Palmistry and hand analysis are different ways of looking at hands. Traditional palmistry is based on astrological symbolism, with the fingers and mounts named after planets. The main emphasis of traditional palmistry is prediction, specific markings having specific meanings.
Elemental hand analysis uses different terminology and takes a more holistic approach. It uses the principles of the five elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether to interpret all features of the hand at all levels - physical, emotional, creative, intellectual and spiritual. We can see how problems at one level can affect the other levels, the interaction of mind and body, for example emotional upsets causing physical illness. Hand analysis, or chirology, involves looking at all aspects of the hand - handshape, skin texture, flexibility, size and shape of fingers and thumbs, nails, knuckles, fingerprints, and the patterns, lines and markings on the palm. By analysing and interpreting these features, the reader can put it all together like a jigsaw and build up a picture of the individual.
Because of its 5000 year history and it's association with fortune telling, there are a lot of misconceptions as to what you can see from the hand. For example, you can't foretell the length of someone's life - a short lifeline does not mean a short life. Hand reading is not a psychic thing, it's an 'analytical art' - some of it is a science- that anyone can learn.Although the fingerprints never change, the palmar lines and markings change throughout life, so you can't predict a set future from the hand. Looking at a hand is like a snapshot in time, a map of the person as they are now, shaped by the past and sowing seeds for the future.
The type of person you are plays a major part in the way you lead your life and kind of future you might have, but anything relating to the future is only potential or possibility. It's not all set in stone e.g. you might see a tendency to develop digestive problems, but if they look after their diet etc, they may avoid ill health later on. (Soothing Minds)