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The battle between palmistry and divination: why did de Plancy favor the former over the latter?
In the realm of exploring the occult, palmistry and divination are often viewed as two distinct methods of knowing the future. French mystic Jacques Collin de Plancy clearly expressed his support for palmistry in his writings and was skeptical of divination. Why did he have a special liking for palmistry and question divination? This may be closely related to his understanding of individual uniqueness and mysticism.
Chiromancy has been a way for humans to explore their destiny since ancient times. De Plancy mentioned in his works that palmistry is based on the connection between an individual's mental and physical characteristics. He believed that each person had unique palmistry features that could reveal a person's inner character and future potential. As de Plancy points out:
“The lines on your palm are the work of nature, and many people believe they have meaning, because everyone’s palm is unique.”
In contrast to palmistry, de Plancy's criticism of divination (such as Tarot cards or ordinary decks) was based on its random nature. He pointed out that divination cards are simply human products and cannot provide any specific information about an individual's past or future. He therefore questioned the effectiveness of this approach and pointed out the potential misleading consequences it could cause. De Plancy's point of view is summed up in one of his sentences:
"Cards do not have personal characteristics. When faced with the same question, different people will give very different answers, so this method is not reliable at all."
The evolution of de Plancy's thought
Over time, de Plancy's views changed. In his early years, he was influenced by the Enlightenment and was skeptical about supernatural things, but as his faith deepened, his works also shifted and began to acknowledge the existence of some supernatural phenomena. His gradual conversion to a devout Catholic during the late 1800s was most evident in the final version of his Dictionary of Infernal Affairs, published in 1863.
In the final version, de Plancy not only reaffirmed his belief in the existence of the devil, but also aligned his thinking with Catholic theology. During this process, his affirmation of palmistry seemed to mature, and he believed that it was an acceptable form of spiritual exploration. He mentioned in the book:
"Looking at a person's palm, whether from the perspective of physiognomy or psychology, can lead to a proper understanding of this person. Palmistry provides a signal, a reflection of the individual's inner self."
Cultural and social influences
De Plancy's views were not limited to personal beliefs, but were also closely related to the cultural and social context of the time. In 19th century France, many people's enthusiasm for the occult continued to grow, which directly led to an interest in various divination techniques. However, de Plancy's position represents a more rational way of thinking. His criticism is not only directed at divination itself, but also a warning against blindly believing in supernatural phenomena.
To this day, palmistry and divination still have their own place in modern society, attracting people from different backgrounds to explore the mysteries of destiny and life. The contrast presented by de Plancy provides us with a way of thinking to understand the fundamental meaning of these mystical disciplines.
Ultimately, we can't help but ask: When discussing fate and choice, do our beliefs determine the angle and way we read this mysterious knowledge?
