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SOMATOMANCY

Somatomancy is any method of divination that involves the human form. Some seers practice divination using skulls, feet, and faces, but the most common type of Somatomancy is divination using palms, which is called Chiromancy or Palmistry.

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When thinking about something that is unique to each individual, finger prints often come to mind – but really, it’s the whole hand that is unique! Each line, marking, and bump varies from one person to another, and as such, we are able to use these qualities to learn about a person’s personality and experiences.

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To learn about Palmistry, you will mostly be looking at your own hand, starting with the overall shape of your hand. There are four palm types, named after the classical Greek elements: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water. Each palm type is associated with some general characteristics.

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When performing Chiromancy, seers typically study a person’s dominant hand. This is the hand by which a person lives, the hand that he/she uses the most often, and therefore it represents the majority of his/her present and future. Some seers do like to read both hands and consider the passive (non-dominant) hand to reveal information about a person’s past, but most palm readings focus on the dominant hand.

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If you take a look at your palm, you should see three major lines running across it. These lines reveal aspects of your personality and wellbeing; each line can be studied individually for different qualities which represent different traits. The heart line, nearest your fingers, represents emotions and emotional wellbeing; the life line, in the middle, represents your physical wellbeing, and the head line, nearest your wrist, represents your disposition for creativity or logic.

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Besides the size, shape, and lines of your hand, the final pieces that can be studied for a palm reading are the mounts of your hand. The mounts are the little bumps between the lines, under your fingers down to the end of your hand, giving your hand its depth and shape.

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There are seven mounts that can be studied on a palm, each corresponding to an astronomical object (the 5 closest planets, the sun, and the moon). Each mount represents specific characteristics. A more raised, prominent mount suggests that the corresponding characteristics are strong for that person, while a flatter, underdeveloped or missing mount suggests that those traits are weaker or lacking.

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More information about the palm types, lines, and mounts can be found in Symbology for Seers.

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Assignment

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Choose one of the following activities to complete.

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OPTION A: READ AND RESPOND

 

Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your responses must be in your own words.

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1. What do you notice about the parts of the body that can be studied for divination? 5 points

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2. What sort of characteristics of a person’s hand can be studied for divination? 5 points

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3. Why is a person’s dominant hand studied? 5 points

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4. What might a long, prominent heart line represent? 5 points

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5. Look at your own hand – what do you notice? Do any particular mounts stand out as prominent? What might this mean about you? 20 points

ABOUT PROFESSOR Isabella

A Ravenclaw Alumna, Isabella has been a member of myHogwarts since Year 48. Graduating in Year 57, she served as a Prefect, a Quidditch Captain and a Head Student during her student years. As an Alumni, you can find her gazing at crystal balls or looking at tarot cards to see if something major or minor is about to happen. However, given that her true nature lies with the Department of Mysteries, where she works as an Unspeakable, no one shall ever know what she sees. Apart from the aforementioned positions, Isabella also works as a Mugwump, a Book Duster in the Hogwarts Library, a Co-Curator in the Godric's Hollow Museum, a Duelling Referee, a Quidditch Assistant, a DMLE Officer and a Quibbler Reporter.

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