what it means to align himself with, or to disobey Cosmic laws. Man learns the consequences of his actions, and wise is he who takes responsibility for them. Through choice man succumbs to his lower nature and builds pandemonium in his mind and heart or he may give ear to the prompting of his divine Self and form the New Jerusalem--the new abode of peace in the lower aspects of his microcosm that this condition may become ingrained in his character and nature. By choosing the latter, the teaching of the Master Jesus--"Neither shall they say, lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke:17:21)--shall come to pass.

God, Nature, and the higher worlds communicate with Man in various ways--through dreams, through the intuitive and psychic faculties, through symbiotic energy exchange, signs, omens, and especially symbols. Basically, symbols may be classified as natural and artificial. Natural symbols are found in nature. Artificial symbols are those that we invent ourselves and assign certain basic meanings to them. Certain occult symbols--of the natural and artificial types--are known to Adepts and the multitude of beings in the spirit world. Most of these symbols have their origin in archetypal realms in the mental planes. Utilizing these in metaphysical or magickal ceremonies, rites and rituals, facilitates communication and the synergy between habitants of worlds and realms.

Objects of nature are outward symbols of inner realities within our psyche. Understand one and we will eventually understand the other. Master the inner realities and the outward symbols assume a congenial expression to correspond with the inner psychological condition. Since our hands are related to the will aspect of the Spirit, empowering one will have its effects on the other. We will not delve too deeply into this for it will take us too far into the Magical Tradition and beyond the subject matter of this article. Suffice to say that contrary to the understanding of most metaphysical students, Masterhood or adeptship has very little to do with psychicism and much to do with the magick of the divine will within man--the will to love, the will to serve, the will to sacrifice, the will to self-forgetfulness, the will to selflessness, the will to give, the will to create, the will to surrender, the will to be pure, the will to forgive, the will to be open-minded, the will not to be judgmental, etc.--most important of all, the will to implement the promptings of the Divine Spark within the microcosm.

Our hands should not be undervalued. Without them we are less effective in carrying-out our mission in life. In the higher worlds we express our creativity through thought--mind-generated sounds, colors, and light. All of these occur instantaneously with thought as the creator. Because of the density of physical matter and the factor of time, something other than the above means are required to fashion things in concordance to our desire and thus assist us to fulfill our purpose for being incarnated in the three-dimensional realm. Our hands are a projection of this need. In the higher worlds, our subtle bodies in their primitive state did not possess hands, and even though now that the astral and etheric bodies have evolved and assumed the human form, the incorporeal limbs may be dispensed with for they are not essential for us to function in the higher dimensions.

Having stated the importance of hands here in the physical plane, let us now inquire briefly into hand esotericism, symbolism, signs and the various beliefs regarding them. Though our treatment of the subject here leaves much to be desired, the metaphysical student will find many things here of great interest and they would certainly be stimulated to research further.

Because of their importance, many beliefs grew concerning the hands. Countless symbols and signs were created using the hands to convey knowledge and information to those who understood the underlying keys of the secret teachings taught in esoteric schools.

In religion, hands symbolize the divine presence, influence and power. In Catholicism, the power and influence of God is often portrayed in medieval paintings and murals as an almighty hand issuing from the clouds to convey something of spiritual importance to saints and prophets. Actually, the "All-Powerful Hand" has its origin in ancient Egypt. The monotheistic Pharaoh, Akhenaton (1379-1362 B.C.) and Queen Nefertiti of the 18th dynasty are often depicted in sculpture relief as receiving energy from Aton, who is represented by a sun-disk. This can be seen in the tombs at Tel-el-Amarna. Rays of the sun-disk are portrayed as elongated arms terminating in hands reaching out to the royal couple and bestowing upon them the life-force. The mystical Qabbalistic tradition of Judaism assigns the human hand as the symbol of the letter Yod (y). Having the numerical value of ten, which relates to the ten fingers, the letter Yod is recurrently depicted in esoteric art as "rain drops" showering from heaven. Example of these may be seen in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

Modern Catholics present the hand of Jesus as the Hand of Power or "Mano Poderosa." In the depiction of the crucified hand, all of the fingers are extended with various saints standing upon the digits. We present a version of the hand here with a scholar's commentary:

"The image is of a huge wounded (but not bleeding) right hand, which points up through clouds, cut palm toward us. The lines in the palm are shown, and it looks like the head line is cut. The fingers are all of eerily uniform length, with a long thin thumb. Small, disembodied, winged cherub-heads float in the sky above the hand.

"To the left and right of the hand are four kneeling female angels who gaze upward and bear the tools of the crucifixion. Of the two on the left, one holds a bowl to catch Jesus' blood; the other holds a spear and vinegar sop in one hand and hammer and nails in the other. Of the two on the right, one holds a cross and the other a crown of thorns.

"Atop clouds on the little finger stands an older male saint with a book. The ring finger's clouds hold a female saint; the middle finger's, a younger male saint with a white lily; the forefinger's, the Virgin Mary; and the deformed thumb's clouds bear the toddler Jesus holding a globe in his right hand and raising his left."

From the above we may surmise that not only are hands the symbol of Man, they are also the symbol of divinity, for the sacred hand of the Divine One have its influence upon the mundane affairs of humanity when men have gone too far astray from the path of Truth and righteousness. Scriptures are replete with stories of divine intervention or action with materialized hands as a media of information conveyance or operation. Not only did the hand of God "inscribe" the Ten Commandments upon the stone tablets prepared by Moses, it also warned Belshazzar of his impending doom--a spirit hand materialized and wrote on the wall "Mene, Mene Tekel, U-pharsin" (Daniel 5: 24-25). From a metaphysical point of view, this is not unusual. Such manifestations are actually the work of what is called in occultism, "Invisible Helpers." These are initiates with occult and paranormal abilities working on behalf of humanity. They work on the higher dimensions in their nightly excursions through "astral projection." Some of the higher initiates have the ability to materialize their hands or other parts of their body so that they may function directly on the physical sphere aiding those here who are in dire distress or as in the case above, as a warning to arrogant, tyrannical rulers.

The ancients attached special occult significance to every part of the human body. The symbolism of the human hand alone may fill several volumes. Symbols may signify abstract or concrete concepts, imaginative or real events, natural or "supernatural" phenomena, spiritual or material principles. In what we have found, the ancient sages and philosophers made used of the hands to portray and symbolize many things of worth to the evolving soul. They taught many things using the hands as similitude, allegories, analogies, and examples.

The left and right hands were often represented for the many polarities that we find and experience in life. For instance, hot/cold, high/low, darkness/light, etc. The left hand was often associated with the negative aspects of life, the right with the positive. In the Christian scriptures the Master Jesus instructed us to prevent the left hand from knowing what the right hand is doing; or in other words to be detached from the good that we do without craving for rewards. Jesus' analogy of the hand, though, has various levels of meaning other than the one cited above.

The ancient sages observed that generally, the right hand was the active one in comparison with the left. Whole philosophies grew from this simple consideration alone. The right hand is electric and is associated with activity; the left hand is magnetic and related to passivity. Gaskell explains this in another way, he says that hands are a,

"symbol of the directive principle of activity either outgoing (right) or incoming (left). The positive and negative aspects of Divine action in the soul."

Hands are a prominent feature in Judeo-Christian symbolism. In Judaic mysticism, the ten fingers of the hand represent the Ten Commandments of the spiritual law just as the ten toes of the feet represent the Ten Commandments of the physical law. In Esoteric Christianity, the thumb with its three phalanges symbolizes the threefold divinity or the Holy Trinity--the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, or the creative, preservative and destructive aspects of God, from the point of view of Hinduism. Since most religions and philosophies have their trinities what applies in Christianity regarding its symbolism likewise applies to the rest as well. We might add that hands raised upward as in prayer, is symbolic of one's aspirations towards the spiritual life.

According to Christian Qaballistic thought, the fingers signify the four elements and the 3 phalanges of each finger the divisions of the elements: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The 12 phalanges of the fingers of each hand when brought together represent the 24 Elders. The 6 phalanges of the thumb in this context signify the six days of creation.

In hand esotericism, the thumb is regarded as the king. Hindu metaphysics teaches that the thumb signifies the Paramatma, or the spark of the Universal Soul within the microcosm, and the rest of the fingers symbolizing the other major components of the microcosm.

Anthropologists consider the development of the thumb as a vital evolutionary step in the perfection of man's anatomy. The thumb is to the hand what the hand is to the brain. It is the function of the thumb in hand mechanics that allows for cultural and technological development. Classical Romans and Greeks regarded the thumb as sacred to Venus or Aphrodite, attributing to it a phallic significance. Thus, it came to symbolize fertility. The traditional Javanese of Indonesia would never point with the forefinger as it is considered impolite to do so (the writer found this rather amusing as a child); the thumb is used instead thus implicitly revealing its sacred and royal nature.

The thumb is all-important in palmistry, especially in Chinese cheiromancy. According to Oriental palmists, with the thumb alone it is possible to tell the predisposition of a person, his character, future, and state of health. The quality of a subject's chi, or energy is revealed by the size, color, and other characteristics of the thumb.

The dimension of the thumb is an indicator of a person's will-expression. A large thumb reveals great strength of character and practicality; in contrast, a small thumb denotes weakness, and lack of willpower. The three segments of the thumb disclose certain qualities. The size of the first phalange or top segment shows whether a subject has good willpower, personal determination and other leadership qualities; the second or middle phalange, shows logic, judgement and reason; the third segment, which includes the "ball of the thumb," called "the Mount of Venus" in palmistry, shows the strength of a subject's passion and ability to love. One's karmic potential may be seen in the thumb as well as the state of one's relationship to the environmental surroundings. The thumb is a symbol of power and as such it is the one used in anointing rites in the Christian churches.

Habitually hiding the thumb in a closed fist indicates a defensive, introverted, disturbed and insecure person. Sucking the thumb is an infantile gesture. Psychologically speaking, the thumb is related to the superconsciousness.

Apart from the thumb, in palmistry, the fingers signify various strength or weakness of one's character according to their size and shape. Generally, long fingers belong to the philosopher and the intuitive person. It also shows that the subject is painstaking and loves detail. Fingers that are excessive in length indicate cowardice, cruelty, and a servile attitude. "Spider-fingers," or hands with extra-long fingers and with amazing flexibility is the condition known as "arachnodactyly," or the "Marfan syndrome" which was named after the French paediatrician, Antonin Marfan (d.1896). Such fingers are possible signs of various diseases present in the physical body such as tuberculosis, paralysis, and cardiac problems. Short fingers in contrast to long ones reveal alertness, impatience, and bluntness.

Fingers with spatulate tips indicate practicality and realistic attitudes. Individuals with square tips love system, routine, and regularity. Conic, or tapering tips shows impulsiveness, idealism, intuition, and the love of art.

The index finger or forefinger was regarded as venomous in bygone days. Even in present times it is rude to point especially with this finger. When using the japa mala, tasbih, or rosary to count beads while chanting mantras and prayers, the forefinger should never be used for it is normally applied for mundane purposes and therefore, not considered sacred. The planet Jupiter is represented by this index finger. Psychologically, it is related to the conscious mind.

The middle finger is known by various names: medius, digitus impudictus (immodest finger), digitus obscenus (obscene finger), digitus infamis (disreputable finger), and fools's finger. It is a finger normally not used for wearing rings and is the finger of the planet Saturn. When extended solitarily while the other fingers folded, the middle finger represents the phallus, like the thumb. The folded fingers in this pose represent the testicles. It is often regarded as an obscene gesture. This finger of Saturn symbolizes the borderline state between consciousness and the unconsciousness.

The ring finger (anularis) is often called medio proximus (next to the middle) and also digitus medicus, "physician's finger". In past ages it was believed to be the healing finger and was used for various medical purposes. Wounds were supposed to heal quickly when stroked by this finger. Apothecaries of medieval days used the ring finger to mix their potions, and ointments were rubbed on the skin using it. Rings were especially used on this finger thus giving it its name. Apollo, or the Sun is the ruling deity of the ring finger. This digit represents the emotions.

The little finger, otherwise known as the "ear finger," is related to one's libido, one's sexual force. Though a convenient instrument to clean one's ear with, it was named "ear finger" because it had the power to stimulate one's psychic sense of hearing by its insertion into the ear-canal in conjunction with chanting, breathing and visualization exercises. This was especially practiced by the Druids and those connected with the Mystery Schools. In seances, the little finger is used as a point of contact between sitters, forming a vortex of energy among them. The little finger represents the planet Mercury and the unconsciousness.

According to Chinese palmistry, the three phalanges of the fingers relate to three animalistic qualities. The first phalange closes to the palm represents greed; the middle phalange, hatred; the phalange at the uppermost, ignorance. In pictorial terms, these three vices are symbolized by the cock, the snake, and the pig. The spiritual opposites and antidotes to these negative qualities as taught in Taoist philosophy are non-attachment, wisdom, and compassion.

The elements are represented by the thumb and fingers. In Chinese cheiromancy, the thumb represents chi; the index finger, water; middle finger, earth; ring finger, fire, and the little finger, air. In Mudra Vigyan, the arrangement is quite different as we shall see later.

The papillary ridges on the fingertips with its manifold patterns have intrigued man since recorded history. Many believe that the labyrinthine drawings and carvings found in caves, in ancient catacombs and tombs were marks representing the identity of its possessor, in the same way that fingerprints serve to identify us in our own era--it represented a person almost like a signature. It is assumed by some that these engravings or tracings function in an occult way making it possible for one to invoke from another plane of existence the bearer with a mark similar to the one represented in concrete form. In later periods this practice may have evolved to the use of spirit sigils and seals in ceremonial magick.

Rings are often worn on fingers to strengthen certain elements lacking in the physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Oft times we unconsciously feel a certain element wanting in our psychological and physical constitution and we seek to ameliorate this condition by stressing the importance of the finger that represents the element in question with an ornament. The degree of insufficiency is indicated by the size of the finger ornament. We have personally seen subjects wearing huge stones on almost all of their fingers. Fears and insecurities were apparent in their mien and facial expressions.

There are many so-called superstitions related to hands. According to one old belief found in European countries, is that the severed hand of a murderer may be used as a charm for gaining money and breaking entry into houses. This gruesome hand-charm is commonly known as the "Hand of Glory." A careful preparation is required to form the charm. After removing the fluid matter from the hand, it is salted and dehydrated; the fat is likewise extracted and mixed with wax; the hand and concoction are then formed into a candle--after which it is ready for its nocturnal excursion. Supposedly, it has the power to open up locks and bolted doors. It is believed to have a hypnotic effect causing anyone to see it to be petrified--like the mythological Medusa's head--and to consequently, obey its bearer.

Copyright © 2006 Luxamore