Cheiro
 | The English used in this article or section may not be easy for everybody to understand. (November 2025) |
William John Warner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 November 1866 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 8 October 1936 (aged 69) Hollywood, California |
| Pen name | Cheiro |
| Occupation | |
| Spouse |
Katherine Florence Mena Bilsborough
(m. 1929; died 1936) |
William John Warner (also self-identified as Count Louis le Warner de Hamon[1]), popularly known as Cheiro (1 November 1866 – 8 October 1936), was an Irish astrologer and colourful occult figure of the early 20th century. The word cheiromancy, which means palmistry, is the source of his nickname, Cheiro. He claimed to be clairvoyant and claimed to have studied Chaldean numerology, astrology, and palm reading in India. He was praised for employing these divination techniques to foretell world events and make personal forecasts for well-known clientele. W.T. Stead, a prominent journalist at the time, was informed by this professional palmist and fortune teller, Cheiro that April 1912 would be dangerous for him, with the words, "So don't travel by water then if you can help it." Stead ignored this warning and drowned when the Titanic sank.[2] A thorough description of one of Cheiro's palm readings with William Pirrie, chairman of Harland and Wolf, the ship's builders, may be found in the book "Titanic's Last Secrets." Speaking about the fight for survival when the "Titanic" sank, Cheiro said he would soon be in a struggle for his life. Cheiro claimed that palmistry becomes a study not contrary to the dictates of reason, but in accordance with those natural laws that we observe in the shaping of even non-living objects, which, by demonstrating the effect of an earlier cause, are in themselves the cause of a later effect.[3]
Personal life
[change | change source]Cheiro married Mrs. Katie Hartland in 1920.[4]
Death
[change | change source]After a lengthy period of illness, Cheiro passed away in Hollywood on October 19, 1936. Among other achievements, Time magazine said that he had amassed a quarter of a million dollars from his clientele of rich women.[5]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Randi, James (1995). An encyclopedia of claims, frauds, and hoaxes of the occult and supernatural: decidedly sceptical definitions of alternative realities. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 978-0-312-15119-5.
- ↑ "Man, Myth & Magic The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Mythology 21 Volumes In 1 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
After the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, there were many stories of premonitions and prophecies of the liner's fate...... On the other hand, the celebrated professional palmist and fortune-teller Cheiro had told a well-known journalist of the day* W.T.Stead, that April 1912 was going to be a time of danger for him: 'So don't travel by water then if you can help it, Stead took no notice and went down with the liner
- ↑ "Towards a new vision of astrology". The Tribune. 16 December 2001. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
It becomes a study not contrary to the dictates of reason, but in accordance with those natural laws that we observe in the shaping of the even inanimate objects, which, by demonstrating the effect of a heretofore cause, are in themselves the cause of a hereafter effect. – Cheiro
- ↑ "'CHEIRO'S' WIDOW IN COURT; Starts Action to Annul Second Marriage of First Husband". The New York Times. 30 October 1942. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ↑ "Milestones, Oct. 19, 1936". Time. 19 October 1936.