In my work I always class the mounts of the hand (Plate XII.) with the hand itself, and therefore I treat of them in the section of this work devoted to cheirognomy. Again, in the consideration of this point, I must state that, although manual labor will have the effect of coating the hand with a rougher and thicker development of skin, yet it does not depress or decrease what are known as the mounts, and which, again, in their turn, show constitutional characteristics, which are doubtless caused by the hereditary laws which govern and control the intermingling of races. As regards the use by cheiromants of the old-time names, such as the Mount of Venus, Mars, etc., I must here state that I do not use these names in any sense in relation to what is known as Astrological Palmistry. I do not for one moment deny that there may be a connection—and a very great one—between the two; but I do not think it necessary to consider it in conjunction with this study of the hand, which study I hold to be in every way complete in itself. Consequently, I use such names as Venus, Mars, Saturn, etc., simply as a quicker way of giving the student an idea of the qualities I wish to describe. These qualities have been associated so long with such names in our minds as Mars, the martial nature, and so on, that their mere mention recalls them, and the employment of these terms will, therefore, simplify matters much more than if I were to call the mounts by numbers, as first, second, third, and so forth.
The Mount of Venus
The Mount of Venus is the development found at the base of the thumb (Plate XII.). When not abnormally large it is a favorable sign on the hand of man or woman. This mount covers one of the largest and most important blood-vessels in the hand, the great palmar arch. Hence, if the Mount of p. 64 Venus be well developed, it indicates strong and robust health. A small Mount of Venus betrays poor health and, consequently, less passion.
The Mount of Venus, abnormally large, indicates a violent passion for the opposite sex.
This mount denotes affection, sympathy toward others, benevolence, a desire to please, love and worship of beauty, love of color, and melody in music, and the attraction of the one sex to the other.
The Mount of Jupiter
This mount is the raised formation at the base of the first finger (Plate XII.). When developed it shows ambition, pride, enthusiasm in anything attempted, and desire for power.
The Mount of Saturn
This is found at the base of the second finger (Plate XII.), and denotes love of solitude, quietness, prudence, earnestness in work, proneness to the study of somber things, and appreciation of music of a sacred or classical order.
The Mount of the Sun
This mount is found at the base of the third finger, and is also called the Mount of Apollo (Plate XII.). When well developed it indicates an enthusiastic appreciation of all things beautiful, whether or not one follows a purely artistic calling. It denotes love of painting, poetry, literature, and all imaginative work, also grace of mind and thought.
The Mount of Mercury
The mount of this name is found at the base of the fourth finger (Plate XII.). It denotes all the mercurial qualities of life—love of change, travel, excitement, wit, quickness of thought and expression. If the rest of the hand is favorable, the qualities indicated by this mount will redound to the good of the subject, if unfavorable, to his misfortune.
The Mount of Mars
There are two mounts of this name; the first beneath the Mount of Jupiter, but inside the line of life, lying next to the Mount of Venus (Plate XII.). This, the first, gives active courage, the martial spirit, but when large, shows a very quarrelsome, fighting disposition.
The second lies between the Mount of Mercury and the Mount of Luna (Plate XII.). It denotes passive courage, self-control, resignation, and strength of resistance against wrong.
The Mount of Luna
The Mount of Luna lies on the side of the hand beneath the Mount of Mars and directly opposite the Mount of Venus (Plate XII.).
It indicates refinement, imagination, love of beautiful scenery, a taste for the romantic, great ideality, and a fondness for poetry and imaginative literature.
The Leaning of the Mounts Toward One Another
When the mounts lean toward one another, the qualities of each are blended and developed in unison.
For example, if Saturn lean toward Jupiter, it gives the latter some of its love of solemn things—its prudence, sadness, and its religious tendency.
If Saturn incline toward the Mount of the Sun, Saturn’s solemn thoughts and ideas will blend with the artistic taste of the subject, and if the Mount of the Sun lean to Mercury, art will influence the business or scientific nature of the individual.