The Art Of Reading Tea Leaves

What is the practice of reading tea leaves?

Reading tea leaves, also known as tasseography, is the act of distinguishing symbols and imagery amongst tea leaves, often in the form of gritty residue left behind in a drinking vessel. This form of divination is wonderfully simple and easy to perform by most people, yet the messages produced by the tea leaves can be incredibly significant. Tasseography may be less popular than other forms of divination, such as tarot cards or rune stones, yet they are a fascinating tool that allows us to engage as deeply as possible with our intuitions and reveal powerful information.

What is its history?

Reading tea leaves is a relatively new form of divination, appearing in Britain in the 17th Century after the widespread introduction of tea in the country. The British at this time were highly superstitious people and the working class benefited especially from this new form of reading; it was cheaper and far easier than other forms of divination at the time.

How does it work?

Similar to other forms of divination, reading tea leaves works as our energy is fused with the act taking place. When we focus closely on our intentions and let our emotions wash over us, the residue left behind in the vessel reflects our thoughts, feelings and experiences by revealing various images. It can even predict future events and offer advice regarding difficult situations.

How do I begin?

In order to achieve meaningful results in tasseography, ensure that you follow the steps outlined below.

1. Choosing your vessel

Any vessel with a circular, bowl-shaped interior is perfect for a reading. In most cases, this will be a teacup but anything similar is appropriate also. In addition, it is worth remembering to use a vessel with a light-coloured, opaque interior as the dark residue of the leaves will be far easier to decipher on this surface.

2. Choosing the right type of tea leaves

Any tea leaves that are finely milled work the best in tasseography. This is because their smaller, grittier consistency allows for the formation of clearer images; large, chunky leaves do not produce such fine accuracy and may also fail to stick to the interior properly.

3. Make the tea

Roughly one teaspoon of tea leaves is sufficient for a medium sized teacup. Next, pour boiling water onto the leaves in the cup while making sure to visualize the questions or concerns you wish for the leaves to answer. 

4. Think while you drink 

Once the tea is fully brewed, begin to drink while keeping in mind any important questions you may have. Even if there is no particular question you are seeking an answer to, it is still important to remain clear-headed and present in the task at hand. The leaves will still reveal information or provide useful advice for you.

5. Flip the cup

Just before your cup is empty, swill it around in three circular motions and place a saucer on top. Next, flip the cup and saucer upside down so that the remaining liquid is allowed to drain, leaving behind the tea leaf residue in its unique pattern. 

6. Reading the tea leaves

Now for the most crucial part; the reading of the tea leaves. Lift the cup and place it back down with the interior facing upwards. Look inside and take in the patterns displayed to you in the remnants. 

7. Interpreting what is presented to you

It may take a while for any significant images or symbols to appear, but once they do, you can be sure that they will have a profound meaning. Don’t just look for large images - there will be smaller ones dotted around, adding to the overall picture conjured. Look at the images as a collective and interpret what you believe it means for you. Intuition is key. 

There is no right or wrong way to interpret what jumps out at you as it is an incredibly personal process. If a particular image provides feelings of comfort, or another elicits a sense of uneasiness, these are all sensations to be recognised as significant regardless of what the image is itself. 

Generally speaking, the images produced by the tea leaves will fall into one of four main categories; animals, nature, objects and mythical creatures. However, if an image appears that isn’t listed by any of the various tasseography guides out there, you can still interpret this according to what you believe best fits. Again, reading tea leaves is highly personal and the key is to use your gut feelings.

At the end of the day, tasseography is a form of divination that provides immense comfort and valuable insight for many individuals. It is cheap, easy to perform and most of us already have the ingredients to hand. The versatility that reading tea leaves provides far exceeds that of most other divination tools as there are endless possibilities of potential symbols and combinations. While the guide provided above is useful to refer to, ultimately, our own intuitions about what the symbols mean is far more important. 

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