A well-known publishing house, primarily focused on crosswords, recently released two excellent publications. The first deals with chiromancy, or palm reading, while the second is aimed at the youngest readers, or rather, their mothers and grandmothers, who can use it to create wonderful moments for their children. Both publications are very well done, both in terms of content and design, and deserve our attention.

Life in the Palm of Your Hand

Those days are gone when every fair featured fortune tellers predicting people's futures by reading their palms. However, we don't have to despair; there are very popular astrology weekends and other astrology fairs that take place regularly, not only in Prague but also in many other major cities. One of the attractions is the presence of people who offer predictions about people's destinies based on palm reading.

Take a look at the work of Marin Dobrev, a chiromancer with 55 years of experience, whose stories are a blend of narratives, seasoned with a touch of science, psychology, and philosophy.

As is well known, the ancient Babylonians tried to understand what was written there. That was the beginning of the field we now know as chiromancy. One of the most sought-after experts in this field in the Czech Republic is the architect and art historian Marin Dobrev. He has been working in this field for literally half a century. He has summarized his experiences in a captivating book, consisting of dozens of stories and anecdotes from his practice. Many of them are illustrated to help the reader better understand the meaning of the life lines. The author doesn't invent or fabricate; his first-person narrative is so powerful that even the most skeptical reader might start to wonder if there's really something to it. The book is exceptionally interesting, thanks to the author's explanatory introductory words, including an epilogue, from which we quote a few lines: “...literature on chiromancy has so far been more of a textbook nature and has only provided inspirational examples in the text. This book is based on life, and chiromancy is a kind of leitmotif that ties my stories together and fundamentally illustrates them. But even situational drawings cannot be a comprehensive guide. Remember, dear readers, that assessments are always more complex, and that what is pointed out represents only the most important things that I have experienced in my practice and could serve as a demonstrative example for understanding some chiromantic techniques…”

The titles of the stories often hint at their content. Here are a few examples: Predictions from the less pleasant side, Via lascivia, The ideal bride, The soul of a child artist, or even Fate is still shrouded in mystery, or The main line with a fateful meaning.

Here's a concluding anecdote. Marin Dobrev, whose consultations at astrology weekends across the country are in high demand, once read the palm of the then-German Chancellor Merkel. At that time, she was still a student in Prague. Dobrev says he will never forget her visit, as he had never seen such a clear indication of future success in a woman's hand, a success that would guarantee a high-profile career. She had a very strong life line that didn't end normally below the middle finger, but extended to the ring finger, which represents social achievements. When Merkel began her career in Germany and became a well-known and important politician, it didn't surprise Marian Dobrev at all...

A gift that won't disappoint

We are pleased to introduce a second book from the Agrofin publishing house to our valued readers. The beautiful and appealing cover of this hardcover book speaks for itself about the content for the youngest readers. The main theme is the story of a real horse – Koníček Nikoušek (Little Horse Nikoušek).

The author, Lucie Frantová, in her book, introduces children to the world of horses, their breeds, and the connection between horses and humans, a world we have shared for millennia. Koníček Nikoušek tells stories, and when he pauses to take a drink, young readers or their caregivers can learn a lot through the "Did you know?" section, which is interspersed with rhymes and lessons.

For example, children learn that horses can sometimes have a tummy ache, what a veterinarian or farrier does, and that work can be fun for horses. This beautifully produced book is enhanced by charming illustrations, also created by Lucie Frintová, and at the very end, it includes both illustrative photographs of horses in the pasture and under saddle, as well as a "work sheet" with coloring pages and cut-outs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfWeuZ9o--A

More here.

Finally, it's worth noting that both books will be available at the traditional Prague Spring Book Fair 2025, which is just around the corner.

gnews.cz - Ivan Černý

PHOTO - Agrofin archive