Along the worn, dreary streets of well-used, run-down neighborhoods you can usually find a window with an outstretched palm painted on it, advertising expert palmistry or palm reading-services. In some cities, such stores have gone upscale: they're now even found on Main Street (e.g. Gettysburg, Pa.).

Reading the spidery signature of lines, swirls, and creases that crisscross the palms of the hands has an ancient history. People seek answers to such questions as

"Where are we going?" "What lies in the future?" "How long will I live?" "What will life bring my way?" "What's the future of this relationship?" Palm readers claim to be able to discern answers by studying our palms. Life-lines, wealth lines, health lines, love lines, success, family all the answers lay in the palms of our hands…