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Telling Fortunes By Tea Leaves

C >> Cicely Kent >> Telling Fortunes By Tea Leaves



David Garcia, Tiffany Vergon, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the

Online Distributed Proofreading Team.



Telling Fortunes By Tea Leaves

HOW TO READ YOUR FATE IN A TEACUP

BY CICELY KENT

_With Twenty Illustrations_




CONTENTS


CHAPTER

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE DIVINATION BY TEA-LEAVES

II. PRACTICE AND METHOD OF READING THE CUP

III. GENERAL THEORIES IN READING THE CUP

IV. DIVINATION BY TEA-LEAVES AS AN AMUSEMENT
AND AS A MORE SERIOUS STUDY

V. SOME HINTS FOR DIVINERS. REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF PROPHECY
BY THE TEA-LEAVES

VI. WRITING IN THE TEA-LEAVES. SOME FREQUENT SYMBOLS

VII. THE "NELROS" CUP. TWO EXAMPLE READINGS OF ITS SIGNS

A DICTIONARY OF SYMBOLS

SOME COMBINATIONS OF SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANING

SOME EXAMPLE CUPS WITH THEIR INTERPRETATIONS






TELLING FORTUNES BY

TEA-LEAVES




CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION TO THE DIVINATION BY TEA-LEAVES


At no time in the history of the world has there been such earnest
searching for light and knowledge in all matters relating to Psychic
Phenomena as in the present day. The desire to investigate some new
disclosure has resulted in yet other discoveries. Such will be handed on
in their various forms to be studied and used by those who seek to
learn.

Few subjects need more patience than those dealing with Psychology. Even
those who put their knowledge to a practical use in such studies as
divination by tea-leaves, must still plod patiently along a path thickly
strewn with new knowledge. The powers of clairvoyance, for instance,
cannot be forced or hurried; such arbitrary laws as time have no meaning
for the subconscious self, therefore the need for hurry does not exist.

I was once told by a very mediumistic woman that she had sat in the same
room at the same time for an hour every day for seven years, because she
"wished to develop Clairvoyance." Here was patience indeed! In some
manifestations of the clairvoyant powers within us, it is spontaneous,
the closing of the eyes to shut out all material surroundings being all
that is necessary to bring a vision of what is happening, or shortly to
happen, possibly hundreds of miles away.

In all dreams the clairvoyant powers are spontaneous; but for the
development of clairvoyance at will, great perseverance is necessary.
Its interests and powers are unlimited, so that it is well worth the
patience and time spent upon it.

In the use of tea-leaves as a means of divination, the more developed
the "clear sight," the more interesting and accurate will be the
interpretation. Practice is most necessary, especially for those who
have less natural clairvoyance than others.

The desire for knowledge on all Psychic matters has led to an increased
demand for various methods of bringing into symbols and pictures that
hidden knowledge of the present and the future. That this knowledge can
be translated to us symbolically is apparent to everyone--who could
doubt it, and still believe in anything at all?

Tea-leaves are habitually used by many people as a means of divination.
To some it is an easier method than the cards, there is less to
memorise, or the crystal.

There is in Paris a famous clairvoyant who always uses tea-leaves as the
medium for her powers of divination. Some are inclined to jeer at the
fortune in the teacup, but if the language of symbolism is rightly
understood, the medium through which it is seen matters little.

Tea-leaves have the advantage of being simple, inexpensive, and within
the reach of everyone. It cannot be claimed that the cult is of the
greatest antiquity; for although it seems to have been used in China
from very early times, tea was not brought into Europe until about the
middle of the sixteenth century. For many years after its introduction
into this country, tea was far too costly to be used except by a
comparatively small proportion of the population. It has, however,
proved its extreme usefulness as a means of divination, as well as its
merits as a beverage, for close upon three centuries.

It is a very favourite method with the Highlanders, where it is
customary for the "guid wife" to read in her cup of tea at breakfast the
events she may look for during the day. Simple though they may probably
be, there are to be seen in the tea-leaves, a letter, a parcel, a
visitor, a wedding, and so on. It is said that no Highland seer would
take money for making prognostications as to the future. This, no doubt,
is one good reason for their powers as clairvoyants.

It is a misfortune that clairvoyance should ever have to come into the
material necessities of money transactions, as it tends to mar the clear
vision.

It is said by some that tea-leaves can foretell the events for
twenty-four hours only. As clairvoyance has no restrictions as to time
or space, I cannot see how it can be thus laid down as a fact that it is
limited to man-made laws of time! Certainly there is much evidence of
the "tea leaves" being capable of foreseeing events of an important
nature at a considerable distance ahead.

One of the most difficult points in interpreting visions of clairvoyance
is the time element; simply because time, as we know it, does not exist.
The intuitive faculty is needed for any accurate definition of time, so
important to us in our present conditions, so absolutely unimportant to
the subconscious self. Let us decide at once, then, that divination by
tea-leaves may, and often does, extend to a further vision than that of
the twenty-four hours. Much depends upon the methods used.

Our individual past, quite apart from the arbitrary laws of heredity,
makes the road of our future. Possibly this may account for the curious
fact that in dreams the setting is often in childhood's surroundings,
while the dream itself is obviously of the present or the future. This
shows how the first beginnings of the event which is to come were
brought about. It is somewhat like unwinding a cotton reel!

There are, no doubt, some who look upon the tea-leaves merely as a form
of amusement, and who entertain their friends in that way. Well, it is a
harmless amusement, and is often useful at a very dull tea party! But
for those who take it seriously, and regard it as one of the many means
of divination, it will be treated with the respect due to such matters.

As in other forms of divination, so with the reading of the tea-cup, a
great deal depends on the seer. Those who are naturally clairvoyant will
read many events and scenes in the cup which would be passed over by
others not so gifted. Even without this "clear sight," however, the
tea-leaves may be read by anyone who has learned the principles and the
symbolic meanings given in this book. With a certain amount of intuition
and imagination, the tea-cups may be most successfully used to reveal
the future.




CHAPTER II

PRACTICE AND METHOD


A wide, shallow cup is the best kind to use for tea-leaf
divination--white if possible. A narrow cup adds to the seer's
difficulties, as the tea-leaves cannot be plainly seen. Small cups, too,
are objectionable for the same reason, and a fluted cup is even worse. A
plain, even surface is required, with no pattern of any kind, as this
has a tendency to confuse the symbols. Indian tea and the cheaper
mixtures, which contain so much dust and twigs are of no use for reading
a fortune, as they cannot form into pictures and symbols that can easily
be distinguished.

Those who desire to have their tea-leaves interpreted should leave about
a teaspoonful of tea at the bottom of the cup. It should then be taken
in the left hand, and turned three times from left with a quick swing.
Then very gently, slowly, and with care, turn it upside down over the
saucer, leaving it there for a minute, so that all the moisture may
drain away.

Some divinators of the tea-leaves insist on a concentration of the mind
during this turning of the cup, as do many cartomantes whilst the cards
are being shuffled; others prefer the mind to be as far as possible free
from any definite thought or desire, simply allowing it to dwell on such
abstract subjects as flowers or the weather. Personally, I advocate this
for both systems of divination; it enables the subconscious mind to
assert itself unhindered, whilst the normal mind is in abeyance.

The turning of the cup before inverting it over the saucer is equivalent
to the shuffling of the cards. It is as a direct result of those few
seconds turning that the pictures and signs are created, the
subconscious mind directing the hand holding the cup. The following
simple ritual is all that is necessary to those consulting the
tea-leaves.

The cup to be read is held by the seer and turned about as necessary, so
that the symbols may be read without disturbing them. This is important,
but no disturbance will take place if the moisture has been properly
drained away. The handle of the cup represents the consultant, also the
home, or, if the consultant be away from home the present abode.

It is necessary to have a starting point in the cup for the purpose of
indicating events approaching near to, or far distant from, the person
consulting. The leaves near the rim denote such things as may be
expected to occur quickly; those directly beneath the handle indicate
present and immediate happenings; those on the sides of the cup suggest
more distant events; whilst those at the bottom deal with the far
distant future.

This method of fixing the time, coupled with intuition, renders it
possible to give a consultant some idea as to when an event may be
expected; but if there be no intuitive sense of time, it will be found
wiser not to be too positive.

The turning of the cup and the draining of the moisture having been
carried out as directed, the tea-leaves will be found distributed at the
sides and bottom of the cup.

For those who wish to use the saucer as a further means of divination,
the following suggestions will be useful.

There must be a definite point to represent the consultant, and for this
reason the saucer is usually rejected. There is also the objection that
it is more difficult to manipulate in the turning. Nevertheless, it is
found to give excellent results, and, if the cup is bare of events, it
is useful to be able to find information in the saucer.

First of all, then, to determine the position of the consultant. Take
the centre of the saucer for this purpose. The circle round it
represents the home, or if the consultant is away from home, the present
abode, and also events near at hand. The more distant circle indicates
those things which are not to be expected for some time. The outer
circle and rim suggest events as yet in the misty future.

When the saucer is used as an additional means of seeking knowledge of
coming events, after the symbols in the cup have been exhausted, it will
often be found that this secondary divination confirms or enlarges upon
that which has already been foretold in the cup.

The moisture and leaves drained from the cup, having remained in the
saucer, should be turned by the consultant three times with the same
swirling motion as for the cup, and the moisture carefully poured away.
The saucer should be held inverted for a few seconds, otherwise when it
is placed upright, the remaining moisture will disturb the tea-leaves.
The symbols are read in exactly the same way as in the cup, the only
difference being the positions representing the consultant, the home,
and the indications of time. These have already been explained.




CHAPTER III

GENERAL THEORIES IN READING THE CUP


At first sight the interior of the cup will show the leaves scattered
about apparently haphazard and with no arrangement; just a jumble of
tea-leaves and nothing more. In reality they have come to their
positions and have taken on the shapes of the symbols for which they
stand, by the guidance of the subconscious mind directing the hand in
the turning of the cup.

The various shapes and the meanings to be attached to them will at first
be puzzling to beginners. A good deal of practice is necessary before
the tea-leaf symbols can be accurately interpreted at a glance. That,
however, will come later, and in time it will be as easy as reading a
book.

If you wish to be a proficient reader of the tea-leaves, practise
constantly this interpretation of the shapes and positions of the
leaves. Take a cup and follow out the simple instructions for the
turning and draining of it, and then carefully study the result.

It is an excellent plan to make a rough copy of the leaves as they
present themselves to you in each cup, making notes of the various
meanings.

Do not feel dismayed if, when you begin looking at the tea-leaves, you
are unable to discover in them anything definitely symbolic. It is
certain that nothing will be found if the seer is feeling nervous! Keep
a calm, open mind, and do not be in a hurry, for it is under such
conditions only that a clear reading of the leaves will be possible. In
some cases the symbols are more easily read than in others. Much depends
upon the consultant.

The gift of imagination (by no means to be confused with invention) is
of the greatest possible importance in discerning the symbols which are
of such endless shapes and variety. The seer has to find in the forms of
the tea-leaves a resemblance, sometimes it may be but a faint one, to
natural objects, _e.g._, trees, houses, flowers, bridges, and so
forth. Figures of human beings and animals will frequently be seen, as
will squares, triangles, circles, and also the line of fate.

These signs may be large or small, and the importance of them must be
judged by their relative size and position. Suppose, for instance, that
a small cross should be at the bottom of the cup, the only one to be
seen, the seer would predict that a trifling vexation or a tiresome
little delay must be expected; but not for the present, as it is at the
bottom of the cup. An alphabetical list of symbols is given later on, so
it is not necessary to define them here. The various points of a more
general character, however, must be studied before it is possible to
give an accurate reading.

It will constantly be found that the stems, isolated leaves, or small
groups of leaves, form a letter of the alphabet, sometimes a number.
These letters and numbers have meanings which must be looked for in
connection with other noticeable signs. If an initial "M" appears, and
near to it a small square or oblong leaf, both being near the rim of the
cup, it would indicate a letter coming speedily from someone whose name
begins with an "M." If the initial appears near the bottom of the cup it
shows that the letter will not be coming for some time.

If there be a clear space at the bottom of the cup devoid of tea-leaves,
it shows water, and that, in all probability, the letter is coming from
abroad. If the symbol of the letter comes very near to a bird flying, it
shows a telegram. If the bird is flying towards the consultant (the
handle), the telegram has been received. The news in it is to be judged
by other signs in the cup. If flying away from the handle, the telegram
is sent by the consultant. A single bird flying always indicates speedy
news.

In a cup with various ominous signs, such as a serpent, an owl, or many
crosses, the news coming is not likely to be pleasant. In a cup without
bad signs, it can safely be said that the news is good.

As a general rule large letters indicate places, whilst smaller ones
give the names of persons. Thus a large letter "E" would stand for
Edinburgh and a smaller "E" for Edwards, for instance. To all rules
there comes the occasional exception, and this principle holds good with
regard to the letters in the tea-cup. It is said that these smaller
letters always point to the first letter of the surname. Usually it is
so; but I have constantly found from experience that it is the first
letter of the Christian name, or even a pet name, to which the letter
refers. It is well to keep this possibility in mind, otherwise the seer
may give misleading information to consultants.

Sometimes numbers mean the date for an event to be expected, a "5" for
instance, very near the brim of the cup, or the handle (the consultant),
means in five days; or five weeks if it come on the side, possibly as
far off as five months if the figure be at the bottom of the cup.

As dots around a symbol always indicate money in some form or another,
according to the character of the symbol, a figure beside the dots would
signify the amount of money to be expected. If the symbol were that of a
legacy with the figure "90" near, it would show that a little legacy of
ninety pounds might be anticipated.

Clearly defined symbols that stand out separately are of more importance
than such as are difficult to discern. Clusters of shapeless leaves
represent clouds marring the effect of an otherwise fortunate cup.

Journeys are shown by lines or dots formed by the dust and smaller
leaves of the tea. The length and direction of the journey may be known
by the extent of the line and, roughly speaking, the point of the
compass to which it leads, the handle in this case representing south.
If the line of dots ascends sharply to the brim of the cup, a journey to
a hilly country will be taken.

Supposing the consultant to be at home, and the dots form a line from
the handle all round the cup and back to the handle, it signifies a
journey for a visit and the return. If the line were to stop before
reaching the handle again, with an appearance of a house where the line
ends, a change of residence might safely be predicted. A wavy line shows
indecision as to arrangements. Crosses upon the line indicate that there
will be vexation or delay in connection with the journey. Large flat
leaves some distance apart along the line stand for important stations
to be passed through.

For some consultants there seems very little of interest to be read in
their cup. There are no events, merely trivialities. It is therefore
difficult to find anything that could be considered as "future," when it
seems to be just a dead level "present," the daily life, nothing more.
It is sad for those who have such a dull life, but there is usually some
sign, a small happening such as a parcel, or a visit from a friend.
These must be made the most of. The pleasure of anticipation will add to
the realisation.

A confused looking tea-cup, without any definite symbols, just a muddle
of tea-leaves, is useless for the purpose of divination, beyond giving
an indication of the state of the consultant's mind, so vague and
undecided in its character that it obscures everything. Tell such a one
the reason for the failure of divining, and recommend a more reliable
state of mind. Then let them try their "fortune" again in a few months,
when it may be found quite different.

It is of course a great mistake to be always "looking in the
tea-leaves," as some foolish people do twice a day. It is sure to lead
to contradictions though there is no harm in the habit of "looking in
the cup" each morning as others do, for finding the events likely to
happen in the course of the day. This is as permissible as the reading
of the cards each morning for the day's events by those who consider it
a safeguard, remembering that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Some people use the tea-cup simply for the purpose of asking a definite
question, such as, "Is the sum of money I am expecting coming soon?"
When this is the case, the consultant should be told before turning the
cup in the hand to concentrate the thoughts on this one point, as in the
case of wishing while shuffling the cards for a definite wish. Then the
seer must look only for the signs that will give the answer to the
question, ignoring all other points. This is necessary for the giving of
a satisfactory answer to the question asked.




CHAPTER IV

DIVINATION BY TEA-LEAVES AS AN AMUSEMENT AND AS A MORE SERIOUS STUDY


The need for patience cannot be too strongly impressed upon those who
are beginning to learn the language of tea-leaves. Some of the most
interesting symbols are very minute, and will certainly be missed by the
seer who is in a hurry.

When tea-leaf reading is indulged in merely as an amusement to while
away a few moments after a meal, a hasty glance at the cup, or cup and
saucer, will suffice. The seer will just note the chief features, such
as a journey, a letter, a parcel, or news of a wedding, and pass on to
the next cup. But this is far from being a really interesting method of
divination by tea-leaves, wherein so much knowledge is to be found, and
so much useful information gained.

Those who closely study this fascinating subject will certainly be well
rewarded by a deep personal interest, in addition to the pleasure they
give to others.

It is wonderful how rapidly converts are made to this form of
divination. Some who in the past have been heard scornfully to assert
that they "have no belief in tea-leaves," become the most regular
inquirers. Moreover, these sceptics have proved to be very efficient
students.

There is always a satisfaction in persuading another to one's own point
of view. The more obstinate the opposition, the more glorious the final
conquest!

It is a rare occurrence nowadays to meet with three people in the course
of a day, and not to find that one at least is deeply interested in
fortune-telling in some of its various forms.

Quite recently I had a letter from a girl who has gone on a visit to
British Columbia, asking me if I would "do the cards" for her, as she
could not find anyone in her vicinity who was particularly good at
divination. She went on to say that "there is a perfect rage for
fortune-telling out here, and everyone is keen on it." Another instance
of this universal popularity was given to me by a friend who had
recently been to America. She was amazed at the numbers of women whom
she saw absorbed in the reading of their tea-cups each day of the
voyage.

The male sex holds aloof and leaves us to "perform these follies." Some
ascribe it to man's superiority. Or as briefly summed up by a delightful
member of their sex, who when declaiming against the possibility of the
future being made visible, said, "With all apologies to you, I must say
I am not so profoundly stupid as to believe in these things; it cannot
be anything more than rot."

It is remarkable how such protests die away when clairvoyant evidence,
either by cards, tea-leaves, or other means, has accurately predicted
some event of the distant future that at the time appeared absurd and
impossible of happening.

Woman may lawfully claim superiority with regard to her intuitive
faculty, and thus she is well equipped for exercising her divinatory
powers.

Who need be dull or bored when the language of symbolism remains to be
learned? Perhaps I should say, studied; for completely learned it can
never be, seeing that fresh events are constantly occurring in the
world, and new symbols appear representing each.

There are few things more fascinating than personal discovery, and those
who become students of divination by tea-leaves, or cards, may safely be
promised a taste of this pleasing sensation of achievement. It is
limited to the few to discover the marvels of radium, or the discomforts
of the South Pole, but a fragment of their glory is shared by those who
find new evidence of the far-reaching knowledge of symbolism.




CHAPTER V

SOME HINTS FOR DIVINERS

REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF PROPHECY BY THE TEA-LEAVES

"For a man's mind is sometimes wont to tell him more
than seven watchmen that sit above in a high tower."


To those of an inquiring or doubting turn of mind, there may arise the
very natural question as to _why_ one shaped tea-leaf should mean
"a hat" and another "a table." It is useless to point out that these
objects are perfectly represented by the leaves. That is of no practical
satisfaction. The simple fact that each language has its alphabet, its
spelling, and its words, which must be learned before there can be any
reasonable understanding of it, seems the best and obvious reply.

Symbolism is a wide subject with many branches. Who can expect to master
even its alphabet in a moment? To those who cannot accept the symbols in
the tea-leaves on the authority of past experience, reaching over
several centuries, I would recommend a careful study of their cups for,
say, three months. Let them make notes of such signs as appear and
beside them place their meanings and predictions.

At the end of this time, compare all that has taken place with these
notes, and I think there will be no further lack of faith in the
tea-leaf symbols.

Before very many years have passed the language of symbolism by cards,
tea-leaves, crystal gazing, etc., will probably be almost universally
understood. The day will undoubtedly come when it will be accepted as
naturally as the English language, and we shall cease to worry ourselves
as to the why and wherefore of it all.

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