The works of that late most excellent philosopher and astronomer, Sir George Wharton, bar. collected into one volume / by John Gadbvry ...

X. Of the Via Martis, the way, or Line of Mars, or the Vital-Sister.

THis Line (so oft as it appeareth) augments and strengthens the things signified by the Cardiaca. But (particularly) it promises good success in War, provided it be clear, and decently Red.

Two Observations concerning Lines.

1. THE Quantity of all Lines must be wisely ob∣served, [that is, their Length and Depth:] So likewise their Quality [that is, their complexion and shape, whether they be crooked or straight.] Next, their Action, which is, to touch or cut other Lines: Their Passion, to be touched or cut of others. And lastly, their Place and Position.

2. We must know, that the Lines are sometimes prolonged until certain Years of our Age, otherwhiles shortned: Now they wax pale, anon they become no∣table, and as it were Luxuriate with a kind of Redness, and this as well in the Principal, as Less Principal Lines.

Again, (as touching the Less Principal, and such as are found in the Tubercula of the Planets,) it is most certain, that some do one while quite vanish, and that another while, others rise of a different shape and com∣plexion.

The cause of which, I suppose to be no other than the various Progressions of the Aphetical Places in the

Genitures; that is to say, Fortunate, and Infortunate, to the Influence whereof Man himself is wonderfully subject. The Signs of his Hand are presented at dif∣ferent times with different Faces: Such a Vertue, such a Love resideth in the Imagination of the Greater World towards this Lesser.

And therefore the most studious in Chiromancy can∣not attain the knowledge of Particulars, by one in∣spection, only made to a certain Year of the Persons Age. Things that worthily merit our Observation, yet known or approved of but by a few.

Of the Planets.

The Planets also administer not a little in judgment, from their respective places: For, if they be Happy and Benevolent, good things are portended, but be∣ing Unhappy and Froward, the contrary.

Here we must also Note, that those Planets are termed Benevolent, in whose Tubercula, and places, the accustomed Lines are found to be Equal, their Cha∣racters fair and proportionable, as a Cross, Stars, three or four parallel Lines, Ladders, little branches, a Qua∣drangle, the Character of Jupiter. But the Froward and Unfortunate are those Planets, whose Tubercula and places are deformed with troubled Lines, and un∣couth Figures, as a lame and interrupted Semi-circle, Grid-irons, the Character of Saturn. And this is to be Observed in all the Lines of the Hand. Now, as touching the Planets, let us proceed according to the Method proposed.