The Mountain

The card

A mountain lies across the card, heavy in the frame, blocking the view behind it.

Traditional meaning

Traditionally the Mountain is obstacle, delay and difficulty that is hard to get past.

How to read it

The Mountain is "you cannot get through": progress stuck, someone in the way, conditions not met. Unlike the Coffin it does not end things — it simply stops them there. It also carries real coldness: on relationships the Mountain is colder than the Ship.

In context

Love

The relationship has stalled, or there is a definite barrier between the two of you.

Work

A project blocked, approval stuck, a formidable competitor.

Timing

Delayed, and for far longer than expected.

Common combinations

• The Mountain + The Key · Finding the way around the obstacle
• The Mountain + The Rider · News held up
• The Mountain + The Tree · A long-standing chronic problem
• The Mountain + The Heart · The relationship stalled, or a barrier between the two
• The Mountain + The Fish · Money stuck; it can neither come in nor go out
• The Mountain + The Ship · The route blocked, the trip delayed
• The Mountain + The Stork · Wanting to change and being unable to
• The Mountain + The Scythe · Forcing the deadlock open
• The Mountain + The Tower · A structural, institutional obstacle
• The Mountain + The Cross · A hard passage that has to be carried through