At first glance, this divination tool appears to combine palmistry and name-analysis. It’s more character-analysis than prediction, but if we accept the adage ‘character is destiny’ then it can be seen as predictive. I have studied the image, trying to discern why the letters of the alphabet were placed where they were on the hand. I know that in palmistry, the left hand represents the person’s potentials, which is fitting for a divination tool that is character-analysis-focused. But all I can figure out about the letters is, some of the more frequently-used letters of the alphabet appear on the palm and the thumb. Most of the ‘finger’ letters appear to be less-used letters like J, K, P, Q, X, Y, and Z.
The only purpose the Hand of Fate image seems to serve is to convey the message that the letters in a person’s name can reveal as much information as a good palm-reader can. I question that, because a good palm-reader can see quite a bit in a person’s hand. I must admit, however, when I tried this on both myself and others I know, the result was a fairly accurate depiction of our characters. Or our potentials, as they once stood at one time in our lives
HISTORY
I found this divination tool in the book, The Complete Illustrated Book of Divination and Prophecy by Walter Gibson, Litzka R. Gibson, and Murray Keshner. A search of the term ‘Hand of Fate’ at InternetArchive.org revealed a comic book series, a number of books on palmistry, a couple of video games, and several literary works, but not this particular divination method. I turned to my trusty yes-and-no stones, and after a frustrating, seemingly-stonewalling series of answers, I was able to determine the following few facts:
The Hand of Fate was created by a practicing occultist, and it first appeared in a magazine somewhere. One of the co-authors of The Complete Illustrated Book of Divination and Prophecy was introduced to it as a game at a party they attended, and either this co-author or an editor of the book subsequently tracked-down the rules. The yes-and-no stones were uncooperative in pinning-down the age of this divination tool. The best I can say is, it doesn’t pre-date the year 1800 C.E. and it certainly doesn’t pre-date the Age of Magazines. I surmise it probably isn’t any older than 170 years, if that, and is likely a lot younger.