Tea leaf reading, properly called tasseography, belongs to a vast range of divination methods involving images and symbols.
The technique for creating a reading out of tea leaves is very simple. Interpretation, however, may take some practice, for it requires the reader first to recognize
the images, second to interpret the meaning of each one, and third, to combine the different symbols into a coherent message. All of these steps require both imagination
and intuition. Imagination allows the reader to see the possibilities, while intuition points the way to a true interpretation. You can use coffee grounds as well as ground tea leaves.
In both cases, choose a white cup with no decoration inside. The subject of the reading should drink the tea or coffee, leaving a small amount of liquid. Holding the cup in the left hand, he or she
should swirl the liquid three times clockwise, trying to make sure the grounds are carried up to the rim of the cup without spilling over it. The subject then inverts the cup into a saucer, holding it for
a count of seven to allow the liquid to drain away. When the cup is turned right side up again the reader can examine and interpret the images created. The handle of the cup should point towards
the reader. Many leaves imply a full life just as many specific images suggest several issues important to the person. If their meanings contradict, then the subject is confused or undecided. Larger
images, however, will show more powerful influences and this distinction may help him or her make decisions. In general, dots will emphasize a sign's importance as will the image of a finger pointing
at a sign. The signs near the rim of the cup refer to the present or near future, while those towards the bottom refer to the past. For some specific signs the top means lucky, and the bottom means unlucky. Now and
then a very clear picture will emerge. More often, you will need to discover the sign within a clump of tea leaves. The same goes for the meanings. You will need imagination not just to see the image but to understand
what it can mean for a particular person in a specific situation at a specific time. Below you will find a list of traditional meanings for signs in tasseography. Remember that these are traditional and not fixed. For each person
the ture meanings of a symbol lies within the mind's ability to percieve it and then to connect it with life and experience.
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 - influentain 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 NACKLACE - 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 lose 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
