| [Note: This paper contains images which may be seen | | | | The extensor muscles are on the back of the |
| as originally published at our website]Before we begin | | | | forearm and are similarly connected. The human |
| discussing mudras, let us first consider some | | | | thumb has two separate flexor muscles that move |
| interesting topics concerning hands. This and the | | | | the thumb in opposition and make grasping |
| following article will be devoted to hand mysteries, | | | | possible."Four fingers and a thumb on each hand is |
| symbolism, esotericism, signs, and beliefs. Although | | | | the norm. There are cases though, when a person |
| our treatment of these subjects may be inadequate, | | | | may have extra fingers or thumb on one or both |
| from the scholarly point of view, the lay person may | | | | hands. Technically, this anomaly is called polydactylism. |
| find them interesting and we especially dedicate this | | | | What causes this is a mystery. According to one of |
| work for their peruse.The miraculous hands--we | | | | the current scientific theories is that this is an |
| usually take them for granted and do not see how | | | | atavistic condition, a genetic remnant of a bygone |
| invaluable they are to us. We only miss their use | | | | age that appears from time to time for an unknown |
| should a mishap befall them--just like everything else. | | | | reason. This anomaly not only occurs in human |
| In the absence of hands civilizations would not have | | | | beings, they also appear in animals, and this the |
| been built. No progress would have been made in our | | | | writer of this article can vouch for as he is well |
| social, industrial, technological, and spiritual life. Human | | | | familiar with it personally. In his youth the writer once |
| hands are partly responsible for our evolutionary | | | | reared domestic chickens in his parents' farm--one |
| growth from our past animal, primitive state to our | | | | had an upturned hind toe. Other than that she had |
| present high-tech era. The hands are a projection of | | | | the normal amount of toes on each foot. However, |
| our soul-desire to interact and function on the | | | | all of her progeny were polydactylies. They boasted |
| physical plane, and it took million of years for this | | | | five toes on the terminal part of each leg. According |
| desire to manifest in the three-dimensional state. Prior | | | | to popular superstition, extra digits in a hand is a sign |
| to that, during the involutionary cycle, the creature | | | | of great good or evil. An extra finger on the right |
| called man lived in an etheric state and with a form | | | | hand is supposed to bring good luck, ill-fortune if on |
| devoid of any bodily appendages as recounted in | | | | the left. Six fingers on both hands indicates that its |
| Blavatsky's "Secret Doctrine."At least one ancient | | | | possessor will be famous or infamous in some way, |
| philosopher acknowledged the worth of the human | | | | like Gath, the Philistine giant mentioned in the Bible (1 |
| hands: Aristotle called it the "organ of organs, the | | | | Chr 20:6).How does the occult scientist explain |
| instruments of instruments." As one of the | | | | polydactylism? From the metaphysical point of view, |
| Karmaindriya, hands are the active agents of the | | | | we know that the physical body is a replica of the |
| cerebral system, and by extension, the human soul. It | | | | etheric body which is the blueprint of its physical |
| is what Immanuel Kant called "the visible part of the | | | | counterpart. The structure of the etheric body is |
| brain." The nature of our thoughts and emotions are | | | | amendable to the will of the Higher Self and to a |
| reflected in ideodynamic movements of the hands | | | | lesser extent to the psychological condition of the |
| that are normally visible with their gestures but at | | | | lower psyche. If a pregnant mother were shocked in |
| times goes unnoticed, or is invisible to the naked eye. | | | | some way, for instance, this could have a disastrous |
| Proof of this may be found in the occult art of | | | | effect on the fetus or embryo disfiguring it in some |
| dowsing where the imperceptible movement of the | | | | way. Embryonic hands could possibly acquire extra |
| hand as motored by nerve impulses causes a | | | | digits as a result of its host's sudden experience of |
| pendulum to sway under direction of an unseen | | | | fright or terror. Another explanation of polydactylism |
| subconscious intelligence--the pendulum merely acting | | | | is that for karmic reasons, the Higher Self |
| as an amplifier for the conscious aspect of the | | | | manufactures a vessel in accord with the soul's |
| psyche.Benjamin Walker in his book, "Body Magic," | | | | spiritual needs. Whatever physical deformities it |
| notes that no other part of the human body is so | | | | manifests in the physical form is for the teaching of |
| intimately related to human behavior than the hands. | | | | the soul some required lesson. However, how does |
| Hand movements are expressive of human thoughts, | | | | that apply to animals without a "soul"? As we have |
| character, emotions, and attitudes. Graceful, flowing | | | | stated above the etheric body as blueprint of the |
| movements reveal a person who is generally poised | | | | physical form may be altered by the will. At a lower |
| and tranquil, a person with culture and refinement. In | | | | level of consciousness the imagination play a role in |
| men, when these gestures are too exaggerated, or | | | | influencing the matrix that a higher intelligence has |
| when they become too artificial, it indicates | | | | formed. The subconscious mind is likewise |
| effeminate tendencies. A person with a dignified, | | | | impressionable. What it perceives in a constant |
| noble character makes hand gestures quite | | | | fashion it eventually outpictures in physical form. This |
| differently from a person who is debased and | | | | is how creatures evolve camouflages on their physical |
| boorish in nature. Aggressive hands can be seen by | | | | forms. But how do these principles relate to our |
| their violent and abrupt movements; just as | | | | question above? In the case of animals, the evolution |
| materialistic subjects are known by their heavy, | | | | of their physical form and consciousness aspects are |
| pendulous, impassive hands. A fidgety hand is | | | | directed by what is called "group-spirits" in |
| reflective of a fidgety mind--someone with a nervous | | | | occultism.These angelic spirits are always |
| disposition and lacking a positive self-image. Such a | | | | experimenting in producing forms that would best |
| person knows not how to control his energy. He | | | | adapt to the environment so that the Law of |
| releases it through unconscious drumming of his | | | | Evolution may be best fulfilled. So abnormalities in |
| fingers and fiddling around with any available object. | | | | nature are experiments done by the Directors of |
| Limp hands betray the owner's lack of goals, | | | | Nature. However, as the tale of Jacob (See Genesis) |
| self-confidence, and zeal for life. Individuals who have | | | | of how he influenced the nature of the wool of the |
| the habit of hiding their hands and closing their palms | | | | sheep under his care would indicate, animals may |
| with their fingers reveals that they are secretive, | | | | likewise influence the form, or color of their own |
| cautious, and perhaps stingy. Hiding the hands behind | | | | progeny through the power of their subconscious |
| the back have several possible meanings among | | | | minds. Apropos to this, shamans are said to have the |
| which are prudence, restrain and observation or | | | | occult ability to shape-shift into various forms, just |
| inspection. It is a diplomatic gesture and most nobles | | | | like the Greek god Proteus. But this most likely |
| often unconsciously assume it.Man not only differ | | | | concerns the astral body.One other anomaly are |
| from animals by possessing reason, he also differ | | | | webbed hands. Although not too common, this |
| from them by possessing hands that are able to | | | | atavistic characteristic does appear from time to time |
| fabricate things, to convey his intentions, to | | | | in human beings. In Buddhism, webbed hands and |
| communicate his thoughts and feelings. Anthropoids | | | | feet are one of the marks of a Buddha; this, |
| may possess hands, but they lack a superior reason | | | | however, should not be construed in a literal sense. |
| to take full advantage of them. Dolphins and other | | | | Gaskell, the author of the "Dictionary of all Scriptures |
| cetaceans may be equal or superior to man in spiritual | | | | and Myth" interprets this as the " . . . as yet, fettered |
| unfoldment--according to modern New-Age | | | | organs of action," or in other words, the emotional |
| thought--yet, without hands they do not have the | | | | mental glamour and illusions working through the |
| ability to manifest certain forms of creativity. Perhaps | | | | senses, hands, feet, and sexual organ. Gaskell's |
| they do not need to, it is not for us to debate over | | | | interpretation actually does not make sense when |
| this here. We know that every life-form has its own | | | | we consider that a Buddha is supposed to be |
| uniqueness; and Man, in his own distinction can rightly | | | | enlightened and to have transcended such mortal |
| be called "the builder" endowed as he is with the | | | | errors. A better interpretation in our opinion would be |
| tools--his hands, to manifest his creative will. Herein | | | | that webbed hands signify spiritual service in the |
| lies the blessing or curse of man. With his hands he | | | | cosmic sea of life.One of the mysteries of nature |
| may build heaven on earth, or he may use it | | | | regarding human hands is that there are plant-roots |
| destructively to manifest chaos and anarchy--a hellish | | | | resembling them. These roots originate from several |
| pandemonium that stalls evolutionary | | | | species of the Dactylorhiza orchids and is commonly |
| progress.Understanding this religiously, man "the | | | | called "Lucky-Hand Root." The number of digits vary |
| builder" constructs magnificent temples to worship his | | | | from 3 to 10. It is normally carried in a pouch as an |
| gods or representatives of his embodied ideals. That | | | | amulet or all-round lucky charm. Although the subject |
| the hands may sometimes symbolize excessive | | | | of charms and hand amulets are fascinating, they will |
| mundane activity and focus to the detriment of | | | | not be discussed here; we will deal with them in |
| spiritual unfoldment can be understood from the | | | | another article.The brain has more sets of nervous |
| esoteric saying that the true spiritual aspirant ought | | | | pathways leading to the hands than to any other |
| to spend his time and forces building a temple "not | | | | part of the body. In stress and anxiety, the |
| made with hands." This in fact is what Freemasonry, | | | | temperature of the hands increases and it readily |
| one of the "esoteric brotherhoods" is all about. | | | | becomes sweaty. Lie-detectors take advantage of |
| Though the body is regarded as a temple of the soul | | | | this phenomenon by measuring the differences in the |
| not made by mortal hands, a higher house of God, | | | | psychogalvanic skin response of subjects during their |
| the Holy of Holies, the Sanctum Sanctorum, is meant | | | | interrogation.It is said that hands make more than a |
| in this spiritual precept. The brothers of this august | | | | thousand different movements every day. A single |
| fraternity through rites, rituals and ceremonial | | | | repetitive motion of the hand may lead to serious |
| initiations are taught how to utilize carpenter's tools, | | | | injuries, as in the case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| esoterically understood, to build this fabulous celestial | | | | (CTS). This is the swelling of the tendons in the |
| House of God in a spiritual dimension--the true | | | | carpal tunnel and the compression of nerves resulting |
| "Temple of the Spirit," or to be more precise, the | | | | in numbness in the hand. Hands, especially the |
| Causal body which relates to the many mystical | | | | fingernails, are indicators of one's state of health. For |
| symbols representing the Higher Self such as the Ark | | | | instance, horizontal ridges on the fingernails may |
| of the Covenant, the candelabra, the Holy Grail, the | | | | indicate malnutrition; pitted nails may be symptomatic |
| Philosopher's Stone, etc.The Causal body is the lotus | | | | of psoriasis; blue nails show problems in the |
| that forms the seat of every enlightened being as | | | | circulation.Function of the HandsHands may be used |
| portrayed by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Buddhist | | | | to bless or curse; to build or destroy, to harm or heal. |
| iconography. Though the Causal body is not built by | | | | It all depends upon how well man attunes himself and |
| mortal hands, personal effort in its fabrication is still | | | | understands the Will of the Cosmos or his True Self. |
| required by worship, devotion, service, and spiritual | | | | This reaching-out to a higher consciousness is |
| exercises. We are essentially told in every religion | | | | symbolically depicted in the famous fresco painting by |
| that salvation lies in our own hands. The higher | | | | Michaelangelo upon the ceiling of the Sistine chapel in |
| Intelligences will only assist us if we first help | | | | Rome. "Genesis: the Creation of Man" as it is called, |
| ourselves. No external aid is forthcoming if we refuse | | | | shows Adam reaching out his hand attempting to |
| to take responsibility for our own liberation, salvation, | | | | touch the fingers of his Maker.The banishment from |
| enlightenment, or evolution. The saying of Jesus that | | | | the Garden of Eden or paradise is symbolic of man's |
| heaven is "at hand," or approaching, may be | | | | descent upon a lower level of consciousness where |
| construed to mean that heaven lies in our own | | | | he unwittingly lost contact with higher intelligences |
| grasp-"in our own hands," if we allow it to be so by | | | | and alternate realities and thus forgot his spiritual |
| working for it, by awakening to the Truth, to a | | | | roots and purpose of being. Just like Persephone who |
| higher awareness and consciousness. It entails | | | | was abducted by Hades and brought to the |
| personal responsibility. The New Jerusalem, King | | | | netherworld, the soul of man is chained to a dark |
| Solomon's Temple, the Causal body, the Diamond | | | | materialistic consciousness by his ignorance. Ceres, |
| body, or whatever you may call that evolving spiritual | | | | the mother of Persephone, or man's Christ nature |
| body of the microcosm, must be perfected and | | | | ever seeks to redeem her or the human soul from |
| made manifest on the physical plane through personal | | | | the clutches of avidya, ignorance. Adam (the generic |
| effort. Doubts of our own divine, heavenly nature | | | | term for man), after consuming the fruit of the Tree |
| prolongs the sleep of the ages and prevents us from | | | | of Knowledge was faintly aware of the existence of |
| cooperating with the Divine Architect. Later on in | | | | the Tree of Life of which he was previously oblivious. |
| these series of articles we will apply the above | | | | The "Lord," anxious that man would not consume this |
| precept literally and use our hands as mudras to | | | | fruit prematurely, banished him from Paradise. Man's |
| awaken and unfold our divine potentials like the | | | | subsequent search for immortality became a |
| blossoming of a lotus flower.Anatomy of the | | | | powerful passion that millions of deaths have not |
| HandWhat is a hand? Below we quote from the Funk | | | | diminished. Man must look in the proper direction for |
| and Wagnall's Encyclopedia that explains this | | | | that which he now seeks. It is not to be found in the |
| comprehensively:The hand is explained to be | | | | glamorous and illusory worlds of lower psychicism and |
| a,"terminal portion of the arms or anterior limbs of | | | | materialism. Until the false ego and all that is mortal |
| humans and other primates, especially adapted for | | | | within man are given up, until all of that false sense |
| grasping. The grasping appendages of other mammals | | | | of egoic grandeur be displaced by the expression of |
| and lower forms of animals are sometimes called | | | | the Higher Self, man will not begin to sense the |
| hands in order to distinguish them from the feet of | | | | immortal life running through his course and subtle |
| the hind limbs, but true hands appear only in the | | | | veins and realize that immortality is already his as a |
| primates."Superficially the hand consists of a broad | | | | Cosmic inheritance.As man is a reflection of God and |
| palm attached to the forearm by a joint called the | | | | the Universe, a veritable microcosm, so hands can |
| wrist. At one side and at the outer edge of the palm | | | | well be said to be a miniature microcosm representing |
| are five digits, the thumb and four fingers. The | | | | the physical man as a whole. For instance, we have |
| thumb in humans is articulated so that it can be | | | | the five elements represented in the fingers just as |
| brought opposite to the fingers and thus be | | | | we have all of the organs in the body reflected in |
| employed for grasping small objects. The fingers | | | | various parts of the hand. This is basically the science |
| themselves can be folded forward over the palm for | | | | of reflexology originated in China by the ancient |
| the holding of objects. The chief difference between | | | | Taoists physicians and the practitioners of alchemy. |
| the hands of humans and those of the other | | | | These ancient doctors discovered that massage or |
| primates is that the thumbs of the latter cannot be | | | | pressure upon specific points of the feet and hands |
| opposed to the fingers."The human hand has 27 | | | | benefit other parts of the body and promote good |
| bones: the 8 bones of the carpus, or wrist, arranged | | | | circulation of the chi, or life-force.Hands are often |
| in two rows of four; the 5 bones of the metacarpus, | | | | "read" for divinatory purposes and for determining |
| or palm, one to each digit; and the 14 digital bones, or | | | | the inner nature of their possessor. In China such |
| phalanges, 2 in the thumb and 3 in each finger. The | | | | analysis of the hand is called Shou Hsiang. In the |
| carpal bones fit into a shallow socket formed by the | | | | West it is known as "palmistry" or "cheiromancy," or |
| bones of the forearm."The movements of the | | | | to give its more accurate name, |
| human hand are accomplished by two sets of | | | | cheirogrammeomancy. Related to this is |
| muscles and tendons: the flexors, for bending the | | | | "cheirogrammeognomy," "cheiromorphognomy," and |
| fingers and thumb, and the extensors, for | | | | "cheiromorphomancy," all of which concerns the |
| straightening out the digits. The flexor muscles are | | | | study of the hand--its shape, features, lines, and |
| located on the underside of the forearm and are | | | | qualities. |
| attached by tendons to the phalanges of the fingers. | | | | |