#tea leaf reading

Tasseography

•Tea leaf reading•

You might be wondering where this unusual form of divination came from, so here’s a short history on tasseography. Shortly after tea was introduced to Europe, tea leaf reading, as it’s now recognized, was born. Similar divination tools had been used with an assortment of other materials. The art of tea leaf reading spread through Europe, and is now practiced throughout the world.

Doing a tea leaf reading involves you indulging in a delicious cup of tea and putting your sharp intuitive skills to work. After you enjoy your warm cup of loose leaf tea, you’ll leave the loose tea leaves at the bottom, where some of these leaves will form symbols, each having their own meaning. That’s where your keen intuitive abilities come in! Anyone can see a triangle at the bottom of a teacup, but your job is to intuit what it means for you or the person you’re reading for.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR A TEA LEAF READING

• Tea cup with a wide brim that’s light enough to easily see your tea leaves.
• Saucer
• Loose leaf green or black tea, preferably organic.
• Napkins
• Pen and paper
• Water

HOW TO PERFORM A TEA LEAF READING

1. BREW YOUR TEA

Gather all of your materials. Boil your water. Place about a teaspoon of loose tea in your cup. Pour your water in and steep tea to your preference.

For the next 3 steps, if you’re doing a reading for someone else, have them do the following steps.

2. SIP & SWIRL

Before you take your first sip, gently swirl tea counter clockwise three times. Sip and enjoy your tea, but don’t drink it all! When there’s about 1 tablespoon of tea left in your cup, swirl it again 3 times counter clockwise and think about or speak your query aloud.

3. CREATE YOUR TEA READING CANVAS

Turn your cup upside down onto your saucer to remove the remaining water, allow it a minute or so to drain, then turn it back up right.

4. LOOK FOR SYMBOLS

Look over your loose leaf tea pieces and see if any symbols or shapes jump out to you immediately. Don’t fret if you don’t see anything immediately, similar to scrying with a crystal ball, it can take some time for imagery to form for you. Try looking at the inside of the cup from different directions to see shapes. Keep in mind the images formed are formed from tea leaves, so you will really need to use your imagination.

5. RECORD & DECIPHER YOUR FINDINGS

If you do start to see some shapes, begin writing them down on your piece of paper so you can decipher them later, note where in the cup they are too. Now you’re ready to decipher your findings! Here’s a guide for the most common symbols found during tea leaf readings:

6. UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE

Where your tea leaves are situated in your cup relate to when they will happen. This is why some of the tea leaf reading cups you find have circles inside of them. Timing is broken into thirds as follows:

Bottom third: farthest away from happening, think 3-5 years out.

Top third: will be happening in the near future, think within the next few weeks.

Middle third: will happen in about a year from now.

7. FORM YOUR READING

Like most divination tools, a honed intuition is key for success, so be sure to lean on any gut instincts as you form the story for your reading. Once you understand the meaning behind the symbols it’s time to put all of the information into a story that makes sense for you or the person you’re doing a reading for.

Tasseomancy or Tasseography is the practice and process of using tea leaves or coffee grounds to forecast, understand, or improve upcoming or current events. This can be used for planning ahead, or for personal growth, healing and development. One nearly finished a loose herbal concoction, and then flips the remaining biological powders onto a small plate. They then scry based off of the shapes or symbols the leaves lie in. Below are aspects to consider whilst using this method of divination.

Interpretations:

Symbolism:

There are numerous factors to consider from a representation approach. Which is why most use a plate and cup inscribed with key symbols with their corresponding location. That aside, animals, numerology, symbols, or signs also are important to be considered by the placement of the herbal remains as well.

Directions:

Most practitioners divide their cup into segments of based off of the directions, zodiac signs, planetary symbols, and elemental aspects. Hence, the beautiful aesthetic from the almanac or legend of a Tasseography tea-set. Considering that each direction has its own element and meaning in countless cultures across the world, there is many ways to interpret this from the Feng Shui Bagua, the Pentagram, or Earth Medicine almanacs.

First Glance:

The first thing you notice or recognize as a symbol is something that is important to consider, although should not be your only takeaway. Intuition at its finest will help provide clarity because your first sight is just as important as your analyzed inquiry. Once both are considered and potentially seen as a synchronization, you will have your takeaway.

Horizontal:

Considering this element is massively important because it is the method or process of seeing one’s entire life in a past, present, and future manner. This can be an essential aspect for those who are trying for introspection, emotional healing, or personal growth. The left is past influences, the middle is current events, and the right is upcoming occasions.

Symbolism:

Animals:

Bird:

Fortune, positivity, wealth, travel, freedom,and a likely exploration.

Butterfly:

Transformation, accomplishment, and pleasure.

Dragon:

Massive and sudden shifts or changes lie ahead of you.

Eagle:

Attainment, admiration, nobility, favour, and reserves.

Elephant:

Immense prosperity, wellbeing, and luck are ahead.

Owl:

Deceit, deception, loss, probable illness, or deprivation.

Pig:

Faithful love and romance, but jealous or lying friends.    

Rat:

Defeats or failures from adversaries, possibly in a job sense.

Worms:

Deceit, treachery, dishonesty, and deception, defeat, or loss.

Nature:

Clouds:

If clear, trails and troubles are to come. If surrounded by dots, monetary success is coming.

Clover:

Upcoming luck. The higher up its located, the sooner it will come.

Mountain:

Forthcoming impediments, obstacles, and challenges.

Mushroom:

Rebirth, shifting, transformation, everlasting growth.

Trees:

Prosperity, direction, growth, happiness, and luck.

Planets:

The Moon:

Introspection, receptivity, compassion, and affluence.

Mars:

Movement, action, progress, vigor, and lustful love.

The Sun:

Stamina, energy, vitality, triumph, and opportunities.

Venus:

Romance, femininity, compassion, and love.

Shapes:

Anchor:

Stability, Stagnancy, permanence, and immobility.

Angel:

Fortune, positivity, and potential true romance.

Apple:

Health, longevity, academic or professional success.

Aries:

Strength, intensity, lust, and scorching emotion.

Axe:

Challenges overcome, victory and triumph.

Boat:

Reunification, fellowship, familiarity, and support.

Bowl:

Containment, summer, light, and Litha.

Bridge:

A wonderful voyage to embark on lies ahead of you.

Candle:

Enlightenment, guidance, illumination, and warmth.

Car:

Impending prosperity, fortune, and achievements.

Chain:

Accountability, a sequence of occasions, and stagnancy.

Circle:

Future prosperity, wealth, presents, or material gain.

Clouds:

If clear, trails and troubles are to come. If surrounded by dots, monetary success is coming.

Clover:

Upcoming luck. The higher up its located, the sooner it will come.

Compass:

Guidance, direction, backing, assistance, and support.

Crescent:

Introspection, receptivity, compassion, and affluence.

Cross:

Delayed developments, troubles ahead, or possible loss.

Crown:

Triumph, magnificence, incentives or gifts, and admiration.

Cup:

Achievement, celebration, emotional healing, and purification.

Dagger:

Love, encouragement, assistance, and support from allies.

Downwards Arrow:

Mistaken direction, unpleasant choices, no.

Gun:

Discord, tension, slander, defamation, and disharmony.

Hammer:

The journey and trials you have faced have been overcome.

Hat:

Accomplishment, success, and achievement in general.

Heart:

Affection, romance, love, passion, and companionship.

Horizontal Arrow:

Smooth advancement, solidity, and stability.

Horseshoe:

Fortune, luck, prosperity, and protection.

Hourglass:

Imminent danger, hazard, threat, or upcoming obstacle.

House:

Stability, victory in profession or corporate choice.

Knots:

Apprehensions, concerns, tension, worry, and pressure.

Ladder:

Advancement, improvement, development, and progress.

Lines:

Positive journey, movement, rebirth, and shifting.

Pear:

Social status, wealth, prosperity, and admiration.

Peace Sign:

Harmony, synchronization, teamwork, and unity.

Squares:

Stability, relaxation, luxury, tranquility, and serenity.

Stars:

Success, fortune, strength, energy, and imaginative creation.

Triangles:

Unexpected prosperity, victory or luck lie ahead.

Wheels:

Transformation, Progress, positive advancement, and change.
Symbols:

Ring:

Harmony, love, partnership, alliance, and marriage.

Scissors:

Arguments, disputes, separations, or possibility of ailment.

Spiral:

Livelihood, bliss, innovation, creativity, solutions.

Umbrella:

Struggles, aggravations, provocations, and endurance.

Upwards Arrow:

Positive outcomes, a definite yes if you asked a question.

Other Links:

Divination:Classifications
Divination: Casting Runes
Divination:Pendulums
Divination: Psychic Abilities
Divination:Theriomancy
Divination:Orthinomancy

Astragalomancy:

Astragalomancy or Astragyromancy is a procedure of divination cast by throwing five dice, teeth, or bones engraved with celestial symbols, numbers, or letters. The placement and symbolism of each particular thrown item matters. In prehistoric times, mammal knuckles were primarily used in Astragyromancy.

Belomancy:

A structure of divination used by monitoring and examining the passage, performance, and landing of arrows during and after being shot off by a Bow. Different structures of arrows and materials should also be taken into account. This is not to be mistaken for or confused with Rhabdomancy’s use of arrows.

Cartomancy:

The use of playing cards, tarot, or oracle decks to gain insight into current, past, or future personal affairs. Crucial in personal development and individual progress from a spiritual standpoint. Each suit in playing cards represents a suit in tarot, with different elements and senses of their own.

Cleromancy:

A form of divination in which one is to cast a lot based off of random chance or divine will. “Casting a lot” is often gently tossing objects with their each individual significant meanings to analyze the pattern in which they land. There are so very numerous unique varieties and procedures to this.

Cowrie Shells:

Cowrie shells have been used for numerous purposes throughout different cultures across all time, created in Arica ranging from West Africa, Santeria, and Candomblé. There are effectively several different procedures to use these stunning shells for divination as well.

Favomancy:

This technique of Cleromancy involves casting a lot employing beans. The origins of Favomancy come from the Ubykh of Russia. However, most archaic methods were lost through the passing of time and are now open to interpretation. I must admit I wish I knew more about this fascinating concept.

Osteomancy:

The use of bone casting for divinatory purposes or perspective. Each distinct bone has covers a specific aspect of your life, and are thrown in order to determine your current position. Certain bones have specific values but the arrangement of the bones also should be considered.

Rhabdomancy:

Rhabdomancy is a kind of Cleromancy including the use of casting rods, wands, branches, or something similar. There are various ways to do this, but is most frequently used to cast lots for answering questions or insight. The items could range from arrows to dowels which I find incredible from a possibility prospect.

Rune-casting:

Rune casting is a process of divination in which a practitioner uses small items such as stones, crystal tumbles, or chips in order to determine ones current circumstances and upcoming opportunities. Runes are also extraordinarily commonly used as words of power and sigils but are predominantly established for this.

Tasseomancy:

A technique of divination developed by just about polishing off your cup of loose tea, and then flipping the tea leaves onto a plate for evaluation. Representation plays key to reading tea leaves, and all figures, characters, and placements account for something. Can also be preformed with coffee grounds or wine fragments.

Theriomancy:

Divination involving animals through either observing their movements, reactions, or demeanor’s shifts. Wildlife themselves have intuition and abilities that are easier for them to stay connected with. Almost all of these are also forms of Augury.

Other Links:

Divination: Casting Runes
Divination:Pendulums
Divination: Psychic Abilities
Divination:Tasseomancy
Divination:Theriomancy
Divination:Orthinomancy

I want to start getting into loose teas. Does anyone have any recommendations for tea brands/companies, tools, hacks, or witchy tips that could be helpful?

There’s so much info out there, and it’s a little overwhelming, so if you have any advice or can signal boost TIA.

Tasseography (also known as tasseomancyortassology) is a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.

The terms derive from the French word tasse (cup), which in turn derives from the cognate Arabic word tassa, and the Greek suffixes -graph (writing), -logy (study of), and -mancy (divination).

Divination attempts to gain insight into the natural world through intuitive interpretation of synchronistic events.

The first inklings of Western tasseography can be traced to medieval European fortune tellers who developed their readings from splatters of wax, lead, and other molten substances. This evolved into tea-leaf reading in the seventeenth century, a short time after Dutch merchants introduced tea to Europe via trade routes to China.

Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England have produced a number of practitioners and authors on the subject, and English potteries have crafted many elaborate tea cup sets specially designed and decorated to aid in fortune-telling. Cultures of the Middle East that practice divination in this fashion usually use left-over coffee grounds from Turkish coffee/Lebanese coffee/Greek coffee turned over onto a plate.

Tasseomancy

I’m planning on also doing some kind of booklet that I can easily slip in and out of my grimoire of different tea leaf symbols and their meanings

my tea leaves just made a giant scorpion and nothing else. well it’s been nice knowing you all

For more go and check myInstagram.

What is tasseomancy?

Also known as tasseography or tassology, it’s an intuitive divination technique of reading tea leaves or coffee grounds. Images changes when viewed differently so depends on reader’s perceptions. Good tool to access subconscious.

Techniques

There are different ways to interpret which area of the cup corresponds with what. There are also special cups for divination with symbols painted on its inner surface. Check diagrams: 1. Rim to bottom layout where rim area is for present, sides for near future and bottom for far future. 2. 12 month layout where you divide cup into 12 areas, from left to right each is a further future. 3. Past/future layout where left side represents past and the right side future. 4. Importance layout - rim: most important; sides: relevant; close to bottom: rival, bottom: unlucky, right from handle: lucky. Those are not all possibilities!

Reading

1. Get mentally prepared. Meditate, focus on the preparation of the tea and the reading. Find calm place to perform.
2. You’ll need a cup with a light surface, loose tea or coffee ground, stove, kettle/pot and water. Place 1 teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup, bring water to a boil and pour over your tea. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir and let to settle. If you’re using coffee grounds first heat them in a pot, pour into your cup and let to settle.
3. Focus on your question while enjoying the drink. Leave a small sip of drink in the bottom of cup. Swirl the leaves three times and turn the cup upside down on the saucer to drain the liquid. Turn the cup back and examine. What do you see?