A Narcissist's Response

Ruby Jewel

So . . . four negatives make a positive? Let's take it by the book, which seems pretty much on-point to me.

Mountain + Cross = at the end of your rope
Cross + Whip = unavoidable conflict
Whip + Scythe = cancellation
Scythe + Key = necessary decision

The whole line suggests separating the "bad" (Mountain-Cross-Whip-Scythe) from the "good" (Key), with the Scythe cutting you loose from a "no win" situation.

Thank you Barleywine. I always appreciate your very erudite input. I, too, saw that in these cards, the scythe as possibly ending the situation. I wasn't sure what the key meant. The whole thing was sort of like a gestalt shift....all of a sudden it all came together and I saw the reality....someone I didn't know in spite of the fact we have been good friends for almost 4 decades. And btw, you were also right on the abusive doctor...I went back one more time and saw it, and I never went back.
 

Rachx

So . . . four negatives make a positive? Let's take it by the book, which seems pretty much on-point to me.



Mountain + Cross = at the end of your rope

Cross + Whip = unavoidable conflict

Whip + Scythe = cancellation

Scythe + Key = necessary decision



The whole line suggests separating the "bad" (Mountain-Cross-Whip-Scythe) from the "good" (Key), with the Scythe cutting you loose from a "no win" situation.



Hi Barleywine

Can I just ask how mountain plus cross means end of your rope? I know mountain is obstacle and that cross is a kind of "grin and bear it " card but perhaps I am missing a meaning of cross here? Thank you [emoji4] x
 

Barleywine

Hi Barleywine

Can I just ask how mountain plus cross means end of your rope? I know mountain is obstacle and that cross is a kind of "grin and bear it " card but perhaps I am missing a meaning of cross here? Thank you [emoji4] x

I mentioned I was looking at this "by the book," and now I'm trying to remember whose "book" (or blog) I took my Lenormand binder notes from. Of the three combo meanings I captured, the other two ("burdens" - a more obvious interpretation for the pairing - and depression) didn't seem to fit. In my own understanding of these cards, I see the Mountain + Cross as "testing times" (Cross) that have reached an impasse (Mountain), so "being at the end of one's rope" seems to fit. The sense (or suspicion) of being stymied may have preceded the realization that the situation was not going to change for the better.
 

Rachx

I mentioned I was looking at this "by the book," and now I'm trying to remember whose "book" (or blog) I took my Lenormand binder notes from. Of the three combo meanings I captured, the other two ("burdens" - a more obvious interpretation for the pairing - and depression) didn't seem to fit. In my own understanding of these cards, I see the Mountain + Cross as "testing times" (Cross) that have reached an impasse (Mountain), so "being at the end of one's rope" seems to fit. The sense (or suspicion) of being stymied may have preceded the realization that the situation was not going to change for the better.



Thanks Barleywine - do you ever read the cross as a "no entry sign" my interest arises on the cross as I find it hard to read (amongst others! Bear arghh) I have wondered if cross literally speaking could represent a big" X " ...almost a no entry, don't go here - just wondered if that signified no more room on the rope ...sort of feeling? I am not sure I am a complete newbie! Just find cross very tricky to read xx
 

Barleywine

Thanks Barleywine - do you ever read the cross as a "no entry sign" my interest arises on the cross as I find it hard to read (amongst others! Bear arghh) I have wondered if cross literally speaking could represent a big" X " ...almost a no entry, don't go here - just wondered if that signified no more room on the rope ...sort of feeling? I am not sure I am a complete newbie! Just find cross very tricky to read xx

I stick mainly to the traditional meanings and don't apply much intuitive latitude to Lenormand reading. The meaning of the Cross plays off the idea of "a cross to bear" (burden, unavoidable difficulty or distress, fated result). Positionally, I use Andy B's idea that whatever is to the left of the Cross fades in importance and whatever is to the right gains significance in the matter. In the present case, the perceived obstacle that started the chain of events would seem increasingly less relevant as the present disagreement comes to a head and takes center stage. The Mountain isn't a "dead stop," it just shows something that has to be worked around. The Cross following would make this seem like a rather thankless effort, and the Whip after suggests growing antagonism.

I seldom use the religious connotation of the Cross.
 

Rachx

I stick mainly to the traditional meanings and don't apply much intuitive latitude to Lenormand reading. The meaning of the Cross plays off the idea of "a cross to bear" (burden, unavoidable difficulty or distress, fated result). Positionally, I use Andy B's idea that whatever is to the left of the Cross fades in importance and whatever is to the right gains significance in the matter. In the present case, the perceived obstacle that started the chain of events would seem increasingly less relevant as the present disagreement comes to a head and takes center stage. The Mountain isn't a "dead stop," it just shows something that has to be worked around. The Cross following would make this seem like a rather thankless effort, and the Whip after suggests growing antagonism.



I seldom use the religious connotation of the Cross.



That's a clear explanation for me - thank you. It's all very literal, exact and maybe pedantic in many ways then as well as to how the cards combine - so there is no "bending of meanings" intuitively that we would sometimes do in Tarot. So ruby here has had to face the obstacle of the mountain and maybe work hard to get around it - only to be faced with the cross to bear and the intense antagonism of the whip - thank you
 

Barleywine

That's a clear explanation for me - thank you. It's all very literal, exact and maybe pedantic in many ways then as well as to how the cards combine - so there is no "bending of meanings" intuitively that we would sometimes do in Tarot. So ruby here has had to face the obstacle of the mountain and maybe work hard to get around it - only to be faced with the cross to bear and the intense antagonism of the whip - thank you

I think there is some maneuvering room with combinations, just like there is with any "recipe." At some point, though, if you add too much of one ingredient and reduce the others, you wind up with a pancake instead of the souffle you expected. To me, the real art in reading Lenormand lies in the combinations, and inspired merging of single-card meanings has an important place as long as you start with the basics and build from there.
 

Rachx

I think there is some maneuvering room with combinations, just like there is with any "recipe." At some point, though, if you add too much of one ingredient and reduce the others, you wind up with a pancake instead of the souffle you expected. To me, the real art in reading Lenormand lies in the combinations, and inspired merging of single-card meanings has an important place as long as you start with the basics and build from there.



Thank you xx
 

Ruby Jewel

Interesting conversation and insights here between two of my favorite persons, Rachx and Barleywine. Thanks. You both might be interested to know that I'm moving on down the road making another cut in a different relationship that has been going on for 17 years....my ex SO. Both of these relationships have been important as well as competitive in my life. My ex SO is a Leo and the other a Taurus....both major powerhouses, but totally different. I wrote an email a few minutes ago to the Leo, my ex SO, and then did a reading on how it might go with him. I am posting it now.