Leaf Vine

Reading Tea Leaves

Leaf Vine

The best kind of tea to use if tea-cup reading is to be followed is China tea, Indian tea and the cheaper mixtures contain so much dust and so many fragments of twigs and stems that oftentimes they will not combine to form pictures or symbols clearly to be discerned. The best shape of cup to use is one with a wide opening at the top and a bottom not to small. Cups with almost perpendicular sides are very difficult to read, as the symbols cannot be seen properly, and the same could be said of small cups. A plain surface cup is the best to use and the interior should be white and have no patterns printed upon it.

The ritual to observe is very simple. The tea drinker should drink the contents of his or her cup so as to leave only about half a teaspoonful of the beverage. They should next take the cup by the handle in their left hand, rim upwards, and turn it three times from left to right in one fairly rapid swinging movement. They should then very slowly and carefully invert it over the saucer and leave it there for a minute, to permit all the moisture to drain away.

The cup to be read should be held in the hand and turned about in order to read the symbols without disturbing them, which will not happen if the moisture has been properly drained away.

The handle represents the consultant, by this fixed point, judgments are made about journeys from home, messages or visitors to be expected, relative distance and so forth. The bottom of the cup represents the remoter future foretold; the side of the cup represents not to be far distant, and matters symbolized near the rim are those that may be expected to occur quickly. The fortune may be equally well told whether there are many or few leaves, but of course there must be some.

Symbols and Significations

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|R|S|T|U|V|W|Y|Z|

A

Abbey, future ease and freedom from worry

Acorn, improvement in health, continued health and strength

Aircraft, unsuccessful projects

Anchor, a lucky sign, Success in business and love

Angel. good news, especially good fortune in love

Apes, secret enemies

Apples, long life, gain by commerce

Apple Tree, change for the better

arch, a journey abroad

Arrow, a disagreeable letter from the arrow's direction

ass, misfortune overcome by patience; or a legacy

axe, difficulties overcome

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B

Badger, long life and prosperity as a bachelor

Basket, an addition to the family

Bat, fruitless journeys or tasks

Bear, a long period of travel

Beasts, other then those mentioned, foretell misfortune

Birds, a lucky sign; good news if flying, a fortunate journey

Boat, a friend will visit

Bouquet, one of the luckiest of symbols, a happy marriage

Bridge, a favorable journey

Building, a removal

Bull, slander by an enemy

Bush, an invitation into society

Butterfly, success and pleasure

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C

Camel, a burden to be patiently borne

Cannon, good fortune

Car, approaching wealth, visits from friends

Cart, fluctuations of fortune

Castle, unexpected fortune or legacy

Cat, difficulties caused by treachery

Cathedral, great prosperity

Cattle, prosperity

Chain, an early marriage; if broken, trouble in store

Chair, an addition to the family

Church, a legacy

Circles, money or presents

Clouds, a serious trouble;if surrounded by dots financial success

Clover, a very lucky sign; happiness and prosperity

Coffin, long sickness or sign of death

Comet, misfortune and trouble

Compass, a sign of traveling as a profession

Cow, a prosperous sign

Cross, a sign of trouble, delay or even death

Crown, success and honor

Crown and Cross, good fortune resulting from death

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D

Dagger, favors from friends

Deer, quarrels, disputes; failure in trade

Dog, faithful friends

Donkey, a legacy long awaited

Dove, a lucky symbol; progress in prosperity and affection

Dragon, a great and sudden change

Duck, increase of wealth by trade

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E

Eagle, honour and riches through change of residence

Elephant, a lucky sign; good health

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F

Falcon, a persistent enemy

Ferret, active enemies

Fish, good news from abroad; surrounded by dots, Immigration

Flag, danger from wounds inflicted by an enemy

Flower, good fortune, success, happy marriage

Fox, treachery by a trusted friend

Frog, success in love and commerce

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G

Gallows, a sign of good luck

Goat, a sign of enemies, and misfortune to a sailor

Goose, happiness; a successful venture

Grasshopper, a great friend will become a soldier

Greyhound, good fortune by strenuous exertion

Gun, a sign of discord and slander

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H

Hammer, triumph over adversity

Hare, a sign of long journey or return of absent friend

Harp, marriage, success in love

Hat, success in life

Hawk, an enemy

Heart, pleasures to come

Heavenly Bodies signifies happiness and success

Hen, increase of riches or addition to the family

Horse, desires fulfilled through a prosperous journey

Horse-Shoe, a lucky journey or success in marriage

Hour-Glass, imminent peril

House, success in business

Human Figures, judged by what they appear to be doing

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I

Interrogation (mark of), doubt or disappointment

Ivy, honour and happiness through faithful friends

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J

Jackal, a mischief maker of no account

Jug, good health

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K

Kangaroo, a rival in business or love

Kettle, death

Key, money, increasing trade, a good husband or wife

Kite, a sign of lengthy travel leading to Honour and dignity

Knife, a warning of disasters through quarrels and enmity

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L

Ladder, a sign of travel

Leopard, a sign of immigration and subsequent success

Letters, signifies news

Lily, on top of cup, health and happiness, bottom, anger,Strife

Lines, indicate journeys and their directions

Lion, greatness through powerful friends

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M

Man, a visitor arriving

Mermaid, misfortune, especially to seafaring persons

Monkey, deception in love

Moon, (as a crescent), prosperity and fortune

Mountain, powerful friends; many mountains, powerful enemies

Mouse, danger of poverty through death or swindling

Mushroom, sudden separation of lovers after a quarrel

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N

Numbers, very lucky, long life, good health, happy marriage

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O

Oblong figures, family or business squabbles

Owl, an evil omen, indicative of sickness, poverty, disgrace

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P

Palm tree, good luck, children to a wife, marriage to a maid

Parrot, a sign of emigration for a lengthy period

Peacock, success and acquisition of property; a happy marriage

Pear, great wealth and improved social position

Pheasant, a legacy

Pig, good and bad luck mixed

Pigeons, important news if flying, if not, domestic bliss

Pine tree, continuos happiness

Pistol, disaster

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R

Rabbit, fair success in a city or large town

Rat, treacherous servants, losses through enemies

Raven, death for the aged, divorce, failure in business

Razor, lovers quarrel and separation

Reptile, Quarrels

Rider, good news from oversees regarding finances

Rifle, a sign of discord and strife

Ring, marriage; if near clouds an unhappy marriage

Rose, a lucky sign denoting good fortune and happiness

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S

Saw, trouble brought about by strangers

Scales, a lawsuit

Scissors, quarrels, illness, separation of lovers

Serpents, spiteful enemies, bad luck, illness

Shark, danger of death

Sheep, success, prosperity

Ship, successful journey

Snakes, are a bad omen. Great caution should be exercised

Spider, a sign of money coming

Squares, comfort and peace

Star, a lucky sign, surrounded by dots foretells great fortune

Straight Line, a very pleasant journey

Straight Lines denote peace, happiness and long life

Swallow, a journey with a pleasant ending

Swan, good luck and a happy marriage

Sword, disputes, quarrels between lovers

Sword (broken), Victory over an enemy

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T

Timber, Logs of timber indicate business success

Toad, deceit and unexpected enemies

Trees, a lucky sign; prosperity, and happiness

Triangles, always a sign of good luck and unexpected legacies

Twisted Figures, disturbances and vexation

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U

Umbrella, annoyance and trouble

Unicorn, scandal

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V

Vulture, bitter foes

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W

Wagon, a sign of approaching poverty

Wavy Lines, Denotes losses and vexation

Wheel, an inheritance about to come

Windmill, success in enterprise

Wolf, beware of jealous intrigues

Woman, pleasure and happiness, several women indicates scandal

Wood, a speedy marriage

Worms, indicate secret foes

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Y

Yacht, pleasure and happiness

Yew Tree, death of an aged person leaving his legacy to you

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Z

Zebra, travel and adventure in foreign lands

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Although included in the above lists, there are certain figures and symbols which are a common occurence and bear such definite interpretation that it is advisable to refer to them here in detail. Certain signs are invariably signs of approaching good fortune; certain others of threatened ill luck. Among the former may be mentioned triangles, stars, clover leaves, anchors, trees, garlands and flowers, bridges or arches, and crowns. Among the latter, coins, clouds, crosses, serpents, rats and mice, some wild beasts, hourglasses, umbrellas, church steeples, swords, guns, ravens, owls, and monkeys are all ominous symbols.

Leaf Vine


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Last updated August 25, 1999 by Jacqui


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