Handwriting analysis, or graphology, is a tool which can be used to discover aspects of a writers personality, inclinations and even some of their innermost desires. It can be employed by the writer themselves as a form of self exploration, or can be used by others who may benefit from further, intimate knowledge of a person.
Graphology is increasingly used nowadays by employers as well as those who are just curious. Unlike some fortune telling practices handwriting analysis (i.e signature analysis) has leanings toward scientific explanation and suggests a direct correlation between the brain and the secrets revealed by handwriting itself.
Learning in-depth graphology requires much study and practice, but there are some tips which I can give you from the point of view of a seasoned graphologist, even if comes only from knowledge gleaned as a hobby.
Tip 1, Pressure
The first point which I consider when looking at a piece of handwriting is the pressure exerted by the pen or pencil onto the paper.
This can be done in several ways effectively. The first is to run your fingertips lightly over the surface of the paper so that you can feel the depth of the writing pressure.
The second way is to turn the paper over and to observe the ’embossed’ effect of the writing on the page.
Where little pressure is exerted the paper will feel fairly smooth and there will be very little indentation to be observed. This indicates that the person may be more mentally attuned as opposed to physically attuned, although you would need to look for other clues to support this evidence also.
If there is a strong level of indentation and the paper feels very embossed the writer is likely to be energetic and highly physical. They may well be emotionally and physically passionate.
Tip 2, Style
To examine the style of writing observe the traits of the script that are ‘unnecessary’. While a few people have very ordered script which is conforms to that which is average entirely, most people have writing which has little quirks and which make their script very individual to them.
Look out for long, wild tails winding on words and flourishing script which may be referred to as dramatic or florid. In such a case the writer is likely to be dramatic themselves and to be highly conscious of how others view them.
They will be attempting to show their individuality and to be noticed and recognized as being special.
People who are more introverted or shy are less likely to have the above style of writing. Theirs will probably be neat, tight and small indicating that they are not just inward looking but thoughtful.
In my experience those who have small, neatly formed letters that are evenly spaced also have tidy and organized minds. Many of them are very bright too.
Tip 3, The word ‘I’
When a person writes the word I as i, they are usually prone to a degree of immaturity or, and this is important, they have little self esteem.
Many people who write i in this way may appear to be happy go lucky jokers who really tend to be lacking in self belief.
I as a capital suggests maturity and self confidence in an individual.
Tip 4, Signature
If a person is grandiose in their vision of themselves they tend to have a huge signature full of flourishes and drama. Whilst this person may be attempting to seem important they actually may be lacking to a certain degree in confidence and attempt to make up for this with their style.
A small signature can often imply that the writer is in need of confidence. They may be introverted and pay allot of attention to detail and may be skilled in performing detailed tasks.
Tip 5, Getting a clear and accurate picture
When beginning graphology you may be forgiven for sticking so rigidly to the rules yourself that you forget common sense!
If a persons handwriting is wobbly and unbalanced this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unbalanced emotionally themselves. It could just be that they are elderly and can no-longer hold a pen correctly or write neatly.
Eyesight, certain illnesses and conditions such as arthritis can all affect handwriting and need to be taken into consideration when an analysis is being made.
Another point to consider is the situation in-which the writing is performed. That which is written in a moving vehicle at an angle cannot successfully be compared to that which is written whilst comfortably seated at a table.
Tip 6, Responsibility
If you are analyzing a persons writing for them then they may listen intently to what you have to say, and to a certain extent they rely on you to give them correct information and are vulnerable to what you have to say.
If you see a repeated indication that a person is terribly ill revealed in their handwriting then you need to think of a sensitive and non-alarming way of informing them, if you decide that you need to do so.
I have also done some writing analysis where I have seen a clear indication that the writer had a troubled childhood. The same writers script showed problems of a sexual nature. On this occasion I chose not to mention these findings to the writer, partly because I could have been incorrect, but mainly as they were sensitive and very private issues.
The writer later confided in me that they were sexually abused repeatedly in childhood, which must have been why these indications were in their writing. I am glad that I didn’t mention it as they were then free to choose to tell me the information or to with-hold it, rather than being forced to speak about it.
It is never worth trying to be too ‘clever’ in handwriting analysis, just telling people the basics is often clever enough.
