Mounts and Fingers and How to Judge Them       

Of the seven Mounts in the hand, four are located at the bases of the fingers, two along the side of the hand which has been called the Percussion, and one at the base of the thumb, being, as before stated, the third phalanx of that member. The Mount of Mars is divided into the upper and lower Mounts, and the Plain of Mars as shown in Plate A gives the geography of these Mounts. It will be necessary to become familiar with their exact positions and boundaries, in order to tell whether a Mount is in its proper place or is pulled to one side by the greater strength of one of the other Mounts.

As the great difficulty with beginners lies in classifying subjects under their proper types, especially when the type is not markedly prominent, great care has been taken with this chapter to make it very explicit. While, at the first reading, it will seem hard to fully digest, it will grow clearer as you put one after the other of its rulings into practice. It will be a most useful chapter of reference while gaining from experience the ability to classify your subjects under their proper types.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

As each Mount represents one of the original types in the plan of creation, it is from the development of a certain one or more of these Mounts, that you can tell to which type the subject belongs. Each finger is named for the Mount to which it is attached, and partakes of the qualities of its Mount. Physiologically these Mounts are the balls or pads of flesh which bulge up from the palm at the base of the fingers, and at other points in the hands. In some hands they form little hills (86), in others they are perfectly flat (87),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and, where the Mounts should be, in cases there are actual holes or depressions (88).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mounts which are very prominent are considered strong mounts, the flat ones are ordinary, and depressions show weakness and absence of the qualities of the Mount.

In your examination, first try to discover which is the strongest Mount. Whichever one it may be, will show that the qualities of that type are leading ones in the subject.
- If one Mount is found to be very large, and the others normal, it will be a strong indication that the subject belongs to the type of the strong Mount.
- If on this Mount is found a single deep, vertical line, it will confirm this opinion.
- If in addition the finger of this Mount is very long and well developed, being appreciably larger than the other fingers, it is certain that the subject represents practically a pure specimen of this Mount type. Highly developed Mounts, that is, those which rise high, are the strongest in operation. A well marked vertical line on a Mount, deep and uncut by cross-lines, must be considered, even on what appear to be a flat Mount, as giving the Mount almost equal prominence with the higher development.
Two vertical lines add strength, but not as much as one, three lines less, and so on until you find a Mount full of vertical and cross-lines, so mixed that they form a grille (89), which degenerates into the defects belonging to the Mount.

Each Mount type has a good and a bad side, a weak and a strong side. The Mount which is well developed and well placed, shows the good development; grilled and cross-lined, or with cross-bars or crosses, it shows defects of the type. Hard consistency and red color shows strength of the Mount; flabbiness and whiteness, even though the mount be prominent, show weakness and lack of energy. When a strong Mount is found, with a good line on it and a large finger, next see whether the Mount is hard or flabby, and also note its color. If in addition to the strong signs above enumerated you find hard consistency and red or pink color you subject is surely a specimen of this type. In some hands you will find one Mount harder than the others; this, even though the Mount may not be over-well-developed, will add energy and vigor to it. Color also plays a strong part, for all the qualities which it indicates will belong to the Mount on which you may see it. In sensitive hands and those with very fine-textured skin you will find some of the Mount pink, others white. In that case apply pink and white qualities to the Mounts having them.
In a hand having two Mount equally developed the subject will be a combination of the two types. If, in this case, one Mount has a good vertical line, or if it should be harder or redder in color than the other, you will know that, while your subject is a combination of the two types, the Mount which either has a vertical line, or is harder, or redder, is somewhat stronger than the other. If you cannot tell by these methods which is the leading type, note the finger carefully, for the Mount with the strongest finger will be the leading one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Length of Fingers
In judging the ability of fingers to add strength to a Mount, compare their length with each other and with the finger of Saturn. A normal finger of Jupiter should reach the middle of the first phalanx of Saturn (90). Saturn should always tower above the other fingers, if the subject is to have a good balance to their character, for Saturn represents wisdom and sobriety. The finger of Apollo should reach the middle of the first phalanx of Saturn (see 90). Longer than this will show strong Apollonian qualities; shorter than this is deficiency. The normal finger of Mercury reaches the first knot on the finger of Apollo (see 90). If it is pronouncedly long than this, the subject has strong Mercurian qualities; shorter than this is deficiency. In judging the length of fingers, as regards each other, note whether their seeming length is due to their own increased size, or to the other fingers being under size. By this means you can determine whether the seeming long finger may not be only normal size for the hand, and the other fingers much under-sized. In examining individual fingers note the separate phalanges, for these represent the three worlds- mind, material qualities, and baser- as indicated by the first, second, and third phalanges respectively. The first, you remember, is the nailed phalanx, second the middle, third the lower one. The fingers so considered will tell whether the subject will use the qualities of their type for mental advancement, for practical pursuits, or for more sordid ends. Note also the tips of the fingers to see if the subject will be guided by Spatulate, Square, Conic, or Pointed qualities in carrying out the purposes of their type.

Placement of fingers
Observe whether the fingers are set in regular fashion, or whether one finger is place lower on the palm than the others. Remember that any finger place low take away from its Mount a potion of its strength. If the finger encroaches so that the Mount is one third shorter than the others, you can consider the Mount as having two third of the normal strength. Apply this method to every Mount having low set fingers. Remember if a finger leans toward another Mount, it gives some of its strength to the Mount toward which it leans.

- If a finger tends to crookedness, this will add to the strength of the Mount to which it belongs, and gives added shrewdness, even dishonesty, to the qualities of the finger. To judge the meaning of this crooked finger, note which phalanx is the strongest, and the shrewdness shown by the crooking of the finger will expend itself on the mental, material, or baser plane shown by the first, second, or third phalanx best developed. Sometimes one finer will be flexible and the others either stiff or normal. In this case the flexible finger will show the elastic mind (as treated in chapter on Flexibility), and the flexible quality will apply to the qualities of the single finger only.

Sometimes there will be found a different tip on each finger, and, this being the case, apply the
Spatulate, Square, Conic, and Pointed qualities to each individual finger having them. As each of the seven types is liable to certain diseases which may be told from the Mounts, look carefully at the nail of each finger and see what health indications are given. If all the nails but one are smooth, and that one is fluted, the health qualities of that type are in danger of a nervous complication, to be determined from the shape and quality of the nail. For instance, the Apollonian is prone to weak heart; if on one of this type a fluted nail is found on the finger of Apollo, it is certain that the subject has both a tendency to weak heart (peculiar to the type) and also extreme nervousness, as shown by the fluted nail. This manner of reasoning will apply to all kinds of nails. A health defect, shown by the shape, texture, or color of the nail on any finger, brings out the health defect of its Mount type. If the subject is prone to more than one disease, the nail will show which one is prominent in their case. For example, the Saturnian is liable to biliousness, paralysis, etc. Yellow nails by themselves will show that biliousness is one of their troubles; fluted and brittle nails will how that there is a nerve disturbance; yellow nails which are also fluted and brittle will show that they are troubled with both. By following a system like this, and applying it with your Mount types, you can most accurately estimate what disease the subject has had, or is likely to have.

Length of Fingers
Note whether the fingers belong to the short class. If they do, the quick-thinking, quick-acting traits of short fingers must be added to the estimate of the operation of the Mount. Remember, quickness of thought and action, impulse, impatience at detail, and desire to deal with all subject in their entirety, also a strong desire to achieve beg things are the characteristics of short fingers. Apply all this in reading the Mounts. If only one finger belongs to this short class, apply the short-fingered qualities to that one Mount, not to all.

If long fingers are seen, remember their love of detail, slowness, suspicion, care in small things, and their instinct for going into the minutiae in everything. Apply long-fingered qualities to the Mounts. If only one finger is long- apply the long-fingered qualities to its Mount.

On meeting knotty fingers, remember the analytical, reasoning, investigating qualities that belong to them. If only the first knot of mental order is developed, remember these people have stored away much knowledge, all well classified and arranged. These qualities, added to the Mounts, will make the subject an intelligent example of their class. If will make the type operate in a well-ordered way mentally, though these subjects may lack system in material things. At this point consult the tips of the fingers. The mental order and intelligence of the subject will be directed in Spatulate, Square, Conic, or Pointed directions according as these tips are found. If the knot of mental order is only found on one finger, apply its characteristics to the quantities of the finger on which it is found. The presence of the first knot in this case will also identify your subject as belonging to the type indicated by the finger on which the knot is seen. If only the knot of material order is developed, remember the order and system in the household, the store, the dress, which belongs to this knot, and apply it to the Mount.

- If both knots are developed, apply their philosophy tendencies to the Mount; found only on one finger, apply to that Mount alone.

- If smooth fingers are found remember that artistic instincts they indicate, the action by impulse and intuition, rather than by reasoning, and apply these qualities to the Mounts.
- If only one finger is smooth, apply smooth-fingered qualities to the one Mount.

Bear in mind all the time that short fingers may have knotty joints, as well as any shaped tips. In this case take quickness of thought (short fingers) added to analytical tendencies (knotty joints), and you get a quick reasoner, more or less practical or visionary according to the tips. Smooth, short fingers show the height of all short-tips. Smooth, short fingers show the height of all short-fingered qualities; they are more practical and somewhat slower of operation with the spatulate and square tips, and, with the conic or pointed tips, like a flash in their quickness. Apply all these qualities to the Mounts, or, if only found on one finger, to the individual finger.

Long fingers and knotty joints show a distressing love of detail (long fingers), and analysis (knotty joints), consequently the subject is painfully slow; it is the intensifying of both the long-fingered qualities and the knotty joints. Apply these qualities to the Mounts or to only one if found on one finger alone.

Long fingers and smooth joints love detail (which cones from the long fingers), but think much more quickly (because of the smooth joints). Spatulate or square tips make the detail of long fingers more practical. Conic or pointed tips make their possessors think more quickly and lighten some of the severity of the long fingers. Apply all these to the Mounts, or single fingers if only seen on one finger.

Short, critical nails add their distinctive qualities to both the knotty and long fingers.

Color of the nails gives to all the above fingers the qualities peculiar to color.

Hands will be seen in which all the Mounts seem to be equally developed. This shows a well-balanced character, partaking of a general supply of qualities from all the types. These subjects are always more even-tempered, broader in their general views, more amenable to reason, healthier, and more perfectly balanced than those who are of one strongly marked type. In such a case as this, to get the natural type of the subject, see whether one Mount may not have a good line on it or whether a strong finger will not give the key.

Mount print
On each of the Mounts of Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, and Mercury, it will be important to note the exact apex or tip of the Mount (see 91, three illustrations). This is of value, in that you may discover whether the apex of the Mount is in the exact center or whether it leans toward one of the other Mounts. In the hand with every Mount of equal development, this will aid materially in determining which Mount is s strong enough not to be influenced by any other. If, in this hand, so nearly equal, you do not find the tip of one Mount higher on the Mount or nearer its center than are the tips of the other Mounts, or if you cannot find a vertical line on any Mount which give you the key to the type, or if you do not discover that any finger is abnormally long or large, you will have to note which finger has the squarest or most spatulate tip, or whether the first knot is developed and thus determine the type to which your subject belongs. It is sometimes very hard to handle evenly balanced people; those with pronounced characteristics do not bother you so much. The balanced subject is the one who tests your skill. To tell them that they are evenly balanced will not satisfy, you have to find out more about them, and to do so you must locate their type.

 

 

 

 

 

You must learn how to locate the exact tips of the Mounts, I have photographed a portion of the hand which shows the manner in which the capillaries of the skin run (91A). Note that a little triangle is formed by these capillaries. The center of this triangle is the exact center of the Mount. It does not matter that this apex is not on the most prominent or fleshy part of the Mount. Many students have considered the most fleshy part as the top of the Mount; this is incorrect. It is the center of the capillary triangle which is its apex. To find and use this apex may appear to be insisting on burdensome and unnecessary detail, but if you expect to get below the surface in hand-reading you must be able to recognize at once the slightest displacement of the tips of the Mounts. In coarse skin you can easily locate this apex with the naked eye, but on a skin of fine texture you will have to resort to the glass. By gaslight, even with the glass, it is almost impossible to locate it.

As a general rule, the apex should lie exactly in the center of the Mount. If it is nearer the top it elevates the qualities, if towards the base of the Mount it pulls them down. The three worlds apply here as everywhere else. If the apex lies in the center it shows the Mount to be well placed, and adds great strength to any Mount. In the hand with all Mounts equally developed, if the apex of one Mount is better placed than the other, that one will dominate, and in a puzzling case it will often open the way to a location of the type.
- If the apex is pulled toward another Mount, it shows that the Mount toward which it leans is the stronger, and it gives up part of its type to the stronger Mount. This will be fully discussed in chapters on the different Mount, but the general rule is given here.

In the seven types of people, all could not have the same degree of perfection, so defects in the types, as well as cases of extremely bad and vicious development, are found. In all cases vertical lines are good lines, while horizontal lines which cut and destroy these lines are bad. The general rule is therefore laid down that a grille, which is formed by a combination of the two, is a defect of the Mount, and the Mount which has only cross-lines is bad (92). In cross-lines alone all is obstruction, and there is not even an attempt of the vertical lines to counteract the evil. In the case of the grille there is some good shown by the vertical lines, even though marred by cross-lines. In the different types some incline more naturally to evil than others; so a grille or cross-lines on a Mount whose natural instincts are bad means more of evil than on a Mount whose type is naturally good. In examining for defects you must note color and nails. These will show both health defects and defects of character. There are types who naturally become criminals, others are bad on account of their environment or special temptations. The Mounts will show these facts. In examining mount always remember excess is as bad as not enough. Ambition, kept within bounds, is both necessary and useful, but too much of it may make men steal in order to keep up appearances. Lack of ambition is a bad thing, for it usually means little success, but a man who on this account amounts to very little may still be an honest man.

In examining the Mounts, in no case fail to look at both hands. In the left hand you may discover a hard Mount, and in the right a soft one. In this case the vigor natural to the Mount has become weakened. The reverse of this combination will produce reverse results. You may find the color in one hand red, yellow, or white, changing, however, to some different color in the other hand. In this case the qualities indicated by color in the left hand have been changed for the qualities shown by color in the right hand. This will be useful when you wish to tell a subject what kind of a person they were and who they are now. By applying the rules laid down in previous chapters on color, consistency, and development of the left and right hands to the individual Mount, there will be no trouble in successfully dealing with the Mount as found in the two hands. The same rules apply to the individual Mounts and fingers as the the whole hand. It is by learning to apply al of the general rules to the individual parts of the hand that you will be enabled to read the mixed combinations so frequently encountered.



References
The Laws of Scientific Hand Reading- A practical Treatise on the Art Commonly called Palmistry 1946 Benham, William. Printed and published by R. J. Taraporevala for D. B. Tarporevala Sons & Co. Bombay