During middle age, the divination, fortune telling and even collecting herbs became a dangerous activities as the churches sought to persecute witches.
Yet, women then were no less interested than now in doing a little fortune-telling about their love lives, their finances and their fates. Quietly, secret knowledge was passed from woman to woman about the secrets revealed through reading tea leaves. This was a form of divination that could be practiced at home, with no special equipment and without causing suspicion. Today the tradition of reading tea leaves is much the same as it was ages ago–minus the element of danger.
Ordinary tea cups were used — the lighter the better so as to more easily read the leaves. Loose tea, chamomile, peppermint and other herbs were used.
Two women would sit quietly, each thinking about a situation she hoped to understand. Each would swirl the cup gently from right to left, until it felt clear that it was time to stop. Then, they’d sip the tea until the cup was nearly empty. Once again, they’d swirl the liquid right to left a few times. Finally, they’d exchange cups and read for each other, using the shapes found in the bottom of the cup to make an interpretation.
Another version turns the nearly empty cup over into the saucer to read the leaves from the saucer. This was more obviously divination, so if the women were afraid of being observed, the leaves were instead read discreetly from the cup.
Whether you choose to read the leaves from the cup or the saucer, once only the leaves remain, simple shapes can be observed. If the shapes are reversed when facing the reader, the interpretation is reversed. For example, if the reader sees the image of pig (success) and it’s upside down from her perspective, the interpretation is failure. The reader uses her intuition to make the reading. If there is more than one shape, the shapes have to be interpreted together. For example if a boat and a moon are seen, the interpretation might be for a journey whose results may be based on an illusion.
Use your immediate associations–the first thing that pops into your head– with the symbol to get the perfect reading for yourself. . If you think – oh, it looks like an otter. And your first association is wet and slimy, go with it. Don’t change your reading by saying, but oh, they’re so cute, so it must be good. Trust your own gut feelings, they’re trying to tell you something.
Interpretation of symbols:
Anchor – attachment, security
Apple – gift from the gods, success
axe – trouble to be worked through
Bell – a call, a summons
Birds – joy, happiness, glad tidings
Boat – travel, shelter
Butterfly – flighty, changeable
Candle – light, vision, prayer
Chain – partnership
Circles = completion, fortune
Clouds – cares, worries on the horizon
Coin – wealth, earnings
Cross – sacrifice
Cup – benefits, sharing, or a reward
Dog – faithful companionship, friendship
Egg – something new is coming to fruition
Eye – be alert, pay attention
Fence – boundaries, restrictions
Fish – prosperity, good luck
Flag – signal, a warning
Fly – petty temporary irritation
Gate – the way forward, opportunity
Gun – disagreement, danger, anger
Hat – new situation
Heart – love, pleasure, passion
Horn – plenty, abundance
Horseshoe – good luck
Hourglass – decision and action necessary
Kite – fulfillment of dreams or wishes
Knife – feeling of betrayal in friendship
Ladder – moving up in life
Leaf – new beginning, good luck
Lock – difficulties that must be dealt with
Loop – figure out a clear strategy before acting
Moon – dreams, illusions
Mountain – challenging life goals
Nail – caution necessary
Pig – wealth, success
Pistol – dangerous situation
Question mark – uncertain situation
Rabbit – need for courage
Scissors – conflicts, little cuts, separation
Seashell – good lucky, happy tidings
Spider – hard work, earnings
Squares – sharp edges, take care, take your time
Star – gifts, luck, hope
Sword – conflict, strife
Tent – travel, adventure
Tower – trouble, strife
Tree – growth, grace
Triangles – change for the better
Volcano – seething emotion
Wasp – trouble, especially in love
Wings – Mercury, messenger, messages
