TEA CUP READING
HOW TO TELL FORTUNES
BY TEA LEAVES
111
C
WITH EXPLANATORY ILLUSTRATIONS
BY A HIGHLAND SEER

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THE LIBRARY
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UNIVERSITY
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CLASS 793.8
BOOK T22
MINNESOTA
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TEA-CUP READING
AND THE ART OF
FORTUNE-TELLING
BY TEA-LEAVES
TEA-CUP READING
AND THE ART OF
FORTUNE-TELLING
BY TEA-LEAVES

TEA-CUP LORE
TEA-CUP READING
:: AND THE ART OF : :
FORTUNE-TELLING
BY TEA-LEAVES
By A Highland Seer
With Ten Illustrations
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NEW YORK
GEORGE SULLY AND COMPANY
PRINTED IN U. S. A.
impos
OCT IS '43
793.8
T
постои на ден на растен
Chapter
I.
II.
III.
PREFACE
VI.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
TION FROM TEA-LEAVES
ΤΟ THE ART OF DIVINA-
RITUAL AND METHOD OF USING THE TEA-
CUP
Dang
GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN
READING THE CUP
IV. AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SYMBOLS WITH
OMENS
THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS
V. SPECIMEN CUPS, WITH INTERPRETATIONS
my
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FIG. 1.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 5.
FIG. 6.
FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.
FIG. 9.
FIG. 10.
ILLUSTRATIONS
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PREFACE
IT
T is somewhat curious that among the
great number of books on occult
science and all forms of divination
which have been published in the English
language there should be none dealing ex-
clusively with the Tea-cup Reading and the
Art of Telling Fortunes by the Tea-leaves:
notwithstanding that it is one of the most
common forms of divination practised by
the peasants of Scotland and by village
fortune-tellers in all parts of this country.
In many of the cheaper handbooks to
Fortune-telling by Cards or in other ways
only brief references to the Tea-cup
method are given; but only too evidently by
writers who are merely acquainted with it
by hearsay and have not made a study of it
for themselves.
This is probably because the Reading of
the Tea-cups affords but little opportunity
11
12
PREFACE
to the Seer of extracting money from
credulous folk; a reason why it was never
adopted by the gypsy soothsayers, who
preferred the more obviously lucrative
methods of 'crossing the palm with gold or
silver,' or of charging a fee for manipulat-
ing a pack of playing-cards.
Reading the Cup is essentially a do-
mestic form of Fortune-telling to be prac-
tised at home, and with success by anyone
who will take the trouble to master the
simple rules laid down in these pages: and
it is in the hope that it will provide a basis
for much innocent and inexpensive amuse-
ment and recreation round the tea-table at
home, as well as for a more serious study
of an interesting subject, that this little
guide-book to the science is confidently of-
fered to the public.
TEA-CUP READING
AND
FORTUNE-TELLING
BY TEA LEAVES
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES
I
T seems highly probable that at no
previous period of the world's history
have there been so many persons as
there are at the present moment anxious
to ascertain in advance, if that be humanly
possible, a knowledge of at least 'what a
day may bring forth.' The incidence of
the greatest of all wars, which has resulted
in sparse news of those from whom they
are separated, and produces a state of un-
certainty as to what the future holds in
store for each of the inhabitants of the
British Empire, is, of course, responsible
18
14
TEA-CUP READING
for this increase in a perfectly sane and
natural curiosity; with its inevitable result,
a desire to employ any form of divination
in the hope that some light may haply be
cast upon the darkness and obscurity of the
future.
It is unfortunately the case, as records
of the police-courts have recently shown,
that the creation of this demand for fore-
knowledge of coming events or for inform-
ation as to the well-being of distant rela-
tives and friends has resulted in the abund-
ant supply of the want by scores of pre-
tended 'Fortune-tellers' and diviners of
the Future; who, trading upon the credul-
ity and anxieties of their unfortunate fel-
low-countrywomen, seek to make a living
at their expense.
Now it is an axiom, which centuries of
experience have shown to be as sound as
those of Euclid himself, that the moment
the taint of money enters into the business
of reading the Future the accuracy and
credit of the Fortune told disappears. The
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES 15
Fortune-teller no longer possesses the
singleness of mind or purpose necessary
to a clear reading of the symbols he or she
consults. The amount of the fee is the first
consideration, and this alone is sufficient
to obscure the mental vision and to bias the
judgment. This applies to the very high-
est and most conscientious of Fortune-
tellers-persons really adept at foreseeing
the future when no taint of monetary re-
ward intervenes. The greater number,
however, of so-called Fortune-tellers are
but charlatans, with the merest smattering
of partly-assimilated knowledge of some
form of divination or 'character-reading';
whether by the cards, coins, dice, domin-
oes, hands, crystal, or in any other pre-
tended way. With these, the taint of the
money they hope to receive clouds such
mind or intuition as they may possess, and
it follows that their judgments and prog-
nostications have precisely the same value
as the nostrums of the quack medicine-
vendor. They are very different from the
16
TEA-CUP READING
Highlander who, coming to the door of his
cottage or bothie at dawn, regards stead-
fastly the signs and omens he notes in the
appearance of the sky, the actions of
animals, the flight of birds, and so forth,
and derives therefrom a foresight into the
coming events of the opening day. They
differ also from the 'spae-wife,' who,
manipulating the cup from which she has
taken her morning draught of tea, looks at
the various forms and shapes the leaves
and dregs have taken, and deduces
thence such simple horary prognostications
as the name of the person from whom
'postie' will presently bring up the glen a
letter or a parcel or a remittance of money;
or as to whether she is likely to go a
journey, or to hear news from across the
sea, or to obtain a good price for the hose
she has knitted or for the chickens or eggs
she is sending to the store-keeper. Here
the taint of a money-payment is altogether
absent; and no Highland 'spae-wife' or
seer would dream of taking a fee for look-
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES 17
ing into the future on behalf of another
person.
-
It follows, therefore, that provided he
or she is equipped with the requisite knowl-
edge and some skill and intuition, the per-
sons most fitted to tell correctly their own
fortune are themselves; because they can-
not pay themselves for their own prog-
nostications, and the absence of a monetary
taint consequently leaves the judgment
unbiased. Undoubtedly one of the
simplest, most inexpensive and, as the ex-
perience of nearly three centuries has
proved, most reliable forms of divination
within its own proper limits, is that of
reading fortunes in tea-cups. Although it
cannot be of the greatest antiquity, seeing
that tea was not introduced into Britain
until the middle of the seventeenth century,
and for many years thereafter was too
rare and costly to be used by the great bulk
of the population, the practice of read-
ing the tea-leaves doubtless descends from
the somewhat similar form of divination
tpa
18
TEA-CUP READING
known to the Greeks as κοταβος " by
which fortune in love was discovered by
the particular splash made by wine thrown
out of a cup into a metal basin. A few
spae-wives still practise this method by
throwing out the tea-leaves into the saucer,
but the reading of the symbols as they are
originally formed in the cup is undoubted-
ly the better method.
66
Any person after a study of this book
and by carefully following the principles
here laid down may with practice quickly
learn to read the horary fortunes that the
tea-leaves foretell. It should be distinctly
understood, however, that tea-cup fortunes
are only horary, or dealing with the events
of the hour or the succeeding twenty-four
hours at furthest. The immediately forth-
coming events are those which cast their
shadows, so to speak, within the circle of
the cup. In this way the tea-leaves may be
consulted once a day, and many of the
minor happenings of life foreseen with
considerable accuracy, according to the
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES 19
skill in discerning the symbols and the in-
tuition required to interpret them which
may be possessed by the seer. Adepts like
the Highland peasant-women can and do
foretell events that subsequently occur,
and that with remarkable accuracy. Prac-
tice and the acquirement of a knowledge
of the signification of the various symbols
is all that is necessary in order to become
proficient and to tell one's fortune and that
of one's friends with skill and judgment.
There is, of course, a scientific reason for
all forms of divination practised without
hope or promise of reward. Each person
carries in himself his own Destiny. Events
do not happen to people by chance, but are
invariably the result of some past cause.
For instance, in the last years a man be-
comes a soldier who had never intended to,
pursue a military career. This does not
happen to him by chance, but because of
the prior occurrence of a European war in
which his country was engaged. The out-
break of war is similarly the result of
20
TEA-CUP READING
other causes, none of which happened by
chance, but were founded by still remoter
occurrences. It is the same with the
Future. That which a person does to-day
as a result of something that happened in
the past, will in its turn prove the cause of
something that will happen at some future
date. The mere act of doing something to-
day sets in motion forces that in process of
time will inevitably bring about some en-
tirely unforeseen event.
This event is not decreed by Fate or
Providence, but by the person who by the
committal of some act unconsciously com-
pels the occurrence of some future event
which he does not foresee. In other words,
a man decrees his own destiny and shapes
his own ends by his actions, whether Pro-
vidence rough-hew them or not. Now this
being so, it follows that he carries his
destiny with him, and the more powerful
his mind and intellect the more clearly is
this seen to be the case. Therefore it is
possible for a person's mind, formed as
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES 21
the result of past events over which he had
no control, to foresee by an effort what
will occur in the future as the result of acts
deliberately done. Since it is given to but
few, and that not often of intention, to see
actually what is about to happen in a
vision or by means of what is called the
'second sight,' some machinery must be
provided in the form of symbols from
which an interpretation of the future can
be made. It matters little what the method
or nature of the symbols chosen is-dice or
dominoes, cards or tea-leaves. What mat-
ters is that the person shaking the dice,
shuffling the dominoes, cutting the cards or
turning the tea-cup, is by these very acts
transferring from his mind where they lie
hidden even from himself the shadows of
coming events which by his own actions in
the past he has already predetermined
shall occur in the future. It only remains
for someone to read and interpret these
symbols correctly in order to ascertain
something of what is likely to happen; and
22
TEA-CUP READING
it is here that singleness of purpose and
freedom from ulterior motives are neces-
sary in order to avoid error and to form a
true and clear judgment.
This is the serious and scientific ex-
planation of the little-understood and less-
comprehended action of various forms of
divination having for their object the
throwing of a little light upon the occult.
Of all these forms perhaps divination by
tea-leaves is the simplest, truest, and most
easily learned. Even if the student is dis-
inclined to attach much importance to what
he sees in the cup, the reading of the tea-
leaves forms a sufficiently innocent and
amusing recreation for the breakfast- or
tea-table; and the man who finds a lucky
sign such as an anchor or a tree in his cup,
or the maiden who discovers a pair of
heart-shaped groups of leaves in conjunc-
tion with a ring, will be suffering no harm
in thus deriving encouragement for the
future, even should they attach no import-
ance to their occurrence, but merely treat
*****
DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES 23
them as an occasion for harmless mirth
and badinage.
Whether, however, the tea-leaves be con-
sulted seriously or in mere sport and love
of amusement, the methods set forth in suc-
ceeding chapters should be carefully fol-
lowed, and the significations of the pictures
and symbols formed in the cup scrupulous-
ly accepted as correct, for reasons which
are explained in a subsequent chapter.
CHAPTER II
RITUAL AND METHOD OF USING
THE TEA-CUP
TH
HE best kind of tea to use if tea-cup
reading is to be followed is un-
doubtedly China tea, the original
tea imported into this country and still the
best for all purposes. Indian tea and the
cheaper mixtures contain so much dust and
so many fragments of twigs and stems as
often to be quite useless for the purposes of
divination, as they will not combine to form
pictures, or symbols clearly to be dis-
cerned.
The best shape of cup to employ is one
with a wide opening at the top and a bot-
tom not too small. Cups with almost
perpendicular sides are very difficult to
read, as the symbols cannot be seen pro-
perly; and the same may be said of small
*
25
26
TEA-CUP READING
cups. A plain-surfaced breakfast-cup is
perhaps the best to use; and the interior
should be white and have no pattern print-
ed upon it, as this confuses the clearness
of the picture presented by the leaves, as
does any fluting or eccentricity of shape.
The ritual to be observed 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 remain-
ing. He should next take the cup by the
handle in his left hand, rim upwards, and
turn it three times from left to right in one
fairly rapid swinging movement. He should
then very slowly and carefully invert it
over the saucer and leave it there for a
minute, so as to permit of all moisture
draining away.
If he approaches the oracle at all seri-
ously he should during the whole of these
proceedings concentrate his mind upon his
future Destiny, and 'will' that the symbols
forming under the guidance of his hand
and arm (which in their turn are, of course,
METHOD OF USING THE TEA-CUP 27
directed by his brain) shall correctly re-
present what is destined to happen to him
in the future.
If, however, he or she is not in such dead-
ly earnest, but merely indulging in a
harmless pastime, such an effort of con-
centration need not be made. The 'willing'
is, of course, akin to 'wishing' when cutting
the cards in another time-honoured form of
fortune-telling.
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 of the
cup represents the consultant and is akin
to the 'house' in divination by the cards.
By this fixed point judgment is made as
to events approaching the 'house' of the
consultant, journeys away from home,
messages or visitors to be expected, rela-
tive distance, and so forth. The advantage
of employing a cup instead of a saucer is
here apparent.
28
TEA-CUP READING
;
!
The bottom of the cup represents the
remoter future foretold; the side events
not so far distant; and matters symbolised
near the rim those that may be expected
to occur quickly. The nearer the symbols
approach the handle in all three cases the
nearer to fulfilment will be the events
prognosticated.
If this simple ritual has been correctly
carried out the tea-leaves, whether many
or few, will be found distributed about the
bottom and sides of the cup. The fortune
may be equally well told whether there are
many leaves or few; but of course there
must be some, and therefore the tea should
not have been made in a pot provided with
one of the patent arrangements that stop
the leaves from issuing from the spout
when the beverage is poured into the cups.
There is nothing to beat one of the plain
old-fashioned earthenware teapots, wheth-
er for the purpose of preparing a palatable
beverage or for that of providing the
means of telling a fortune.
CHAPTER III
GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO BE OB-
SERVED IN READING THE CUP
B
TH
HE interior of the tea-cup when it is
ready to be consulted will exhibit
the leaves scattered apparently in a
fortuitous and accidental manner, but real-
ly in accordance with the muscular action
of the left arm as controlled by the mind
at whose bidding it has worked. These
scattered leaves will form lines and circles
of dots or small leaves and dust combined
with stems, and groups of leaves in larger
or smaller patches: apparently in mean-
ingless confusion.
Careful notice should now be taken of
all the shapes and figures formed inside
the cup. These should be viewed from dif-
ferent positions, so that their meaning be-
comes clear. It is not very easy at first to
29
ļ
30
TEA-CUP READING
see what the shapes really are, but after
looking at them carefully they become
plainer. The different shapes and figures
in the cup must be taken together in a
general reading. Bad indications will be
balanced by good ones; some good ones
will be strengthened by others, and so
on.
P
It is now the business of the seer-
whether the consultant or some adept to
whom he has handed the cup to be read-
to find some fairly close resemblance be-
tween the groups formed by the leaves and
various natural or artificial objects. This
part of the performance resembles the
looking for 'pictures in the fire' as prac-
tised by children in nurseries and school-
rooms and occasionally by people of a
larger growth. Actual representations of
such things as trees, animals, birds,
anchors, crowns, coffins, flowers, and so
forth may by the exercise of the powers of
observation and imagination be discerned,
as well as squares, triangles, and crosses.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
31
Each of these possesses, as a symbol, some
fortunate or unfortunate
unfortunate signification.
Such signs may be either large or small,
and their relative importance must be
judged according to their size. Supposing
the symbol observed should be that indicat-
ing the receipt of a legacy, for instance: if
small it would mean that the inheritance
would be but trifling, if large that it would
be substantial, while if leaves grouped to
form a resemblance to a coronet ac-
company the sign for a legacy, a title would
probably descend upon the consultant at
the same time. The meaning of all the
symbols of this nature likely to be formed
by the fortuitous arrangement of leaves in
a tea-cup is fully set forth in the conclud-
ing chapter; and it is unnecessary there-
fore to enlarge upon this branch of the
subject.
There are, however, several points of a
more general character that must be con-
sidered before it is possible to form an ac-
curate judgment of the fortune displayed.
32
TEA-CUP READING
For instance, isolated leaves or groups of
a few leaves or stems fequently form let-
ters of the alphabet or numbers. These
letters and numbers possess meanings
which must be sought in conjunction with
other signs. If near a letter L is seen a
small square or oblong leaf, or if a num-
ber of very small dots form such a square
or oblong, it indicates that a letter or
parcel will be received from somebody
whose surname (not Christian name) be-
gins with an L. If the combined symbol
appears near the handle and near the rim
of the cup, the letter is close at hand; if in
the bottom there will be delay in its receipt.
If the sign of a letter is accompanied by
the appearance of a bird flying towards
the 'house' it means a telegraphic des-
patch: if flying away from the house the
consultant will have to send the telegram.
Birds flying always indicate news of some
sort.
Again, the dust in the tea and the small-
er leaves and stems frequently form lines
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
33
of dots. These are significant of a journey,
and their extent and direction shows its
length and the point of the compass to-
wards which it will extend: the handle for
this purpose being considered as due south.
If the consultant is at home and lines
lead from the handle right round the cup
and back to the handle, it shows that he
will return; if they end before getting back
to the handle, and especially if a resemb-
lance to a house appears where the journey
line ends, it betokens removal to some
other place. If the consultant be away from
home, lines leading to the handle show a
return home, and if free from crosses or
other symbols of delay that the return
will be speedy: otherwise it will be post-
poned. The occurrence of a numeral may
indicate the number of days, or if in con-
nection with a number of small dots group-
ed around the sign of a letter, a present or
a legacy, the amount of the remittance in
the former, the number of presents to be
expected, or the amount of the legacy com-
34
TEA-CUP READING
::
ing. Dots surrounding a symbol always
indicate money coming in some form or
other, according to the nature of the
symbol.
Calvi
It will be seen that to read a fortune in
the tea-cup with any real approach to ac-
curacy and a serious attempt to derive a
genuine forecast from the cup the seer
must not be in a hurry. He or she must
not only study the general appearance of
the horoscope displayed before him, and
decide upon the resemblance of the groups
of leaves to natural or artificial objects,
each of which possesses a separate signifi-
cance, but must also balance the bad and
good, the lucky and unlucky symbols, and
strike an average. For instance, a large
bouquet of flowers, which is a fortunate
sign, would outweigh in importance one or
two minute crosses, which in this case
would merely signify some small delay in
the realisation of success; whereas one
large cross in a prominent position would
be a warning of disaster that would be
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
35
little, if at all, mitigated by the presence
of small isolated flowers, however lucky
individually these may be. This is on the
same principle as that by which astrologers
judge a horoscope, when, after computing
the aspects of the planets towards each
other, the Sun and Moon, the Ascendant,
Mid-heaven, and the significator of the
Native, they balance the good aspects
against the bad, the strong against the
weak, the Benefics against the Malefics,
and so strike an average. In a similar way
the lucky and unlucky signs in a tea-cup
must be balanced one against the other
and an average struck: and in this connec-
tion it may be pointed out that symbols
which stand out clearly and distinctly by
themselves are of more importance than
those with difficulty to be discerned amid
cloudlike masses of shapeless leaves. When
these clouds obscure or surround a lucky
sign they weaken its force, and vice versa.
In tea-cup reading, however, the fortune
told must be regarded chiefly as of a horary
1.
36
TEA-CUP READING
character, not, as with an astrological
horoscope, that of a whole life; and where
it is merely indulged in as a light amuse-
ment to while away a few minutes after a
meal such nicety of judgment is not called
for. The seer will just glance at the cup,
note the sign for a letter from someone, or
that for a journey to the seaside or the
proximity of a gift, or an offer of mar-
riage, and pass on to another cup.
It should be observed that some cups
when examined will present no features of
interest, or will be so clouded and mud-
dled that no clear meaning is to be read in
them. In such a case the seer should
waste no time over them. Either the con-
sultant has not concentrated his or her
attention upon the business in hand when
turning the cup, or his destiny is so ob-
scured by the indecision of his mind or the
vagueness of his ideas that it is unable to
manifest itself by symbols. Persons who
consult the tea-leaves too frequently often
find this muddled state of things to super-
Ju
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
37
*$*-*-*
vene. Probably once a week will be often
enough to look into the future, although
there is something to be said for the High-
land custom of examining the leaves of the
morning cup of tea in order to obtain some
insight into the events the day may be ex-
pected to bring forth. To 'look in the cup'
three or four times a day, as some silly folk
do, is simply to ask for contradictory mani-
festations and consequent bewilderment,
and is symptomatic of the idle, empty, be-
mused minds that prompt to such ill-ad-
vised conduct.
100
Of course the tea-cup may be employed
solely for the purpose of asking what is
known to astrologers as 'a horary ques-
tion', such, for instance, as 'Shall I hear
from my lover in France, and when?' In
this case the attention of the consultant
when turning the cup must be concentrated
solely on this single point, and the seer will
regard the shapes taken by the tea-leaves
only in this connection in order to give a
definite and satisfactory answer. An ex-
38
TEA-CUP READING
ample of this class of horary question is
included among the illustrations (Fig.
10).
"
CHAPTER IV
AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SYM-
BOLS WITH THEIR SIGNIFICA-
TIONS
A
QUESTION that will very natur-
ally occur to persons of an enquir-
ing turn of mind in regard to the
figures and symbols seen in the tea-cup is:
Why should one symbol necessarily signify
one thing and not something quite dif-
ferent?
The answer, of course, is that the mean-
ings given to the symbols are purely arbi-
trary, and that there is no scientific rea-
son why one should signify one thing and
not another. There is no real reason why
the ace of clubs, for instance, should not be
considered the 'House Card' instead of
the nine of hearts, or why the double four
89
40
TEA-CUP READING
in dominoes should signify an invitation in-
stead of a wedding, like the double three.
It is obviously necessary, however, in
attempting to read the future by means of
any kind of symbols, whether pips, dots,
numbers or anything else, to fix beforehand
upon some definite meaning to be attribut-
ed to each separate symbol and to hold
fast to this meaning in all events. In the
case of tea-leaves, where the symbols are
not mere 'conventional signs' or numbers
but actual figures like the pictures seen in
the fire or those envisaged in dreams, there
is no doubt that the signification of most of
them is the result of empyrical experience.
Generations of spae-wives have found that
the recurrence of a certain figure in the
cup has corresponded with the occurrence
of a certain event in the future lives of the
various persons who have consulted them:
and this empyrical knowledge has been
handed down from seer to seer until a suf-
ficient deposit of tradition has been formed
from which it has been found possible to
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 41
compile a detailed list of the most im-
portant symbols and to attach to each a
traditional meaning. These significations
have been collected by the writer-in a
desultory manner-over a long period of
years chiefly from spae-wives in both High-
land and Lowland Scotland, but also in
Cornwall, on Dartmoor, in Middle Eng-
land, in Gloucestershire and Northumber-
land. Occasionally it has been found that
a different meaning is attributed to a
symbol by one seer from that given it by
another. In such cases an alternative
signification might, of course, have been
given here, but as the essence of all such
significations is that they shall be stable
and unvarying, the writer has fixed upon
whichever meaning has been most widely
attributed to the symbol or appears to have
the best authority for its adoption, so that
the element of doubt may be excluded.
Although included in their alphabetical
order in the list which follows, there are
certain figures and symbols which are of
42
TEA-CUP READING
so common occurrence and bear such
definite interpretation that it is advisable
to refer to them here in detail. Certain
symbols are invariably signs of approach-
ing good-fortune: certain others of threat-
ened ill-luck. Among the former may be
mentioned triangles, stars, trefoil or
clover-leaves, anchors, trees, garlands and
flowers, bridges or arches, and crowns.
Among the latter, coffins, clouds, crosses,
serpents, rats and mice and some wild
beasts, hour-glasses, umbrellas, church-
steeples, swords and guns, ravens, owls,
and monkeys are all ominous symbols.
SYMBOLS AND SIGNIFICATIONS
ABBEY, future ease and freedom from
worry.
ACORN, improvement in health, continued
health, strength, and good fortune.
AIRCRAFT, unsuccessful projects.
ANCHOR, a lucky sign; success in business
and constancy in love; if cloudy, the
reverse must be read.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 43
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 dir-
ection in which it comes.
Ass, misfortune overcome by patience; or
a legacy.
AXE, difficulties overcome.
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 than those mentioned, fore-
tell misfortune.
BIRDS, a lucky sign; good news if flying, if
at rest a fortunate journey.
BOAT, a friend will visit the consultant.
BOUQUET, one of the luckiest of symbols;
staunch friends, success, a happy
marriage.
44
TEA-CUP READING
BRIDGE, a favourable journey.
BUILDING, a removal.
BULL, slander by some enemy.
BUSH, an invitation into society.
BUTTERFLY, Success and pleasure.
CAMEL, a burden to be patiently borne.
CANNON, good fortune.
CAR (MOTOR), and CARRIAGE, approaching
wealth, visits from friends.
CART, fluctuations of fortune.
CASTLE, unexpected fortune or a legacy.
CAT, difficulties caused by treachery.
CATHEDRAL, great prosperity.
CATTLE, prosperity.
CHAIN, an early marriage; if broken, trou-
ble in store.
CHAIR, an addition to the family.
CHURCH, a legacy.
.
CIRCLES, money or presents. They mean
that the person whose fortune is read
may expect money or presents.
CLOUDS, serious trouble; if surrounded by
dots, financial success.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 45
CLOVER, a very lucky sign; happiness and
prosperity. At the top of the cup, it
will come quickly. As it nears the bot-
tom, it will mean more or less distant.
Cock, much prosperity.
COFFIN, long sickness or sign of death of a
near relation or great friend.
COMET, misfortune and trouble.
COMPASSES, a sign of travelling as a pro-
fession.
Cow, a prosperous sign.
CROSS, a sign of trouble and delay or even
death.
CROWN, success and honour.
CROWN AND CROSS, signifies good fortune
resulting from death.
DAGGER, favours from friends.
DEER, quarrels, disputes; failure in trade.
.
DOG, a favourable sign; faithful friends, if
at top of cup; in middle of cup, they
are untrustworthy; at the bottom
means secret enemies.
DONKEY, a legacy long awaited.
1
0
,
46
TEA-CUP READING
Dove, a lucky symbol; progress in pros-
perity and affection.
DRAGON, great and sudden changes.
Duck, increase of wealth by trade.
EAGLE, honour and riches through change
of residence.
ELEPHANT, a lucky sign; good health.
FALCON, a persistent enemy.
FERRET, active enemies.
FISH, good news from abroad; if sur-
rounded by dots, emigration.
FLAG, danger from wounds inflicted by an
enemy.
FLEUR-DE-LYS, same as LILY (q.v.).
FLOWERS, good fortune, success; a happy
marriage.
Fox, treachery by a trusted friend.
FROG, Success in love and commerce.
GALLOWS, a sign of good luck.
GOAT, a sign of enemies, and of misfortune
to a sailor.
Goose, happiness; a successful venture.
GRASSHOPPER, a great friend will become a
soldier.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 47
GREYHOUND, a good fortune by strenuous
exertion.
GUN, a sign of discord and slander.
HAMMER, triumph over adversity.
HAND, to be read in conjunction with
neighbouring symbols and according
to what it points.
HARE, a sign of a long journey, or the re-
turn of an absent friend. Also of a
speedy and fortunate marriage to
those who are single.
HARP, marriage, success in love.
HAT, success in life.
HAWK, an enemy.
HEART, pleasures to come; if surrounded
by dots, through money; if accom-
panied by a ring, through marriage.
HEAVENLY BODIES, SUN, MOON AND STARS,
signifies happiness and success.
HEN, increase of riches or an addition to
the family.
HORSE, desires fulfilled through a prosper-
ous journey.
48
TEA-CUP READING
HORSE-SHOE, a lucky journey or success in
marriage and choosing a partner.
Hour-Glass, imminent peril.
HOUSE, Success in business.
HUMAN FIGURES must be judged according
to what they appear to be doing. They
are generally good and denote love
and marriage.
INTERROGATION (mark of), doubt or disap-
pointment.
Ivy, honour and happiness through faith-
ful friends.
JACKAL, a sly animal who need not be fear-
ed. A mischief maker of no account.
JOCKEY, successful speculation.
JUG, good health.
KANGAROO, a rival in business or love.
KETTLE, death.
KEY, money, increasing trade, and a good
husband or wife.
KITE, a sign of lengthy voyaging and travel
leading to honour and dignity.
KNIFE, a warning of disaster through
quarrels and enmity.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 49
LADDER, a sign of travel.
LEOPARD, a sign of emigration with subse-
quent success.
LETTERS, shown by square or oblong tea-
leaves, signifies news. Initials near
will show surnames of writers; if ac-
companied by dots they will contain
money; if unclouded, good; but if fixed
about by clouds, bad news or loss of
money.
LILY, at top of cup, health and happiness;
a virtuous wife; at bottom, anger and
strife.
LINES indicate journeys and their direc-
tion, read in conjunction with other
signs of travel; wavy lines denote
troublesome journeys or losses there-
in.
LION, greatness through powerful friends.
LYNX, danger of divorce or break off of
an engagement.
MAN, a visitor arriving. If the arm is held
out, he brings a present. If figure is
50
TEA-CUP READING
very clear, he is dark; if indistinct,
he is of light complexion.
MERMAID, misfortune, especially to seafar-
ing persons.
MITRE, a sign of honour to a clergyman or
through religious agency.
MONKEY, the consultant will be deceived in
love.
MOON (as a crescent), prosperity and
fortune.
MOUNTAIN, powerful friends; many mount-
ains, equally powerful enemies.
MOUSE, danger of poverty through theft or
swindling.
MUSHROOM, sudden separation of lovers
after a quarrel.
NOSEGAY, the same as BOUQUET (q.v.).
NUMBERS depends on symbols in conjunc-
tion with them.
OAK, very lucky; long life, good health,
profitable business, and a happy mar-
riage.
OBLONG FIGURES, family or business squab-
bles.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 51
OWL, an evil omen, indicative of sickness,
poverty, disgrace, a warning against
commencing any new enterprise. If
the consultant be in love he or she will
be deceived.
PALM-TREE, good luck; success in any
undertaking. A sign of children to a
wife and of a speedy marriage to a
maid.
PARROT, a sign of emigration for a lengthy
period.
PEACOCK, denotes success and the acquisi-
tion of property; also a happy mar-
riage.
GRA
PEAR, great wealth and improved social
position; success in business, and to a
woman a wealthy husband.
PEDESTRIAN, good news; an important ap-
pointment.
PHEASANT, a legacy.
PIG, good and bad luck mixed: a faithful
lover but envious friends.
PIGEONS, important news if flying; if at
52
TEA-CUP READING
rest, domestic bliss and wealth
acquired in trade.
PINE-TREE, continuous happiness.
PISTOL, disaster.
.
RABBIT, fair success in a city or large town.
RAT, treacherous servants; losses through
enemies.
RAVEN, death for the aged; disappoint-
ment in love, divorce, failure in busi-
ness, and trouble generally.
RAZOR, lovers' quarrels and separation.
REPTILE, quarrels.
RIDER, good news from overseas regarding
financial prospects.
B
RIFLE, a sign of discord and strife.
RING, a ring means marriage; and if a let-
ter can be found near it, this is the
initial of the future spouse. If clouds
are near the ring, an unhappy mar-
riage; if all is clear about it, the con-
trary. A ring right at the bottom
means the wedding will not take place.
ROSE, a lucky sign betokening good fortune
and happiness.
SYMBOLS—THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 53
SAW, trouble brought about by strangers.
SCALES, a lawsuit.
SCEPTRE, a sign of honour from royalty.
SCISSORS, quarrels; illness; separation of
lovers.
SERPENT, spiteful enemies; bad luck; ill-
ness.
SHARK, danger of death.
SHEEP, Success, prosperity.
SHIP, a successful journey.
SNAKES are a sign of bad omen. Great
caution is needed to ward off mis-
fortune.
SPIDER, a sign of money coming to the con-
sultant.
SQUARES, comfort and peace.
STAR, a lucky sign; if surrounded by dots
foretells great wealth and honours.
STEEPLE, bad luck.
STRAIGHT LINE, a journey, very pleasant.
STRAIGHT LINES are an indication of peace,
happiness, and long life.
SWALLOW, a journey with a pleasant end-
ing.
54
TEA-CUP READING
SWAN, good luck and a happy marriage.
SWORD, dispute, quarrels between lovers;
a broken sword, victory of an enemy.
TIMBER, logs of timber indicate business
success.
TOAD, deceit and unexpected enemies.
TREES, a lucky sign; a sure indication of
prosperity and happiness; surround-
ed by dots, a fortune in the country.
TRIANGLES, always a sign of good luck and
unexpected legacies.
TRIDENT, Success and honours in the
Navy.
TWISTED FIGURES, disturbances and vexa-
tion; grievances if there are many
such figures.
UMBRELLA, annoyance and trouble.
UNICORN, Scandal.
VULTURE, bitter foes.
WAGON, a sign of approaching poverty.
WAVY LINES, if long and waved, denote
losses and vexations. The importance
of the lines depends upon the number
of them and if heavy or light.
SYMBOLS-THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS 55
WHEEL, an inheritance about to fall in.
WINDMILL, Success in a venturous enter-
prise.
WOLF, beware of jealous intrigues.
WOMAN, pleasure and happiness; if accom-
panied by dots, wealth or children.
Several women indicate scandal.
WOOD, a speedy marriage.
WORMS indicate secret foes.
YACHT, pleasure and happiness.
YEW-TREE indicates the death of an aged
person who will leave his possessions
to the consultant.
ZEBRA, travel and adventure in foreign
lands.
CHAPTER V
A COLLECTON OF SPECIMEN CUPS,
WITH INTERPRETATIONS
T
HE succeeding ten figures are copied
from actual tea-cups that have been
at different times subjected to the
proper ritual by various consultants and
duly interpreted by seers. They are select-
ed out of a larger number as being repre-
sentative of many different classes of
horoscope, and they should afford students
practical instruction in what symbols to
look for, and how to discern them clearly
as they turn the cup about and about in
their hands.
By reference to the interpretations pro-
vided upon the pages facing the illustra-
tions he will be able to ascertain the
principles upon which to form a judgment
of the cup generally; and this, once he has
57
58
TEA-CUP READING
mastered the method, he will be able to
supplement, by consulting the alphabetical
list of symbols and their significations in
the previous chapter, and in this way will
speedily attain proficiency in reading any
tea-cup presented for his consideration.
INTERPRETATIONS
AND
ILLUSTRATIONS
60
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 1
This is a fortunate horoscope. If the
cup has been turned by a man it shows
that he will gain success, honour, and
wealth in the profession of a naval officer.
If by a woman then her luck is bound up
with that of a sailor or marine.
The pistols on the sides show the profes-
sion of arms, and the naval gun in the bot-
tom of the cup accompanied by a trident
the branch to which he belongs. The pear
on one side and the tree on the other are
two of the best signs of promotion, re-
wards, and prosperity. The house near the
pistol pointing towards the handle of the
cup indicates the acquisition of property,
but as neither tree nor house are surround-
ed by dots this will be a town, not a coun-
try, residence. The repetition of the initial
'L' may show the name of the admiral,
ship, or battle in which the officer will win
renown. The triangles confirm the other
signs of good fortune.
SPECIMEN CUPS
61

E r
FIG. 1.
Principal Symbols:-
A
Two pistols on sides.
A cannon in conjunction with a trident in centre.
A pear
A tree
on sides.
A house.
A pair of compasses near the rim.
Several small triangles scattered about.
Initial letters 'L' (twice), 'N,' and 'V' (twice).
62
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 2
There is nothing very significant in this
tea-cup. The wavy lines denote a trouble-
some journey leading to
leading to some small
amount of luck in connection with a per-
son or place whose name begins with the
initial 'E.' The hour-glass near the rim
and the place from which the journey
starts denotes that it will be undertaken
in order to avoid some imminent peril. The
numeral '4' conjoined with the sign of a
parcel shows that one may be expected in
that number of days.
SPECIMEN CUPS
63

FIG. 2
Principal Symbols:-
Wavy lines.
Initial 'E' in conjunction with
Horse-shoe.
Hour-glass near rim.
Parcel in conjunction with numeral '4'
64
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 3
This shows, by means of the crescent
moon on the side, prosperity and fortune
as the result of a journey denoted by the
lines. The number of triangles in con-
junction with the initial 'H' indicates the
receipt of a legacy from some person whose
name commences with that letter, and, be-
ing near the rim, at no great distance of
time. The bird flying towards and near
the handle, accompanied by a triangle and
a long envelope, denotes good news from an
official source. The flag gives warning of
some danger from an enemy.
SPECIMEN CUPS
65

:
D
BS
!},"
VOIA
Crescent moon.
Bird flying.
Triangles.
U
FIG. 8
Principal Symbols:-
Flag.
Initial 'A' in conjunction with sign of letter in of-
ficial envelope.
Other initials, 'H' and two 'L's.'
66.
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 4
The consultant is about to journey east-
ward to some large building or institution,
shown by the figure at the end of the
straight line of dots. There is some con-
fusion in his or her affairs caused by too
much indulgence in pleasure and gaiety,
denoted by the butterfly involved in ob-
scure groups of tea-leaves near the handle.
The tree and the fleur-de-lys (or lily) in
the bottom of the cup are, however, signs
of eventual success, probably through the
assistance of some person whose name be-
gins with an 'N.'
SPECIMEN CUPS
67

༩་ང་
CXTU
FIG. 4
Principal Symbols:-
Building.
Initials 'N' and 'C.'
Large tree in bottom of cup.
Fleur-de-lys (or lily).
Butterfly on side approaching handle.
Line of dots leading east to
68
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 5
A letter is approaching the consultant
containing a considerable sum of money,
as it is surrounded by dots. The future,
shown by the bottom of the cup, is not
clear, and betokens adversities; but the
presence of the hammer there denotes
triumph over these, a sign confirmed by the
hat on the side. The consultant will be an-
noyed by somebody whose name begins
with 'J,' and assisted by one bearing the
initial 'Y.'
SPECIMEN CUPS
69

FIG. 5
Principal Symbols:—
Hammer in centre of bottom.
A letter appoaching the house, accompanied by
Dots,
Hat,
Initials 'Y' and 'J' (accompanied by small cross).
70
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 6
A letter containing good news, shown by
biry flying and the triangle, may be ex-
pected immediately. If from a lover it
shows that he is constant and prosperous,
owing to the anchor on the side. The large
tree on the side indicates happiness and
prosperity. A letter will be received from
someone whose initial is 'L.' In the bottom
of the cup there are signs of minor vexa-
tions or delays in connection with someone
whose name begins with 'C.'
SPECIMEN CUPS
71

+
150
Large tree on side.
Anchor on side.
FIG. 6
Principal Symbols:-
Bird flying high towards handle.
Small cross in bottom.
IĽ
Letter sign close to handle.
Triangle.
Initial 'L' with letter sign.
Other initials, 'C' and 'H'
A
72
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 7
The two horse-shoes indicate a lucky
journey to some large residence in a north-
easterly direction, the tree surmounting
which denotes that happiness and fortune
will be found there and that (as it is sur-
rounded by dots) it is situated in the
country. The sitting hen in the bottom of
the cup, surmounted by a triangle (to see
which properly the illustration must be
turned round) is indicative of increased
wealth by an unexpected legacy. A letter
from someone whose name begins with 'T'
will contain a remittance of money, but it
may not arrive for some little time.
SPECIMEN CUPS
73

This
Line of dots leading E.N.E. to
Large building surmounted by
Tree, overlapping rim.
D
FIG. 7
Principal Symbols:—
Large horse-shoe, edge of bottom, in conjunction with
smaller horse-shoe.
Flowers.
Small triangles.
Initial T with letter and money signs.
74
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 8
This tea-cup appears to give warning by
the flag in conjunction with a rifle and the
letter 'V' that some friend of the consult-
ant will be wounded in battle, and as there
is a coffin in the bottom of the cup that the
wounds will be fatal. On the other side,
however, a sceptre, surrounded by signs of
honours, seems to indicate that 'V' will be
recognized by his sovereign and a decora-
tion bestowed upon him for bravery in
battle, shown by the initial 'K' accom-
panied by a letter-sign, and by the astro-
logical sign of Mars, intervening between
these and the sceptre.
Jak
SPECIMEN CUPS
75
¦

FIG. 8
Principal Symbols:-
Coffin in bottom, in conjunction with 'V.'
Flag in conjunction with rifle on side.
Sceptre on side.
Large initial 'K' with letter sign near sceptre.
Astrological sign of Mars between them.
Initial 'V' near flag and rifle.
76
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 9
If the consultant be single this cup will,
by means of the hare on the side, tell him
that he will speedily be married. The fig-
ure of a lady holding out an ivy-leaf is a
sign that his sweetheart will prove true
and constant, and the heart in conjunction
with a ring and the initial 'A' still further
points to marriage with a person whose
name begins with that letter. The flower,
triangle, and butterfly are all signs of pros-
perity, pleasure and happiness.
SPECIMEN CUPS
77

રે?
ic
FIG. 9
Principal Symbols:—
Hare sitting on side.
Butterfly near rim.
Heart and ring.
Large flower on edge of bottom.
Figure of woman holding ivy-leaf in bottom.
Triangle.
Initials 'A' and small 'C' with dots.
78
TEA-CUP READING
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 10
This is typical of the cup being too often
consulted by some people. It is almost
void of meaning, the only symbols indicat-
ing a short journey, although the flower
near the rim denotes good luck, and the
fact that the bottom is clear that nothing
very important is about to happen to the
consultant.
SPECIMEN CUPS
79

деней
FIG. 10
Principal Symbols:-
Line of dots leading W.S.W. to
Flower.
'Two letteres near rim.
CHAPTER VI
OMENS
How have omens been regarded in the
past? An appeal to anciency is usually a
safeguard for a basis. It is found that
most of the earliest records are now sub-
sisting. See official guide to the British
Museum. Babylonian and Assyrian anti-
quities, table case H. Nineveh Gallery,
the following appears:
"By means of omen tablets the Baby-
lonian and Assyrian priests from time im-
memorial predicted events which they be-
lieved would happen in the near or in the
remote future. They deduced these omens
from the appearance and actions of ani-
mals, birds, fish, and reptiles; from the
appearance of the entrails of sacrificial
victims; from the appearance and condi-
tion of human and animal offspring at
81
82
TEA-CUP READING
birth; from the state and condition of
various members of the human body."
In India, where the records of the early
ages of civilization go back hundreds of
years, omens are considered of great im-
portance.
Later, in Greece, the home of the great-
est and highest culture and civilization,
we find, too, omens regarded very serious-
ly, while to-day there are vast numbers
of persons of intellect, the world over, who
place reliance upon omens.
That there is some good ground for be-
lief in some omens seems indisputable.
Whether this has arisen as the result of ex-
perience, by the following of some par-
ticular event close upon the heels of signs
observed, or whether it has been an in-
tuitive science, in which provision has been
used to afford an interpretation, is not
quite clear. It seems idle to attempt to
dismiss the whole thing as mere supersti-
tion, wild guessing, or abject credulity, as
some try to do, with astrology and alchemy
My
T
OMENS
83
also, and other occult sciences; the fact
remains that omens have, in numberless
instances, given good warnings.
To say that these are just coincidences
is to beg the question. For the universe is
governed by law. Things happen because
they must, not because they may. There is
no such thing as accident or coincidence.
We may not be able to see the steps and
the connections. But they are there all the
same.
In years gone by many signs were de-
duced from the symptoms of sick men;
the events or actions of a man's life;
dreams and visions; the appearance of a
man's shadow; from fire, flame, light, or
smoke; the state and condition of cities
and their streets, of fields, marshes, rivers,
and lands. From the appearances of the
stars and planets, of eclipses, meteors,
shooting stars, the direction of winds, the
form of clouds, thunder and lightning and
other weather incidents, they were able to
84
TEA-CUP READING
forecast happenings. A number of tablets
are devoted to these prophecies.
It is conceivable that many of these
omens should have found their way into
Greece, and it is not unreasonable to be-
lieve that India may have derived her
knowledge of omens from Babylonia; or
it may have been the other way about. The
greatest of scholars are divided in their
opinions as to which really is the earlier
civilization.
The point to be made here is that in all
parts of the world-in quarters where we
may be certain that no trace of Grecian,
Indian, or Babylonian science or civiliza-
tion has appeared-there are to be found
systems of prophecies by omens.
ma
It may be accounted for in two ways.
One that in all races as they grow up, so
to speak, there is the same course of evolu-
tion of ideas and superstition which to
many appears childish. The other explana-
tion seems to be the more reasonable one,
if we believe, as we are forced to do, that
OMENS
85
omens do foretell that all peoples, all
races, accumulate a record, oral or other-
wise, of things which have happened more
or less connected with things which seemed
to indicate them. In course of time this
knowledge appears to consolidate. It gets
generally accepted as true. And then it is
handed on from generation to generation.
Often with the passage of years it gets
twisted and a new meaning taken out of it
altogether different from the original.
It would be difficult to attempt to classify
omens. Many books have been written on
the subject and more yet to be written of
the beliefs of the various races. The best
that can be offered here is a selection from
one or other of the varied sources. In
Greece sneezing was a good omen and was
considered a proof of the truth of what
was said at the moment by the sneezer.
A tingling in the hand denoted the near
handling of money, a ringing in the ears
that news will soon be received. The num-
ber of sneezes then became a sign for more
86
TEA-CUP READING
definite results. The hand which tingled,
either right or left, indicated whether it
were to be paid or received. The par-
ticular ear affected was held to indicate
good or evil news. Other involuntary
movements of the body were also consider-
ed of prime importance.
Many omens are derived from the obser-
vation of various substances dropped into
a bowl of water. In Babylon oil was used.
To-day in various countries melted lead,
wax, or the white of an egg, is used. From
the shapes which result, the trade or oc-
cupation of a future husband, the luck for
the year, and so on, are deduced in the folk
practices of modern Europe. Finns use
stearine and melted lead, Magyars lead,
Russians wax, Danes lead and egg, and the
northern counties of England egg, wax and
oil.
-
Bird omens were the subject of very
serious study in Greece. It has been
thought that this was because in the early
mythology of Greece some of their gods
OMENS
87
and goddesses were believed to have been
birds. Birds, therefore, were particularly
sacred, and their appearances and move-
ments were of profound significance. The
principal birds for signs were the raven,
the crow, the heron, wren, dove, wood-
pecker, and kingfisher, and all the birds of
prey, such as the hawk, eagle, or vulture,
which the ancients classed together (W. R.
Halliday, "Greek Divination"). Many
curious instances, which were fulfilled, of
bird omens are related in "The Other
World," by Rev. F. Lee. A number of
families have traditions about the appear-
ance of a white bird in particular.
"In the ancient family of Ferrers, of
Chartley Park, in Staffordshire, a herd of
wild cattle is preserved. A tradition
arose in the time of Henry III. that the
birth of a parti-coloured calf is a sure
omen of death, within the same year, to a
member of the Lord Ferrers family. By a
noticeable coincidence, a calf of this de-
scription has been born whenever a death
88
TEA-CUP READING
has happened of late years in this noble
family." (Staffordshire Chronicle, July,
1835). The falling of a picture or a
statue or bust of the individual is usually
regarded as an evil omen. Many cases are
cited where this has been soon followed by
the death of the person.
It would be easy to multiply instances of
this sort of personal omen or warning. The
history and traditions of our great families
are saturated with it. The predictions and
omens relating to certain well known
families, and others, recur at once; and
from these it may be inferred that beneath
the more popular beliefs there is enough
fire and truth to justify the smoke that is
produced, and to reward some of the faith
that is placed in the modern dreambooks
and the books of fate and the interpreta-
tions of omens.
OMENS
89
DECEM
A
OMENS
ACORN.-Falling from the oak tree on any-
one, is a sign of good fortune to the
person it strikes.
BAT. To see one in day time means long
journey.
BIRTHDAYS.-
"Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for its
living;
But a child that's born on the Sabbath-
day
Is handsome and wise and loving and
gay."
BUTTERFLY.—In your room means great
pleasure and success, but you must not
catch it, or the luck will change.
CANDLE.-A spark on the wick of a candle
means a letter for the one who first
J
90
TEA-CUP READING
sees it. A big glow like a parcel means
money coming to you.
CAT.-Black cat to come to your house
means difficulties caused by treachery.
Drive it away and avoid trouble.
CHAIN.-If your chain breaks while on you
means disappointments or a broken
engagement of marriage.
CLOTHES.-To put on clothes the wrong
way out is a sign of good luck; but
you must not alter them, or the luck
will change.
CLOVER.-To find a four-leaf clover means
luck to you, happiness and prosperity.
Cow. Coming in your yard or garden a
very prosperous sign.
CRICKETS. A lucky omen. It foretells
money coming to you. They should
not be disturbed.
DOG.-Coming to your house, means faith-
ful friends and a favourable sign.
DEATH-WATCH.-A clicking in the wall by
this little insect is regarded as evil,
OMENS
91
but it does not necessarily mean a
death; possibly only some sickness.
EARS.-You are being talked about if your
ear tingles. Some say, "right for
spite, left for love." Others reverse
this omen. If you think of the person,
friend, or acquaintance who is likely
to be talking of you, and mention the
name aloud, the tingling will cease if
you say the right one.
FLAG.-If it falls from the staff, while
flying it means danger from wounds
inflicted by an enemy.
FRUIT STONES OR PIPS.-Think of a wish
first, and then count your stones or
pips. If the number is even, the omen
is good. If odd, the reverse is the
case.
GRASSHOPPER in the house means some
great friend or distinguished person
will visit you.
HORSESHOE.To find one means it will
bring you luck.
KNIVES Crossed are a bad omen.
If a
92
TEA-CUP READING
knife or fork or scissors falls to the
ground and sticks in the floor you will
have a visitor.
LADYBIRDS betoken visitors.
LOOKING GLASS.
bring you ill luck.
MAGPIES.-One, bad luck; two, good luck;
three, a wedding; four, a birth.
MARRIAGE.-A maid should not wear
colours; a widow never white. Happy
omens for brides are sunshine and a
cat sneezing.
MAY. "Marry in May, and you'll rue the
day.'
99
NEW MOON on a Monday signifies good
luck and good weather. The new moon
seen for the first time over the right
shoulder offers the chance for a wish
to come true.
NIGHTINGALE.-Lucky for lovers if heard
To break means it will
before the cuckoo.
Owls are evil omens.
Continuous hoot-
ing of owls in your trees is said to be
one of ill-health.
OMENS
93
K
PIGS. To meet a sow coming towards you
is good; but if she turns away, the
luck flies.
RABBITS.-A rabbit running across your
path is said to be unlucky.
RAT. A rat running in front of you
means treacherous servants and losses
through enemies.
RAVEN. To see one, means death to the
aged or trouble generally.
SALT spilled means a quarrel. This may
be avoided by throwing a pinch over
the left shoulder.
SCISSORS.-If they fall and stick in the
floor it means quarrels, illness, separa-
tion of lovers.
SERPENT OR SNAKE.-If it crosses your
path, means spiteful enemies, bad luck.
Kill it and your luck will be reversed.
SHOES.-The right shoe is the best one to
put on first.
SHOOTING STARS.-If you wish, while the
star is still moving, your wish will
come true.
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TEA-CUP READING
SINGING before breakfast, you'll cry before
night.
SPIDERS. The little red spider is the
money spider, and means good fort-
une coming to you. It must not be
disturbed. Long-legged spiders are
also forerunners of good fortune.
TOWEL. To wipe your hands on a towel at
the same time with another, means
you are to quarrel with him or her in
the near future.
WHEEL.--The wheel coming off any vehicle
you are riding in means you are to in-
herit some fortune, a good omen.
WASHING HANDS.-If you wash your hands.
in the water just used by another, a
quarrel may be expected, unless you
first make the sign of the cross over
the water.

!
ATANATYANAYA
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!
BAR PANE
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