Karmic Knowledge

Being first and foremost a palmist, I am always looking for photos where I can see some detail about the hands of the rich and powerful. In this photo, taken in 2003, we can clearly see the curve of the first and second fingers of Donald Rumsfeld’s left hand.

The first, or index finger, is traditionally called Jupiter. It rules leadership, vision, confidence, pride, power, respect, territory and life direction. A strong Jupiter finger is the marker of a big picture thinker and a man or woman of influence.

The second or middle finger is named for Saturn. Saturn’s temple was used as a depository for the state treasury and archives. In the hand, Saturn is associated with social status, integrity, security, accountability and self-worth. The line that ends underneath the Saturn finger is commonly referred to as the Fate Line. Collectively, the areas of the hand associated with Saturn are looked to for information about purpose over time and the ability to handle practical matters. A healthy Saturn finger belongs to someone with a good business sense, a strong and moral guiding philosophy and a secure sense of self.

When any of the fingers are bent or curved, it reveals that the subject is having trouble expressing the energy specific to that finger in a positive and direct way.

It’s not uncommon, in our bottom-line society, to see bent Saturn fingers. Most often the bend occurs at the top section, an indicator of a worrier or someone who has problems with time management. In Rumsfeld’s hand, the entire finger is curved, more commonly a marker of someone having difficulty with issues of self-worth and the role that money plays in the life script. At its worst, a curve like this signifies struggles with moral questions and matters of integrity.

The severely curved Jupiter finger shows difficulty in obtaining goals and a tendency to shoot onself in the foot. (A normal Jupiter finger often has a tiny curve. In Palmistry, we are mostly concerned with very curved index fingers.) The underlying issue is typically lack of personal power and inability to move confidently through life in spite of challenging circumstances.

If you look at Mr. Rumsfeld’s right hand, you can see that he is wearing a bandaid on the tip of his right Jupiter finger. There was a time, a few years back, when he wore a bandaid at every public appearance. The palmist in me was intrigued, but internet searches revealed nothing about the reason. A damaged or injured upper phalange on the Jupiter finger reveals dilemmas around the power to direct life according to higher principles. (From this photo you can see that Mr. Rumsfeld’s right Saturn finger is also very curved.)

Taken together, severely challenged Jupiter and Saturn fingers point to a condition known as “Mr. Not-Enough.” Not enough confidence, not enough self-esteem, not enough power, not enough respect, not enough security.

What’s that, you say? This doesn’t sound like the description of a man who holds one of the most powerful positions in the world?

In my previous post on Rumsfeld’s Past Life Astrology, I noted that his karmic script points to a former life focused on the accumulation of power and wealth. I also pointed out that Rumsfeld prefers to call the shots hidden from the public view, acting through those who feel confident enough to stand in the spotlight, namely the President and Vice President.

Saturn in the second house of Rumsfeld’s natal chart confirms the diagnosis. For the person with Saturn in the second, the karmic fear is poverty. Regardless of his bank balance, he may never feel like he has enough. If Rumsfeld felt truly abundant, he would not have been so stingy in providing proper armor for the troops in Iraq. If he felt truly powerful, he might have been able to use his insight and influence for the negotiation of peace instead of a call to pre-emptive war.

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