Graphology is the study or science of interpreting hand writing, handwriting analysis, involving character and personality traits. The activity dates back to ancient times; Aristotle claimed that he could define a person’s soul from studying his handwriting. Suetonius claimed that Emperor Augustus did not separate his words which led him to conclude that the Emperor did not pay attention to detail in forming a picture of the whole situation.
In the 17th century Camilo Baldi published a Latin treatise called De Signis ex Epistolis (1622). During the 19th century graphology began to be recognized as a pseudo-science in France when the Abbe Flandrin (1804-1864) made a detailed study of autographs. In 1872 Adolphe Desbarolles published Les mysteres l’ecriture: art de juger les hommes sur leurs autographes. After this other books were written on the subject ranging anywhere between the scientific and the occult.
In modern times, even though the study still is not considered fully scientific by some, there are some common observations which practitioners make.
The significance of the slope of the handwriting, the formation of the individual characters, whether they are joined or not. Some who examine handwriting experience a psychic element giving them an impression similar to that received in psychometry.
Perhaps one’s signature is the symbolic portrait of the entire, both conscious and unconscious, personality of the individual. In this regard, it is related to the magical sigil that expresses celestial intelligences.
Graphology is becoming more accepted and used. Increasing number of businesses and law enforcement agencies are employing this technique. A.G.H.
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