Amber Garnet is self-taught in the art ofrnpalmistry. Photograph: Dirk Borho

An ancient Sanskrit verse reads, “Our present is the result of all our yesterdays, and the future depends on how well we live today.”

According to the rules of palmistry, the lines, prints and shapes present on hands and fingers determine internal feelings and external achievements for life. While some may be apprehensive to believe in the practice, the curious find themselves desiring to learn more.

Enter Amber Garnet. The founder of the ‘Lost Art of Palmistry’ (LAP) event, Garnet has been practising palmistry for 20 years.

What began as a way for a shy girl to break the ice at parties turned into a passionate career.

Though she has appeared in The Independent and on BBC Radio 4’s Midweek, BBC3, and BBC Persian TV, her summer palmistry series has garnered her even more attention from Londoners.

The summer series, which runs from June 10 - August 12, is a free event for people of all ages. The LAP takes place at The Old China Hand – which, given the Oriental history of palmistry, seems a logical choice.

Reservations for the event can be made through Garnet’s personal website, and are much encouraged since she can take no more than 10 per evening due to time constraints.

The evening begins at 6pm and is divided into two sections: a brief history and lesson on palm reading, and individual sessions with Garnet.

While the history of palm reading is lengthy, Garnet said, “I used to do a longer history of palmistry in the programme and I’ve kind of cut that back because people are more interested in learning how to read a palm.”

Though this light-hearted event attracts a lot of open-minded people, Garnet said there are still some sceptics who insist on coming along.

However, in her line of work, she is used to encountering cynics.

“Even today I’ll choose whether or not to reveal what I do for a living because some people I know are open to it and other people can be very closed off, and I have to gauge really how people are going to take it,” she said.

The discussion on palmistry could very easily be the fastest 45 minutes of your life. In an upstairs room smelling of incense, away from noisy bar patrons, audience members are given the opportunity to learn what various lines and prints on the palm mean.

The information is very fascinating, and just a taste of what palmistry offers.

After the talk and a 15 minute break, Garnet provides individual 5-8 minute sessions for audience members who have reserved spaces for £5 ahead of time.

The individual consultation is over too quickly, but will definitely whet the appetites of the curious.

Private sessions can be booked with Garnet, and after the individual consultation, it is very possible tobe completely hooked on the ancient practise.

While Garnet doesn’t delve too deeply into personal issues in the consultation, she manages to touch on external traits – which are actually so accurate it’s hard to believe.

Overall, this event was extremely fun, educational and captivating. It will turn any mundane Wednesday evening into a mesmerizing journey through the ancient history of palmistry.