SAGITTARIUS & PSYCHE

Posted on November 22, 2018 by markseltman

Outer planets transform personal psyche and catalyze massive changes in collective psyche as they change sign. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto transited through Sagittarius in the 20^th Century. Paradigms of politics, commerce, and religion shifted dramatically.

Uranus passed through Sagittarius from 1981-1988. Gender in politics was shaken up. Sandra D. O’Connor became the first Woman elected to the Supreme Court. Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman nominated by the Democratic Party for Vice President. Benazir Bhutto was the first female prime minister of a Muslim country in Pakistan’s first free election since 1977.

Uranus brings sudden and unexpected upheaval and disaster. The space shuttle Challenger exploded on takeoff in 1986, while millions watched in horror on their TV screens. While Greenpeace was protesting France’s nuclear testing, their flagship Rainbow Warrior was bombed. Ronald Reagan created “Star Wars”, an absurd and overly expensive national defense idea. George Bush Sr. was the first sitting Vice President elected as president since 1836. IBM introduced personal PCs. AT&T’s communication monopoly ended via the Department of Justice in 1974.

Sagittarius rules publishing and religion. In 1989, they darkly merged as Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini sentenced Salman Rushdie to death after he published The Satanic Verses. Even though it was a novel, Rushdie’s tales of good and evil incited riots in India and book burnings in England. Rushdie’s literary success fueled and stirred the cauldron of Islamic hatred.

Neptune transited Sagittarius ~ 1970 to 1984. Idealism of the 60’s transformed to pessimism with a marked lack of trust in national institutions. The war in Vietnam united masses of skeptical protestors, ready for confrontation. The Arab oil embargo of 1973 created a major energy crisis, supposedly teaching US not to take energy for granted, and conveniently catalyzing the opening of the controversial Alaska pipeline.

Neptune can be imaginary, visionary, and illusionary. Neptune also rules false prophets, delusion, deception, and victimization. Richard Nixon was the first US President in history to announce his resignation in 1974. New York was the first city to be bailed out of bankruptcy by the federal government in 1975. A religious paradigm shifted when the Catholic Church elected its first non-Italian pope in four centuries. Mother Theresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in the name of the poor. In 1979, Televangelist Jerry Falwell founded the ‘Moral Majority’, which has become the ‘Immoral Majority’.

Neptune rules chemicals and drugs. The first test-tube baby was conceived out of the womb and bathed by the sun in Leo in 1978. Genetic engineering created new horrors for theologians, religious fundamentalists, and extremists. Environmentalists protested industries creating “Acid Rain”. ‘Three Mile Island’ derailed several major nuclear energy projects in 1979. The World Health Organization announced an end to smallpox. Crack cocaine became popular. A deadly epidemic was officially named AIDS in 1981.

Pluto visited Sagittarius from 1995 to 2008 and created a recipe for upheaval and transformation in politics, big business, and religion. Political extremism, corporate greed, religious fanatics, supremacism, fundamentalism, and terrorism flourished and thrived in fertile soil. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing law student. The Middle East peace process was disrupted. Great Britain finally let go of Hong Kong. President Clinton resumed diplomatic relations with communist Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of Black Men flocked to Washington to march for freedom. It was the first time in 40 years that Republicans controlled congress. Y2K was not end time.

Sex scandals rocked the Catholic Church. The House of Representatives impeached and later acquitted Bill Clinton for lying about his sexploits. Two students killed themselves after murdering twelve students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado. The Unabomber was caught and sentenced to life in prison. The Oklahoma City bombing established large-scale terrorism by Americans on our soil. After 9/11, governmental power transformed, giving leaders the ability to supersede human rights and civil liberties. A large political machine preempted war without world consent. Lairs of corporate foxes tended the hen houses while packs of political wolves herded the sheep.

Saturn returned to Sagittarius on December 23, 2014, after nearly thirty years. Astrologers predicted Saturn would wield powerful influence for several years as it transited from Sagittarius to into Capricorn. Saturn rules responsibility, structure, discipline, focus, time, bureaucracy, big business, and many established institutions. Saturn altered energy, transportation, communications, food, housing, healthcare, law, politics, and religion during its transit through Sagittarius, for better and worse. Fossil fuels and fuel guzzlers are no longer sustainable. Their best uses and life cycles must be pre-determined and legislated. Substituting money for values and religion for spirituality is absolutely unsustainable.

Sagittarius rules transportation. Sagittarians enjoy prestige and luxury. They leave racing to Aries and showing off to Leo. The lords of cars must shift their paradigm of profit before people. The whole industry needs to become more spiritual in their outlook and truthful in their actions. Perpetuating the illusion that overly powerful gas guzzling vehicles are glamorous and sexy enforces the delusion that it’s OK to deplete our planet’s natural resources and pollute ourselves. How do chemical companies get away with pretending their products are good when they’re not? Do we really need hundreds of horses galloping under our hoods? Transportation needs to be redesigned like light bulbs, for present and future good health. We all profit by raising social and environmental consciousness. As our globe warms, cools, floods, and droughts, fossil fuel prices are artificially repressed to prevent their sustainably minded competitors to lay a substantial foundation. We need fuel efficient, non-polluting, practical, and economical transportation or we’ll drive ourselves to extinction.

We can go wherever and whenever we choose in the comfort and safety of our cars. The hidden costs are usurious and insidious as we guzzle gas, fight oil wars, and deplete our Mother Earth’s finite natural resources. We pollute her body, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Carbon dioxide and monoxide hover everywhere by degree. Toxic smoke and smog poison our arteries, stick to the walls of our veins, and coagulate like cholesterol on the way to a coronary. Varicose veins link bloated arteries that feed festering sores we call cities. We must shift our false paradigms and steer ourselves from death and destruction toward a more hopeful and helpful future of clear intent and healthy actions.

The human race has become a race against bad shit happening. Greed, prejudice, and avarice are unhealthy symptoms of partisan political philosophies, fundamentalist religious ideologies, and extremist social behaviors. Why do we still wander aimlessly in barren wastelands as we worship golden calves and defend sacred cows? Our global family must see the forest from the trees. We need to become healthier in more sustainable ways. As Uranus journeys through Taurus from May 14, 2018 to Nov 7, 2025, I pray for a rebirth of practical good sense, of accepting responsibility, and choosing nobility, dignity, integrity, ethics, and virtue.

Why do we take for granted what’s truly valuable and then have to lose it to value what we had? Why choose imbalance and impermanence over healthy values and accepting the corresponding responsibilities and fees for having a healthier self, planet, and world? As Jupiter transits Sagittarius over the next year, may we acknowledge the true consequences and real costs of climate change. Our fate truly is in our hands.

VIRGO ~ HANDS ~ HEALTH

Posted on August 30, 2018 by markseltman

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Stephen King (Virgo ~ 9/21/47)

You don’t need a Virgo Sun, Moon, planets, aspects, or planetary placements to be a Virgo. Virgo has square palms and short fingers. Dominant middle phalanges and square fingertips are less meaty and more flexible than Taurus types and pinker and more elastic than Capricorn types who have whitish flat palms, well-developed first knots, and lean fingers. Virgo is the most adaptable of three practical types.

Virgo is well-known for their methodical hands-on natures and for being critical. No matter what your type, square fingertips, enlarged second knots, and short fingernails add physical and mental order, practicality, and responsibility.

Individuals with strong middle fingers that crook or lean toward ring fingers at the first joints strive for perfection and need personal space. Depending on what element is rising, or moonsign, or balances and imbalances of elements they manifest certain gifts and curses. People who chew their nails are self-critical and critical of others (many lines crisscrossing under middle finger enhances that). Compulsively bitten nails belong to contrary people who choose the other side of an argument to make a point, even if they agree with you.

Virgo is best where discriminating, reliable, modest, and orderly service is required. Famous for cleaning up everyone else’s messes, Virgo sometimes obsess on details while being overly thorough and meticulous. Contrary to popular belief, Virgo doesn’t really like details. Short fingered people in general (Practical and Intuitive) dislike details and prefer to see the whole picture. Details are a nuisance; something others should do, but few can do them better than Virgo who selflessly reasons and wills themselves to do what needs to be done. Virgo must be valued and appreciated. Virgo asks too little for themselves. They know their value, but reticent to ask for it. Ego gratification is not a motivation. Never ever take Virgo for granted. Virgo works hard to feel useful, but must be valued and appreciated for hard work. Virgo must learn to cherish every molecule of what they earn. Careers like accounting, medical, nursing, social work, maintenance, cleaning, and health food are magnets for Virgo.

Virgos who have worked hard and been rewarded for their efforts: Writers Agatha Christie & Leonard Cohen; Lawyers Alan Dershowitz & Marcia Clark; Financiers J.P. Morgan & Warren Buffet; Actors Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, Paul Walker, Keanu Reeves, and Cameron Diaz; Singers Michael Jackson & Beyonce’; Political figures Margaret Trudeau, Lyndon Johnson, George Wallace, Yasser Arafat, & John McCain. McCain’s hands are more Taurus than Virgo. His short index finger, slightly crooked pinky, and intuitive tips say what you see is not necessarily what you get.

Mercury, winged foot messenger, holds a caduceus (medicine) ruled by Virgo (healthcare). Gemini rules communications. Virgo is earthy and practical. She represents more scientific and technical aspects of thinking and empathy. Virgo is feminine in gender, logical, and healthier than Gemini, more masculine, intellectual, and cleverer. Imagination is more important to Gemini than practicality. I’m very Gemini.

I was practicing palmistry in my early thirties. One day, a young man showed up and asked “When will I die?” He was a healthy looking Virgo, very well built, energetic, handsome, smart, and a multi-talented craftsman. He appeared in excellent health. His well-balanced square palms were pink and firm with short straight fingers. Pink elastic skin, resilient palms, flexible wrists, and mildly flexible finger joints revealed a healthy balance between determination and adaptability. His basic lines were clear and deeply engraved. How lucky he is, I thought, but fate had sealed his future when he got AIDS.

AIDS was a death sentence at that time. I couldn’t see his illness in his hands. Nothing stood out. I lacked experience to counsel him. Instead, I said, “I’m sorry, only god has the answer to your question. You’re a naturally healthy type. If anyone can beat this disease, you can.” Awkwardly, I talked about his positive qualities, but he wasn’t interested in hearing about them. We chatted about what he planned to do about his situation. He wanted to be proactive. I helped him to decide to begin a regimen of healthy diet, exercise, sleep, more meaningful relationships, and quality time management. There was no charge for his session.

My curiosity about AIDS and desire to make a difference motivated me to volunteer weekly at Bailey House, an AIDS housing organization. I showed up twice weekly for two years to read hands, astrology, and cards for clients and staff. I use metaphysics as a lens to view issues and challenges in a symbolic way to help choose what’s next.

I printed hands of AIDS victims monthly to monitor the progress of the disease. I began noticing changes in skin ridge patterns on the percussion of hands. Lack of adequate funding, limited time, and not enough statistical data made it difficult for me to be thorough or scientific. Most people with AIDS suppress their potentials because they obsess on the harsh realities of their fragile impending mortality. I affirmed their talents and strengths and tried to inspire as many as possible to continue making positive choices and taking positive actions. We all looked forward to our weekly sessions.

Your health is in your hands. In the days before computerized medical diagnosis, doctors used their intuition, tasted a patient’s urine, looked into their eyes, and examined their tongue, skin, and especially their hands to diagnose illness. Hands reflect a person’s physical, mental, emotional, philosophical, and spiritual health. I encourage seekers to examine and reflect on their hands and the hands of people they care about. There’s so much more to see in a mirror than a reflection.

Fingernails are windows to a person’s health. Some illnesses seen in nails are anemia, thyroid disease, malnutrition, carpal tunnel syndrome, psoriasis, eczema, liver disease, heart, lungs, colon, chronic respiratory disease, lymph system problems, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, Hodgkin’s disease, and sickle-cell anemia. Whew…

Dozens of stress related problems and types of cancer can be seen in skin ridge patterns (dermatoglyphics). Conditions of lines indicate conditions of heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and stomach in male and female systems. Palmistry is prescriptive, but I never diagnose or prescribe. When I observe a potential health problem in hands, I let my clients know I’m not a health expert and suggest they see a specialist.

Many health problems are natural predispositions to specific character types. Know the type and understand the corresponding potential health problems. Here’s a generalized list of health issues that correspond to particular fingers. Click links to learn when and how a finger is dominant and what other qualities in addition to health are represented. No health problems are easy. Good News ~ forewarned is forearmed! Free Will Rules.

Dominant index finger ~ blood disorders, liver trouble, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and problems with hips, thighs, and throat. A huge challenge and temptation is refraining from overindulging in rich food and drink.

Dominant middle finger ~ skin problems, teeth with age, knees, ligaments, secretion of bile, skeletal, left ear deafness, paralysis, rheumatism, gout, hardening of the arteries, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins.

Dominant ring finger ~ eyesight, heart, and blood circulation.

Dominant pinkie ~ nervous system, bronchial, and respiratory systems, thyroid gland, headaches, memory loss, and speech impediments.

Dominant ball of thumb ~ throat, lymphatic system, venereal diseases, heart, circulation, and nervousness.

Dominant heel of hand ~ bodily fluids, stomach, tumors, female disorders, epilepsy, mucous membranes, gout, rheumatism, kidney, bladder, and mental illness.

Dominant thumb and percussion of hand ~ inflammations, acute fevers, infections, muscular disorders, blood diseases, hemorrhage, infectious and contagious diseases, throat and chest trouble, and high blood pressure.

Scorpio ~ reproductive system, ruptures, hemorrhoids, ulcers, venereal diseases, and problems with prostate or urethra.

Aquarius ~ ankle weakness, anemia, cramps, heart weaknesses, nervous diseases, varicose veins, and sensitive skin.

Pisces ~ feet and toes including bunions and gout, colds, mucous discharges, tumors, drug addictions, and liver troubles.

MY CANCER BEST FRIEND

Posted on June 28, 2018 by markseltman

LLOYD WILSON

Cancer is a feeling type… instinctual, empathic, emotionally complex, and hard to comprehend. Pry into their private lives and watch them retreat into their shells. Cancers hide their most vulnerable selves beneath a facade of nurturing actions. Cautious and vulnerable, Cancers avoid emotional confrontation wherever and whenever possible, although, they prefer being frank and direct over tactful and diplomatic. Their feelings can swing from loving, devoted, and nurturing, to secretive, obsessive, and fearful of the future. Their smartest option is always choosing satisfying over safe. Cancers can become dark and moody when they feel controlled or confined. They must feel protected and secure before they can fully trust. Once trust is earned, loyalties run deep. Cancer needs to cultivate intimacy wherever and whenever they can. Healthy families, close friendships, and satisfying work nourish and support them. Creating structure, organization, and detail also helps them feel stable and secure.

Healthy Cancers are loving, compassionate, and devoted. They’re compatible with other feeling types (Scorpio & Pisces). They feel safe with practical types (Taurus ~ Virgo ~ Capricorn) who are reliable, responsible, and dependable. They’re challenged by thinking types (Gemini ~ Libra ~ Aquarius) who compartmentalize, rationalize, and analyze their feelings. They’re cautious around intuitive types (Aries ~ Leo ~ Sagittarius) who are passionate, spontaneous, and impatient, and afraid they’ll be left holding the psychic garbage bag (they are) and scared of dealing with the collateral damage when idealism, optimism, enthusiasm, and logic wane (and they do). Cancers are acutely consciousness of everyone else’s emotional needs. When they feel insecure, they can become internally secretive and externally aggressive at the same time. Cancer works hardest when income matches output. Motivated by good food, emotional security, and cozy surroundings, their mission is to nurture family, home, and creative imagination.

The impudent young guy on the left in this picture is me, captured forty-four years ago in a photo booth at Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh, Pa. Lloyd and I met while working part time at a model making shop where we fabricated preschool children’s learning devices for the University of Pittsburgh’s Learning, Research, and Development Center. We made toys for ourselves and our loved ones on our own time. About to graduate from different colleges, I was to become an industrial designer. Lloyd would continue being an artist. We were a couple of Peter Pans on our way to Neverland.

Lloyd didn’t get much nurturing as a child. He developed his quick wit and sense of humor while trying to avoid extreme physical abuse. When his mother was happy, Lloyd was safe. When she was unhappy, she’d incite Lloyd’s rage filled father to beat him up. Lloyd tried hard to fix his broken parents, but they were too sick to support his efforts. Instead, they judged, criticized, and abused him. Lloyd’s mother finally abandoned him by killing herself; his father was committed to a mental institution, and years later, his lovely sister who I had met in Florida (two beautiful children, great husband, and an apparently idyllic life), suddenly and unexpectedly blew her head off with a shotgun.

Lloyd’s slender rectangular palms and long fingers embody his Cancer sun, which is conjunct my Mercury. His Gemini ascendant and my Gemini sun harmonize with one another. Lloyd’s head and life lines tightly intertwine at their beginnings. That reveals his need to feel appreciated and his tendency to take things too personally, even when they aren’t. A sensitive child, Lloyd desperately craved love and support, but didn’t get any.

Lloyd survived childhood without much approval. Meanwhile, he thrives on love and appreciation. Lloyd will give you the shirt off his back if you need it, but you had better never take him for granted. I know because Lloyd has literally given me the shirt off his back in my moment of need. I was on my way to an important meeting and got a nasty stain on the front of my shirt. Before I could blink, Lloyd took off his shirt and traded with me. What I love about him is that it never occurred to him not to do that.

Cancers are collectors. Some stockpile food in case of shortage or emergency. Lloyd collects art books, literature (most well-read person I know), religious art, art supplies, tools, raw materials, and clothing. When wealthy people die, their families donate their wardrobe to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Lloyd has a keen eye for the finest designer clothing. He skillfully sorts through the merchandise for great finds. I call him my personal dresser. We wear the same sizes. Lloyd chooses suits, coats, and jackets with me in mind and has gifted me with outfits worth thousands of dollars that he paid ten or fifteen dollars for. Many had never been worn. He’s a master bargain hunter.

Lloyd’s very flexible thumbs symbolize his ability to adapt to the most horrible of circumstances. They also embody his frequent generosity of heart and spirit. It’s very hard for Lloyd to say “NO”. The gold ring on the bottom phalange of his middle (Saturn) finger on his unconscious hand symbolizes his need to have clear boundaries, be frugal, and learn how to be less available so that he won’t be taken for granted. Of course, Lloyd knows that, but it’s still fun to see his character, motivations, and challenges embodied in the morphology and topography of his hands.

Lloyd would say to me, “People who tell the truth don’t need to have good memories”. I’d reply, “We may be bastards, but at least we’re honest”. Over fifty years of friendship have witnessed many challenging lessons in humility for us. We delayed finding balance between our outer and inner worlds by always choosing to learn the hard way. We had to let go of our need to be more than we were. We learned there are no shortcuts.

Lloyd Wilson is Pittsburgh’s best kept secret because he loves his anonymity. His artwork reveals a magical spirit, but few will truly get to know it. Lloyd personifies Cancer’s best qualities. He’s supportive, sympathetic, receptive, reflective, intuitive, imaginative, extremely devoted to friends and family, and my best friend (male).

Aries and Hands

Posted on March 20, 2018 by markseltman

You don’t need an Aries sun, moon, ascendant, planets, aspects, or houses to be Arian. Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo, are Intuitive types with rectangular palms and short fingers. If you have an Aries sun and Aries hands, you’re Super Aries. Aries hands differ from Leo and Sag hands. Leo hands tend to be harder and stiffer while Sagittarian hands tend to be softer and more flexible than Aries hands. Aries percussions (passive Mars under pinkie) are fullest and firmest. Resilient elastic skin quickly springs back to normal when poked, pushed, or pulled.

Pink color energizes. Red pressurizes, especially when plump red puffy bumps bulge (aggressive Mars) where the thumb meets the hand. Red hands embody too much energy, anger, and passion. Aries normally has a rosy full ball of thumb (Venus).The quarterback (Mars) and the cheerleader (Venus) are always hot for each other.

Head and life lines separated on pure types reveal initiative and a need to be oneself. Wider gaps symbolize more independence, freedom, and rebellion. Head and life lines that intertwine at their beginnings reveal inertia. That person needs to be appreciated and must never be taken for granted. Strong Leo types have entwined head and life lines. They often procrastinate and take everything personally, even when it’s not.

As the most courageous and adventurous of all twelve types, Aries is a natural hero and inspired risk taker. His passion is contagious and optimism eternal. She never runs out of doors to knock on because (unlike Leo) she doesn’t take rejection personally. He’s ready and willing to compete with anyone at any time and place. An autonomous freedom lover, she hates criticism and abhors bureaucrats.

Pure Aries types tend to have low set thumbs. No matter what your type, low set thumbs were designed to quest for Holy Grails and for helping underdogs. Aries crusades relentlessly and persists untiringly until their objectives are realized. Worthy causes bring deep satisfaction and fulfillment.

Aries is not detail oriented. When they’re bogged down with paperwork or bookkeeping, they quickly become bored, restless, and frustrated. It’s best to stay out of their way if you can’t help them. In intimate relationships, physical chemistry is very important, but freedom is essential. Aries must stay far away from controlling, possessive, and jealous types. They must take care not to be too impulsive or in a hurry to ‘fall in love’ as an unhappy marriage often follows accidental pregnancy. Aries most important challenges are being patient, trusting their intuition, setting sensible goals, and building sound structures on solid foundations. Aries enjoys working with sharp tools. They’re unafraid of blood and make great butchers, surgeons, and soldiers. Mars also rules executives, military leaders, policemen, firemen, salesmen, barbers, sports, and everything fiery.

Aries rules War. Ancient warrior cultures practiced their lustiest mating rituals from late June to late July to seed future generations of Aries warriors. Aries rules Germany, England, and Japan. Hitler manufactured an Aryan race. The British barbarized and then colonized the globe. Japan was atom bombed in World War II. Modern Japanese warriors wage wars of commerce, communications, transportation, and electronics.

Aries is Greek. Mars is Roman. Everyone has Aries and Mars in his or her symbolism. Aries rises at the Spring Equinox. An invincible warrior and lusty lover, the god of war is symbolized by an erect penis. Built physically to match with a strong athletic body, dominant chest, and rock hard head, he’s not called ‘Ram’ for nothing. My life partner, Joanna, is Aries with Venus in Taurus rising. I call her ‘Rambull’. Believe me, she can be obstinate and that’s grounding for me. I’m Gemini with Scorpio rising. You can believe her when she calls me a ‘piece of work in progress’.

Aries are amazingly resilient. They innately bounce back, always landing on their feet. Their strong sense of inner strength, courage, and persistence make them formidable foes. Aries conquers procrastination, overcomes inertia, takes action, and rules physical energy. Health issues are inflammations, fevers, headaches, and high blood pressure.

Our Aries ancestors are heroes like King Theseus of Athens, Jason and his Argonauts, Joan of Arc, Xena, Mulan, Robin Hood, and his popular eastern cousin, Aladdin, orphaned son of the king of thieves, handsome adolescent street rat, and diamond in the rough, destined to become a prince. The hand above belongs to a real life Aladdin. Click here for his story.

Al Gore’s rectangular palms and short fingers reveal a link between his intuitive personality and his Aries Sun. Al’s Mars, Saturn, and Pluto are in Leo and his Jupiter is in Sagittarius. That’s a lot of fire. Inspiration motivated Al as he passionately informed the masses of environmental truths. Al and his Argonauts bagged the coveted Nobel Peace Prize while opening masses of minds to the hazards of Global Warming.

As a conceptual thinker, Al loves the idea part of his process. Al’s greatest asset is his ability to see the big picture. With no time and little aptitude or patience for details, Al is a salesman who can sell anything he truly believes in. Al’s long index finger enhances his egocentricity and ambition. Al knows what he wants and gets the facts he needs to make the case for his cause. Armed with a lightning bolt from Zeus, Al is a human of great influence, privilege, and wealth. It’s vital that Al remain vigilant of the size and quality of his personal footprint and practice what he preaches.

U.S. ex-Secretary of State, ex-General Colin Powell is an Aries with Sun and Mercury in Aries (April 5, 1937). Rectangular palms, short fingers, and widely separated life and headline are the embodiment of King Theseus of Athens. Theseus escorted Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. He defeated the dreaded Minotaur (Saddam Hussein, a Taurus) and united the warring Greek factions under his rule.

Secretary Powell’s powerful practical personality persuaded Americans to keep the faith while we invaded Iraq. He believed he would make a difference, but ended up being goldenly fleeced by the Bush administration. Our Emperor pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes as he proudly wore Powell’s noble charisma, flawless credibility, and ethical principles on the front lines of international diplomacy. Colin’s greatest battles are yet to come as he approaches the end of his life and wages war with his personal loyalties, honesty, integrity, dignity, and truth. An evil empire that can take revenge on Powell’s family keeps his truths secret. If Colin Powell is a true hero, he must cleanse his karma by shining the light of absolute truth on the many shades of gray in his life.

Largest of energy giants, XX is an Aries with first trade March 25 1920. This predatory power broker must shift its greedy paradigms to embrace philosophical and spiritual laws of nature and humanity. Our mother’s creative juices were created equal to be shared by all. XX pumps mom’s blood from natural reservoirs into pipelines, artificial tanks, and finally to our personal storage tanks through our umbilical cords. Our planetary good health is at risk. X-Secretary of State and X-CEO of XX, Rex Tillerson, could have made a positive difference, but didn’t. XX must be a guardian for, not a Seller of our Souls. XX has become XXX by choosing $$$ over us. ‘Haves’ need not be Emperors. ‘Have nots’ need not be servants and slaves of haves.

Sagittarius Hands

Posted on November 22, 2017 by markseltman

“He who dies rich dies disgraced” Andrew Carnegie

You don’t need a Sagittarius Sun, Moon, houses, aspects, planets, or planetary placements to be Sagittarian. Sagittarius hands are mutable and intuitive with long rectangular palms and short fingers. Pure types have long straight and strong index fingers that stand away from the hand. No matter what your type, strong index fingers symbolize leadership abilities, pride, self-confidence, spiritual or religious affinities, truthfulness, generosity, and idealism in relationships. Pink coloration under the index finger adds enthusiasm and reveals a desire to make a difference. Sagittarius hands in general tend to be pinkish and healthy looking with mildly flexible joints and firm elastic skin. Finger joints are not knotty and fingertips tend to be round or conical with loop and whorl fingerprints. Sagittarius is enthusiastic, idealistic, and confident. They’re eternal optimists, honest and sincere, with friendly charismatic voices designed to persuade. They love rich food and fine wine. Good luck and positive thinking are Sagittarius traits.

Sagittarians are irresistible when they believe in themselves. Frequently accused of observing life through rose colored glasses, they tend to see people and circumstances as they want them to be instead of how they really are. Sagittarius is philosophical, expansive, generous, passionate, principled, proud, truthful, and spiritual. They love travel and take time to explore the sites and seek food adventures when they arrive at a new destination. They’re also nature lovers and naturally healthy types. Their physical problems usually result from overindulging in food and drink. Their dark side can be egoistic, tactless, insincere, judgmental, opinionated, hypercritical, hypocritical, impractical, grandiose, arrogant, dictatorial, vain, gluttonous, or philandering.

If your dominant hand’s index finger appears long, (tip is more than halfway past the middle of the tip of the middle finger), projects forward, and has a pinkish color beneath (all races), you’ve got Sagittarius qualities. You’re a planner, goal setter, and natural leader. As an ambitious career minded professional, you’re attracted to go-getters like yourself, steering far from strays and fixer-uppers. Anyone looking for a free ride or unable to carry his or her weight will quickly lose your respect. Sagittarians hate being criticized.

Many dominant index fingered people are of medium height with generously proportioned bodies. They frequently have wide chests, high foreheads, widely spaced kindly eyes, and round faces with wavy hair. These individuals enjoy being married and need a partner as much as a lover in a mate. Their relationship problems often result from obsessive or controlling behavioral patterns, and judgmental, critical attitudes. False pride, gluttony, vanity, and bossiness are weaknesses that these individuals can overcome by practicing moderation and steadily earning their success. Sagittarian types must choose a philosophy that helps them become an integral part of a working society and not Don Quixote tilting at windmills or a person who has everyone else’s answers.

Long index fingered folk are naturally healthy types. As their physical sense is taste, temptation is strong. They love rich exotic foods, luxurious desserts, and fine wine. If they don’t take good physical care of themselves, they’re prone to blood disorders, liver trouble, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and problems with hips, thighs, and throat. Many of the world’s finest and worst chefs have dominant index fingers (reflected in the length and thickness of the bottom phalange).

If your index finger is short (less than half way to the middle of the top phalange of the middle finger), you must work harder to achieve the same results as a long index fingered person. Your major challenge is learning to value and ask enough for yourself. Too many short index fingered people received too little encouragement and support while growing up. Nonetheless, plenty of successful individuals have short index fingers. They earn every drop of whatever they achieve. Nothing comes easily.

Scientific studies have related short index fingers to homosexuality, a claim I’ve refuted in a previous post. An understanding of index fingers transformed my family’s destiny. The basic shape of hands determines whether you’re more intuitive, practical, thinking, or feeling. If you plan to cultivate a dominant index fingered person, be honest and direct, show pride in your work, and take calculated risks. Many strong index fingered people become successful managers, journalists, judges, lawyers, politicians, singers (instrument is voice), producers, promoters, priests, chefs, speakers, and salespeople.

As previously discussed, proportions of individual phalanges, knots, and nails are important. With a spatulate fingertip and a whorl fingerprint there’s more individuality, unconventionality, and originality. Religion is less important than spirituality. A square tipped person with an arch fingerprint is more practical, responsible, and dependable. Round and conical tips and loop prints are adaptable and intuitive. Every detail, including fingerprints, must to be taken into consideration.

Dermatoglyphics rarely change, unlike lines, which change as our thinking, and circumstances change. A careful examination of dermatoglyphics requires a quality set of hand-prints, a magnifying glass, and a measuring device. Dermatoglyphics and timing are beyond the scope of this post. If you’re interested in fingerprints, Richard Unger has devoted a large portion of his career as a hand analyst to finger prints. His book, LIFEPRINTS, is worth reading.

Sagittarius and the Collective Psyche in the 20th Century

Posted on November 21, 2017 by markseltman

Outer planets powerfully influence our personal psyche. They symbolize massive transformations in our collective psyche as they change sign. When Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto transited Sagittarius in the 20^th Century, paradigms of politics, commerce, and religion shifted forever.

Uranus transited Sagittarius from 1981-1988. Political gender was shaken up. Sandra D. O’Connor was the first Woman elected to the Supreme Court. Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman nominated by the Democratic Party for Vice President. Benazir Bhutto was the first female prime minister of a Muslim country in Pakistan’s first free election since 1977.

Uranus can represent sudden and unexpected upheaval and disaster. The space shuttle Challenger exploded on takeoff while millions watched in horror on their TVs. While Greenpeace protested France’s nuclear testing, their flagship Rainbow Warrior was bombed. Ronald Reagan created “Star Wars”, an absurd and overly expensive national defense idea. George Bush Sr. was the first sitting Vice President elected as president since 1836. IBM introduced personal PCs. AT&T’s monopoly was broken by the Department of Justice.

Sagittarius rules publishing and religion. Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini sentenced Salman Rushdie to death after he published his popular novel The Satanic Verses. Rushdie’s tales of good and evil fueled riots in India and book burnings in England. His huge success fueled Islamic hatred.

Neptune transited Sagittarius from 1970 to 1984. The idealism of the 60’s was replaced by pessimism and a marked lack of trust in national institutions. The war in Vietnam united a mass of skeptical protestors ready for confrontation. The Arab oil embargo of 1973 created a major energy crisis, teaching US not to take energy for granted, and conveniently catalyzing the opening of the controversial Alaska pipeline.

Neptune rules false prophets, delusion, deception, and victimization. Neptune is also visionary, imaginative, and magical. Richard Nixon was the first US President in history to announce his resignation. New York was the first city in US history to be bailed out of bankruptcy by the federal government. A religious paradigm shifted when the Catholic Church elected its first non-Italian pope in four centuries. Mother Theresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in the name of the poor. Televangelist Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority in 1979.

Neptune rules chemicals and drugs. The first test-tube baby was conceived out of the womb. Genetic engineering created new horrors for theologians and religious extremists. Environmentalists protested industries creating “Acid Rain”. The ‘Three Mile Island’ fiasco derailed several major nuclear energy projects. The World Health Organization announced an end to smallpox. Crack cocaine became popular. A deadly epidemic was officially named AIDS.

Pluto transited Sagittarius from 1995 to 2008. Pluto with Zeus is recipe for upheaval and transformation in politics, big business, and religion. Political extremism, corporate greed, religious fundamentalism, and terrorism began to flourish and thrive across the globe. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing law student. The Middle East peace process was disrupted. Great Britain finally let go of Hong Kong. President Clinton resumed diplomatic relations with communist Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of Black Men flocked to Washington to march for freedom. It was the first time in 40 years that Republicans controlled congress. Y2K was not end time.

Sex scandals rocked the Catholic Church. The House of Representatives impeached and later acquitted Bill Clinton for lying about his sexploits. Two students killed themselves after murdering twelve students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado. The Unabomber was caught and sentenced to life in prison. The Oklahoma City bombing established large-scale terrorism by Americans on our soil. After 9/11, governmental power transformed, giving leaders the ability to supersede human rights and civil liberties. A large political machine preempted war without world consent. Lairs of corporate foxes ruled the hen house while packs of political wolves managed the sheep.

Saturn returned to Sagittarius on December 23, 2014, after nearly thirty years through eleven other signs. Astrologers predicted Saturn would wield powerful influence for three years as it transited Sagittarius on its way to Capricorn. Saturn rules responsibility, structure, discipline, focus, time, big business, and bureaucracy. Energy, transportation, communications, food, housing, healthcare, law, politics, and religion were changed by Saturn’s transit through Sagittarius.

Sagittarius rules transportation. We’re a long way from the Model T, only a speck in time ago. Sagittarians love prestige and luxury cars as racing is to Aries and showing off is to Leo. The gods of cars must shift the paradigm of profit before people. Automotive industries must be more spiritual in their visions and truthful in their actions. By perpetuating an illusion that overly powerful gas guzzling vehicles are expensive, glamorous and sexy, car makers and profiteers promote a delusion that it’s OK to deplete our natural resources and pollute our planet. How long did we let cigarette companies get away with pretending unhealthy products were heallthy. Do we really need hundreds of horses galloping under our hoods? Transportation needs to be designed for present and future good health. We will profit from higher social and environmental consciousness. As the globe warms and fuel prices skyrocket, fuel efficient, non-polluting, practical, and economical transportation needs to happen or we will drive ourselves to extinction.

We drive whenever and wherever in the comfort of our cars. Real and hidden costs are usurious as we guzzle gas, fight oil wars, deplete finite natural resources, and pollute our Mother Earth. Carbon monoxide and dioxide hover everywhere. Toxic smoke and smog poison arteries while they proliferate and coagulate like cholesterol on its way to a coronary. Too many old, tired, depressed, angry, drugged, and drunken drivers are turning roads into varicose veins connecting festering sores we call cities. We must shift our travel paradigm and steer ourselves far from death and destruction, instead being hopeful and helpful in our intent and actions. Our fate is in our hands.

Greed and prejudice are unhealthy symptoms of powerful partisan political philosophies and pervasive extremist religious ideologies. A global world family and economy must see the forest from the trees in ways that are healthy and sustainable for all. Our values will become healthier when Uranus enters Taurus on May 14, 2018. I’m praying for a reincarnation of nobility, dignity, integrity, ethics, and virtue.

LEO PAWS

Posted on July 25, 2017 by markseltman

Leo is a solar archetype. Helios (Greek), Apollo (Roman), Ra (Egyptian), and Narashima (Indian) are Leo gods. Hercules (Greek), Samson (Judaic), and Parcifal (English) are Leo heroes. Goldilocks and Lion King are Leo fairy-tales. Everyone has Leo in their story. Who are your heroes? Which hero are you? What’s your holy grail?

You don’t need a Leo sun, moon, ascendant, planets, aspects, or houses to be Leo. Intuitive types have long rectangular palms and short fingers. Leo hand shape and proportions are identical to Sagittarius and Aries. These highly spirited, enthusiastic individuals dislike details and need to grasp the whole picture. They require a lot of freedom to express themselves naturally. They take pride in their honesty, integrity, and dignity. They also pride themselves on being independent objective thinkers who must set inspiring goals through which they can channel their abundant energy and passion. Leo loves being center of attention. Creative, dramatic, generous, enthusiastic, and fiercely loyal, Leo embraces you with ‘pride’ and then expects you to worship, admire, and appreciate him. Many fans look forward to his or her humor and stories.

Leo is a fixed type. Leo hands are stiffer, denser, and firmer than Sagittarius hands. Sag tends to be lazier and more self-indulgent, which softens hands. Leo’s skin is less elastic than Aries skin. Aries acts and then bounces back. Leo reacts and then procrastinates. Leo’s life and head lines often intertwine where a rosy bump meets strong stiff thumbs on a firm pink hand. Head and life lines that are closely braided at their beginnings care a lot about what others think, want to be liked, need to feel appreciated, and should never ever allow themselves to be taken for granted. That’s the beginning of the end.

No matter what your sun sign, people with square fingertips and stiff knotty joints are more methodical and cautious than those without them. They have more inertia and tend more to procrastinate at beginnings and at endings. They prefer to arrange their material objects and ideologies in designated places. Intuitive types are challenged to keep them there, especially when the middle phalanx of their pinky finger is shortest.

Many Leos have long and strong ring fingers. Shapes of tips, proportions of phalanges, knots, nails, lengths of fingers, directions of lines, and breaks, along with other qualities of topographical markings reveal what a person chooses to create with their free will. A seasoned palmist can readily see a person’s people skills, career potentials, behavior, and health issues. Consistency and flexibility of hands and elasticity of skin reveals the three modalities. Whorl fingerprints (concentric circles and spirals) add originality, spontaneity, eccentricity, and unconventionality. It’s important to note that even though palmistry is a science, human nature cannot be defined through exact details, but subtleties of details affected by free will, choice, and context. Palmistry is my favorite of many wonderful ways to observe and understand human character.

Ring fingers reveal artistic and aesthetic abilities, drama, versatility, salesmanship, showiness, gambling proclivities, satisfaction, and reputation. No matter your archetype, strong ring fingers add adaptability, creativity, and expressiveness. Cultivated Leos love beautiful things and savor a developed sense of taste and style. Long ring fingered folk are likable and they work at it. A ring finger is judged for length against the middle finger. When the tip is shorter than the middle of the first phalanx of the middle finger, it’s considered short. When longer, it’s considered long. Hands of actors, artists, architects, designers, craftsmen, photographers, curators, businessmen, teachers, salesmen, politicians, and diplomats have long ring fingers. I’ve seen similar ring fingers on hands of gamblers. Their problem is they win, but don’t know when to stop.

Leos love being boss. Last time I checked, there were more Fortune 500 and NASDAQ (over 10%) LEO CEO’s than any other sign. Our most recent four Presidents are all dominated by Leo. Stay tuned for a post generalizing the best and worst of Leo ruled Presidents.

Leo’s strength and courage shines like the sun. He’s naturally charming, talented, and very versatile. Leo liabilities are self- consciousness, emotional insecurity, and vanity, clinging to obsolete behavioral patterns, cultivating challenging circumstances, and nursing fruitless relationships. Don’t ever take Leo for granted. He takes criticism personally, even when it isn’t. Leo must choose an inspiring quest or risk mediocrity. Leos become easily bored when life gets mundane and routine. As big picture types, too much detail makes them nuts. If you can’t help them, stay out of their way.

Leo must learn to cultivate clear vision and enduring patience. That’s not easy since he’s naturally impatient and impulsive. Frequently accused of ‘being opinionated’, his point of view is so very important. Communicating clearly and effectively is a must. Extroverts in general flourish best when they’re behaving responsibly, honestly, patiently, and naturally in their relationships. Leo’s hardest challenge is to establish clear boundaries and limitations.

Leo’s physical sense is sight. The esoteric equivalent is enlightenment. Leo must burn brightly without judgement or expectation, embrace truth, learn to see the handwriting on walls, cut their losses, and let go of false pride. Too many multi-talented Leos spread themselves too thin and become the proverbial jacks of all trades, masters of none. Potential health problems are eyesight, heart, and poor circulation.

ARIES HANDS

Posted on March 21, 2017 by markseltman

You don’t need an Aries sun to be Arian. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are Intuitive types with rectangular palms and short fingers. If you have an Aries sun and Aries hands, you’re a super Aries. Aries hands differ from Leo and Sag hands. Leo hands tend to be harder and stiffer while Sagittarian hands tend to be softer and more flexible than Aries hands. Aries percussions (passive Mars under pinky finger) are fuller and firmer. Resilient elastic skin quickly springs back to normal when poked, pushed, or pulled. Pink color energizes. Red pressurizes. Full reddish puffy bumps bulge (aggressive Mars) where Aries thumb meets the hand. Aries types normally have a rosy full ball of thumb (Venus). Red hands embody too much energy, anger, and passion. Head and life lines are separated on pure types. Wider gaps symbolize more need for independence, freedom, and rebellion. Head and life lines that intertwine at their beginnings reveal inertia and a desire to be appreciated. Pure Leos have entwined head and life lines. They procrastinate, take things personally (even when they’re not), and must never allow themselves to be taken for granted.

As the most courageous and adventurous of all twelve types, Aries is a natural hero and inspired risk taker. His passion is contagious and optimism eternal. He never runs out of doors to knock on because (unlike Leo) he doesn’t take rejection personally. He’s ready and willing to compete with anyone at any time and place. As an autonomous freedom lover, he hates criticism and bureaucrats. Aries tend to have low set thumbs, although no matter what type you are, very low set thumbs are designed to quest for holy grails and champion underdogs. Aries crusades relentlessly and persists untiringly until their objectives are realized. Worthy causes bring satisfaction and fulfillment.

Aries is not detail oriented. When he gets bogged down with mundane tasks such as paperwork or bookkeeping, he becomes bored, restless, and easily frustrated. It’s best to stay out of his way if you can’t help him. His most important challenges are being patient, trusting his intuition, setting sensible goals, and building sound structures on solid foundations. Many Aries types enjoy working with sharp tools. They’re unafraid of blood. Mars rules executives, military leaders, soldiers, policemen, firemen, salesmen, surgeons, barbers, butchers, raw physical energy, sports, and military.

Aries rules War. Ancient warrior cultures practiced their lustiest mating rituals from late June to late July to seed future generations of warriors. Aries rules Germany, England, and Japan. Hitler contrived an Aryan race. The British barbarized and then colonized the globe. Japan was atom bombed in World War II. Modern Japanese warriors do battle in commerce, communications, transportation, and electronics.

Everyone has Aries and Mars somewhere in his or her symbolism. Aries rises at the birth of Spring. Ares is Greek. Mars is the Roman version. As an invincible warrior and lusty lover, the god of war is symbolized by an erect penis. Built to match with a strong athletic body, dominant chest, and rock hard head, he’s not called a ram for nothing. My partner, Joanna, is Aries with Venus in Taurus rising. She can be stubborn. I call her ‘Rambull’. I’m very Gemini. She calls me ‘a piece of work in progress’.

Aries are amazingly resilient and innately bounce back, always landing on their feet. A strong sense of inner strength, courage, and persistence make them formidable foes. Aries conquers procrastination, overcomes inertia, initiates action, and rules physical energy. Health issues are inflammations, fevers, headaches, and high blood pressure.

Aries descend from heroes like King Theseus of Athens, Jason and the Argonauts, Joan of Arc, Xena, Mulan, Robin Hood, and his popular eastern cousin, Aladdin, orphaned son of the king of thieves, handsome adolescent street rat, and diamond in the rough, destined to become a prince. The hand pictured belongs to a real life Aladdin. Click here for his story.

Al Gore’s rectangular palms and short fingers reveal a link between his intuitive personality and his Aries Sun. Al’s Mars, Saturn, and Pluto are in Leo and Jupiter is in Sagittarius. Abundant inspiration motivated Al as he attempted to transform mass energy consciousness and corresponding politics. Like Jason and the Golden Fleece, Al and his Argonauts bagged the coveted Nobel Peace Prize while opening masses of minds to the hazards of Global Warming.

As a conceptual thinker, Al loves the idea part of his process. His biggest asset is his ability to see the big picture. With no time and little aptitude or patience for details, Al is a salesman who can sell anything he truly believes in. Al’s long index finger enhances his egocentricity and ambition. Charged with a lightning bolt from Zeus, once Al is clear about what he wants, he’ll acquire the facts he needs to make the case for his cause. As a man of great influence, privilege, and wealth, Al must always keep a close eye on his personal footprint and practice what he preaches.

U.S. ex-Secretary of State, ex-General Colin Powell is an Aries. With Sun and Mercury in Aries (April 5, 1937) and his rectangular palms, short fingers, and widely separated life and headline, he’s the embodiment of King Theseus of Athens. Theseus escorted Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. He defeated the dreaded Minotaur (Saddam Hussein, a Taurus) and united the warring Greek factions under his rule.

Secretary Powell’s powerful and practical personality persuaded Americans to keep the faith while we invaded Iraq. He actually believed he could make a difference, but ended up being goldenly fleeced by the Bush administration. Emperor George pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes as he proudly wore Powell’s noble charisma, flawless credibility, and ethical principles on the front lines of international diplomacy. Colin’s greatest battles are still ahead as he approaches the end of his life and wages war with his personal loyalties, honesty, integrity, dignity, and the truth. As a true hero, he must cleanse his legacy by shining a blinding light of absolute truth on the many shades of gray in his life.

Largest of energy giants, XX is Aries with first trade March 25 1920. A predatory power broker must shift its greedy paradigms to embrace the philosophical and spiritual laws of nature. Mother’s creative juices were meant to be shared by all of us. XX profitably sells them by pumping mom’s blood from natural reservoirs into pipelines and artificial tanks to personal storage tanks through financial umbilical cords. World economies and planetary good health are at stake. XX must become a guardian for, not a seller of our soul. XX must not be allowed to become XXX by choosing $$$ over humanity.

Uranus changes sign every seven years. Aries and Uranus bring fierce individualism, pioneering spirit, abundant energy, and limitless financial resources to bring concepts to fruition. The only outer planet to transit the sign of Aries in the 20th Century (1927 – 35), Uranus invigorated our collective psyche through revolutionary technological changes. Here are my favorite highlights from our last Uranus revolution eighty four years ago.

Physics and astronomy created the “Big Bang” theory of an ever-expanding universe

Neutron was discovered

King Kullen was the first Supermarket in Queens, NY

Wonder Bread and Homogenized Milk were born

First Laundromat opened in Fort Worth Texas

Flashbulb was invented

3M Company introduced transparent Scotch Tape

Nylon fiber was invented

First plastics were synthesized in Britain

Bell Laboratories developed stereophonic sound

German ophthalmologist pioneered the first contact lens

First drive-in movie theatre opened in New Jersey

Model A replaced the model T Ford

First air-conditioned office building in the US opened in San Antonio Texas

Jet engine was patented

Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight from New York to Paris

America was captivated when Lindbergh’s 20-month-old son was kidnapped

Mao Tse-Tung began his `22 years in the wilderness’ where he developed guerrilla warfare tactics that conquered China

Leon Trotsky was expelled from the communist party

Federal government entered the field of hydroelectric power with Boulder Dam

First all talking motion picture, ‘The Jazz Singer’, starring Al Jolson, revolutionized the film industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was born

The stock market crashed, forcing people to re-examine their values and institutions

Uranus completed its eighty-four year cycle in the spring of 2011 as it turbulently returned to Aries to crumble regimes, topple demagogues, ignite cities, and fuel the Arab Spring that spread across the Mid-East. Devastating earthquakes in Japan forever changed how governments look at nuclear power policies. Protestors in Spain set the stage for Occupy Movements in New York and London. Osama Bin Laden was killed. His demise appeared on Twitter before it was officially announced by the Whitehouse. WikiLeaks raised our consciousness of government secrets and conspiracies.

We’ve come full circle in six years with neo-demagogues and ‘alternative facts’. Apparently, we need much more tough love before we take action. On the eve of our self-destruction, the NRA has weaponized the masses and inadvertently created a People’s Army. Interpreting our second amendment may be our doing or undoing.

Mars is the blood, guts, and gore of war. Uranus with Mars is an explosive combo. Psyches devoured by passion, lust, and hatred are a prescription for MPTSD (mass post-traumatic stress disorder) “Hasta la vista baby”. With Saturn and Pluto, the “Big Bang” theory has come far from the first Neutron. So much for supermarkets, laundromats, homogenized milk, Wonder Bread, Scotch tape, plastics, and the Model T…

Hands Columns

Posted on December 6, 2016 by markseltman

Character of the Month

The archetypes that our hands embody are metaphors for our corresponding personality traits. Our inner and outer characters and the internal and external dramas they play out embody our positive and negative potentials. By knowing the myths of our archetypes, we can understand what kind of person we tend to marry; what kinds of relationships we have with our families, friends, and neighbors; what work we are likely to choose; whether we will be rich or poor; and even what kinds of potential health problems we may have. Armed with knowledge and insight, we can employ our free will to embrace the positive aspects of our characters in order to revise our hands and restage a bad script in our lives. We can choose the right kinds of people and roles for ourselves. Click on the hands below for a full description of each type.

Greek and Roman and contemporary fairy tale characters will be explored. Superficial profiles of twelve fairy tale heroines have been used as illustrations for the purpose of elucidating this idea. Copyright permissions would be required for mass publishing.

April / Aries ~ Belle (Beauty)

As an adventurous, independent, and freedom loving type, Belle makes up her mind and fearlessly pursues her desires. Her impatience and impulsiveness get her in trouble as she instinctively charges forward. Belle becomes bored and restless when she gets caught up in mundane details. She needs to grasp the whole picture. Ultimately, she somehow manages to turn a beast into a prince.

May / Taurus ~ Princess Jasmine

Princess Jasmine is practical, responsible, reliable, dependable, charming, and affectionate. She’s also stubborn and obstinate and doesn’t like change. She enjoys good food, comfortable surroundings, art, music, and sensual pleasures. She’s attracted to Aladdin (Aries) types because they spice up her fantasy life, but in real life, she knows they don’t make the best long term partners for her.

June / Gemini ~ Pippi Longstocking

Pippi is smart and very clever. Her restless nature ensures she’s always on the go. She’s fiercely independent and unafraid to speak her mind. She can conjure up a reason or rationalization for almost anything. Adaptable to all circumstances, Pippi is elusive when anyone tries to pin her down. Her animus is Peter Pan.

July / Cancer ~ Snow White

Snow White is soft and emotionally vulnerable. Controlling or overprotective mothers compel her to become over-sensitive and emotionally cautious. She does her best to avoid confrontation and repress difficult feelings. Cutting ties with controlling females helps her become healthier and happier. She’s a great friend once trust is earned.

August / Leo ~ Goldilocks

Goldilocks loves being center of attention. She wants to be adored and worshipped and can be a drama queen. She needs to be appreciated and must never be taken for granted. Pure types may have fathers who were emotionally or physically absent during their formative years. Goldie craves healthy male role models, but attracts fixer-uppers. Because she so stubbornly fights change, she must learn to recognize that when the bears come home, it’s time to let go.

September / Virgo ~ Cinderella

Cinderella is a practical hard working type. Discriminating, meticulous, and orderly, she needs to feel useful. She’s service oriented, often straightening up other’s messes. She can be overly fastidious and critical sometimes. She’s a good communicator who needs to be valued and appreciated for her integrity. Though her work is often mundane and her rewards meager, Cinderella needs to cherish whatever she earns.

October / Libra ~ Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty searches for balance. She loves harmony, fears discord, and is often indecisive as a result. She can be charismatic and beautiful. She seeks her Prince Charming to help her feel complete, but needs to see him for who he is and not who she wants him to be. Unfortunately, there are way too many frogs and beasts out there and very few princes ready, willing, or able to save her.

November / Scorpio ~ Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood has powerful emotions and a strong sense of purpose. She’s imaginative, captivating, and resourceful. You’re happy being yourself when you’re with her. When she truly wants something, she manages to get it one way or another. She has a mysterious dark side that attracts and is tempted by Big Bad Wolves who desire to corrupt her feigned innocence.

December / Sagittarius ~ Alice in Wonderland

Alice is a traveler and philosopher. She’s friendly, sincere, optimistic, and open minded. She loves her freedom and needs a lot of space to explore her ideas and environment. Alice has a tendency to see life through rose colored glasses. She must take care not to be overly opinionated, judgmental, or self-indulgent.

January / Capricorn ~ Maleficent

It’s not easy to find a positive female fairy tale character that’s pragmatic, ambitious, structured, disciplined, and focused. Capricorn types are planners who make it to the top of whatever field of interest they choose. As serious withholding types, their dark side is frequently represented by Scrooge like characters that are cold, selfish, and rigid. Maleficent is Capricorn with strong Scorpio backup. Her dark side is depressive and diabolical; she’s a person who plans carefully and tries to avoid the negative consequences of her evil actions. These types are late bloomers. They get younger while their peers get older.

February / Aquarius ~ Pocahontas

Pocahontas is outgoing, progressive, independent, and revolutionary. As a community minded individual, she loves in a kind of detached way. Her unconventional freedom loving nature can get her into awkward situations. Spending much time in her private world of ideas and inventions, she prides herself on being unique and eccentric. She’s opinionated, but makes an exciting friend.

March / Pisces ~ Little Mermaid

Ariel is the most sensitive and least acquisitive of all types. Capable of incredible foresight, she’s often misunderstood when she conveys her spiritual visions to others. It’s not easy for others to let go and take a leap of faith. Ariel can swim anywhere in the ether and dream whatever she pleases. She must be sure not to escape from reality and must also watch out for Ursula the Octopus who wants to possess her.

Hands of the Month

Stories of individuals whose corresponding character and career matches the nature of their hands and astrological sign of the month. Applicable themes will be covered:

MONTH CAREER ESOTERIC

April Sports Character

May Banking Values

June Education Thinking

July Psychology Feeling

August Acting Will Power

September Medicine Health

October Law Partnerships

November Sex / Death Creativity

December Politics Philosophy

January Career Purpose

February Technology Dreams

March Religion Spirituality

Philosophical & Spiritual Advice Column

Readers send in hi-resolution pictures of their faces and hands and ask personal questions to be answered by a master palmist from practical, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives. Questions such as, “How can I…?” or “What can I do to…?” are better than “What’s going to happen?” Queries requiring yes or no answers will be rejected. I’d like to write this column if I can find the right venue and way to market the project. Ideas?

Stay tuned for modern palmistry book concepts.

Fingers and Planets

Posted on July 12, 2016 by markseltman

twelve hands

All palmists agree on the importance of the thumb. Although the thumb is a small body part, it takes up a huge space in the cerebral cortex of our brains. The thumb opposes our other four fingers, which has enabled our minds to develop. It’s the primary reason we have dominion over our ancestors, the apes. We’ve designed all of our tools from a pencil to the most sophisticated computer because of the placement of our thumbs. As our hands carry out the messages of our minds, our thoughts, feelings, and behavior are reflected in the morphology and topography of our hands.

The thumb symbolizes our most valuable resources: willpower, logic, and ability to love. It’s essential to our well-being that these three very important qualities be balanced. Like our other fingers, a thumb has two joints and three segments known as phalanges. The top phalange represents will. The second or middle phalange represents logic and ability to reason. If the will segment is longer than logic, you frequently act before you think. If there’s more logic than will, you may figure whatever out, but then procrastinate. A tiny bit more logic than will keeps us in check. The bottom phalange is the ball of thumb, contained by the lifeline. The ball of thumb governs our capacity to love and have compassion and sympathy for others, to maintain significant relationships, to appreciate people, animals, nature, art, and music. If there’s not enough love and sympathy, all the logic in the world won’t matter.

Unlike our other four fingers, our thumb is not ruled by a single planet. It’s obvious that willpower, logic, and love contain all elements and modalities. You can assign a sun sign to any detail to gain more insight. A particular element or modality may be strengthened or weakened by the shape of the tip and / or fingerprint. For example, a spatulate tip with a whorl print adds cardinality and fire. A square tip with an arch print adds fixity and earth. A round or conical tip with a loop print adds mutability and air or water. Many combinations are possible. I’ve written several blog posts on the thumb: The Basics ~ A Parable ~ The Murderer’s Thumb ~ Generalities

Fingers and career

Once you’ve established a dominant element and modality for both hands, examine the fingers. The lengths and proportions of fingers, shapes of tips, knots, and nails reveal our relationships with others and what types of career and work we’re best suited for. How are your fingers spread? If they’re widely spaced, freedom is essential to doing things your way. If they’re held closely together you’re a team player, cautious at beginnings, and prefer not to make important decisions on your own.

Dominant index fingers (Jupiter) are long and stand independently from other fingers. A strong index fingered person prefers to partner. As ambitious types, they visualize their goals and then plan to accomplish them. As career minded individuals, they’re motivated by professionalism. They have natural leadership abilities that attract opportunities for them to manage. They’re drawn to others like themselves who are ambitious and proactive. Controlling behavior patterns, obsessive habits, being critical, judgmental, and indulging in too much good food and drink are weaknesses. Other flaws include false pride, gluttony, vanity, and bossiness. Dominant index fingered individuals must overcome their excesses by practicing moderation. Success comes more easily than most other types, but it still must be earned. Many successful judges, journalists, lawyers, politicians, producers, promoters, priests, speakers, salespeople, and the finest and worst chefs have dominant index fingers.

Basic hand shape will reveal whether the person is more adventurous, practical, thinking, or feeling. Shapes of tips, knots, nails, and fingerprints can dramatically modify any interpretation. You can assign an element and modality to any detail to gain more insight into the issue or challenge you’re addressing. Want to befriend a dominant index fingered person? Be honest, direct, proactive, and take pride in your career.

Many dominant index finger types are of medium height with generously proportioned bodies, wide chests, high foreheads, wide eyes, full faces, and wavy dark hair. Long index finger folk are naturally healthy types who may overindulge in rich exotic foods, luxurious desserts, and fine wines. It’s not a paradox that their physical sense is taste. The older they get, the higher the toll. Temptation knocks and Jupiter unlocks the door to eventual blood disorders, liver trouble, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and problems with hips, thighs, and throat. Many people believe short index fingers are connected to homosexuality. That’s not true. Here’s what I have to say on the subject.

10.cancer The middle finger (Saturn) is the balance wheel of the hand. It should always be the longest finger, although it may appear shorter relative to index and / or ring fingers, which may be above average. Structure, discipline, and focus are needed. Harnessing these qualities is another story. Saturn is his own worst critic and easily frustrated. Finding healthy uses of will power is essential to having a healthy life. Dominant middle finger types are loners and need alone time. Less inclined to marry than other types, they’re dependable, organized, efficient, patient, and faithful. Their troubles begin with spending too much time feeling guilty, fearful, self-critical, frustrated, and depressed. Being overly responsible and perfectionistic is a recipe for depression, frustration, and fear. Notice how the strong middle finger in this photo magnetically draws the other fingers toward it. This man is an incredible artisan and a confirmed bachelor. He worked as a night watchman for many years.

Dominant middle-fingered folk are frequently tall, slender, and angular in appearance. Pure types have dark hair, large bones, stern features, and bland complexions. The prevailing physical sense is smell. Many Saturn types love string instruments and prefer classical music with a tinge of sadness. They eventually have problems with teeth, knees, ligaments, and hardening of arteries, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, or deafness in the left ear. When the middle finger leans toward the ring finger, you’ve got an individual with a very strong need for privacy. When he’s feeling confined, controlled, or restricted, he gets cranky. Notice the curved middle finger on Donald Rumsfeld’s left hand. There’s no doubt he’s a curmudgeon. Abraham Lincoln (Aquarius) and Clint Eastwood (Gemini) are quintessential Saturnians.

Many conservative business people, real estate moguls, writers, technical individuals, craftsmen, therapists, night watchmen, master criminals, morticians, undertakers, and derelicts are middle finger types. Powerful individuals with dominant top phalanges lead the way in research, science, mathematics, and humor.

Have a dominant middle-fingered boss? Do your homework with a very sharp pencil. Your precision, attention to detail, and realism are vital to achieving your goals. Don’t be late and don’t make excuses. Assume responsibility and be pragmatic, reliable, and dependable. You’ll avoid criticism and maybe even get some praise.

The middle finger is the finger of fate. It’s where illusion and delusion meet reality. No matter what else is happening in your hands, the middle finger forces you to face the facts. Then you have to do whatever needs to be done. It’s always about work on your part. The remedy for many maladies is inherent in the challenges in and around the middle finger. Whether you do the work or not, what you do will show in your hands. A grille (schmutz) is a bunch of lines crisscrossing in every direction under the middle finger and a sure sign of frustration resulting from too much perfectionism or not doing what needs to be done. People with schmutz below their middle finger are their own worst critics. They must lighten up, buckle down, and bite the proverbial bullet. Taking one step at a time is the best medicine for letting go of frustration. Healthy attitudes will in time reduce or erase the grille. Healthy people have strong healthy middle fingers.

8. Gemini Ring finger types are happiest. Dominant index fingered folk are the most ambitious. Middle finger types are the most serious. The sun (Leo) finger is symbolized by Apollo, who hauls the sun across the sky each day in his chariot. Apollo types are attractive, brilliant, charming, graceful, artistic, and successful on the inside. Healthy dominant ring finger types are versatile, adaptable, creative, and expressive.

Being so brilliant with so many natural talents and abilities has a downside. It’s easy to be spread too thin (“jack of all trades”). Concern with outward appearances and being tempted by casual attractions is a waste of valuable time. They enjoy marriage, but have very high expectations of their mates that can lead to disappointment. So much solar energy makes them irresistible. Apollo types are healthy, medium height, naturally muscular, and athletic. Their dominant sense is sight. Physical weaknesses are heart problems, eyesight, and circulation. Dominant ring fingered people are lucky. They can trust their gut. When they take calculated risks, they often succeed. I’ve read the hands of many gamblers with very long ring fingers. Their biggest challenge is in knowing when to stop. Their optimism and idealism cloud reality. The most successful actors, artists, musicians, designers, and sales people have dominant ring fingers.

strong pinky This powerful pinky finger fits a communicative, curious, and quick-witted individual. Dominant pinky fingered people are bottom liners. As quick thinkers and excellent communicators, they’re well aware that if their presentation doesn’t add up, they won’t make the sale. They’re eternally childlike and cherish their freedom. In relationships, they love variety until they end up marrying someone like their mother or father. They love children and will bear any burden for family.

Hermes is the Greek god attributed to the pinky finger. Peter Pan (adolescence), Puck, Knight of Swords, Court Jester, Magician, Thoth, Loki, and Mercury are all Hermes. Clever tricksters can also be great communicators and potential archetypes of wisdom.

Early family dynamic can be observed in the way the pinky is set on the hands. When it’s short or low set, trust is a major issue. Many women with very low set pinkies have told me that they have trouble having orgasms. Their real challenge is in trusting themselves and others enough to have real intimacy. A pinky finger emphasizes technical, language, and family, in addition to sexual potentials. Hermes’ dominant physical sense is hearing. Hermes prefers musical instruments that require dexterity.

Finger length

The pinky finger is normally the shortest finger. To determine whether the pinky is considered long or short, look to where it lines up with the ring finger. When the tip of the pinky finger is above the crease between the first and second phalange of the ring finger, it’s considered long. When the pinky finger is shorter than that crease in the ring finger, it’s considered short. Hermes was the shortest of the gods. A dominant pinky fingered person tends to be short in stature. His or her body and face are slender, with expressive hands, dark hair, and penetrating eyes with crow’s feet in the corners. Ed Harris is a great example. Pinky fingered folk are youthful looking with men frequently having thin beards. Johnny Depp is a Mercurial type. Mercurial types are androgynous. Many (they may not know or admit it) are bi-sexual. David Bowie was Mercurial. Michael Jackson (Peter Pan) actually lived in his very own Neverland.

Health issues center around the nervous and bronchial systems. Problems with headaches, thyroid glands, memory loss, and speech impediments are common. Healthy types can be intuitive geniuses and great judges of character. Their liabilities are trickiness, fickleness, nervousness, restlessness, and superficiality. People preaching on soapboxes, pickpockets, and successful con artists have dominant pinkies (most inwardly curving). Mercury types make great lawyers, doctors, orators, writers, engineers, teachers, accountants, bankers, shopkeepers, and magicians. I work at special events with famous magicians. These amazing tricksters are very Mercurial. They surprise and astound by deceiving the eye and mind through sleight of hand. Hermes leads the way in science, law, medicine, writing, and banking.

George Tenet

Is this man telling the truth?

The chirological equivalent of Pinocchio’s nose is a deeply inwardly curving pinky finger. If your pinky finger is curved inwardly, you typically hate confrontation and spend too much time behaving in ways that work. You’ve spent so much of your life acting and bending the truth that you aren’t even aware you’re doing it. Most curved pinky fingered people learn early in life that “nice” works. Their biggest challenge is that “nice” ends up becoming safe instead of satisfying. Curved pinky fingered people are peacemakers. They try to fix other people and circumstances. If you’re one of these people, be yourself and not who you think everyone else wants and needs you to be.

Gold and diamond rings are often found on the pinky finger of acquisitive people. Pinky rings can symbolize the sublimation of sexual energies in order to achieve something requiring a lot of energy. I once examined a group of fifty young men and women, all born into wealthy families in the 80′s. Considering the prosperity of the period, it seemed a paradox to me that every single one of them had an obviously short phalange on the bottom segment of the little finger of his or her dominant hand. The bottom phalange represents the material world. Money will never be a motivation for this group’s career choices. Family issues and personal values will drive these individuals.

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