Reading tea leaves, also known as tasseography or tasseomancy, is a form of divination which involves interpreting patterns formed by loose tea leaves at the bottom of a cup. Coffee grounds can be used as well. The practice of reading tea leaves comes from the ancient Middle Eastern, Asian and Greek countries. This form of divination is very meditative and taps into the subconscious mind to interpret the symbols. It can be seen as a way to stimulate the imagination and open your psychic abilities.
To practice a tea leaf reading you will need the following:
- Loose tea leaves of your choosing
- White cup
- Hot water
The first step is to make tea, pour the loose tea leaves into the cup and then pour hot water in the cup. Let the tea steep. While the tea is steeping focus on quieting your mind and meditating. Clear your mind of all thoughts to ready yourself for divination. Once your tea has cooled you may begin to slowly sip it and focus on the reason for your divination or answer to the question you seek. If you're right handed drink the tea with your left and if you're left handed drink with your right. You will most likely have floating leaves but try your best not to drink too many.
After you've calmed your mind and body after drinking your tea, leave a small amount of tea at the bottom of the cup. Now take the cup to the sink, hold it in your hands and swirl the cup three times which will cause the leaves to disperse around the interior of the cup. Pour out the remaining liquid and keep your cup turned over for about three breaths before you look at the leaves. Now you can start interpreting your leaves!
Jot down the first symbol you see and pay attention to which symbols are near one another. Also write down what each symbols meaning is. The cup will be divided up into three categories: the rim, the middle and the bottom. It is said that the first symbol you see corresponds to your character, the rim represents the present moment, the middle represents the near future and the bottom represents the conclusion.
There are some lists of symbols and their possible meanings which you can find here. Although tasseography is a different form of divination in which you tap into your subconscious mind to interpret symbols which is very personal. Not everyone will see the same symbols you see so not everyone may have the same meanings for them. Whichever meaning, just like the symbols, comes into your mind first go with.
Have fun reading your tea leaves!
Picture courtesy of Tasseography
My Nono used to read tea leaves and I was fascinated by it as a child. I still am. I drink loose tea and often find myself gazing into the bottom of emptied cup for a message. It's delicious, warming magic!
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