The Art of Tasseography
Tasseography is the ancient art of interpreting patterns made by tealeaves in a teacup. Even though tasseography is usually associated with gypsy fortunetellers, the tradition evolved a long time ago from Asia, the Middle East and Ancient Greece. “Tasse” or “tass” is an Arab root meaning small cup or goblet. Modern tasseography is associated with the Scottish, Irish and the cultures of Eastern Europe. The significance of this cross -cultural and historical tradition is related to the primal human desire for understanding the self. Tasseography is not an application of magic or mystical activities, but rather a tool for tapping into the subconscious by applying meditation to pattern recognition and symbolism. The significance of symbolism in psychological study has theoretical foundations from Plato through Karl Jung. The process of tasseography stimulates the imagination to create individualized interpretations and solutions. Tealeaf reading is a fun and creative way to listen to your own self.
Start with a white or light colored teacup and make a cup of tea with any leaf tea. If you do not have loose -leaf tea you can open a tea bag and use the tea that way. Once your tea is cool enough, begin sipping. Leaves may be floating so do your best to avoid consuming too many. If you are right -handed use your left hand to hold the cup. If you are left -handed use your right hand. If you are ambidextrous, reach for your cup, stop, and then use the other hand. This procedure of drinking from the other hand coordinates left and right brain activity to stimulate problem solving. Using the opposite hand also tends to make you slow down to focus and organize your thoughts. Not that you have slowed down and are quiet and relaxed identify an issue foremost in your mind. It’s that one thought that keeps stubbornly returning to your attention no matter how much you meditate on relaxing your mind to block out all thoughts.
Leave a small amount of tea (about a teaspoon) at the bottom of your cup. Now give it three good swirls. The tealeaves will disperse around the interior of the cup. Gently dump out the remaining liquid into a saucer and wait three breaths before turning your cup back over.
Tealeaf reading is a highly personal process. Abstract pattern recognition taps into our subconscious with the most relevant reading produced by the individual who drank, meditated and swirled the tea. In a way it is similar to the Rorschach (ink blot) Test. We are most likely to recognize symbols that have a connection to the matter at hand. Therefore you are the most qualified to read your own tealeaves.
If your cup has a handle, begin there and read clockwise. If your cup has no handle, begin reading from 12 o’clock. Make a note of the first symbol you see. It is the symbol related to the issue that was foremost in your mind while you were drinking and meditating. Mentally divide the cup into three sections: rim, middle and base. The rim area is above the tea level when you first poured your cup of tea. The base is the level of tea left before you dumped it out. The middle section is the area between the two (rim and base). Note where the first symbol you saw is located and if it is next to another symbol. Note whether you see bubbles, twigs, or droplets in your cup. Work quietly and take your time. Leaves on the bottom of the cup (base) foretell the distant future. The sides (middle) foretell the not too distant future. Leaves on the rim area tell the present. The pictures and symbols that you see very clearly are more significant than those that are unclear.
Here are some interpretations of the pictures you see (many more can be found on tea websites):
Anchor – success in business
Aircraft – journey/travel
Bird – good news or message
Bouquet – romance
Circle – trust and love
Castle – open horizons
Diamond – surprise windfall
Dog – good and faithful friends
Elephant – be patient
Eagle – power and strength
Fire – passion
Fish – good fortune
Gate – beware of opportunities around you
Globe – long distance travel
Hand – if open, destiny / if closed, argument
Hat – a change in roles
Ivy – not a good time to be independent, trust friends
Insect – distractions
Jewels – material success
Knife – caution against sharp words
Kettle – a special visitor is coming
Ladder – promotion
Lines – advancement, long life
Mountain – a difficult, but possible, goal
Mouth – listen carefully
Necklace – complete: personal relationship stability / broken: instability
Octopus – warning
Palm tree – wealth
Pig – greedy or jealous person
Question mark – reconsider your plans
Rake – at a crossroad and destiny is determined by hard work
Rainbow – good luck to come
Spoon – you will be comforted by someone’s generosity
Stair – your position will improve
Tree – family unity
Turtle – lasting success through patience
Urn – be aware of distinction between material and spiritual success
Vase – a secret being kept from you
Volcano – obstruction in your life
Wheel – events outside your life will change your direction
Wolf – you will be challenged or betrayed