"If thou wouldst learn thy future with
thy tea.
This magic cup will show it thee."
Some readers may find an additional interest
in divination by tea-leaves, if they use a
cup marked with the planetary symbols,
patented as the "Nelros Cup of Fortune." A
short explanation of the symbols, and the
method of using this cup, will be helpful
for those who are not familiar with its
signs. I am not suggesting the use of the
"Nelros" saucer, for the reason that its
signs are somewhat obscure, and students who
have no experience in the science of
astrology would find it confusing, if used
in addition to the cup, in which all needful
signs are illustrated.
As in the case of the ordinary tea-cup, the
handle remains as the representative of the
consultant. The turning of it and draining
of the moisture should be carried out in the
usual way.
Immediately under the handle, and above the
space given to the Sun, are seen a Diamond
and a Horseshoe. Next on the left are a
Snake twisted round a stick, and a Spade,
these being placed over the space given to
Saturn.
Following them are a Bell and a Club, seen
over the sign of Venus. Next, an Eye and
Envelope, above the space given to Jupiter.
Then comes a Cross, with the sign of Pisces,
the Fishes, these being over the sign of
Mercury.
Next are a Winecup and a Spider above the
space of Mars.
Followed by a Cat's Head and a Heart, above
the Moon.
Each one of these signs round the brim has a
symbolic meaning, though their meaning must
also be judged by the position they occupy
in the cup.
Now, taking the signs round the brim of the
cup, and connecting them with the planetary
symbols beneath.
Beginning at the handle is a Diamond, this
being a token of wealth, which, with the
sign of the Sun below, indicates much
prosperity, favors, and general well-being,
the Horseshoe over the Sun also betokening
good luck and successful projects.
In the next space, reading to the left, is
the Snake twisted round a stick, over the
sign of Saturn. This is emblematical of a
risk of poverty coming through deceit, and
with a Spade over Saturn, whose
characteristic is privation, there is a
further indication of toil, loss, undoing.
The next sign is a happier one; the Bell
over the sign of Venus, with the Club
beyond, indicates joyful news, events
meaning much happiness, love and peace, the
characteristic of Venus being peace or
placidity.
Next is the sign of Jupiter, whose
characteristic is expansion; above it are
placed an Eye and an Envelope, the Eye
showing the power of penetration, seeing
things in a right perspective, and light
thrown on difficult questions, the letter
showing that news from all parts of the
world is made possible by its expansion.
Next come the Latin Cross and the watery
sign Pisces, the Fishes. These being in
connection with Mercury, whose
characteristic is activity, show much
alertness and desire for knowledge; the
Cross meaning obstacles and hindrances in
the chosen path, whilst the sign of Pisces
denotes interesting news from distant lands,
with much desire for travel and exploration.
In the next space the Winecup and Spider, in
connection with the sign of Mars, the
characteristic of Mars being energy, show
the strength, courage, and perseverance
needed to carry out a successful career; the
Spider being a symbol of concentration,
patience, and achievement, whilst the
Wine-cup tells of joy and realized ambition.
Following these signs are the Cat's Head and
the Heart, with the Crescent Moon below. The
characteristic of the Moon is change,
mobility; it is also a symbol of good
fortune in the tea-leaves. In combination
with the Heart it indicates a romantic love
affair. The Cat's Head shows interference by
those who are mean and spiteful.
Having learned from this brief explanation
the symbols of the "Nelros Cup," the reading
of the tea-leaves in relation to those
symbols will be easy. For instance, suppose
the wife of a sailor to be the consultant.
Her husband is on his ship in the North Sea,
and she is eagerly awaiting news of him. In
the cup she has "turned," the symbol of a
letter comes in the watery sign )-( with a
large ivy leaf beneath it. Further patience
will be necessary, the ivy leaf tells us, as
the wished-for letter is still far away. The
distance from the handle (the consultant)
shows this, also the letter symbol being in
the watery sign indicates the fact that it
will come from across the sea. The waiting
for the news causes a feeling of
disappointment and sadness; these will
vanish later on, and the waiting be
compensated by the happy news that will come
in the longed-for letter. This is seen by
the tea-leaves which appear on other symbols
of the cup.
The form of a man is seen between the signs
of the Bell and Club; near this form is the
letter "A," the first letter of the
consultant's name. Round this initial letter
is a well-formed circle; a trident lies at a
little distance from it.
Here is evidence of the joyful news coming
from her husband, the tea-leaves in the
spaces of the Bell and Club making a
prediction of the satisfactory news a safe
one. The circle round the letter "A" and the
symbol of the trident near, enable the seer
to prophesy a good promotion, much success
and happiness.
This example reading of the "Nelros" cup is
a fortunate one. We will now consider one of
a less satisfactory character.
The consultant is a widow; opposite the
handle of the cup she has "turned" is the
Envelope over Jupiter, upon the Envelope
tea-leaves forming an Owl are seen, beneath
is a small arrow pointing towards the
handle. These signs foretell bad news
probably coming from a far country; the sign
of Jupiter and distance from the handle (the
consultant) would show this. The symbol of
the Owl indicates the anxiety caused by the
arrival of the letter and its news. The
arrow pointing towards the handle would show
that the matter is personal, and will much
affect the consultant.
Upon the sign of Saturn, with an arm
stretched towards the Spade above it, is the
figure of a man. The characteristic of
Saturn being privation, and the Spade being
a symbol of toil, it is evident that the
figure of the man represents someone related
to the consultant for whom the present
prospects are very bad. It may well be this
man from whom is coming the news in the
letter which will cause her so much anxiety.
Fortunately, on the Anchor at the bottom of
the cup is a well-formed key. Being in this
position, it shows that someone at a
distance, having the welfare of the
consultant much in their mind, will be the
means in the future of helping her out of
the difficulties. The key being on the
Anchor indicates the security she may feel
in the friends, who will be instrumental in
giving her happiness and peace of mind.
These two example divinations will
illustrate the manner in which the
tea-leaves are read in relation to the signs
upon the cup. To some it may appear an
easier means than that of the ordinary
tea-cup.
In any case it is very useful to have an
alternative method of foretelling the
future. Variety is always acceptable, and
for this reason I commend the "Nelros Cup of
Fortune" to my readers.
Reading Tea Leaves |
