“Well, Harry's got a wonky sort of cross - that's trials and suffering.
But this here could be the Sun - that's happiness.
So... you're going to suffer but you're going to be happy about it." 

Ron Weasley reading Harry Potter's tea leaves, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban



Tea Leaf Reading or “Tasseography” is a divination method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments. (Coffee grounds reading is known as “Cafeomancy" and reading of patterns in wine sediment is called "Oenomancy".) While these usually fall under the category of “fortune telling”they may be more a form of augury, the prophetic divining of the future by observation of omens and portents.

The difference between prophecy and fortune telling is that fortune telling is just a prediction about the future while prophecy claims to come directly from a divine or universal source. Prophecy is normally concerned with the big picture of the Universe's "plan" for earth, specific nations or peoples while fortune telling is normally only concerned with specific individuals or circumstances and is neither the main emphasis or the main reason why the “message” is given.

“Being the soothsayer of the tribe is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.”

Anthon St. Maarten



Like most divination practices, tea leaf reading is based on the concept of synchronicity as put forward by prominent Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung. Simply, synchronicity is "meaningful coincidence." According to Jung, synchronicity, or meaningful coincidence, is evidence of the invisible web of meaning and connection that permeates everything in nature and in the universe.

Carl Jung believed that an individual could actually become aware of this web of meaning and experience his or her place in it (a process that Jung called "individuation.") Jung believed that the more a person individuates, the more synchronicity is bound to occur, and vice versa. Jung wrote many volumes on the power of divination, dreams, symbols, and oracles, all in an attempt to codify this process of individuation, which, in essence, is the path that the soul takes in order to evolve. Jung was influenced by the Chinese divinatory system of the I Ching (“Book of Changes”) and the interpretation of the hexagram symbols that represent certain archetypal images, but also serve as meditative stimulation to individual psychic awareness, much like the patterns of the leaves in the tea cup. 

The essential and most basic component of tea or coffee reading is the interpretation of patterns. While some symbols are clear, some patterns or markings have changed meaning as a result of changes through time and culture. For example, modern automobiles and airplanes may signify the same symbols of travel that horses and sailing ships used to portend in past eras.

Alongside logical reasoning, the reader must listen to their own intuition to gain the full meaning of what they see. Along with the shapes themselves, the placement of the shape in your cup also helps to differentiate your fortune.

In my own usage I divide the cup for reading into the 12 houses of the horoscope. Holding the cup with the handle to the left, or eastern position that becomes the ascendant or first house and read these “houses” around the cup in a counter clockwise direction.

Thus, the area across from the handle would be the 7^th house cusp representing an area in life dealing with marriage and partnership. But that is only a personal method of reading based on my knowledge of zodiac patterns and something else may work better for you.

Factual information alone isn't sufficient to guide you through life's labyrinthines. You need and deserve regular deliveries of uncanny revelation. 

~Rob Brezsny~

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How to Read Tea Leaves: The Ritual (video)

With all this in mind, you are ready to read your leaves or grounds. While this method of divination can be performed in many ways, the most common method is as follows:

• Brew the tea. Any variation of tea may be used for reading. However, do not use a strainer because you need the leaves to do your reading.
• Prepare Yourself Mentally. Think about your life or any unanswered question you may hold while the tea brews. If you are reading someone else’s leaves, then the contemplation would need to be done by that person with the cup sitting before them.
• Prepare Cup. The person in the contemplative state then drinks their cup of tea but is careful to keep their tea leaves in the cup. With very little liquid remaining, swirl the cup around slowly. Take the cup into your left hand (“your left hand is your intuitive hand”) circle it clockwise three times, and put the saucer on top of the cup. Flip the cup over onto the saucer to drain, and when you turn the cup back over again it’s ready to read.Once you’ve completed this task, pour out the rest of the liquid from the cup.
•  Now, the freaky part. Read the tea leaves by identifying the patterns or shapes in the cup. You will need to use a scrutinizing eye to determine exactly what you see before you in the cup. While it is not an exact science, do you best to identify the most prominent pattern or shape.

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 "There are many books of symbols and their meanings out there,
but don’t limit yourself to using just the ones found in lists. 
Do not be afraid to ignore other's interpretations, just go with your own perceptions.
Your mind's eye will reveal a clearer picture than what other's words portray.
Always remember the answers come not from
the rock, the teacup, the shell, or the cards.
The answers come from you.”

Gwendolyn Womack, The Fortune Teller 



Common Tea Leaf Symbols

Alligator - Danger is lurking

Anchor - Secure mooring in troubled waters.

Arrows - The passage of time, approaching news

Birds - Swift and direct travels, change with the seasons

Butterfly - Metamorphosis

Cat - Gossip. sneaking around

Clouds - Hidden difficulties, a storm approachimg

Clown - A happy image for some, but a figure of terror for others

Cow - Prosperity, mother's milk

Cross - Trouble, delay or death

Crow (Raven) - An omen of gloom and death in some cultures (European), a symbol of guidance and foresight in other cultures (Native American)

Crown - Success and honor

Dog - Good and true friend; or a friend needs help

Door - Opportunities rnter through a new opening

Dragon - Entering the realm of Ancient High Magick

Fence/Wall - Limitations, holding things back

Fish - Swimming in the sea of universal consciuosness

Fox - Slyness or backstabbing 

Frog - Symbol of  transformation; a change is on the way. (see also "Toad")

Goat - A hard headed opponent

Heart - Love or marriage if right way up. Sorrow if upside down

Horseshoe - Good luck to come if pointing up. Luck is running out if pointing down

Hourglass - Time is running out

Lantern - Enlightenment

Lines - A straight line can indicate the direction your path may take. Crooked lines mean tough travels.

Moon - Hidden emotions

Moth - Others eating away at your reources

Owl - A wise influence

Rabbit - The cunning and bravery to overcome a challenge

Rainbow - The most difficult time is now over

Spider - A web of intrigue.

Squirrel - Saving up now for future times of want

Star - Guidance

Sun - Honor and happiness

Sword - An argument taking place between friends or lovers

Toad - A symbol of witches and witchcraft who often appear as a warning of black magic.

Turtle - Slow progress; a sluggard approach

Umbrella - Trouble, but there will be protection

Wheel - Good wheel means good travel. Broken wheel means interuipted journey

Wings - Messages from Heaven.

Wolf -  A symbol of cruelty, cunning and greed in some cultures, but in others it represents courage and freedom

 Other symbols may be found at Divination By Tea Leaves