Divining a fortune from tea leaves has probably been around as long as there has been tea - over five thousand years. Tea Leaf reading is also known as Tasseomancy or Tasseography and probably had its origins in ancient China. The Chinese would often read the dredges of their cups for symbols, omens or unusual patterns.
Tea Leaf reading is considered to be one of the most creative and intuitive forms of divination as much of the quality of the reading is based on the seer. Success in this divinatory art is often attributed to the seer's ability to concentrate. Concentration is important to enable the seer to see beyond the symbols and work with true intuitive knowledge or clairvoyance. A quiet and peaceful atmosphere is highly conducive to a good reading.
All that is required to begin is loose tea (1/2 teaspoon), hot water and a real cup and saucer. While each reader will develop their own style and what is suitable to them, here are some ideas on how to begin. It is always advisable to ground and protect yourself before doing any type of divinatory work and to always say what it is that you are seeing.
The seeker, who should be seated as near to the reader as possible, is asked to stir the loose tea and then place it in the cup. Tea should only be stirred with a spoon. If the leaves spill it is considered very fortunate. Hot water is now added and the seeker focuses on the future while stirring it. If bubbles float to the top it can mean a kiss or money coming to the seeker. If a stalk or leaf floats to the surface it indicates a visitor - a hard stem is a man and a soft one a woman. Placing the leaf or stalk on the back of your hand and hitting it with the other one until it falls off, will tell you how many days until the visitor arrives. It is not advisable to stir another persons tea as it can bring on an argument. The seeker then drinks the tea but leaves a small amount in the bottom of the cup. If the tea is too strong it shows a new friendship in the future but if it is too weak it indicates the end of one. The longer the seeker holds the cup and concentrates, the better the reading will be.
The residue in the cup is now swirled by the seeker three times clockwise. The seeker must then touch the edge of the saucer with the cup, wish a wish of the heart and turn it over immediately onto the saucer. This allows the tea to drain away before it is passed to the reader. If there is much sadness in the seekers future, the tears or drops of tea, will not drain away. If a star does not appear at the top of the cup then the wish will not be fulfilled.
The seeker hands the cup and saucer to the reader and the reader takes the cup with her right hand. The handle of the teacup represents the seekers If the reading is about work or business, the handle can represent that as well. The near, inner side of the cup contains the fortune. On the far, outer side of the cup are the thoughts and the issues that remain very much up in the air.
It is standard practice to view the cup as a time period of one month but some readers can see your whole lifetime. Things that are half way up will occur in two weeks, further down in three to four weeks. The top represents today and the rim is now. Symbols right at the rim represent the first thing in the morning. If it is a leaf or stalk at the rim it will be shocking news. Anything pooling at the bottom of the cup represents problems and is also timed as now.
The size and clearness of the image or symbol is very important. If they disappear immediately after being read it is indicative of things that are starting to no longer matter or be of significance. Stalks and sprigs represent people - tightly curled ones are male and loosely curled ones are female. If standing upright the stalks represent straightforward people unless there is some type of a weapon around them - then it is a warning to be careful of them. Crossed stalks indicated people who are annoyed and frustrated and the other symbols will clarify the reasons. Sideways stalks represent untrustworthy people.
There is some debate on what to do with the tea leaves once the reading is done. Thrown on the ground, they ward off evil spirits and if placed at the back of the fireplace or woodstove, they will ward off poverty.
ACORN - at the top means success and gain: At the bottom means good health.
AIRCRAFT - journey; if broken means danger of accident; can also mean a rise in position
ANCHOR - at top rest, stability, constancy; at bottom means clouded, inconstancy
APPLE - achievement
AXE - difficulties; if at top overcoming of difficulties
BABY - small worries
BAG - a trap; if open, escape
BALL - variable fortunes
BELL - unexpected news; good if near top
BIRDS - good news
BOAT - visit from a friend, protection
BOOK - if open it's good news; if closed you need to investigate something
BUSH - new friend or opportunities
BUTTERFLY - fickleness
CABBAGE - jealousy; with dots means at work
CANDLE - help from others
CAP - trouble
CAT - deceit, a false friend
CHAIN - engagement, a wedding
CHAIR - a guest
CIGAR - a new friend
CIRCLE - success, completion; with dots means a baby
CLOCK - better health
CLOUDS - trouble; with dots means many problems
COIN - money coming
COMB - an enemy
CROSS - suffering, sacrifice
CUP - reward
DAGGER - danger from self or others; beware
DISH - trouble at home
DOG - good friend; if at bottom friend needs help
DOOR - odd event
DUCK - money coming
EGG - good omen
ELEPHANT - wisdom and strength
ENVELOPE - good news
EYE - caution
FACE a change, may be a setback
FAN - flirtation
FEATHER - lack of concentration
FENCE - limitations, minor setbacks, not permanent
FINGER - emphasizes whatever sigh it points at
FIRE - at top achievement; at bottom danger of haste
FISH - good fortune
FLAG - danger
FLY - domestic annoyance
FORK - false flattery
FORKED LINE - decision
FRUIT - prosperity
GATE - opportunity, future success
GLASS - integrity
GLOW - a challenge
GOAT - be careful of enemies
GRAPES - happiness
GUN - anger
HAMMER - hard work needed
HAND - if open means friendship; if closed means an argument
HARP - love, hamony
HAT - improvement, especially in a new job
HAWK - jealousy
HEART - pleasure, love, trust
HORSE - if galloping means good news; if just the head means a lover
HORSESHOE - good luck
HOURGLASS - need to decide something
HOUSE - security
ICEBERG - danger
INSECT - problems are minor and you will easily overcome
JEWELS - gifts
KANGAROO - harmony at home
KETTLE - any illness is minor
KITE - wishes coming true
KNIFE - broken friendship
LADDER - promotion, a rise in life
LAMP - at the top means a feast; at the side means secrets revealed; at the bottom means postponement
LEAF - new life
LETTER - news
LINES - if straight means progress; if wavy means uncertain path
LION - influential friends
LOCK - obstacles
LOOP - avoid impulsive actions
MAN - near handle means a vistor
MASK - excitement; insecurity
MOUNTAIN - great goals but with many difficulties
MOUSE - theft
MUSHROOM - at top means journey or moving to the country; near bottom means rapid growth; if reversed means frustration
NAIL - injustice, unfairness
NECKLACE - complete, admirers; if broken means danger of losing a lover
NEEDLE - recognition, admiration
OAK - health, long life
OCTOPUS - danger
OSTRICH - travel
OWL - gossip, scandal
PALM TREE - success, honor
PARASOL - new lover
PARROT - a journey, but also can mean people talking
PIG - greed
PISTOL - danger
PURSE - at top means profit; at bottom means loss
QUESTION MARK - need for caution
RABBIT - need for bravery
RAKE - watch details
RAVEN - bad news
RING - at top means marriage or the offer of marrige; at bottom means long engagement; if broken means engagement broken off
ROSE - popularity
SAW - interference
SCALE - legal issues; if balanced means just result; if unbalanced means unjust result
SCISSORS - quarrals, possibly separation
SHEEP - good fortune
SHELL - good news
SHELTER - danger of loss or ill health
SHIP - worthwhile journey
SHOE - change for the better
SNAKE - an enemy, but also wisdom
SPIDER - reward for work
SPOON - generosity
STAR - health and happiness, hope
SUN - happiness, success, power
SWORD - arguments
TABLE - social gatherings
TENT - travel
THIMBLE - changes at home
TORTOISE - criticism, usually benefical
TOWER - disappointment
TREE - improvements
TRIANGLE - something unexpected
UMBRELLA - annoyances
URN - wealth and happiness
VASE - a friend needs help
VIOLIN - egotism
VOLCANO - harmful emotions
WAGON - a wedding
WASP - romantic problems
WATERFALL - prosperity
WHEEL - if complete means good fortune; if broken means disappointment
WINGS - messages
WOLF - jealousy
YOKE - domination
ZEBRA - adventure, especially overseas
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