Cheiro

William John Warner (also self-identified as Count Louis le Warner de Hamon ), popularly known as Cheiro (1 November 1866 – 8 October 1936), was an Irish astrologer and colourful occult figure of the early 20th century. His sobriquet, Cheiro, derives from the word cheiromancy, meaning palmistry. He was a self-described clairvoyant who said he learned palmistry, astrology, and Chaldean numerology in India. He was celebrated for using these forms of divination to make personal predictions for famous clients and to foresee world events.

Personal life and background The son of William Warner and Margaret Thompson Warner, Cheiro was born William John Warner in the barony of Rathdown, outside Dublin, Ireland. He took the name Count Louis Hamon (or Count Leigh de Hamong).

As mentioned in his memoirs, Cheiro acquired his expertise in India. As a teenager, he travelled to the Bombay port of Apollo Bunder. There, he wrote that he met his guru, an Indian Chitpavan Brahmin, who took him to his village in the valley of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Later Cheiro was permitted by Brahmans to study an ancient book that has many studies on hands. After studying thoroughly for two years, he returned to London and started his career as a palmist.

In 1920 he married Mrs. Katie Hartland.

Career Cheiro had a wide following of famous European and American clients during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. So popular was Cheiro as a "society palmist" that even those who were not believers in the occult had their hands read by him. The skeptical Mark Twain wrote in Cheiro's visitor's book: Other mentions in the visitors book include:

"The study of people gifted with occult powers has interested me for several years. I have met and consulted scores. In almost ever respect I consider Cheiro the most highly gifted of all. He helps as well as astonishes." - Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

"You are wonderful. What more can I say" - Madame Nellie Melba.

Death Cheiro died in Hollywood on October 19, 1936, after having been ill a good amount of time. Time magazine noted that he had accumulated a quarter of a million dollars from his clientele of wealthy women, among other accomplishments.