Latest news with #palmistry
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
In Extremis review: Intriguing footnote from Oscar Wilde's final days of freedom
In Extremis Bewley's Cafe Theatre, Dublin ★★★☆☆ The London apartment of Bewley's Cafe Theatre's latest production, with its windows blocked by drapes and its furniture concealed beneath sheets, seems to have gone untouched for decades. We see a woman passing the threshold, lifting the cloths off ornate furnishings – and teasing long-awaited answers to an old mystery. The society palmist Mrs Robinson, 'the Sibyl of Mortimer Street' (neatly played by Gene Rooney), may have been popular with the divination-curious scenesters of Victorian London, but she also left behind a nagging curiosity for biographers of Oscar Wilde . 'He had his hand read by a fortune-teller,' the writer Vincent O'Sullivan relayed. 'They told him, 'I see a very brilliant life for you up to a certain point. Then I see a wall. Beyond the wall I see nothing.'' Among those who have interpreted this forecast is the playwright Neil Bartlett, who, as the Latin of his play's title suggests, presents ghostly versions of the Londoners – 'Both of us are 100 years dead' – re-enacting their meeting while addressing modern audiences. READ MORE Mrs Robinson gives an introduction to palmistry – insisted to be a real science, but not one without trade secrets on how best to interact with customers. That's intriguing but instructive; there's far more grit to watching two performers fluent in artifice trying to outsmart each other. 'I should warn you I'm not unaccustomed with the ways of charlatans,' Wilde says, in a well-considered delivery by Conor Hanratty. 'I regularly provide employment for some of the most accomplished charlatans in London.' Bartlett, a studied interpreter of Wilde – he conceived and directed the Abbey Theatre's 2012 production of The Picture of Dorian Gray – rolls out his own epigrams. 'These are the hands of a very charming man,' Mrs Robinson says, relying on Wilde's well-known tabloid celebrity. 'Charm, like wit, is a myth invented by handsome people to account for the peculiar social success of the ugly,' he responds. Yeesh! Joan Sheehy's production impressively folds such comedy-of-manners swipes within the otherworldly ambience of a ghost story. It becomes increasingly difficult to believe, however, as Bartlett's characterisation turns fuzzy, and Mrs Robinson begins to resemble a court witness changing their story. 'I had no idea what was going to happen,' she explains, trying to judge how best to give Wilde a prediction while he's dreading his trial. Yet Bartlett does give her a premonition, interpreting the 'future hitting a wall' comment as a vision of the playwright seen declining in sickness and misery in Reading Gaol. She re-examines her actions, looking for answers by turning to the audience, turning to Wilde: 'Did I lie?' (Don't ask me!) There's a sense Bartlett's motive lies more in the joyride romance between Wilde and Alfred Douglas. The links between Mrs Robinson's assessment and the playwright's declarations of love are tenuous, but there's no denying the impressive beauty. 'I can you see you in the morning with the sun behind you, making you all a glory of gilt and ivory,' Wilde says. Swoon. In Extremis is at Bewley's Cafe Theatre , Dublin, until Saturday, August 16th
New York Times
18-06-2025
- New York Times
As Pakistan Moves to Ban Black Magic, Astrologers See a Bad Omen
The curtain glows under ceiling lights, and a soft cream-colored screen guards the privacy of clients who slip inside. On a glass panel by the door, bold white letters offer quiet assurance: Shahbaz, Astrologer & Palmist. Shahbaz Anjum has worked in Shop 2-A inside the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore, Pakistan, for 24 years. He does not advertise. Yet rich and poor, believer and skeptic, come to him for luck, direction, a glimpse behind the veil. 'I help people,' Mr. Anjum said. 'That's all. I don't claim to heal, and I certainly don't do black magic.' Islamabad AFGHANISTAN Rawalpindi Lahore PAKISTAN IRAN INDIA 200 miles By The New York Times He felt compelled to make that distinction as the Pakistani government moves to crack down on occult practices that lawmakers call a threat to the country's social fabric. A bill approved by the country's Senate in March would impose prison terms of up to seven years and thousands of dollars in fines on people who provide a vaguely defined set of supernatural services. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Palm reader claims just your THUMB can reveal whether you're destined to be rich or poor with a simple test
A TikTok video has sparked a social media frenzy after claiming just your thumb could reveal whether you're destined for wealth or will struggle to make ends meet. The clip, shared by popular UK-based palm reading account @palmistbabauk, which boasts 225,000 followers and over 1.2 million likes, focuses on a tiny detail in the crease at the base of your thumb. According to the video, the pattern where your thumb connects to the rest of your palm is the key to your financial fate. If the line appears cross-hatched, like stitches, the message is clear: You and your spouse are not meant to be wealthy. But if the crease looks more like a chain of tiny ovals linked together, tradition suggests you and your partner are destined for riches. The post quickly gained traction, racking up thousands of views, though many viewers were quick to point out the theory's lack of scientific backing and offered commentary of their own. 'I have it without a husband, still not rich,' one unimpressed commenter wrote below the footage. Another added: 'Nope. All three spouses were not rich. I was the one with money. I have this on both thumbs.' A third took a dig at their other half, joking: 'My husband is really broke but rich in his heart.' A similar diagram posted on Instagram showing the two types of thumb creases prompted even more scepticism. 'I believe checking your bank account will give a more accurate forecasting in this case,' one user quipped. Another joked: 'Do I have to get my thumb cut off and stitched back for this?' Others were just confused, claiming both thumbs had different patterns, making the verdict even murkier. While the advice may be just a small entry into the world of palm reading, it's a respected ancient practice in many parts of the world. An expert on Chinese culture recently revealed what the shape and length of your palm lines tell you about your personality, health and even let you know whether you're in the right career path. Min Yilin frequently posts videos to her TikTok channel educating her followers on Chinese culture, including how to use chopsticks and explainers on the beauty standards in China. In a series of videos Min shared to her over 150,000 followers she shared exactly how viewers could learn more about themselves by just examining their palms. In her first video, Min detailed what the line on your palm she referred to as your 'heart line' reveals about your romantic life. The heart line, or love line, 'starts from under the pinky and runs across the palm towards the middle finger or forefinger.' If your love line is short, Min described that you are most likely a 'powerful and stubborn person.' She added that those with short heart lines are often 'spontaneous', but have a 'rocky' love life as they are often 'isolated by others.' Next up, she explained the ups and downs of your love life if you have a long heart line. She added that 'very long' palm lines reach 'opposite sides of the palm', which means you're extremely independent. This means you'd rather be alone then comprise with others, because of this Min noted that those with long love lines will experience extreme 'hardships.' Not all commenters were convinced, with many spotting flaws in the palm reading logic Min added that a long heart line indicates that you're an extremely 'loyal' and a dedicated partner who often feels emotions at a heightened level causing you to get 'seriously hurt' by conflict in you relationships.' Next up, the expert on Chinese culture dished on what your palms tell you about your personality and career with your head line. 'To find it, just look between your thumb and forefinger and follow the line towards the side of your palm,' Min explained. She added that the head line is above the 'heart line.' 'The head line represents your wisdoms, beliefs and thinking ability,' she revealed. If you have a long head line that means you're considerate, logical and responsive. Someone with a short head line, will have difficulty making decisions and often rush into things.
