At first sight the interior of the cup
will show the leaves scattered about
apparently haphazard and with no
arrangement; just a jumble of tea-leaves and
nothing more. In reality they have come to
their positions and have taken on the shapes
of the symbols for which they stand, by the
guidance of the subconscious mind directing
the hand in the turning of the cup.
The various shapes and the meanings to be
attached to them will at first be puzzling
to beginners. A good deal of practice is
necessary before the tea-leaf symbols can be
accurately interpreted at a glance. That,
however, will come later, and in time it
will be as easy as reading a book.
If you wish to be a proficient reader of the
tea-leaves, practice constantly this
interpretation of the shapes and positions
of the leaves. Take a cup and follow out the
simple instructions for the turning and
draining of it, and then carefully study the
result.
It is an excellent plan to make a rough copy
of the leaves as they present themselves to
you in each cup, making notes of the various
meanings.
Do not feel dismayed if, when you begin
looking at the tea-leaves, you are unable to
discover in them anything definitely
symbolic. It is certain that nothing will be
found if the seer is feeling nervous! Keep a
calm, open mind, and do not be in a hurry,
for it is under such conditions only that a
clear reading of the leaves will be
possible. In some cases the symbols are more
easily read than in others. Much depends
upon the consultant.
The gift of imagination (by no means to be
confused with invention) is of the greatest
possible importance in discerning the
symbols which are of such endless shapes and
variety. The seer has to find in the forms
of the tea-leaves a resemblance, sometimes
it may be but a faint one, to natural
objects, e.g., trees, houses, flowers,
bridges, and so forth. Figures of human
beings and animals will frequently be seen,
as will squares, triangles, circles, and
also the line of fate.
These signs may be large or small, and the
importance of them must be judged by their
relative size and position. Suppose, for
instance, that a small cross should be at
the bottom of the cup, the only one to be
seen, the seer would predict that a trifling
vexation or a tiresome little delay must be
expected; but not for the present, as it is
at the bottom of the cup. An alphabetical
list of symbols is given later on, so it is
not necessary to define them here. The
various points of a more general character,
however, must be studied before it is
possible to give an accurate reading.
It will constantly be found that the stems,
isolated leaves, or small groups of leaves,
form a letter of the alphabet, sometimes a
number. These letters and numbers have
meanings which must be looked for in
connection with other noticeable signs. If
an initial "M" appears, and near to it a
small square or oblong leaf, both being near
the rim of the cup, it would indicate a
letter coming speedily from someone whose
name begins with an "M." If the initial
appears near the bottom of the cup it shows
that the letter will not be coming for some
time.
If there be a clear space at the bottom of
the cup devoid of tea-leaves, it shows
water, and that, in all probability, the
letter is coming from abroad. If the symbol
of the letter comes very near to a bird
flying, it shows a telegram. If the bird is
flying towards the consultant (the handle),
the telegram has been received. The news in
it is to be judged by other signs in the
cup. If flying away from the handle, the
telegram is sent by the consultant. A single
bird flying always indicates speedy news.
In a cup with various ominous signs, such as
a serpent, an owl, or many crosses, the news
coming is not likely to be pleasant. In a
cup without bad signs, it can safely be said
that the news is good.
As a general rule large letters indicate
places, whilst smaller ones give the names
of persons. Thus a large letter "E" would
stand for Edinburgh and a smaller "E" for
Edwards, for instance. To all rules there
comes the occasional exception, and this
principle holds good with regard to the
letters in the tea-cup. It is said that
these smaller letters always point to the
first letter of the surname. Usually it is
so; but I have constantly found from
experience that it is the first letter of
the Christian name, or even a pet name, to
which the letter refers. It is well to keep
this possibility in mind, otherwise the seer
may give misleading information to
consultants.
Sometimes numbers mean the date for an event
to be expected, a "5" for instance, very
near the brim of the cup, or the handle (the
consultant), means in five days; or five
weeks if it come on the side, possibly as
far off as five months if the figure be at
the bottom of the cup.
As dots around a symbol always indicate
money in some form or another, according to
the character of the symbol, a figure beside
the dots would signify the amount of money
to be expected. If the symbol were that of a
legacy with the figure "90" near, it would
show that a little legacy of ninety pounds
might be anticipated.
Clearly defined symbols that stand out
separately are of more importance than such
as are difficult to discern. Clusters of
shapeless leaves represent clouds marring
the effect of an otherwise fortunate cup.
Journeys are shown by lines or dots formed
by the dust and smaller leaves of the tea.
The length and direction of the journey may
be known by the extent of the line and,
roughly speaking, the point of the compass
to which it leads, the handle in this case
representing south. If the line of dots
ascends sharply to the brim of the cup, a
journey to a hilly country will be taken.
Supposing the consultant to be at home, and
the dots form a line from the handle all
round the cup and back to the handle, it
signifies a journey for a visit and the
return. If the line were to stop before
reaching the handle again, with an
appearance of a house where the line ends, a
change of residence might safely be
predicted. A wavy line shows indecision as
to arrangements. Crosses upon the line
indicate that there will be vexation or
delay in connection with the journey. Large
flat leaves some distance apart along the
line stand for important stations to be
passed through.
For some consultants there seems very little
of interest to be read in their cup. There
are no events, merely trivialities. It is
therefore difficult to find anything that
could be considered as "future," when it
seems to be just a dead level "present," the
daily life, nothing more. It is sad for
those who have such a dull life, but there
is usually some sign, a small happening such
as a parcel, or a visit from a friend. These
must be made the most of. The pleasure of
anticipation will add to the realization.
A confused looking tea-cup, without any
definite symbols, just a muddle of
tea-leaves, is useless for the purpose of
divination, beyond giving an indication of
the state of the consultant's mind, so vague
and undecided in its character that it
obscures everything. Tell such a one the
reason for the failure of divining, and
recommend a more reliable state of mind.
Then let them try their "fortune" again in a
few months, when it may be found quite
different.
It is of course a great mistake to be always
"looking in the tea-leaves," as some foolish
people do twice a day. It is sure to lead to
contradictions though there is no harm in
the habit of "looking in the cup" each
morning as others do, for finding the events
likely to happen in the course of the day.
This is as permissible as the reading of the
cards each morning for the day's events by
those who consider it a safeguard,
remembering that to be forewarned is to be
forearmed.
Some people use the tea-cup simply for the
purpose of asking a definite question, such
as, "Is the sum of money I am expecting
coming soon?" When this is the case, the
consultant should be told before turning the
cup in the hand to concentrate the thoughts
on this one point, as in the case of wishing
while shuffling the cards for a definite
wish. Then the seer must look only for the
signs that will give the answer to the
question, ignoring all other points. This is
necessary for the giving of a satisfactory
answer to the question asked.
Reading Tea Leaves |
