Similar to the way in which religion suits itself to the conditions of the country in which it is propagated, so has it divided itself into various systems.

It is, however, to the days of the Greek civilisation that we owe the present clear and lucid form of the study.
The Greek civilisation has, in many ways, been considered the highest and most intellectual in the world, and here it is that Palmistry or Cheiromancy (from the Greek [Greek: cheir], the hand) grew and found favour in the eyes of those who have given us laws and philosophies that we employ to-day and whose works are taught in all our leading colleges and schools.
It is a well-known and undisputed fact that the philosopher Anaxagoras not only taught but practised this study.

We also find that Hispanus discovered on an altar dedicated to Hermes a book on Cheiromancy, written in gold letters, which he sent as a present to Alexander the Great, as "a study worthy of the attention of an elevated and enquiring mind." Instead of it being followed by the "weak-minded," we find, on the contrary, that it numbered amongst its disciples such men of learning as Aristotle, Pliny, Paracelsus, Cardamis, Albertus Magnus, the Emperor Augustus, and many others of note.
This brings us down to the period when the power of the Church was beginning to be felt outside the domain and jurisdiction of religion.

It is said that the early Fathers were jealous of the influence of this old-world science.

Whether this be true or not, we find that it was bitterly denounced and persecuted by the early Church.