Bonnie Ramsburg

As you relax, iden1fy the issue or query in your mind. As you try to block out all thoughts, does anything keep coming up? If this is the case, it is likely the subject of your reading… focus on it. If nothing comes to mind, consider this a general tea reading. Focus your senses on your breath and the taste of the tea. Leave a small amount of tea at the boCom of the cup. Make note of it. Everything underneath the remaining tea will be your “base” area when you do your reading, while everything between the base and the rim area from earlier will be the “middle.” Holding the nearly-empty teacup in one hand, you may swirl it 0-3 1mes, in order to spread the tea leaves over the cup’s interior or keep them fairly stable, as you choose. Carefully turn the cup over onto your saucer to dump out the remaining liquid. Wait at least three breaths before turning your cup back over. Remember that tea leaf reading is personal and subjec1ve, and that what you see, not what anyone else sees, is what maCers. If someone else happens to look at your cup and exclaims that they see a dog, but you see a rabbit in that par1cular spot, your impression is the correct one. Similarly, your interpreta1on of the symbols is what maCers. Begin reading at the handle (or at 12 o’clock if there is no handle) and progress clockwise. Note the first symbol you see, which area it is in (rim, middle, or base), and if it is next to another symbol. Pay aCen1on to the presence of bubbles, twigs, or droplets in your cup, which might influence or alter the message of the leaves. Concentrate and take your 1me. Just as your recogni1on of the symbols is personal and unique to you, so too is your interpreta1on of those symbols. How you feel at the moment and flash impulses and impressions are important here, as are cultural ideas and emo1ons. It might help to write down each of the symbols you see in one column, and then what they trigger in your mind meaning-wise in another. There are a number of books and free online resources that offer sugges1ons for different symbols, if you deem it necessary to gather addi1onal informa1on. LeCers can indicate the first leCer in a name of the person who immediately pops into your mind when you see it, even if other people with the same leCer in their names might be closer to you. That first symbol you spoCed will represent some dominant element of yourself or someone influen1al or close to the maCer.

Symbols located in the rim are influences to the outcome which apply to this par1cular moment in 1me. Symbols in the middle sec1on are influences to the outcome from the near future… typically not longer than two weeks (a fortnight). The base of the cup indicates the final answer, conclusion or solu1on. If you have a fortunetelling cup and saucer, the symbols and images on the cup/saucer near the loca1on of the tea leaf symbols will also have an influence on the reading. With coffee readings, the three sec1ons of the cup are less important, and are replaced by two sec1ons. One method holds that halfway down the cup is a horizontal dividing line, and everything in the lower half involves the past, while everything in the upper half deals with the future. Another method involves a similar imaginary line down through the cup. Symbols on one side (oGen the leG) might indicate a nega1ve event or outcome, while symbols on the other side could indicate a more posi1ve message. This method could also be used to indicate a “yes/no” response, with each side being aCributed to either “yes” or “no.” Whether the cup s1cks to the saucer or not, and other signs associated with the saucer, are also possible signs, and are likewise open to individual interpreta1on. AGer a reading, you might want to “open the heart” by placing your right (or dominant) thumb in the boCom of the inside of the cup and twis1ng slightly clockwise, crea1ng another impression to read, oGen considered to be a symbol of your inner heart and emo1ons.

(This is Mar*n’s second issue as a contributor to la Vie Sirene, and we look forward to each and every one of his submissions. He’s already amassed a cache of devoted fans!)

by Bonnie Ramsburg

I knew it could be done. I had read about it before. I even did it once to give a different look to a sash we had made for a pirate costume. The sash was made from the same fabric as the shirt, so I had an “AH-HA” moment to use tea and make it look aged. I used black tea and I didn’t make it very dark, I just wanted a little bit of an aged and dirty look.

What I didn’t take into consideration though, and I might have if I would have thought about it, was the fact that different teas will give you different colored fabrics.

Do I have your interest yet? Gather your supplies and take a chance, just like I did.

Since I was only doing this as a sample experiment, I used the exact same teas and jars as I had used for my egg-dyeing project. The only things I did different were: A) I didn’t use vinegar at all, which if you’re doing this to actually dye fabric to later wash, you’ll want to use, and B) I only used the Alum in one jar, I did two of the Rosehip and Hibiscus teas, and wanted to see what the difference would be between one with Alum and one without.

I didn’t search for instructions for this project. I probably should have, but it was more of a, “What color of fabric will this tea make?” experiment than an actual, “I want to dye fabric, how do I go about it?”

Results:

I think the (1.) Alum infused Rosehip and Hibiscus tea made a somewhat darker reddish purple than the (2.) tea without the Alum, but not much. I think the (3.) Raspberry and the (4.) Blueberry tea made almost the same shade of soft pink. The (5.) Lipton tea made a brown shade. The (6.) Chamomile tea fabric sort of had a yellow tint to it. Unfortunately, I was running water to rinse the tea out of the sink as I was dumping the jars, and accidentally dumped the piece of fabric right in the running water. So I don’t know for sure what it really looked like.

The background fabric is the original shade of the fabric, with the tea dyed fabric on top for a comparison. Grab some tea and scrap fabric, and do your own experiments!

Grandmother beamed her understanding.

On his way home that afternoon, on a whim, unheard of behavior among his friends and family, he drove by Lady Elaine's home and invited her to come for an afternoon ride through the park. In a flurry of gathering her winter wear, he could do nothing but smile at the flushed appearance of her face as she was assisted into the carriage. He moved over to make room on the bench where he sat. Very risky behavior but he had decided he did not care. If challenged, he would simply attain a special license and marry her tomorrow.

She settled in his carriage on the seat beside him so that they might share the blankets and the warmer. The windows were fully uncovered so that anyone could see what they were doing. Under the blankets, he held her gloved hand in his. He knew that by the evening it would be the talk of the town that he and Lady Elaine had been seen riding in a closed carriage together.

It was a lovely, clear afternoon and the sun sparkled on the lake as the driver took them on a slow drive around the lake. As Ian had planned with him, he stopped on the back side of the lake. The couple looked out the coach windows at the beautiful sight. “Ian,” her voice was small; he almost did not hear her.

“Yes, Ellie.” He waited to hear what she would say to him.

“I am twenty and six, and in my whole life I have never been kissed by anyone except family until the other night when you kissed my hand.” She paused; he could feel her tremble beside him. “I was wondering if you would think so much less of me if I asked you to kiss me. Just once and then you do not have to do it again.”

“Oh, my dear,” he began with a smile, “I shall want to do it more than once, but I should enjoy kissing you very much.” He dropped the curtains in the side facing the road where a coach might pass. Turning to face her, he felt as if he were holding a newly hatched butterfly in his arms. To kiss her with the desire he felt would probably frighten her so he was careful in his efforts. kissed. “Ellie,” he whispered close to her mouth, “Relax, this should be pleasant not painful. Look at me.” Her eyes popped open. “It's okay to close your eyes, it keeps them from crossing, but gently so that your face isn't frozen in a mask.” He had removed his gloves and reached to touch her face, soothing the lines and tilting her head just so. “When my mouth covers yours, relax your mouth to fit with mine. You'll find you quite like being kissed.” He smiled when he observed all of her efforts to relax and do as she was told. “Now, easy, close your eyes as I move to your lovely mouth.” Just like that, he captured his lovely butterfly. His lips found hers to be soft and willing, almost a tremble in them. He pressed lightly against her mouth, enjoying the chaste kiss.

He had intended to kiss her briefly, but she leaned in for a second kiss He found that her mouth meeting his caused quite a thunder bolt of emotions and feelings. He moved to pull her closer to him. The little sounds she made in her throat, pleasure sounds, and she fit so perfectly against him. With the greatest of reluctance he separated from her. “What have we done?” he murmured in wonder.

Her shaking fingers came up and touched her lips where his mouth had been. “That is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me,” she whispered. He could not argue with her. He moved to quickly restore them to their original positions then he opened the curtain on the coach. He felt her lean closer as the carriage resumed its trip around the lake.

Taking her hand, he held it tightly in his beneath the covers and signaled the driver to move on. He spoke softly to her. “You are quite amazing, Ellie. You need not worry that I consider you actions forward or inappropriate.” He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. She looked up at his smiling face and returned his smile. She reveled in the feeling of being somehow wicked and she wanted to be wicked again and again. She imagined that her lips tingled where he had touched her.

They rode in silence on the return trip to her home. His hands on her waist to help her out of the carriage, he held her for a brief moment, then cradled her arm as he walked