After the Burning Times were over, and Witchcraft was on it’s way to being legalized (England, 1735) people were looking towards other forms of divination because they could practice freely once again. So tea leaf reading was not as popular as it had been…in a sense, it fell out of vogue. But in recent years, it has been "rediscovered" by modern Witches; especially in England. It still has not become as popular in America as it is in England, but it is making a comeback here in the States as well.

As far as the best tea to use, I think it is a personal choice... a matter of taste. But there are other occult books that say China Tea, or English Breakfast Tea works the best. I personally have tried tasseography with every tea from orange-pekoe (a.k.a Lipton Tea) to chamomile. All tea types have worked for me. It’s just what tastes good to you or the sitter.

There are some symbols that are universal in meaning and at least one will usually show up in just about every reading, and they are as follows: circles will denote frustration, stars mean success, triangles denote fortune, squares mean protection, straight lines indicate definite plans, wavy lines mean uncertainty, and dotted lines indicate a journey. These universal symbols are usually near a more defined symbol, and can be interpreted together. For example, if you get a circle near a heart, it could mean some frustration in love matters.

Now let’s talk about the cup’s saucer. To me, the saucer represents the past. I don’t think that it is a traditional concept, but it works for me. The reason I think it represents the past is because it isn’t really part of the cup, it’s unattached. But even though it is unattached, it still represents the cup as a whole. And that’s how a person’s past is. It’s done and over with…unattached if you will, but it will still influence the present and future. Since the saucer thing is my concept, you can take it or leave it. Like I said, it isn’t traditional.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Boil about 1 ½ cups of water. While the water is boiling, place a teaspoon of loose tea inside the tea cup. (Adjust the tea according to taste. More tea would be stronger, less would be weaker.) Also, place a napkin on the saucer so it can soak up the tea when the cup is inverted onto it.

Pour the boiling water over the tea. Have the sitter to stir it clockwise with a spoon while thinking of a question. If they wish, they may add sweetener because it will not affect the reading.

Allow the tea to sit long enough to cool down. You wouldn’t want your sitter to burn their mouth! And, allowing it to cool will help the tea to settle to the bottom of the cup. (You don’t want it to float around….it’s very yucky to drink tea grounds!)

When the tea is cool, have the sitter to drink all but one teaspoon of the liquid.

Now, have the sitter think of their question once more, and swirl the tea around the cup three times in a clockwise motion. Then, have the sitter to invert the cup upon the saucer.

The sitter should now hand the cup to you. Lift the cup from the saucer, and start looking for symbols! The wet tea will be clung to the sides of the cup, and will make all kinds of neat symbols. They will also make patterns on the saucer. You need to have a good eye to distinguish the symbols at first, but it will become easier with time.

Interpret any symbols you see as I have mentioned above. Start at the handle, and work your way around the rim, and down the sides. Trust your instincts and good luck!!