Lesson 4 - Tasseography
Tasseography (also know as tasseomancy or tassology) is a divination method that interprets patterns in tea leaves. The term tasseography derives from the French word "tasse" for cup and the Greek suffixes -graphy, -logy and -many meaning study or divination.The practice of tasseography began with the Chinese, who would drink their tea from cups that bore a close resemblance to the bells they used in their religious ceremonies. As a result, the tea cups took on a mystical significance. The practice seems to have lost favour in recent years, most likely because we now drink our tea from mugs and use tea bags more often.
There are two elements to consider when reading tea leaves: the shapes and images formed by the leaves, and the position of those images in the cup, as this is believed to have some relevance. The upper area represents the now, the middle area represents the near future, and the bottom is the ultimate answer or conclusion.
How to Perform a Reading
Follow this step by step instructions to perform a tea leaf reading!1. Make a cup of tea!
The first step is to choose a cup and brew your tea. It is generally recommended that you use a traditional china tea cup with a plain white inner surface. The most important thing is that you have a cup with a white inner surface, or a light ivory.
If you don't have tea leaves at home, and can't buy them, you can also rip open a tea bag. The tea should be made in a pot and poured in the cup without the use of a strainer.
2. Clear your mind and sip your tea
Choose a nice quiet place to do your reading, you should be free from distractions such as the TV or radio. Make sure you are relaxed and your mind is clear.
Once your tea is cool enough, begin sipping it. Be sure not to swallow too many of the floating tea leaves. Identify the issue that is foremost in your mind and concentrate on that for the reading. If nothing comes to mind, it will be a general reading, so concentrate on your breathing and consume your tea. Be sure to leave a little tea in the bottom!
3. Swirl three times and dump
Hold your nearly empty tea cup in your hand and give it three good swirls. The leaves will disperse around the interior of the cup. Gently dump out the remaining liquid by turning your teacup upside down onto the saucer. Turn your cup back over and you can begin interpreting what has appeared!
4. Identify symbols and jot them down.
These readings are highly personal and subjective. Different people will see different things so you are the best person to read your own leaves. Make a note of the first symbol you see, and its location within the cup. Continue to do this for any other symbols you see.
5. Create your reading
Translating your symbols into meanings is just as personal and subjective. Individual language, cultural exposure, experience and knowledge will contribute to the way that you interpret the symbols. Next to each symbol you wrote down, note the meaning that first comes to mind.
To help you with your reading, I have found a great website that has a list of symbols that can help you interpret your reading. Click here.
It's important to keep in mind that the symbols at the website below, and their meanings, are only possible interpretations. You may feel that it means something different to you, if that happens go with the feeling that you have. Its more important than anything else.