Let Your Fingers Point the Way: using body position to motivate change.

Lately the topic of healing and palmistry have been coming up a lot. Maybe it's the holiday season that gets us present to the need for healing and peace, or the new year and our desire for a clean slate. Whatever the reason, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on this subject.

Our hands are always subject to the expression of our body language. Each finger represents an archetype, and the ways we use that finger are telling motifs of what is going on within. Perhaps you have been feeling powerless as of late. A loss of power at work, and/or at home. Maybe you are overwhelmed, or maybe somebody pulled the rug out from under you. Maybe you are stuck in a no-win situation, or maybe you are simply following orders.

All of these (and more) situations related to a loss of power and agency are displayed on the hand in the index finger. An extended finger indicates exerting power, and a flexed finger inticates receptive to power. In the quick situations described above, it is likely your index finger would be flexed (curled).

If you wanted to find power in your situation, there are many ways to do so, but sometimes the first step is very difficult. One of the ways to take control of your situation using palmistry is to make a concious effort to extend that index finger. When you extend your index finger, your body can't help but read this as exerting power and agency. When your body senses this, it sends signals to your mind, and to your psyche. Soon enough, if you are holding that index finger straight, you will find access to power in your situation. You will find courage to start on that overwhelming thing, or find your footing after a change.  You will find a way to escape the no-win situation, and find your way to contribute while following orders.

This principle relates to all of the fingers.  If you are feeling unmotivated or lazy, just extend that thumb out and you won't be able to sit still for long.  If you are feeling low self esteem, extend your ring finger.  Feeling censored? Extend your pinkie.  Feeling like your ethics are being violated? extend your middle finger (maybe along with the other fingers to avoid signaling the wrong thing.) I am always amazed at how well this works for me.

The old paper phone books used to say, "Let your fingers do the walking." That's true in palmistry as well.  Let your fingers help you find your way.  

The Index Finger

Also known as the “pointer finger”, the index finger symbolizes leadership on the hand. This is evident in the actions performed by the index finger: it points the way; it is the finger that, with the opposable thumb, picks things up and pinches; it leads in most of the activities of the hand. In the Creation of Adam painting by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel , the index finger is depicted as the generative force. In the modern world, the index finger pulls the trigger, pushes the button, directs the children, and tests the batter. (after reading this you will, no doubt, notice many different things your handy index finger does – including it’s namesake, indexing [filing, in other words]).


When I am reading a client’s palm, I first observe the position of the digits in relation to the palm. I look to see if the index finger is overextended, or splayed out from the other fingers or maybe it is curved up toward the palm more than the other fingers. Each of these positions reveal elements of my client’s leadership.
Although there is no hard and fast rule for what each position means – I usually take many other things into account when reading – you can look at your hand and see into your life by interpreting the position of your fingers. Is your index finger over-extended? Does this mean you are in a job over your head? Or are you striving to lead in an environment that is working aginst you? The positive side of an over-extended index finger could be that you are committed to your work, and you are determined to see it through.

Or, perhaps your index finger curved up toward the palm in an over-relaxed position. Perhaps you are afraid to take a leadership role, or have been denied the ability to lead. The positive side of a curved up index finger is that you can be a great team player, and a great advocate for leadership of others.
Observing the position of your fingers, that it, the body language in your hand, and then thinking about your life, can help you access information and reveal character traits in a unique way.

I hope these thoughts inspire you to greater insight and knowledge.

Blessings - Jim