Mountain in Tarot Cards

"7 of Cups"
Wheel of Change Tarot
by Alexandra Genetti

Mountain Images
in Tarot Cards

Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

"Dancer 8: Stagnation"
Tarot of the Sidhe
by Emily Carding

Preface: While I've not consulted the Tarot cards for divination or fortune-telling, I have studied their metaphysical symbolisms, and have a dozen books on the subject. On June 24, 2018, at Los Altos Library, found on their Sales Shelves, Rachel Pollack's "Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot" (1999) for $2 (original price $14.98). After seeing "7 of Cups" from Wheel of Change Tarot showing a mountain on page 51, I bought this book. Kay Ryan passed her Waite Tarot deck to the class, telling us to pick a random card that will trigger a poem (1-5-2010); I chose "Three of Wands" inspiring my first 2010 poem for her Stanford Poetry Workshops. Found Tarot cards were discussed in my "Wisdom: Some Questions" Notes (3-25-2010), poem "Nine, Page, & Ace of Pentacles" (1-11-2011), & Notes
(6-9-2011), "NGC 7822: Galactic Birth" Notes (3-16-2015). Below are 9 Tarot cards showing mountain images.
Even though my "Final Mountain Project" was over (6-26-2018), the energy from Genius Hour propelled this additional "Mountain Images in Tarot Cards" web page plus poem (7-3-20118) inspired by these compilations.

"The Fool" & "The Lovers": Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
Of 22 cards in the Major Arcana of Rider-Waite Tarot cards, only "The Fool" (Card 0) & "The Lovers" (Card VI) show mountain image in the background. The Fool depicted as a vagabond carries a stick holding a small bundle of possessions on his back. In his left hand he holds a white rose. He is walking unknowingly toward the brink of a precipice with white mountain range in the back. The Lovers are shown naked, with Tree of Knowlege behind the woman. Behind the man is a tree bearing 12 trefoil flames (zodiac?). Above them is the Sun & Angel. Between them is a symmetric mountain in the back. These cards remind me of the Some Enchanted Evening song: "Fools give you reasons, wise men never try". There is a small white mountain range in the background of "The Hermit" (Card IX), but it is quite minimal in size.

"7 of Cups": Wheel of Change Tarot Deck
The Wheel of Change Tarot was originally published as a boxed set by Inner Traditions/Destiny in 1997, selling 12,000 copies. Alexandra Genetti's interpretations are deeply thought out, based on years of research and meditation, ripe with both knowledge and sensitivity. Her paintings are beautiful, imaginative in conception, rich in detail, realized with great skill. Without losing the ancient magic of the cards, she includes modern imagery and multicultural heritages. Genetti offers a different take on the Seven of Cups; instead of a person dreaming about what will make them happy, this image shows offerings to a volcanic god on the Indonesian island of Flores. She says "It made me reflect on the many ways I try to appease and please the people in my life. There's nothing wrong with being unselfish or doing good deeds, because those actions do fulfill me. But every now and then, I need to dish up a bowlful of nourishment for myself too."

Black Mountain: Tarot of the Black Mountain
Tarot of the Black Mountain is a majors-only deck (22 cards) based on landscape, people, myths, and history of Montenegro, and is being created to accompany a book of short stories by Lena Ruth Stefanovic. Created by Emily Carding, a self-taught artist & author, a Priestess, lyricist, actor, singer, and mother. Her inspiration comes from the vibrant mythology of all cultures and the reality of magick and the Otherworld. Emily lives in the Cornwall, England. Ari Berk writes: "Emily Carding is mad-woman-visionary-artist of the first order. If this were the 13th century, she would be the old lady living on the outskirts of the village who might be seen dancing about the ancient stones by moonlight in her underwear." This deck is unpublished and rare. This card shows a horse and pony grazing in the grassy foreground. The mid-section shows a giant woman or scaly mermaid prostrate on top of a swirling stream. Above her are mountain ranges with bluish sky above.

"21— Mountain": Lenormand Tarot Deck
Meaning of the Gypsy Lenormand card the Mountain. The Mountain a negative card. If you draw this card in the Yes-No Oracle, the answer will be no. The Lenormand cards are originated from playing cards. Every Lenormand card has an associated playing card. In this case the Mountain is associated with the playing card 8♣, Eight of Clubs. The Lenormand Cards also have astrological associations. The Mountain is a card of the Mars. The equivalent Zodiac sign is Aries. General meaning of the Mountain: Something in your life has come to a standstill. It should not be seen as punishment. See yourself as a climber— if you are brave and tough, you will deal with this situation. The reward will be relief. A warning: Even if you close our eyes to the obstacle, it will not disappear by itself. Nadia Julien says in Mammoth Dictionary of Symbols "In flat countries the mountain had a substitute, such as a cairn (a heap of stones sheltering Celtic tombs in Gaul & Great Britain)." Pile of rocks to form Cairn?

"Dancer Eight: Escaping Stagnation": Tarot of the Sidhe
The Tarot of the Sidhe has 78 cards with original, colourful Faerie paintings. It was sold-out as a majors-only set from Adam McLean (2006), and has now also been published as a full 78-card deck by Schiffer Books (2011). Created by Emily Carding. Sidhe is the ancient Gaelic name for the Faery race. The Sidhe take us to a deeply magickal and spiritual set of images that take Tarot reading to a deeper level and may be used for meditation and magick. Major Arcana retain their traditional titles, with the following exceptions: the Hierophant becomes the Elder, and the Devil becomes Pan. Justice is VIII, Strength is XI. The four suits are: Dreamers (Water), Warriors (Fire), Dancers (Air) and Makers (Earth). The Court card titles are King, Queen, Prince and Princess. This card shows hands reaching out of a pool in the foreground. A woman rises up from the pool with left arm stretched toward a curvy path leading to purple mountain ranges. Above the mountain peak is a golden sun.

"Mountain-Strength": Earth Magic Oracle Cards
Stephen D. Farmer created the Earth Magic Oracle Cards (2010). This 48-Card Deck has images of several of these Earth elements along with clear and concise messages from the spirits of each. Mountain— Strength: "Massiveness of the mountain in this image— bearing blankets of snow as spectacular hues from the sun reflect from its body— evokes a sense of impenetrable & immovable strength and stature. A mountain's quiet, resolute immensity leaves us in awe & inspires us to reach for greater heights. Yet, it can also pose challenges. Firm base of the mountain evolves to the narrower crest in its attempt to reach the sky. More daring individuals become enamored by the peak & see it as something to conquer, although it can never be truly conquered. The current situation calls for you to be vigilant, but not to the point of fear or paranoia. Be that rock of strength that you are capable fo becoming. Standing steady like a rock is what is called for at this time."

"7 of Keys: The Ascent": Akashic Tarot Deck
In this 7 of Keys Tarot card called "The Ascent"— A man stands atop a mountain with a rope draped over his shoulder. Metal stakes known as pitons remain in the steep cliff face that he has climbed, evidence of the difficult path of his ascent. The rope and pitons may have been the physical keys necessary for his achievement, but so were his hard work and resolve. This card shows that with great effort and determination, you can apply yourself to your goals for assured success. Though there may be some risks involved, you can reach the top. There could be a promotion or an advance to a much higher position coming. Understand, however, that it isn't just luck or external influences, but your own hard work and application that bring the achievement you seek. So keep your efforts strong. Instead
of being passed by, you will climb to the heights! This 62-Card Deck of Akashic Tarot (2017) was designed by Sharon Anne Klinger & Sandra Anne Taylor.

"21— The Mountain": Astrological Lenoromand Tarot Deck
This Tarot card "21— Mountain" from Astrological Lenormand Tarot Deck is negative with time period: Standstill. It correspond to the Zodiac sign Cancer, the Planet Mars, and playing card symbol: Eight of Clubs. The general meaning of the card the mountain: Something in your life has come to a standstill. It should not be seen as punishment. See yourself as climbers— if you are brave and tough, you will deal with this situation. The reward will be relief. Warning: Even if you close our eyes to the obstacle, it will not disappear by itself. The horoscope meaning of the card the mountain: Today you will notice once again that something has come in your life to a standstill. Think of it as a challenge and see the problem, or the person who blocked you, as a mountain which must be conquered. Do not close your eyes to the obstacle, it will not disappear by itself. If you are brave and tough, you will deal with this situation. The reward will be the pride and relief.