Palmistry the Secrets thereof Disclosed was written in 1664 by the English physician and astrologer Richard Saunders, born in 1613, and died (sources differ) either in 1675, 1687, or 1692; was an English physician, and astrologer. Saunders is credited with developing the principle within palmistry that lines of the hand are ruled by different planets, as in astrology. Palmistry was practiced in many ancient cultures, such as India, China and Egypt, and during the medieval ages was used to detect witches. Palmistry was condemned by the Catholic Church during the 15th century, and outlawed in Britain in the 18th century.