The preliminaries to READING THE TEA-LEAVES are Simplicity itself, and are familiar, if not absolutely second nature, to every lady of more than early childhood years 

and also, in these more advanced days, to not a few gentlemen also.

The tea is made in the usual way, for it is essential to the Reading that it be drunk by the Client before its residue may be examined. It must be poured into the cup without the use of a strainer, for a strainer would remove that very residue of leaves which we desire to study! If it is possible, the simplest white china or porcelain cups should be employed for the purpose as, however beautiful a contribution to the home the finest patterned tea-service may make, the designs are sadly obscurative of the more subtle patterns of leaves. A widebowled cup is also to be preferred, as providing a greater expance upon which to READ THE   LEAVES.

Finally, although any type of tea may be employed, it has been found that China tea provides clearer pictures than Indian, for the latter  may sometimes be "dusty", and give only confused and muddy pictures. In contra-distinction those created by the leaves of China tea are always clear and informative, for the Oriental Chinee is rightly known for his fabled powers of divination.

Once the tea has been consumed, with care not to drink the leaves, a little of the amber liquid should be left in the bottom of the cup. The Client should "swirl" this drop around the cup three times in a clockwise direction, holding the cup by her left hand, then up-end the vessel onto its saucer to allow the liquid to drain away. She should count slowly to seven before setting the cup to rights again, turning the handle to face the Reader.

The handle represents the Client, and her home, and the present-day. Patterns to the left of the handle show events in her past, and those to the right events in her future, the distance from the handle being proportionate to the time involved. These relative positions also portray  physical distance and direction of travel, so that some will appear to be moving towards the handle, while others move away. A measure of  TIME  is also to be found in the depth of the cup, in that patterns near to the rim or drinking edge portray events occurring in the Present time, while tho`se in the depths of the bowl fore shadow those of the Future. It is said by some that a sign appearing in the very bottom of the cup portends misfortune.

The patterns caused by the leaves and fragments of stalk of the Tea-plant are not easy to recognise for one new to the practice; it will be found to be necessary to employ all of one's faculties of imagination and intuition, of which those of the fairer sex are wellendowed, to discover meaningful shapes amongst them.

We shall now set forward some of the sign and symbols most frequently to be observed in the tea-cup.

A

Acorn: success in money 

Anchor: success and prosperity from a.voyage 

Angel: good news

Apple: achievement, a desire for Knowledge

Arch: travel or marriage, or both

Arrow: bad news, probably in a letter

B

Bells: marriage

Birds: good news 

Bird-cage: troubles, confitiement

Bird's-nest: domestic harmony 

Boat: travel, a visit from a friend, a safe haven

Book, open: acquiring knowledge and success 

Book- closed: be careful of

C

Candle: being helpful; if alight, missionary work

Castle: a high position, a legacy 

Cat: deceit, treachery, quarrels 

Chain, unbroken: an early marriage or partnership 

Chain, broken: the breaking of such

Clouds: unhappiness, trouble gathering

Coffin: bad news, illness, death 

Comet: a visit from abroad 

Cross: sacrifice and suffering 

Crown: good luck, honours, authority

D

Dagger: unexpected danger 

Dog: a trustworthy friend 

Dragon: sudden change, unforeseen trouble 

Dot (one): strengthens whichever sign it be near

Dots (several): money

E
Eagle: high success, favourable change of home

Ear: news 

Earwig: gossip

Egg: baby, new enterprises 

Elephant: wisdom, strength, trust  

Envelope: a letter, news,probably good

Eye: be alert and watchful and you will conquer difficulty

F

Face: if pretty or smiling, happiness; if other-wise, the opposite

Fan: flirtation

Fence: minor set-backs, obstacles

Fire: either artistic success, or sudden anger

Fish: lucky, peace, plenty, happiness, health and wealth 

Flag: danger from duties 

Flower: a wish granted

Fork: an important decision to be made

Fountairs: great success and prosperity

G

Gallows: danger, most likely for your enemies 

Gate: open, successful progress; closed, a barrier 

Giant: a strong force in your life

Giraffe: trouble, mischief 

Glass: integrity

Glove: you will challenge a decision

Goat: obstinacy, onslaught from enemies

Grapes: happiness with a Loved One

Gun: quarrels, an attack of some kind

H

Hammer:  industry, hard work 

Hand: friendship , understanding; if clenched, an argument

Harp: harmony, good fortune, Romance

Hat: a gift

Heart: close affection, love, marriage

Helmet: trust

Horse: prosperity, good news 

Horse-shoe: Good Luck 

Hour-glass: beware delays, Time is Passing 

House: domestic peace, security, happiness

   I 

Iceberg: great danger ahead 

Initials: someone important to you

Ink: a blot, a sullied character 

Insect: minor irritations and worries

ivy-leaf: faithfulness,a reliable friend

  J

jester: frivolity, or a party 

Jewellery: a gift or present of value

jug: position of importance, or convivial social occasions

  K

Kangaroo: family affection, Domestic Harmony

Kettle: illness, probably minor, in the home

Key: new interests and opportunities, doors opening 

Kite: pride may lead to a fall, publicly witnessed

Knife: danger, strife, quarrels, broken friendships

  L

Ladder: advancement, rising fortunes

Lamp, lantern: illumination, wisdom, guidance, monetary success

Leaf:  receiving good news, prosperity

Letter: if clear, good news on its way; if unclear, bad news 

Lines: if straight, clear progress; if wavy, uncertain progress

Lion: strength, greatness, high authority

  M

Man: a visitor; with arm outstretched, carrying a gift

Mask: beware deception and treachery; guard your own thoughts

Mermaid: temptation

Moon: full, romance; waxing ,  new projects; waning, difficulties

Mountains: high aspirations but difficulties to be overcome 

Mushroom: either sudden growth, or a set-back, in context

Music notes: good fortune, enjoyment

  N

Nail: maliciousness causing suffering

Necklace: complete, a romantic admirer; broken, loss of affections

Needle: others will admire and talk about your achievements 

Net: danger, snares in your path

Numbers: interpret in context; may be days or weeks

Oak: long life, health. wisdom, strength

Oar: safety and help in troubles 

Octopus: danger, many people are against you

Old rnan: lit. an old man or, a lost opportunity

Ostrich: travel over land and sea 

Owl: a bad omen; gossip and Scandal

  P

Paltn tree: success, honour, contentment 

Pawn-broker',s sign:  lack of material possessions 

Pen-cock: vanity

Pear: comfort, fruitfulness, good fortune

Pick-axe: strong determination or, worry connected with work

Pipe: calm thought, reflection, consideration 

Priest: spiritual leadership needed or given

  Q

Question-mark: be cautious, indecision

  R

Rabbit: timidity, be more courageous 

Rainbow: hope, future happiness

Rat: treacherous and malicious enemies

Raven: a bad omen, gossip, bad news

Ring: friendship, romance, marriage

Road: a journey; if straight, no difficulties; if wavy, problems 

Roof: the home; if unmarried, leaving home; if married, happiness

Rose: friendship, happiness, success, popularity

  S

Saw: discord, interference from friends

Scales: justice or injustice, dependant on the balance

Scare-crow: you will be in great material need

Scissors: a misunderstanding, a separation

Scorpion: vindictiveness, deadly poisonous attack

Scythe: cutting off of plans 

See-saw: your fortunes will rise and fall

Sheep: docility, Good Fortune 

Shell: spreading of good news 

Ship: travel, prosperity, good fortune

Shoes: a change for the better, only if you "step out" strongly

Snake: bad luck, enmity, great hate and danger

Sqvares: strength, solidity, sometimes restriction 

Squirrel: happiness, prosperity, a store of good things

Star: health, wealth, Good Luck and happiness

Sword: disputes, quarrels

  T

Table: a social gathering 

Tent: travel, an unsettled life

Thimble: domestic changes 

Tree: prosperity and good health

Tri-angle: upright, an unexpected legacy; inverted, luck drains away

  U

Umbrella: open, caution but protection; closed, assistance denied

Unicorn: secret romance, marriage, alliance

Urn: chance, lucky money

  V

Valley: a dip in fortunes, but they will rise again

Vase: your presence gives happiness to others 

Violin: independence, but beware of egotism

Volcano: emotions, passions and instincts may explode harmfully

Vulture: loss, theft

  W

Waterfall:  great good fortune 

Web: misfortune, entrapment 

Wheel: achievement, success, advancement 

Wind-mill: hard work brings business success 

Wings: messages, good or bad 

Woman: happiness, pleasure; a Particular Woman

  Y

Yew-tree: long life

Yoke: slavery, domination, a domineering person

  Z

Zebra: adventure abroad