Tasseography (tasseomancy or tassology) is the art of reading tea leaves. The practice of interpreting the dregs left behind in a cup has been around since ancient times. Fortune tellers have been earning their keep for generations with their esoteric knowledge of the meanings of the shapes in the bottom of the cup.
Step one – Brew a cup of tea and have the sitter drink it.
Cover a spoonful of loose tea leaves with hot water.
Have the sitter hold the cup in the palm of his hand and think about his question until the tea has steeped.
Have the sitter drink the tea without swallowing the tea leaves.
Pass the empty cup to the reader.
Step 2 – The reader examines the leaves.
Swirl the dregs in the cup and turn it upside down on a saucer.
Wait three breaths and turn the cup upright again.
Leaves cling to the inside of the cup and form images for the reader to interpret.
The rim represents the present; the sides represent the near future and the bottom represents the distant future.
Begin at the handle and read clockwise. The closer the symbols are to the handle the sooner the events will come to pass.
Step 3 – Interpret the symbols
Observe the complete picture then concentrate on individual symbols.
Bad omens may outweigh good omens. One large distinct good omen may outweigh several small bad omens.
The small tea leaves form lines which should be interpreted as a journey. (A long line indicates a long journey, etc.)
The direction of the line determines the direction of the journey. The cup handle is south.
A wavy or broken line means delayed journeys and straight-line means quick journeys.
If the leaves form a number this might indicate the number of days or weeks for the journey. Or possibly how long until it begins.
Dots around a symbol indicate money.
If a leaf clings to the rim of the cup some an event is imminent.
Letters in the leaves often indicate the first letters of names.
For a list of tea leaf symbols and their meanings click here.
