HEADING FORTUNES IN TEA LEAVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 7 (Supplement)

HEADING FORTUNES IN TEA LEAVES.

Reading fortunes from the tea leaves left in lie cup can. with the exercise of a little imagination and humour, produce much merriment. It comes in opportunely at the doubtful half-hour just after a ''company," when the machinery of pleasure-giving is not always running quite smoothly. After the tea lias been drunkleaving but a few drops to "carry the grounds —the inquirer must make a wish, repeating it in mind three times, after which the tea cup must be whirled around vigorously to throw the grounds as much as possible into the upper part of the cup. This must be done three times frvm left to right, when the cup is turned over into the saucer to "settle the affairs of the future," given three turns again from left to right and then handed to the fortune-teller, without looking into the cup one's self, or else, so the oracle says, the .spell will be broken. The prophet or prophetess then picks up and begins reading from the bottom of the cup (the past) and then around spiral fashion until the top (present or near future) is reached: or three cups may be used —one for the past, the second for the present, the third for the future. A man is indicated by a long, hard leaf, with something that suggests a hat or cane, or legs that fork. A woman by a light-coloured leaf that spreads to indicate a gown, or with something atop that may be imagined to represent a woman's headgear. A figure in kneeling posture denotes an offer of marriage, either made or received. Groups of dots near mean acceptance. If these are absent the suit will be rejected. One figure alone, surrounded by a group of grounds, promises a lover or sweetheart. A figure alone with no grounds near means single blessedness at the time indicated by its position in the cup. A heart promises a love affair and much pleasure. Two hearts, a marriage. Two figures near together, with no grounds very near, means an engagement. Three figures together is the sign of a speedy marriage. A love letter is indicated by four dots forming a square. If near the top, it will be received in a short time. An extra dot within the square, or just outside, means good news; many small specks about it, bad news. Thjeo dots in a group promises the granting of your wish, as does a triangle. A number iof tea leaves, short and tall, means a company of great and small. Crosses, adversity. A ring, a happy marriage. Dots in form of a parallelogram, sickness or bad news. Fine dots reaching in a long line, a journey. ' Man dots clustered about the end of the line means many new friends and pleasures. An anchor, if at the bottom of the cup, means success; at the top, love; in the middle, constancy. If surrounded by "clouds," the course of true lovo will not run smooth. A star, if not surrounded by " clouds," means happiness; if circled bv dots, long life. Mountain, favour of persons of high posi- J lion, social success. If clouded on its sumrait, ill-success in society. Serpent, an enemy. If near the top of the cup, you will be successful, and, finally, turn him" or her into a friend. If near the bottom and clouded around, the enmity will cause you sorrow. Fish, lucky news from over seas. If clouds are near, the reverse. Seven dots in a row, great prosperity. A straight line, if surrounded by many grounds, foretells an illnesii. Wavy lines, if circled by dots, money; if cloudy, reverses of fortune, either past or to comeaccording to their position in the cup, near the bottom or top. 1 Tears are indicated by drops at the bottom of the cup, or by making thick dots there. A succession of large dots in a line foretells difficulties to be overcome. Many fine dots among them, unfriendliness will be superadded. A leaf folded over the rim promises something unpleasant. If the rim of the cup is clear a happy future is assured.