What Are the Mounts?
Mounts are the padded, raised areas of the palm, named after the seven classical planets — the same planets used in Western astrology. Each mount maps to a different dimension of personality and potential.
The simplest way to assess your mounts: press your fingers into different areas of your palm and feel where the padding is thickest and where it's flattest. Full, firm mounts = strong energy; flat, soft areas = energy awaiting development.
Three Principles of Mount Reading
• Well-developed — Strong innate talent; this is a life strength
• Flat or depressed — Weaker innate energy; requires conscious cultivation
• Over-developed — Energy excess that may tip into extremity (e.g., over-developed Venus mount → hedonism)
Mount analysis complements line analysis — lines show dynamic changes; mounts show static endowment. Together they give the full picture.
The Seven Mounts in Detail
♃ Mount of Jupiter
Planet: Jupiter
Position: Base of the index finger
Governs: Ambition, leadership, confidence, spiritual pursuit
When well-developed
- • Strong drive to lead and direct
- • Confident, ambitious, status-aware
- • Organizational talent, rallying presence
- • Interest in philosophy and meaning
When flat
- • No interest in power or status
- • Self-doubt, avoids responsibility
- • Content to follow rather than lead
"The Mount of Jupiter governs ambition and nobility." — Shén Xiàng Quán Biān
♄ Mount of Saturn
Planet: Saturn
Position: Base of the middle finger
Governs: Responsibility, analytical depth, introspection
When well-developed
- • Deep thinker, strong analyst
- • Responsible, meticulous, reliable
- • Philosophical bent, introspective
- • Drawn to occult, metaphysics, mysticism
When flat
- • Extroverted, dislikes solitude
- • Casual, doesn't sweat the details
- • Impatient, avoids deep reflection
"The Mount of Saturn governs deep thought and prudence." — Ma Yi Shen Xiang
☉ Mount of Apollo (Sun)
Planet: Sun
Position: Base of the ring finger
Governs: Creativity, fame, optimism, artistic talent
When well-developed
- • Creative, artistically gifted
- • Sunny disposition, well-liked
- • Seeks recognition, craves approval
- • Charismatic, inspiring communicator
When flat
- • Prefers the shadows, low-key
- • Creativity undeveloped
- • Indifferent to fame or praise
"The Mount of Apollo governs talent and renown." — Liǔ Zhuāng Xiàng Fǎ
☿ Mount of Mercury
Planet: Mercury
Position: Base of the pinky
Governs: Communication, business acumen, wit
When well-developed
- • Eloquent, persuasive speaker
- • Sharp business mind, numbers-savvy
- • Quick-witted, mentally flexible
- • Suited for sales, writing, teaching
When flat
- • Prefers solitary work
- • Not drawn to commerce
- • Linear, straightforward thinking
"The Mount of Mercury governs eloquence and commercial intelligence." — Shén Xiàng Quán Biān
♀ Mount of Venus
Planet: Venus
Position: Lower palm near thumb (thenar area)
Governs: Love, beauty, sensory pleasure, vitality
When well-developed
- • Abundant energy, strong constitution
- • Values love and sensual pleasure
- • Artistic taste, aesthetic sense
- • Warm, magnetic personality
When flat
- • Lower energy, needs self-care
- • Indifferent to material comfort
- • Emotionally cool, logic-first
"The Mount of Venus governs vitality and affection." — Ma Yi Shen Xiang
♂ Mount of Mars (Positive)
Planet: Mars
Position: Center of palm (between thumb and Head Line)
Governs: Courage, decisiveness, resilience, fighting spirit
When well-developed
- • Brave, undaunted by difficulty
- • Thrives under pressure
- • Action-oriented, willing to take risks
- • Strong sense of justice
When flat
- • Conflict-averse, gentle nature
- • Lower stress tolerance
- • Hesitant, indecisive
"The Mount of Mars governs courage and resilience." — Shén Xiàng Quán Biān
☽ Mount of the Moon
Planet: Moon
Position: Lower outer palm (pinky side toward wrist)
Governs: Imagination, intuition, subconscious, psychic ability
When well-developed
- • Rich imagination, creative
- • Sharp intuition, strong sixth sense
- • Drawn to the mysterious and esoteric
- • Active inner world, daydreamer
When flat
- • Practical, no-nonsense
- • Weak intuitive sense
- • Not attuned to abstract ideas
"The Mount of the Moon governs imagination and intuition." — Liǔ Zhuāng Xiàng Fǎ
You don't need precise measurements — just press and feel. The key is the relative comparison between the seven mounts.
Mount Combinations
Individual mounts show single dimensions, but combinations reveal life direction:
Jupiter + Apollo both raised
Leadership meets creativity — ideal for entrepreneurship, politics, arts management
Saturn + Moon both raised
Deep thought meets intuition — ideal for research, psychology, metaphysics
Mercury + Apollo both raised
Eloquence meets talent — ideal for public speaking, writing, teaching
Venus + Moon both raised
Sensory beauty meets imagination — ideal for art, design, music
Mars + Jupiter both raised
Courage meets ambition — ideal for military, enterprise, pioneering ventures
Venus raised + Moon flat
Loves comfort but doesn't daydream — a pragmatic hedonist
💡 How to read combinations: Find the two most raised mounts — they represent your primary life themes. Then find the flattest mount — it shows where conscious growth is needed.