Thursday, June 4, 2009

Dignity in Handwriting

Handwriting: Dignity

The trait of dignity in handwriting terms is referred to as an inner quality or a predisposition rather than an outer quality. Someone who is said to be dignified is someone who has an inner sense of worth, based on the knowledge that they conform in thought and action to a set of standards that they’ve accepted as a certain ‘code’ for living. Whether this ‘code’ is acceptable or non-acceptable, it represents a code of conduct that the individual has come to accept and approve of, and expects others to approve of as well.

In handwriting, dignity is identified with the retracing of ‘d’ and ‘t’ stems. The strength of the trait will be seen in the frequency of the retracing and the closeness of the retracing. Where no ‘daylight’ shows, it is considered to be a strong evidence of the dignity trait.

Where the t- and d-stems are tightly retraced and the t-stem is short (indicating independent thinking processes), the person will reject conventional customs if he feels them to be obsolete while maintaining his sense of dignity in the process.

The writer with strong dignity will usually possess script that is neat and orderly with evenly spaced letters. The presence of dignity will usually curb any impulsiveness within the writer; such a writer will instead usually curb their outward expression of feelings.

A strongly dignified writer will usually think twice before committing to a course of action. However, if a really active imagination (seen in wide loops on l’s, h’s and b’s) is also seen in the writing, the writer will usually be able to act with more flexibility.

A dignified person is not likely to ‘lose his head’ but more able to stay level-headed through upset and pressure. They are more likely to be able to support people who are more ‘shaky’. Traits such as ‘rhythm’ (cadence, order and form in handwriting) and focus (seen in smaller writing) will intensify the trait of dignity.

The trait of dignity that is seen only occasionally throughout a page of writing indicates a person whose personality will indicate dignity at times, but not consistently.

Dignity will be an admirable trait to live with, but not one to get so caught up in that the writer seems to ‘live for dignity’.


Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Conservatism in Handwriting

Handwriting: Conservatism

The trait of Conservatism is seen in Handwriting by script that is compressed: Letters are very closely spaced and the letters are narrow. This narrowness of letters is especially seen in the loop and circle letters. This narrowness of letters indicates minimized imagination and therefore the individual will be reluctant to accept new ideas or philosophies; they will also be reluctant to accept or acknowledge a broader outlook.

To be sure, Conservatism in handwriting is not nearly as common now as in past times. However, when seen today it can be perceived as a stabilizing quality that keeps a person in balance by helping them control characteristics which could be over-expressed. For example, a far-forward slant denoting a highly emotionally responsive person, if he also has Conservatism in his writing, will not allow expressed feelings to make them conspicuous. Conservatism in this case is a benefit because it will act as a control on a writer who, by his far-forward slant, would otherwise be impetuous.

Similarly, Conservatism acts as a control on such handwriting traits as aggressiveness (v-wedges in the y’s and g’s). Conservatism will also act as a control on enthusiasm (long t-bars), acquisitiveness (hooks at the beginning of letters and words) and initiative (v-wedges at the base of h’s and k’s), all of which can be valuable as success traits, but can also be detrimental when carried to extremes.

Where conservative thinking is called for in problem solving, Conservatism can help the person solve problems because it will keep them from going off on wild tangents. This works well, of course, unless a more original approach to problem solving is required.

This being said, a writer with Conservatism will find it difficult to adjust when placed in an arena where rapid change is the rule. Such a person will long for routine and will search for the ‘rut’ where they feel comfortable.

Conservatism can also act as a natural protection for a person’s ego, for it will facilitate the writer going along with an existing status quo and, as a result, can avoid being disapproved of or criticized.

Carried to an extreme where the handwriting is extremely narrow or where the letters appear cramped, Conservatism may be a real protection from fears such as fear of criticism or some other inadequacy so that the individual can retreat into a condition where they can be strongly vigilant so their behavior is never ‘out of line’. Such a person will be handicapped in a social sense because their fears inhibit normal expression of character traits that would otherwise make them interesting companions. Such an ultraconservative person will instead have a feeling of false security in their conformity with a set of standards which in reality mask ego protection.

Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Friday, March 13, 2009

Narrow-Mindedness and Handwriting

My last blog discussed broad-mindedness as it is seen in handwriting. How then do you discern through handwriting if a candidate is narrow minded? First, let’s discuss what narrow-mindedness is: For the purpose of this blog it is someone who has a narrow or restricted point of view, or someone who is intolerant to opinions they consider far from theirs. To an extreme, narrow-mindedness may cut someone off from outside experiences and contribute to inner tensions, limit understanding and reduce thinking capacity. Although thought of negatively, narrow-mindedness may provide the positive effect of acting as a screen against the intrusion of extraneous ideas into a person’s pattern of thinking so that certain opinions can be blocked out to preserve their way of life.

In handwriting, narrow-mindedness is indicated by narrowed letter e’s, sometimes so restricted as to be retraced. You may also see tightly oval circle letters as well. Someone who has this evident in their writing prefers to stay ‘safe’ within the confines of his own experience and does not welcome the ideas of others. If a candidate’s e’s are retraced but the oval letters are rounded, there will be some appreciation of the opinions of others, but they won’t be likely to be accepting of them.

If your candidate’s writing has extremely narrow upper loops in the l’s h’s b’s and k’s, your candidate will restrict philosophical ideas Add to this attention to detail (close i-dots to the i-stems) and loyalty to beliefs (rounded i-dots) and you have a definite perfectionist in your candidate. If in addition to the above your candidate’s m’s and n’s have sharp v-wedges at the base of the letter and corresponding upper v-wedges in the letter, your candidate may exhibit narrow-mindedness because he has come to what he believes is a correct conclusion and he sees no need to explore the situation further; the matter will be closed as far as he is concerned.

Stubbornness (tent strokes in the d’s, t’s or l’s) may enhance narrow-mindedness for, after having taken a stand, your candidate would refuse to change their mind or admit a new idea. The vertical-slanted candidate (poised) who also retraces his e’s may see only the black-and-white related issues and refuse to acknowledge the existence of ‘gray or nuance’ between.

Repression (retraced m’s and n’s) in addition to retraced e’s makes your candidate afraid to assert new ideas or expand the ones they have. Add to this mix of traits self-deceit (left-ward looped a’s and d’s) and your candidate will be afraid to face life and, in closing his mind to the facts, they deceive themselves. All the above with dagger- and downward-slanting t-bars and you have someone who is generally obnoxious and who tries to enforce their ideas on everyone around them.

Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Broad-mindedness and Handwriting

Are you considering candidates for a position requiring broad-mindedness? Are you looking for a potential mate or good friend with broad-mindedness? You can easily see this in handwriting! Broad-mindedness in handwriting terms is defined as ‘a willingness to tolerate the ideas of others’.

The trait in the strokes of handwriting is seen in well-circled e’s, supported by other wide loop and circle structures. Although the main indication is in the well-circled letter e’s, the upper loops would also best be well looped to indicate ‘abstract/idea’ tolerance.

When these well-circled letters are seen in vertical slanted handwriting, they will in effect ‘soften’ the poise and objectivity of the person to allow for another’s point of view. The vertical writer with broad-mindedness brings the element of empathy and fair-mindedness to their personality.

When these well circled e’s and l’s appear in a forward-slanted writing, the writer will usually avoid bias, especially when generosity is also seen in the writing (wide word endings). The more well-looped letters such as ‘l’, ‘b’ and ‘h’ are, the more broad-minded the writer will be in relation to ideas, philosophies or even religion. Where you see an extremely narrow upper loop, the writer’s tolerance of ideas, religion and ideas will be equally as narrow.

Broad-mindedness is a wonderful asset for the writer because they can adjust quickly, to accept advice or counsel in an understanding and empathetic manner. Such a person can establish rapport and cooperation very quickly.

Broad-mindedness (well-looped e’s) seen with independent thinking (shorter t-stems than upper loops) is a plus because the person will not only accept the beliefs of others, but will themselves expect the right to make up their mind in their own way.

When the upper loops barely ‘peek’ over the tops of the lower case letters (and where the letter e’s are well looped, indicating broad-mindedness), the writer will be tolerant of ideas predominantly relating to every-day life. Broad-mindedness will be able to balance such ‘rigid’ traits as resentment (rigid upstrokes to words and letters), stubbornness (tent-strokes in t’s and d’s) and aggressiveness (v-wedges in y’s and g’s)

This trait will add a good deal of enjoyment to any writer’s life because tolerance will enhance personal relationships and ease adjustments to new situations.

Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Self-Confidence and Handwriting

Are you considering candidates for a position requiring self-confidence in your firm? If so, you’ll be seeking someone who is sure of their ability to reach worthwhile goals. You’ll be looking for someone who can move toward their goals efficiently because he is not shackled by the fear of failure. You’ll need someone who is sure of their powers, but someone who also realizes that at times they’ll need assistance and they won’t be afraid to enlist such assistance.

In handwriting terms, one of the main indications of self-confidence in the strokes of writing is strong, well-placed t-bars. Someone who is self-confident will place these bars high on their t-stems in what could be termed a ‘high practical’ area, but not all flying above the t-stems which would give a hint of the person being ‘visionary’.

You’ll want to see a t-bars that is firm to indicate firm willpower, together with this tendency to set high goals, with the t-bar in the upper portion of the t-stem.

A constellation of trait strokes that also points to self-confidence is ‘independent thinking’, seen in t-stems that are shorter than the upper loops. You’d also want to see enduring determination with the independent thinking, indicated by strong straight downstrokes on the y’s and g’s. In addition, you might want to see ‘stick’ downstrokes on the y’s and g’s rather than loops, indicating your candidate’s desire to work alone.

Self-confidence is also seen in high capital letters (but not so towering high as to be seen as overblown ego strengths).

A combination of intuition (breaks into letters between words which end on a downstroke and begin on a downstroke), combined with fluidity (t-bars that join to the next letter together with figure-8 g’s, s’s and f’s, and i-dots connected to the next letter.

Self-confidence is enhanced by a strong, bold underscore under the signature. Even a flourished underscore can indicate self-reliance, although curved underscores do not have the force of straight ones.

Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Team Work and Handwriting

The most important component of success in today’s workplace is everyone working as a team and everyone sharing and communicating in a positive, forward-thinking manner.

I’ve found that one of the most dependable areas to perceive Team Work is in the strokes of Handwriting. It’s amazing how many times I’ve seen how people’s work team relationships work so well because they have common drives as reflected in their writing.

I’ve spoken to many groups whose ability to communicate and care/counsel others is paramount to the success of their team; it’s amazing how common characteristics thread through all the writings in the group resulting in all team members being on the ‘same page’ in their goals, their work ethic and their desire to help one another. Such a team would as a matter of course have gently forward-slanted writing that makes them natural counselors and people who love to give their time and help to others. Such a team would also be inclined to have ‘fluidity of mind’ in their writings where all or most of their t-bars join to the next letter and where they have many fluid figure-8 g’s and y’s in their script. Such fluidity would not only enhance their communication, but would help them be expert at troubleshooting difficult situations and shifting tough topics to ‘safe waters’ without the other person realizing they had done so.

Solidity within teams at work where communication and care are paramount can also be seen where the lines of writing of those on the team are steady, indicating their dependability, their reliability and their sincerity with others. In a team where rules and guidelines need to be adhered to, team members will likely have letters that join together, indicating their logical, sequential mind and their ability to effectively problem solve.

Where the positions predominant in the team are guideline-focused, team members who opt for the tried and true and for methods that work are usually the most comfortable. In handwriting this is seen where the person predominantly retraces the mid-portion of their letter h’s. Where there are break-away strokes in the mid-portion of this particular letter it indicates the person will occasionally take a ‘risk’; where this is combined with all the stroke tendencies in the paragraph immediately above, it suggests the person will take a ‘calculated’ risk as long as they’re sure that what they’re doing will work out well.

The next time you find yourself assessing a team at work, try having them write some of their goals and objectives as a team on blank paper and, especially if the team is geared toward caring and counseling, check their writings to see if all or most of the above stroke tendencies are present. The more the writings have in common with one another, the more your team will have a similar mind set, goals and focus.

Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com

Friday, January 2, 2009

Handwriting: Regular or Inconsistent?

I’ve found that one of the most frequent characteristics an employer seeks of their candidates is consistency in work style and work production.

Some of the areas in handwriting where this is evident is in the consistent size of letters, the consistency of slant, consistent pressure and the ‘cadence’ or strokes that return to the baseline of the writing on a regular basis. The presence of this constellation of trait strokes indicates the level of stability, maturity and self-discipline of the candidate. This is the type of person who will have the staying power and reliability that most employers value so highly.

All too often a writing is seen where the size of letters fluctuate in size within a word or the slant will vary greatly from word to word or line to line. A candidate whose cursive or printed script has these characteristics is someone whose maturity has yet to be developed, someone who is less than disciplined and someone who might be careless in their work.

All too often I have seen candidates’ writing where there is frequent patching of letters, frequent flooding of ink within words and cross-outs of letters or words that seem almost angry. I have seen instances where candidates have this crossing-out of letters within their own name or the date. Such a writing is far from what could be termed ‘regular’.

Most people would agree that capitalizing the name of the company you are applying to would be usual, if not an understood or unconscious stroke of the pen. Believe it or not, I have in my possession a candidate’s writing where they on three occasions used lower case letters to write the company name. This, once again, is something I would definitely call irregular!

There are some who might immediately think: “What if the person is from another country and English is not their first language?” I have seen writings from people very new to North America that are by far more regular and consistent than people who were born and educated here.

A writing that is consistent and ‘regular’ is termed a writing with ‘good form level’. The opposite features mentioned above are red flags employers need to watch for!


Be sure to view my 5-minute “Power of the Pen” DVD on my Home Page at www.handwritinganalysistoronto.com