Tea Leaf Iconography

from Mystic Pagan

ACORN - a very strong and fortunate symbol indicating happiness and contentment; at the top = financial success; at the bottom = good health. AIRCRAFT - journey; travel. ALLIGATOR or CROCODILE - beware of false friendship lurking in your professional life. ANCHOR - at top = stability, constancy in love or business; at bottom or broken = instability, inconstancy; can also symbolize an unpleasant situation or burden you should sail away from. ANGEL - good news; protection. ANT - hard work or busy phase will end productively. APPLE - life; creative or artistic achievement; abundance. ARCH - positive opening or opportunity (look to nearby symbols for added meaning). ARM - pointing up = new directions; down = you need to motivate yourself; horizontal = help others or receive help from others. ARROW - up = good direction, yes; down = wrong direction, no; horizontal = no change. Note where pointing. AXE - you have the power to overcome difficulties. BABY - new life; possible pregnancy; small worries. BOUQUET - romantic interest; validation for your work or talents. BAG - a trap; if open = escape. BALL - desire to travel. BALLOON - busy social life; inability to settle down if near handle. BARREL - abundance in laughter. BASKET - harvest, abundance; material gain; possibly a new baby. BAT (the animal) - a productive busy phase. BAT or CLUB - situation calling for alert caution. BEACON or LIGHTHOUSE - situation calling for your leadership and/or inspiration. BEAR - a grouchy and difficult person; strength, courage and endurance; if teddy bear = children or childhood. BED - sleep on it before establishing a close love or business relationship BEE - fruitful hard work. BEETLE - renewal; progress; need for foresight. BELL - unexpected good news in love or business; call to attention BICYCLE - individuality; choose your own path. BIRD - good news or message; standing bird = delay; flying bird = good news; good news coming soon; flock of birds = profound or exciting news; goose= successful financial venture; peacock = pride and display; eagle = power and transcendence; crow/raven = ill omen, warning, time to relax; parrot = beware of idle gossip; chicken/hen = happy home life and childhood comfort; dove = peace and love; owl = wisdom, knowledge and learning; rooster = a boastful person or wake up and seize the moment; swan = romance or someone graceful and beautiful; vulture = lay low and beware of enemies; swallow = love and new beginnings. BOAT - worthwhile journey; your ship is coming in. BONES - situation calling for inner strength and spiritual fortitude. BOWL - invitations, money or generosity . BOOK - if open = an answer to a question; if closed a question to be investigated. BOTTLE - explosive atmosphere requiring caution; do not overindulge. BOW - fortunate symbol meaning gift or celebration of achievement. BOX - you are about to receive a gift. BREAD (loaf) - nourishment; care for your health. BRIDGE - a life-changing event or person. Look for nearby symbols. BROOM - new home; new era in your life. BRUSH - need for improvements and/or beautification. BUBBLES - floating on surface of tea or coffee means money coming. BUGS - distractions; fractured concentration; need for relaxed focus BUSH - an obstacle to new opportunities; branches signify choices. BUTTERFLY - overdue happiness. CAKE - a wish fulfilled; celebration. CAMEL - you will overcome burden and pressure to reach oasis. CANDLE -there will be light upon an uncertain path; help from friends. CAR - if clear = travel; if broken = mechanical trouble. CARPETS - true friends and happy social engagements. CASTLE - expand your horizons; open up a bit. CAT - deceit; an untrustworthy friend. CHAIN - if well-formed = fortunate undertaking or serious commitment; if broken = trouble, disruption. CHAIR - a guest or new addition to the family. CASTLE - expand your horizons CHILD - new idea; family. CIGAR - a new friend or business relationship. CIRCLE - unbroken = success, completion; broken (like letter 'c')= a temporary offer will come, tentative offers without fruition. CLOCK - warning against procrastination. CLOUDS - small and fluffy = happy optimism; thick and dark = gloom; sadness. CLOVER (four leaf)-- good luck that you have worked hard to attain. COFFEE POT OR TEA POT - a special visitor is coming, probably not romantic. COIN - a lump sum of money is coming your way. COMB - improve your self appearance. COMET - brink of pivotal change or dramatic event in your life. COW - abundance; prosperity; physical or creative fertility. CRAB - admonition to be more direct or someone born under the zodiac sign Cancer. CROSS - if like a 'T' = hard won success and happiness; if like a solid 'X' = warning (look for meaning with nearby symbols); if like a broken 'X' = obstacles and losses are ahead. CROWN - honor and recognition for your talents. CUP - be patient, this is not a time to assert yourself. CUSHIONS OR PILLOWS - comfort; admonition against laziness and procrastination. DAGGER - caution against sharp words or revealing personal information DAISY - new love. DASHES or DOTS - many short trips which may cause wasted time. DEER - a shy, timid person; you should be more assertive to overcome shyness. DIAMOND - gift or other surprise windfall coming you way. DICE - destiny and change, go with the flow. DISH - interpret as a circle unless containing food; contains food = domestic comfort. DOG - good friend; if at bottom friend needs help; if barking, untrustworthy friend; or, someone born in Chinese Zodiac dog year. DONKEY - stubborness and stamina. DOOR - be aware of opportunities. DRAGON - scheming or flashy person; or, someone born in Chinese Zodiac dragon year. DROPS - tears or sadness. DRUM - a change; a call to action. DUCK - devoted mate; money. EAR - you will benefit from something you hear. EGG - if whole = new life, successful new beginning; if cracked/broken = failed plans or financial problems which can be overcome by action. ELEPHANT - be patient, you will be supported with kindness. ENVELOPE - you will receive a long awaited letter or important paperwork. EXCLAMATION MARK - pay attention; beware of impulsive actions. EYE - a protective symbol; insight into a long standing problem. FACE - look for nearby initials for identity of face; if near the rim or handle it is a warning against too much introspection; if facing another symbol indicates importance of that symbol. FAN - a flirtation.

FEATHER - need for concentration. FENCE - temporary and self-imposed limitations. FINGER - emphasizes whatever symbol it is pointing; up = caution; down = stop. FIRE - passion; hot emotion; sexual desire. FISH - sharing of knowledge; a teacher; a person born under the Zodiac sign of Pisces (especially if there are two fish). FLAG - danger, look to nearby symbols for added meaning. FLEUR DE LYS or LILY - femininity; a loving woman. FLOWER - praise and compliments are coming your way. FLY - an annoying person. FOOT - movement in love, career or location. FORK - get advice from trusted friends before deciding. FORKED LINE - a decision to be made. FOUNTAIN - overflowing happiness. FOX - a cunning person may be trying to trick you. FRUIT - prosperity, fertility. FROG - fertility; abundance; a disguised handsome/beautiful lover. GATE - be aware of opportunities around you. GLASS - celebrations, parties, social events. GLOBE - long distance travel. GOAT - your persistence will pay off, but take some time to recreate; or, a person born under the sign of Capricorn. GRAPES - abundance and epicurean enjoyment. GRASSHOPPER - summer delights. GUN - danger; a bully. HAMMER - an attempted persuasion. HAND - if open = karma or destiny; if closed means an argument; look for added meaning where the hand is pointing. HARE - unlike the shorter eared rabbit, the long eared hare represents something important brewing in your destiny in love or travel. HARP - love; romance. HAT - you will experience a change in roles; or business success. HEART - love, friendship, romance. HILLS - small challenges which will leave you improved. HORSE - if galloping means good news; if just the head means a lover HORSESHOE - good luck; very positive especially for travel. HOURGLASS - a warning to be punctual. HOUSE - comfort and home. ICEBERG - danger. INSECT - distractions; fractured concentration; need for relaxed focus IVY - this is not a good time to be too independent; trust friends to help you. JEWELS - material success; you will receive a valuable gift. KANGAROO - travel; a journey. KETTLE - a special visitor is coming, probably not romantic. KITE - your wish will be granted. KNIFE - caution against sharp words or revealing personal information. LADDER - promotion; an improvement in your business life. LAMP - at the top means a feast; at the side means secrets revealed; at the bottom means postponement LEAF - the turning over of a new leaf; inevitable changes with the passage of time. LETTER - you will receive a long awaited letter or important paperwork. LIGHTNING - startling events; sudden insights. LINES - journey on a road; if straight = progress; if wavy = uncertain path; if many = many short trips. LION - male lion represents a powerful contact or important man; the lioness represents a strong family; or, may represent a person born under the zodiac sign of Leo. LOCK - there are obstacles in your way. LOOP - if well-formed = fortunate undertaking or serious commitment; if broken = trouble, disruption. MAN - a visitor of either gender; if near handle = someone close to you. MASK - a secret to be kept. MOUNTAIN - a difficult, but possible, goal. MOUSE - be cautious of credit deals. MUSHROOM - rapid growth, success or fertility. NAIL - an unfair assault. NECKLACE - complete = personal relationship stability; broken = instability in a personal relationship. NEEDLE - painful repair. OAK - long life characterized by good health. OCTOPUS - warning. OYSTER - passion and desire. PALM TREE - wealth; beach vacation. PARASOL - protection from harm or loss. PIG - a greedy or jealous person. PISTOL - warning of danger. PURSE - money. QUESTION MARK - reconsider your plans; be aware of an important question you should ask yourself. RABBIT - fertility in family or business; someone born in the Chinese Zodiac year of the rabbit. RAINBOW - your wish will come true; similar to an arch, it links represents the path between today and your destiny. RAKE - you are at a crossroad and your destiny is determined by hard work. RECTANGLE OR SQUARE - you will face a challenge or difficulty (look to nearby symbols, especially symbols within the shape, for added meaning. RING - represents marriage but usually interpreted as a circle; unbroken = success, completion; broken (like letter 'c')= a temporary offer will come, tentative offers without fruition. ROSE - new romance; deepening of love. RUG - go with your instincts in distinguishing from a rectangle or square; represents joyful social events and true friendship. SAW - something should be removed. SCALE - a legal matter; if balanced = justice will prevail; if unbalanced = unjust result; a person born under the zodiac sign of Libra. SCISSORS - it may be time to remove yourself from a situation or relationship. SHEEP - a calm and peaceful person; an admonition to control impulses. SHELL - you will find a simple treasure. SHIP - worthwhile journey; your ship is coming in. SHOE - you are on the correct path; be wary of advice to change. SNAKE - someone who does not deserve your trust. SPIDER - a small reward or win. SPIDER WEB - potent symbol of fate; beware of traps. SPOON - you will be comforted by someone's generosity. STAR - success, recognition and praise. STAIR - your position will improve. SUN - a new beginning. SWORD - caution against sharp words or revealing personal information. TABLE - a happy social interlude. TENT - travel may help you foster your spiritual health. THIMBLE - focus on fostering your home life. TORNADO OR WHIRLWIND - prepare for turbulent weather. TORTOISE OR TURTLE - lasting success through slow, determined and patient efforts. TOWER - risk of disappointment. TREE - alone = family, roots, heritage; leafless = family conflict; many leaves = family contentment; group of trees = family unity; evergreen = enduring relationships; palm = wealth or beach vacation. TRIANGLE - you are involved in a three way relationship; if wedge shaped = one person is getting in the way of your relationship with the other person. UMBRELLA - protection from harm or loss. URN - be aware of the distinction between material and spiritual success. VASE - a secret being kept from you; be aware of the distinction between material and spiritual success. VIOLIN - allow your feelings to surface. VOLCANO - there is an obstruction in your life that must be dealt with before it explodes. WAGON - childhood; simple pleasures. WASP - danger of small harm. WATERFALL - wealth and prosperity. WHEEL - events outside your control will change the direction of your life. WINGS - do not box yourself in or limit yourself unnecessarily. WOLF - you will be challenged or betrayed by someone. YOKE - domination or control you should not allow. ZEBRA - be more flexible and adventurous in your travel plans.

Tasseography: The Art of Reading Tea Leaves

by Mar'n J. Manco

Tasseography (“the Wri1ng of the Cup”) also known as Tassology (“the Study of the Cup”) and Tasseomancy (“the Divina1on of the Cup”) originated with divina1on methods involving wax, lead, and other molten splaCers as early as the Middle Ages. These methods were adopted for tea shortly aGer the Dutch introduced tea to Europe from China in the seventeenth century. The Bri1sh Isles have the most extensive wri1ngs and history on the subject, though forms of tasseography found in the Middle East have used coffee grounds for similar readings. It is also possible to perform tasseography with wine sediments. Some1mes, actual fortune-telling cups and saucers, complete with astrological signs and similar symbols, are used, but it is possible to read tea leaves with any cup or saucer. It is preferable that the cup/saucer be made of fairly light colored material, however, so that the paCerns of the dark leaves will beCer stand out. In order to perform tasseography, first you must make a cup of tea. Almost any kind of leaf or herbal tea is possible, though different preferences (such as Earl Grey) are common. It has been suggested that the divinatory power comes not from the tea itself, but from the water used to make it. Keep this in mind as you pour. Though this will cause floa1ng bits, you can open the tea bag and sprinkle it into a cup of hot water (or sprinkle coffee grounds into a cup of coffee, etc). Allow the tea to steep and calm yourself, quie1ng your mind. The 1me it takes to steep can vary or depend on personal preference, though green and black teas oGen take a minute or two, and herbal varie1es can take a bit longer. Prepare yourself to harness your mental crea1vity for paCern recogni1on, and, as with medita1on, distrac1ng conversa1on, ac1ons, and music can interfere with the process.

Make a note of how high the tea is poured. The area of the cup above the surface of the tea will be considered the “rim” area when you do your actual reading. Once the tea has cooled enough, sip it. If leaves are floa1ng, try to avoid consuming too many (that leaves fewer pieces to read). Use your weaker hand to liG the cup, and if you are ambidextrous, you might try liGing the cup partway with one hand, then switching and con1nuing the rest of the way to your mouth with the other.