A while back, I had my first experience learning how to read tea leaves.  It was a lot of fun and I thought I’d share that with you here.  In this posting, I’m going to show you how to read Tea Leaves and let you see right into my cup as you follow along here.

What do I need?

• Loose tea: Check out your local bulk or health food store to find some if you can’t locate it in the grocery store
• Spoon
• Hot Water
• A kettle for boiling water
• A question you would like to have answered when reading the tea leaves
• A journal to keep notes
• Teacup (white china if possible – this is so that you can see the leaves better)
• Tea saucer
• Paper towels
• Peace and quiet so you can read your leaves
• Care for a little relaxing music? You can add that too
• If you are working in a ritual space, any tools you normally would use. I place divination stones near me when reading tea leaves. If you love healing crystals, I also handcraft crystal jewelry and offer single stones in Northern Ontario, Canada and you can find them here in our intuition collection.

The first thing you will need, of course, is tea. 

Here are a few other tips on teas:

• Really want to deep dive? You can choose types of teas according to their qualities. Research herbs for divination and see if there is a type of tea you’d like to work with. 
• Prior to a reading, test the flavour of your tea. Do you like it? Is it enjoyable? If you want to drink you tea, you might also want to enjoy it.
• If you can not find loose tea, no matter what you do? You can try opening a bag of regular tea but it may not give you the best reading as often these tea leaves are cut very small.

Before you begin, you can follow any regular practices you have for relaxation as well as creating a sacred space you work in.

Step 1
Heat your water to boiling temperature and then let it cool slightly before beginning.

Step 2
Put your dry tea leaves onto your tea saucer. Usually about 3 teaspoons. Use your index finger on your dominant hand OR you can use a spoon and swirl the dry leaves around the plate three times.  This is to help you connect to the process of working with the energy of the tea leaves. If the number three does not resonate with you personally, and you have a favourite one? Swirl the leaves around “that” many times instead.  Make the process yours.

Step 3
Take your spoon and add three scoops of the tea leaves from your plate into the cup.  Do this slowly while taking the time to relax and quiet your mind.  Remove the leftover dry leaves from your plate and get a cloth (or paper towel) ready.

Step 4
Pour hot water over your tea in any motion that feels right to about 3/4 of a cup. I like to pour the water from left to right around the cup in a small circle. Allow the tea to steep for a few minutes and cool.

Step 5
Slide your index finger of your dominant hand over the lip of your cup in a clockwise motion three times (or the number you have chosen to work with) and think about the question or thought in your mind you are hoping to find answers for.  This is a time to think about the problems or issues you want to resolve, so really think about what it is you want to discover.  When I did my leaf reading, I asked what the next few months would be like for my business. Remove your hand and relax while thinking about your question.

Step 6
Pick up the tea cup and take several slow sips of your tea.  You can either go directly to the next steps of the reading, or you can add your own personal verbal connection to the tea with a prayer, blessing or affirmation.  If you are stuck? You can use something like this:

Swirl the herbs and set the tea
Clear and true this reading be
Reveal your secrets unto me

Step 7
While you are still holding your teacup, pick up the paper towel with your other hand and place it on the saucer. Then gently swirl (or spin) the cup in a circular motion three times (or the number you chose).  This moves the leaves inside the water around in your cup.   Then, very gently and slowly, pour the remaining tea water into your saucer and onto the paper towel.

Wait a few seconds and then turn your cup back over.  You are ready to read your tea leaves!

MY RESULTS OF THE TEA READING

Okay, now I’ll be honest, I turned my cup over and went “umph.. okkkaaayyyy…” and scrunched my eyes up pretty good.  I did not see anything helpful in the first little while, and I admit, I was getting frustrated.  I had to take a step back and relax and realize that reading tea leaves is not as simple as turning Tarot cards and interpreting obvious symbols.  Tea leaf reading is an art and very individual, as each person may see an object in another way.  What may be a flower to you? Could be a flying bird to another.  (Consider the ink blot tests – this is what tea leaf reading is akin to).

Begin at the top of your cup. This is the area in your life that is most present or going to happen relatively soon.  In the top of my cup I saw a face and flying birds.   I used a chart to cross-reference the shapes to their meaning. Birds mean that information may be arriving soon.  The face symbol can mean “introspection,” which makes perfect sense to me as I’m always worrying about this move or should I go there, or what do I do next, almost to a fault and then running out of time to do the things I meant to do.

Move down to the middle of your cup. This area is for things to happen in a few days or more.  There were quite a few straight lines in my cup, which can mean travel. Straight lines mean progress, so that’s a good sign for my question.  I also saw many little flying things like fairies, butterflies, and dragonflies.  This can mean new experiences and happy feelings on the way.

The bottom section of your tea cup is for the root of your question or the future of this current issue. Remember, every day your future changes with the things you do, so don’t take what you see in one reading as the end result.   In my cup I saw a crown which means that the hard work I’m doing will be recognized (I liked that!)  I also saw many small dots or circles which mean success if they are full circle shapes.  There was also a house (which means comfort and home) and a lot fewer lines, which to me suggests that I will be working from home a lot in my future.

I have to say, I have a whole new respect and love for this type of divination, and I am anxious to try this in my near future again.

Here’s a handy list for you to use to help you read your leaves:

List of Possible Tea Cup Interpretations

ACORN – a very strong and fortunate symbol indicating happiness and contentment; at the top = financial success; at the bottom = good health.
AIRCRAFT – journey; travel.
ALLIGATOR or CROCODILE — beware of false friendship lurking in your professional life.
ANCHOR – at top = stability, constancy in love or business; at bottom or broken = instability, inconstancy; can also symbolize an unpleasant situation or burden you should sail away from.
ANGEL – good news; protection.
ANT — hard work or busy phase will end productively.
APPLE – life; creative or artistic achievement; abundance.
ARCH — positive opening or opportunity (look to nearby symbols for added meaning).
ARM — pointing up = new directions; down = you need to motivate yourself; horizontal = help others or receive help from others.
ARROW – up = good direction, yes; down = wrong direction, no; horizontal = no change. Note where pointing.
AXE – you have the power to overcome difficulties.
BABY – new life; possible pregnancy; small worries.
BOUQUET – romantic interest; validation for your work or talents.
BAG – a trap; if open = escape.
BALL – desire to travel.
BALLOON – busy social life; inability to settle down if near the handle.
BARREL – abundance in laughter.
BASKET – harvest, abundance; material gain; possibly a new baby.
BAT (the animal) – a productive, busy phase.
BAT or CLUB – situation calling for alert caution.
BEACON or LIGHTHOUSE – situation calling for your leadership and/or inspiration.
BEAR – a grouchy and difficult person; strength, courage and endurance; if teddy bear = children or childhood.
BED – sleep on it before establishing a close love or business relationship
BEE – fruitful hard work.
BEETLE – renewal; progress; need for foresight.
BELL – unexpected good news in love or business; call to attention
BICYCLE – individuality; choose your own path.
BIRD – good news or message; standing bird = delay; flying bird = good news; good news coming soon; flock of birds = profound or exciting news; goose= successful financial venture; peacock = pride and display; eagle = power and transcendence; crow/raven = ill omen, warning, time to relax; parrot = beware of idle gossip; chicken/hen = happy homelife and childhood comfort; dove = peace and love; owl = wisdom, knowledge and learning; rooster = a boastful person or wake up and seize the moment; swan = romance or someone graceful and beautiful; vulture = lay low and beware of enemies; swallow = love and new beginnings.
BOAT – worthwhile journey; your ship is coming in.
BONES – situation calling for inner strength and spiritual fortitude.
BOWL – invitations, money or generosity.
BOOK – if open = an answer to a question; if closed a question to be investigated.
BOTTLE – explosive atmosphere requiring caution; do not overindulge.
BOW – a fortunate symbol meaning gift or celebration of achievement.
BOX – You are about to receive a gift.
BREAD (loaf) – nourishment; care for your health.
BRIDGE – a life-changing event or person. Look for nearby symbols.
BROOM – new home; new era in your life.
BRUSH – need for improvements and/or beautification.
BUBBLES – floating on the surface of tea or coffee means money coming.
BUGS – distractions; fractured concentration; need for relaxed focus
BUSH – an obstacle to new opportunities; branches signify choices.
BUTTERFLY – overdue happiness.
CAKE – a wish fulfilled; celebration.
CAMEL – you will overcome the burden and pressure to reach the oasis.
CANDLE -there will be light upon an uncertain path; help from friends.
CAR – if clear = travel; if broken = mechanical trouble.
CARPETS – true friends and happy social engagements.
CASTLE – expand your horizons; open up a little.
CAT – deceit; an untrustworthy friend.
CHAIN – if well-formed = fortunate undertaking or serious commitment; if broken = trouble, disruption.
CHAIR – a guest or new addition to the family.
CASTLE – expand your horizons
CHILD – new idea; family.
CIGAR – a new friend or business relationship.
CIRCLE – unbroken = success, completion; broken (like letter ‘c’)= a temporary offer will come, tentative offers without fruition.
CLOCK – warning against procrastination.
CLOUDS – small and fluffy = happy optimism; thick and dark = gloom; sadness.
CLOVER (four leaf)– good luck that you have worked hard to attain.
COFFEE POT OR TEA POT – a special visitor is coming, probably not romantic.
COIN – a lump sum of money is coming your way.
COMB – improve your self-appearance.
COMET – brink of a pivotal change or dramatic event in your life.
COW – abundance; prosperity; physical or creative fertility.
CRAB – admonition to be more direct or someone born under the zodiac sign Cancer.
CROSS – if like a ‘T’ = hard-won success and happiness; if like a solid ‘X’ = warning (look for meaning with nearby symbols); if like a broken ‘X’ = obstacles and losses are ahead.
CROWN – honour and recognition for your talents.
CUP – Be patient, this is not a time to assert yourself.
CUSHIONS OR PILLOWS – comfort; admonition against laziness and procrastination.
DAGGER – caution against sharp words or revealing personal information
DAISY – new love.
DASHES or DOTS – many short trips, which may cause wasted time.
DEER – a shy, timid person; you should be more assertive to overcome shyness.
DIAMOND – gift or other surprise windfall coming your way.
DICE – destiny and change, go with the flow.
DISH – interpret as a circle unless containing food; contains food = domestic comfort.
DOG – good friend; if at bottom friend needs help; if barking, untrustworthy friend; or, someone born in the Chinese Zodiac dog year.
DONKEY – stubbornness and stamina.
DOOR – be aware of opportunities.
DRAGON – scheming or flashy person; or, someone born in the Chinese Zodiac dragon year.
DROPS – tears or sadness.
DRUM – a change; a call to action.
DUCK – devoted mate; money.
EAR – you will benefit from something you hear.
EGG – if whole = new life, successful new beginning; if cracked/broken = failed plans or financial problems which can be overcome by action.
ELEPHANT – be patient, you will be supported with kindness.
ENVELOPE – you will receive a long-awaited letter or important paperwork.
EXCLAMATION MARK – pay attention; beware of impulsive actions.
EYE – a protective symbol; insight into a long-standing problem.
FACE – look for nearby initials for identity of face; if near the rim or handle it is a warning against too much introspection; if facing another symbol indicates the importance of that symbol.
FAN – a flirtation.
FEATHER – need for concentration.
FENCE – temporary and self-imposed limitations.
FINGER – emphasizes whatever symbol it is pointing; up = caution; down = stop.
FIRE – passion; hot emotion; sexual desire.
FISH – sharing of knowledge; a teacher; a person born under the Zodiac sign of Pisces (especially if there are two fish).
FLAG – danger, look to nearby symbols for added meaning.
FLEUR DE LYS or LILY – femininity; a loving woman.
FLOWER – praise and compliments are coming your way.
FLY – an annoying person.
FOOT – movement in love, career or location.
FORK – get advice from trusted friends before deciding.
FORKED LINE – a decision to be made.
FOUNTAIN – overflowing happiness.
FOX – A cunning person may be trying to trick you.
FRUIT – prosperity, fertility.
FROG – fertility; abundance; a disguised handsome/beautiful lover.
GATE – Be aware of opportunities around you.
GLASS – celebrations, parties, social events.
GLOBE – long-distance travel.
GOAT – your persistence will pay off, but take some time to recreate, or a person born under the sign of Capricorn.
GRAPES – abundance and epicurean enjoyment.
GRASSHOPPER – summer delights.
GUN – danger; a bully.
HAMMER – an attempted persuasion.
HAND – if open = karma or destiny; if closed means an argument; look for added meaning where the hand is pointing.
HARE – unlike the shorter-eared rabbit, the long-eared hare represents something important brewing in your destiny in love or travel.
HARP – love; romance.
HAT – you will experience a change in roles or business success.
HEART – love, friendship, romance.
HILLS – small challenges which will leave you improved.
HORSE – if galloping means good news; if just the head means a lover
HORSESHOE – good luck; very positive, especially for travel.
HOURGLASS – a warning to be punctual.
HOUSE – comfort and home.
ICEBERG – danger.
INSECT – distractions; fractured concentration; need for relaxed focus
IVY – This is not a good time to be too independent; trust friends to help you.
JEWELS – material success; you will receive a valuable gift.
KANGAROO – travel; a journey.
KETTLE – a special visitor is coming, probably not romantic.
KITE – your wish will be granted.
KNIFE – caution against sharp words or revealing personal information.
LADDER – promotion; an improvement in your business life.
LAMP – at the top means a feast; at the side means secrets revealed; at the bottom
means postponement
LEAF – the turning over of a new leaf; inevitable changes with the passage of time.
LETTER – You will receive a long-awaited letter or important paperwork.
LIGHTENING – startling events; sudden insights.
LINES – journey on a road; if straight = progress; if wavy = uncertain path; if many = many short trips.
LION – male lion represents a powerful contact or important man; the lioness represents a strong family, or may represent a person born under the zodiac sign of Leo.
LOCK – There are obstacles in your way.
LOOP – if well-formed = fortunate undertaking or serious commitment; if broken = trouble, disruption.
MAN – a visitor of either gender; if near handle = someone close to you.
MASK – a secret to be kept.
MOUNTAIN – a difficult, but possible, goal.
MOUSE – Be cautious of credit deals.
MUSHROOM – rapid growth, success or fertility.
NAIL – an unfair assault.
NECKLACE – complete = personal relationship stability; broken = instability in a personal relationship.
NEEDLE – painful repair.
OAK – long life characterized by good health.
OCTOPUS – warning.
OYSTER – passion and desire.
PALM TREE – wealth; beach vacation.
PARASOL – protection from harm or loss.
PIG – a greedy or jealous person.
PISTOL – warning of danger.
PURSE – money.
QUESTION MARK – reconsider your plans; be aware of an important question you should ask yourself.
RABBIT – fertility in family or business; someone born in the Chinese Zodiac year of the rabbit.
RAINBOW – your wish will come true; similar to an arch, it links and represents the path between today and your destiny.
RAKE – You are at a crossroad, and your destiny is determined by hard work.
RECTANGLE OR SQUARE – you will face a challenge or difficulty (look to nearby symbols, especially symbols within the shape, for added meaning.
RING – represents marriage, but usually interpreted as a circle; unbroken = success, completion; broken (like letter ‘c’)= a temporary offer will come, tentative offers without fruition.
ROSE – new romance; deepening of love.
RUG – go with your instincts in distinguishing between a rectangle or a square; it represents joyful social events and true friendship.
SAW – something should be removed.
SCALE – a legal matter; if balanced = justice will prevail; if unbalanced = unjust result; a person born under the zodiac sign of Libra.
SCISSORS – it may be time to remove yourself from a situation or relationship.
SHEEP – a calm and peaceful person; an admonition to control impulses.
SHELL – you will find a simple treasure.
SHIP – worthwhile journey; your ship is coming in.
SHOE – you are on the correct path; be wary of advice to change.
SNAKE – someone who does not deserve your trust.
SPIDER – a small reward or win.
SPIDER WEB – potent symbol of fate; beware of traps.
SPOON – you will be comforted by someone’s generosity.
STAR – success, recognition and praise.
STAIR – your position will improve.
SUN – a new beginning.
SWORD – caution against sharp words or revealing personal information.
TABLE – a happy social interlude.
TENT – travel may help you foster your spiritual health.
THIMBLE – focus on fostering your home life.
TORNADO OR WHIRLWIND – prepare for turbulent weather.
TORTOISE OR TURTLE – lasting success through slow, determined and patient efforts.
TOWER – risk of disappointment.
TREE – alone = family, roots, heritage; leafless = family conflict; many leaves = family contentment; group of trees = family unity; evergreen = enduring relationships; palm = wealth or beach vacation.
TRIANGLE – you are involved in a three-way relationship; if wedge-shaped, one person is getting in the way of your relationship with the other person.
UMBRELLA – protection from harm or loss.
URN – Be aware of the distinction between material and spiritual success.
VASE – a secret being kept from you; be aware of the distinction between material and spiritual success.
VIOLIN – allow your feelings to surface.
VOLCANO – There is an obstruction in your life that must be dealt with before it explodes.
WAGON – childhood; simple pleasures.
WASP – danger of small harm.
WATERFALL – wealth and prosperity.
WHEEL – events outside your control will change the direction of your life.
WINGS – do not box yourself in or limit yourself unnecessarily.
WOLF – You will be challenged or betrayed by someone.
YOKE – domination or control you should not allow.
ZEBRA – be more flexible and adventurous in your travel plans.

If you are drawn to the intuitive and the mystical, you might also love healing crystals. I handcraft crystal jewelry, pentacles and divination pieces as well as wearable boho art in Northern Ontario, designed to support your intentions and energy. Explore my collection at Wicked Stones.

Have an awesome day and enjoy your readings! 🙂

Cheers!

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