Your gateway to endless inspiration
What is it?
Tasseography is divination by tea or coffee. Unlike tarot, which can also be used for meditation, this ancient method, also called tasseomancy, is best reserved for fortunetelling.
How does it work?
After a teacup or a coffee mug has been emptied, the remaining tea leaves or coffee grounds form images. Much like in scrying, these patterns are interpreted.
What do I need?
If you opt for tea, use loose tea. Teabags will not work, as it is the leaves that will form patterns.
If you choose coffee instead, acquire Turkish coffee. It leaves a thick sediment which can be richly interpreted. A saucer is mandatory.
How is it performed?
The drink has no occult powers. Neither does the cup that holds it. They are merely messengers. For the message itself, invoke your higher power.
Take a deep breath. Drink the liquid while thinking about your query. Do it in one go, but slowly, so that the question can be asked intently.
Place the cup to your chest, close to where your heart is. Take another deep breath. This is you allowing the image to truly match your intent.
Seek and you shall find.
If you drank tea, search the leaves at the bottom of the cup.
If you drank coffee, first turn the cup upside down onto the saucer. Take another deep breath, then put it back up once you are finished. Search both the cup and the saucer for images.
If you have the gift of sight or simply a strong intuition, you should know what the images mean. Like in dreams, the symbols you find will be highly subjective.
To illustrate, if you asked, “Will my wife and I stay together?” and you saw the shape of a heart broken in the middle, then “No” is your answer.
Additionally, as this method of divination is usually passed down from mother to daughter, each reader knows a certain list of symbols by heart. Something unique to her or him.
To perform tasseography without access to such knowledge, know that the Lenormand system evolved from it. Its cards contain images that are often formed by tea leaves and coffee grounds. So if you read Lenormand, interpret the images you see using the cards’ meanings. If you are unfamiliar with it, here are sample interpretations:
RIDER
An important message is coming.
CLOVER
Luck will soon find you.
SHIP
Travel is on the horizon.
HOUSE
You can trust those around you.
TREE
Your health will take a downturn.
CLOUDS
Luck will soon leave you.
SNAKE
There is a traitor in your midst.
COFFIN
Someone is about to die.
BOUQUET
You shall receive a gift.
SCYTHE
Something is coming to an end.
WHIP
You will soon be attacked.
BIRDS
Gossip will destroy you.
CHILD
A new beginning awaits.
FOX
Someone is wearing a false mask.
BEAR
Your strength will prevail.
STARS
Your wish will soon be granted.
STORK
Life is about to improve.
DOG
People will side with you.
TOWER
Imprisonment is a possibility.
GARDEN
Someone is a fair-weather friend.
MOUNTAIN
Obstacles will surround you.
PATHS
You will need to make a choice.
MICE
You will suffer a loss.
HEART
Romance is about to come in.
RING
You will get married soon.
BOOK
A secret will be revealed to you.
LETTER
You will soon receive a package.
MAN
A man is about to enter your life.
WOMAN
A woman is about to enter your life.
LILY
Someone old will play an important role.
SUN
You will soon be happy again.
MOON
Fame is a possibility.
KEY
Your problems will come to an end.
FISH
Be ready for a windfall.
ANCHOR
Nothing will change.
CROSS
You will know true suffering.
Write down the patterns and note your interpretations, if you think you need help remembering them. Then thank your higher power for the message.