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diff --git a/18241.txt b/18241.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..49a0751 --- /dev/null +++ b/18241.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1872 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tea-Cup Reading, and the Art of +Fortune-Telling by Tea Leaves, by 'A Highland Seer' + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tea-Cup Reading, and the Art of Fortune-Telling by Tea Leaves + +Author: 'A Highland Seer' + +Release Date: April 24, 2006 [EBook #18241] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEA-CUP READING *** + + + + +Produced by Ruth Hart, ruthhart@twilightoracle.com + + + + + Transcriber's note: In Chapter V, I changed the spelling of +"collecton" to "collection", in the Interpretation of Fig. 6, I changed +"biry" to "bird", and in the Interpretation of Fig. 10, I changed +"letteres" to "letters." All other spelling is unchanged. + + + + +----------------------------------------------- + + + + + + + + +TEA-CUP READING AND FORTUNE-TELLING BY TEA LEAVES + + +By A Highland Seer + +With Ten Illustrations + + + +NEW YORK + +GEORGE SULLY AND COMPANY + +_PRINTED IN U. S. A._ + + + +CONTENTS + + Preface 11 + I. Introduction to the Art of Divination from + Tea-Leaves 13 + II. Ritual and Method of Using the Teacup 25 + III. General Principles To Be Observed in Reading + the Cup 29 + IV. An Alphabetical List of Symbols with Their + Significations 39 + V. Specimen Cups, with Interpretations 57 + VI. Omens 66 + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + Fig. 1 61 + Fig. 2 63 + Fig. 3 65 + Fig. 4 67 + Fig. 5 69 + Fig. 6 71 + Fig. 7 73 + Fig. 8 75 + Fig. 9 77 + Fig. 10 79 + + + + +PREFACE + +It is somewhat curious that among the great number of books on occult +science and all forms of divination which have been published in the +English language there should be none dealing exclusively with the +Tea-cup Reading and the Art of Telling Fortunes by the Tea-leaves: +notwithstanding that it is one of the most common forms of divination +practised by the peasants of Scotland and by village fortune-tellers +in all parts of this country. In many of the cheaper handbooks to +Fortune-telling by Cards or in other ways only brief references to the +Tea-cup method are given; but only too evidently by writers who are +merely acquainted with it by hearsay and have not made a study of it for +themselves. + +This is probably because the Reading of the Tea-cups affords but little +opportunity to the Seer of extracting money from credulous folk; a +reason why it was never adopted by the gypsy soothsayers, who preferred +the more obviously lucrative methods of crossing the palm with gold or +silver, or of charging a fee for manipulating a pack of playing-cards. + +Reading the Cup is essentially a domestic form of Fortune-telling to be +practised at home, and with success by anyone who will take the trouble +to master the simple rules laid down in these pages: and it is in the +hope that it will provide a basis for much innocent and inexpensive +amusement and recreation round the tea-table at home, as well as for +a more serious study of an interesting subject, that this little +guide-book to the science is confidently offered to the public. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF DIVINATION FROM TEA-LEAVES + +It seems highly probable that at no previous period of the world's +history have there been so many persons as there are at the present +moment anxious to ascertain in advance, if that be humanly possible, a +knowledge of at least 'what a day may bring forth.' The incidence of the +greatest of all wars, which has resulted in sparse news of those from +whom they are separated, and produces a state of uncertainty as to what +the future holds in store for each of the inhabitants of the British +Empire, is, of course, responsible for this increase in a perfectly sane +and natural curiosity; with its inevitable result, a desire to employ +any form of divination in the hope that some light may haply be cast +upon the darkness and obscurity of the future. + +It is unfortunately the case, as records of the police-courts have +recently shown, that the creation of this demand for foreknowledge +of coming events or for information as to the well-being of distant +relatives and friends has resulted in the abundant supply of the want by +scores of pretended 'Fortune-tellers' and diviners of the Future; +who, trading upon the credulity and anxieties of their unfortunate +fellow-countrywomen, seek to make a living at their expense. + +Now it is an axiom, which centuries of experience have shown to be as +sound as those of Euclid himself, that the moment the taint of money +enters into the business of reading the Future the accuracy and credit +of the Fortune told disappears. The Fortune-teller no longer possesses +the singleness of mind or purpose necessary to a clear reading of +the symbols he or she consults. The amount of the fee is the first +consideration, and this alone is sufficient to obscure the mental vision +and to bias the judgment. This applies to the very highest and most +conscientious of Fortune-tellers--persons really adept at foreseeing the +future when no taint of monetary reward intervenes. The greater number, +however, of so-called Fortune-tellers are but charlatans, with the +merest smattering of partly-assimilated knowledge of some form of +divination or 'character-reading'; whether by the cards, coins, dice, +dominoes, hands, crystal, or in any other pretended way. With these, the +taint of the money they hope to receive clouds such mind or intuition +as they may possess, and it follows that their judgments and +prognostications have precisely the same value as the nostrums of the +quack medicine-vendor. They are very different from the Highlander who, +coming to the door of his cottage or bothie at dawn, regards steadfastly +the signs and omens he notes in the appearance of the sky, the actions +of animals, the flight of birds, and so forth, and derives there from +a foresight into the coming events of the opening day. They differ also +from the 'spae-wife,' who, manipulating the cup from which she has taken +her morning draught of tea, looks at the various forms and shapes the +leaves and dregs have taken, and deduces thence such simple horary +prognostications as the name of the person from whom 'postie' will +presently bring up the glen a letter or a parcel or a remittance of +money; or as to whether she is likely to go a journey, or to hear news +from across the sea, or to obtain a good price for the hose she has +knitted or for the chickens or eggs she is sending to the store-keeper. +Here the taint of a money-payment is altogether absent; and no Highland +'spae-wife' or seer would dream of taking a fee for looking into the +future on behalf of another person. + +It follows, therefore, that provided he or she is equipped with the +requisite knowledge and some skill and intuition, the persons most +fitted to tell correctly their own fortune are themselves; because they +cannot pay themselves for their own prognostications, and the absence of +a monetary taint consequently leaves the judgment unbiased. Undoubtedly +one of the simplest, most inexpensive and, as the experience of nearly +three centuries has proved, most reliable forms of divination within its +own proper limits, is that of reading fortunes in tea-cups. Although it +cannot be of the greatest antiquity, seeing that tea was not introduced +into Britain until the middle of the seventeenth century, and for many +years thereafter was too rare and costly to be used by the great bulk +of the population, the practice of reading the tea-leaves doubtless +descends from the somewhat similar form of divination known to the +Greeks as "_{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER +OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA~}{~GREEK +SMALL LETTER BETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER +FINAL SIGMA~}_" by which fortune in love was discovered by the +particular splash made by wine thrown out of a cup into a metal basin. A +few spae-wives still practise this method by throwing out the tea-leaves +into the saucer, but the reading of the symbols as they are originally +formed in the cup is undoubtedly the better method. + +Any person after a study of this book and by carefully following the +principles here laid down may with practice quickly learn to read the +horary fortunes that the tea-leaves foretell. It should be distinctly +understood, however, that tea-cup fortunes are only horary, or dealing +with the events of the hour or the succeeding twenty-four hours at +furthest. The immediately forthcoming events are those which cast their +shadows, so to speak, within the circle of the cup. In this way the +tea-leaves may be consulted once a day, and many of the minor happenings +of life foreseen with considerable accuracy, according to the skill +in discerning the symbols and the intuition required to interpret +them which may be possessed by the seer. Adepts like the Highland +peasant-women can and do foretell events that subsequently occur, +and that with remarkable accuracy. Practice and the acquirement of a +knowledge of the signification of the various symbols is all that is +necessary in order to become proficient and to tell one's fortune and +that of one's friends with skill and judgment. + +There is, of course, a scientific reason for all forms of divination +practised without hope or promise of reward. Each person carries in +himself his own Destiny. Events do not happen to people by chance, but +are invariably the result of some past cause. For instance, in the +last years a man becomes a soldier who had never intended to pursue a +military career. This does not happen to him by chance, but because +of the prior occurrence of la European war in which his country was +engaged. The outbreak of war is similarly the result of other causes, +none of which happened by chance, but were founded by still remoter +occurrences. It is the same with the Future. That which a person does +today as a result of something that happened in the past, will in its +turn prove the cause of something that will happen at some future date. +The mere act of doing something today sets in motion forces that in +process of time will inevitably bring about some entirely unforeseen +event. + +This event is not decreed by Fate or Providence, but by the person who +by the committal of some act unconsciously compels the occurrence of +some future event which he does not foresee. In other words, a man +decrees his own destiny and shapes his own ends by his actions, whether +Providence rough-hew them or not. Now this being so, it follows that +he carries his destiny with him, and the more powerful his mind and +intellect the more clearly is this seen to be the case. Therefore it is +possible for a person's mind, formed as the result of past events over +which he had no control, to foresee by an effort what will occur in the +future as the result of acts deliberately done. Since it is given to but +few, and that not often of intention, to see actually what is about to +happen in a vision or by means of what is called the 'second sight,' +some machinery must be provided in the form of symbols from which an +interpretation of the future can be made. It matters little what the +method or nature of the symbols chosen is--dice or dominoes, cards or +tea-leaves. What matters is that the person shaking the dice, shuffling +the dominoes, cutting the cards or turning the tea-cup, is by these very +acts transferring from his mind where they lie hidden even from himself +the shadows of coming events which by his own actions in the past he +has already predetermined shall occur in the future. It only remains +for someone to read and interpret these symbols correctly in order to +ascertain something of what is likely to happen; and it is here that +singleness of purpose and freedom from ulterior motives are necessary in +order to avoid error and to form a true and clear judgment. + +This is the serious and scientific explanation of the little-understood +and less-comprehended action of various forms of divination having for +their object the throwing of a little light upon the occult. Of all +these forms perhaps divination by tea-leaves is the simplest, truest, +and most easily learned. Even if the student is disinclined to +attach much importance to what he sees in the cup, the reading of the +tea-leaves forms a sufficiently innocent and amusing recreation for the +breakfast- or tea-table; and the man who finds a lucky sign such as +an anchor or a tree in his cup, or the maiden who discovers a pair +of heart-shaped groups of leaves in conjunction with a ring, will be +suffering no harm in thus deriving encouragement for the future, even +should they attach no importance to their occurrence, but merely treat +them as an occasion for harmless mirth and badinage. + +Whether, however, the tea-leaves be consulted seriously or in mere sport +and love of amusement, the methods set forth in succeeding chapters +should be carefully followed, and the significations of the pictures and +symbols formed in the cup scrupulously accepted as correct, for reasons +which are explained in a subsequent chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RITUAL AND METHOD OF USING THE TEA-CUP + +The best kind of tea to use if tea-cup reading is to be followed is +undoubtedly China tea, the original tea imported into this country and +still the best for all purposes. Indian tea and the cheaper mixtures +contain so much dust and so many fragments of twigs and stems as often +to be quite useless for the purposes of divination, as they will not +combine to form pictures, or symbols clearly to be discerned. + +The best shape of cup to employ is one with a wide opening at the top +and a bottom not too small. Cups with almost perpendicular sides are +very difficult to read, as the symbols cannot be seen properly, and +the same may be said of small cups. A plain-surfaced breakfast-cup is +perhaps the best to use; and the interior should be white and have no +pattern printed upon it, as this confuses the clearness of the picture +presented by the leaves, as does any fluting or eccentricity of shape. + +The ritual to be observed is very simple. The tea-drinker should +drink the contents of his or her cup so as to leave only about half a +teaspoonful of the beverage remaining. He should next take the cup by +the handle in his left hand, rim upwards, and turn it three times from +left to right in one fairly rapid swinging movement. He should then very +slowly and carefully invert it over the saucer and leave it there for a +minute, so as to permit of all moisture draining away. + +If he approaches the oracle at all seriously he should during the whole +of these proceedings concentrate his mind upon his future Destiny, and +'will' that the symbols forming under the guidance of his hand and +arm (which in their turn are, of course, directed by his brain) shall +correctly represent what is destined to happen to him in the future. + +If, however, he or she is not in such deadly earnest, but merely +indulging in a harmless pastime, such an effort of concentration need +not be made. The 'willing' is, of course, akin to 'wishing' when cutting +the cards in another time-honoured form of fortune-telling. + +The cup to be read should be held in the hand and turned about in order +to read the symbols without disturbing them, which will not happen +if the moisture has been properly drained away. The handle of the cup +represents the consultant and is akin to the 'house' in divination by +the cards. By this fixed point judgment is made as to events approaching +the 'house' of the consultant, journeys away from home, messages or +visitors to be expected, relative distance, and so forth. The advantage +of employing a cup instead of a saucer is here apparent. + +'The bottom of the cup represents the remoter future foretold; the side +events not so far distant; and matters symbolised near the rim those +that may be expected to occur quickly. The nearer the symbols approach +the handle in all three cases the nearer to fulfilment will be the +events prognosticated. + +If this simple ritual has been correctly carried out the tea-leaves, +whether many or few, will be found distributed about the bottom and +sides of the cup. The fortune may be equally well told whether there are +many leaves or few; but of course there must be some, and therefore the +tea should not have been made in a pot provided with one of the patent +arrangements that stop the leaves from issuing from the spout when the +beverage is poured into the cups. There is nothing to beat one of the +plain old-fashioned earthenware teapots, whether for the purpose of +preparing a palatable beverage or for that of providing the means of +telling a fortune. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN READING THE CUP + +The interior of the tea-cup when it is ready to be consulted will +exhibit the leaves scattered apparently in a fortuitous and accidental +manner, but really in accordance with the muscular action of the left +arm as controlled by the mind at whose bidding it has worked. These +scattered leaves will form lines and circles of dots or small leaves +and dust combined with stems, and groups of leaves in larger or smaller +patches: apparently in meaningless confusion. + +Careful notice should now be taken of all the shapes and figures formed +inside the cup. These should be viewed front different positions, so +that their meaning becomes clear. It is not very easy at first to see +what the shapes really are, but after looking at them carefully they +become plainer. The different shapes and figures in the cup must be +taken together in a general reading. Bad indications will be balanced by +good ones; some good ones will be strengthened by others, and so on. + +It is now the business of the seer--whether the consultant or some adept +to whom he has handed the cup to be read--to find some fairly close +resemblance between the groups formed by the leaves and various natural +or artificial objects. This part of the performance resembles the +looking for 'pictures in the fire' as practised by children in nurseries +and school-rooms and occasionally by people of a larger growth. Actual +representations of such things as trees, animals, birds, anchors, +crowns, coffins, flowers, and so forth may by the exercise of the +powers of observation and imagination be discerned, as well as squares, +triangles, and crosses. Each of these possesses, as a symbol, some +fortunate or unfortunate signification. Such signs may be either large +or small, and their relative importance must be judged according to +their size. Supposing the symbol observed should be that indicating +the receipt of a legacy, for instance: if small it would mean that +the inheritance would be but trifling, if large that it would be +substantial, while if leaves grouped to form a resemblance to a coronet +accompany the sign for a legacy, a title would probably descend upon +the consultant at the same time. The meaning of all the symbols of this +nature likely to be formed by the fortuitous arrangement of leaves in +a tea-cup is fully set forth in the concluding chapter; and it is +unnecessary therefore to enlarge upon this branch of the subject. + +There are, however, several points of a more general character that must +be considered before it is possible to form an accurate judgment of +the fortune displayed. For instance, isolated leaves or groups of a +few leaves or stems frequently form letters of the alphabet or numbers. +These letters and numbers possess meanings which must be sought in +conjunction with other signs. If near a letter L is seen a small square +or oblong leaf, or if a number of very small dots form such a square +or oblong, it indicates that a letter or parcel will be received from +somebody whose surname (not Christian name) begins with an L. If the +combined symbol appears near the handle and near the rim of the cup, +the letter is close at hand; if in the bottom there will be delay in its +receipt. If the sign of a letter is accompanied by the appearance of +a bird flying towards the 'house' it means a telegraphic despatch: +if flying away from the house the consultant will have to send the +telegram. Birds flying always indicate news of some sort. + +Again, the dust in the tea and the smaller leaves and stems frequently +form lines of dots. These are significant of a journey, and their extent +and direction shows its length and the point of the compass towards +which it will extend: the handle for this purpose being considered as +due south. If the consultant is at home and lines lead from the handle +right round the cup and back to the handle, it shows that he will +return; if they end before getting back to the handle, and especially +if a resemblance to a house appears where the journey line ends, it +betokens removal to some other place. If the consultant be away from +home, lines leading to the handle show a return home, and if free +from crosses or other symbols of delay that the return will be speedy: +otherwise it will be postponed. The occurrence of a numeral may +indicate the number of days, or if in connection with a number of small +dots grouped around the sign of a letter, a present or a legacy, the +amount of the remittance in the former, the number of presents to be +expected, or the amount of the legacy coming. Dots surrounding a symbol +always indicate money coming in some form or other, according to the +nature of the symbol. + +It will be seen that to read a fortune in the tea-cup with any real +approach to accuracy and a serious attempt to derive a genuine forecast +from the cup the seer must not be in a hurry. He or she must not only +study the general appearance of the horoscope displayed before him, +and decide upon the resemblance of the groups of leaves to natural or +artificial objects, each of which possesses a separate significance, but +must also balance the bad and good, the lucky and unlucky symbols, and +strike an average. For instance, a large bouquet of flowers, which is a +fortunate sign, would outweigh in importance one or two minute crosses, +which in this case would merely signify some small delay in the +realisation of success; whereas one large cross in a prominent position +would be a warning of disaster that would be little, if at all, +mitigated by the presence of small isolated flowers, however lucky +individually these may be. This is on the same principle as that by +which astrologers judge a horoscope, when, after computing the aspects +of the planets towards each other, the Sun and Moon, the Ascendant, +Mid-heaven, and the significator of the Native, they balance the good +aspects against the bad, the strong against the weak, the Benefics +against the Malefics, and so strike an average. In a similar way the +lucky and unlucky, signs in a tea-cup must be balanced one against the +other and an average struck: and in this connection it may be pointed +out that symbols which stand out clearly and distinctly by themselves +are of more importance than those with difficulty to be discerned amid +cloudlike masses of shapeless leaves. When these clouds obscure or +surround a lucky sign they weaken its force, and vice versa. In tea-cup +reading, however, the fortune told must be regarded chiefly as of a +horary character, not, as with an astrological horoscope, that of a +whole life; and where it is merely indulged in as a light amusement to +while away a few minutes after a meal such nicety of judgment is not +called for. The seer will just glance at the cup, note the sign for +a letter from someone, or that for a journey to the seaside or the +proximity of a gift, or an offer of marriage, and pass on to another +cup. + +It should be observed that some cups when examined will present no +features of interest, or will be so clouded and muddled that no clear +meaning is to be read in them. In such a case the seer should waste no +time over them. Either the consultant has not concentrated his or her +attention upon the business in hand when turning the cup, or his destiny +is so obscured by the indecision of his mind or the vagueness of his +ideas that it is unable to manifest itself by symbols. Persons who +consult the tea-leaves too frequently often find this muddled state of +things to supervene. Probably once a week will be often enough to look +into the future, although there is something to be said for the Highland +custom of examining the leaves of the morning cup of tea in order to +obtain some insight into the events the day may be expected to bring +forth. To 'look in the cup' three or four times a day, as some +silly folk do, is simply to ask for contradictory manifestations and +consequent bewilderment, and is symptomatic of the idle, empty, bemused +minds that prompt to such ill-advised conduct. + +Of course the tea-cup may be employed solely for the purpose of asking +what is known to astrologers as 'a horary question', such, for instance, +as 'Shall I hear from my lover in France, and when?' In this case the +attention of the consultant when turning the cup must be concentrated +solely on this single point, and the seer will regard the shapes taken +by the tea-leaves solely in this connection in order to give a definite +and satisfactory answer. An example of this class of horary question is +included among the illustrations (Fig. 10). + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SYMBOLS WITH THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS + +A question that will very naturally occur to persons of an enquiring +turn of mind in regard to the figures and symbols seen in the tea-cup +is: Why should one symbol necessarily signify one thing and not +something quite different? + +The answer, of course, is that the meanings given to the symbols are +purely arbitrary, and that there is no scientific reason why one should +signify one thing and not another. There is no real reason why the +ace of clubs, for instance, should not be considered the 'House Card' +instead of the nine of hearts, or why the double four in dominoes should +signify an invitation instead of a wedding, like the double three. + +It is obviously necessary, however, in attempting to read the future by +means of any kind of symbols, whether pips, dots, numbers or anything +else, to fix beforehand upon some definite meaning to be attributed to +each separate symbol and to hold fast to this meaning in all events. +In the case of tea-leaves, where the symbols are not mere 'conventional +signs' or numbers but actual figures like the pictures seen in the fire +or those envisaged in dreams, there is no doubt that the signification +of most of them is the result of empyrical experience. Generations of +spae-wives have found that the recurrence of a certain figure in the +cup has corresponded with the occurrence of a certain event in the +future lives of the various persons who have consulted them: and this +empyrical knowledge has been handed down from seer to seer until a +sufficient deposit of tradition has been formed from which it has been +found possible to compile a detailed list of the most important symbols +and to attach to each a traditional meaning. These significations have +been collected by the writer--in a desultory manner--over a long period +of years chiefly from spae-wives in both Highland and Lowland Scotland, +but also in Cornwall, on Dartmoor, in Middle England, in Gloucestershire +and Northumberland. Occasionally it has been found that a different +meaning is attributed to a symbol by one seer from that given it by +another. In such cases an alternative signification might, of course, +have been given here, but as the essence of all such significations +is that they shall be stable and unvarying, the writer has fixed upon +whichever meaning has been most widely attributed to the symbol or +appears to have the best authority for its adoption, so that the element +of doubt may be excluded. + +Although included in their alphabetical order in the list which follows, +there are certain figures and symbols which are of so common occurrence +and bear such definite interpretation that it is advisable to refer to +them here in detail. Certain symbols are invariably signs of approaching +good-fortune: certain others of threatened ill-luck. Among the former +may be mentioned triangles, stars, trefoil or clover-leaves, anchors, +trees, garlands and flowers, bridges or arches, and crowns. Among the +latter, coffins, clouds, crosses, serpents, rats and mice and some +wild beasts, hour-glasses, umbrellas, church-steeples, swords and guns, +ravens, owls, and monkeys are all ominous symbols. + +SYMBOLS AND SIGNIFICATIONS + +ABBEY, future ease and freedom from worry. + +ACORN, improvement in health, continued health, strength, and good +fortune. + +AIRCRAFT, unsuccessful projects. + +ANCHOR, a lucky sign; success in business and constancy in love; if +cloudy, the reverse must be read. + +ANGEL, good news, especially good fortune in love. + +APES, secret enemies. + +APPLES, long life; gain by commerce. + +APPLE-TREE, change for the better. + +ARCH, a journey abroad. + +ARROW, a disagreeable letter from the direction in which it comes. + +ASS, misfortune overcome by patience; or a legacy. + +AXE, difficulties overcome. + +BADGER, long life and prosperity as a bachelor. + +BASKET, an addition to the family. + +BAT, fruitless journeys or tasks. + +BEAR, a long period of travel. + +BEASTS, other than those mentioned, foretell misfortune. + +BIRDS, a lucky sign; good news if flying, if at rest a fortunate +journey. + +BOAT, a friend will visit the consultant. + +BOUQUET, one of the luckiest of symbols; staunch friends, success, a +happy marriage. + +BRIDGE, a favourable journey. + +BUILDING, a removal. + +BULL, slander by some enemy. + +BUSH, an invitation into society. + +BUTTERFLY, success and pleasure. + +CAMEL, a burden to be patiently borne. + +CANNON, good fortune. + +CAR (MOTOR), and CARRIAGE, approaching wealth, visits from friends. + +CART, fluctuations of fortune. + +CASTLE, unexpected fortune or a legacy. + +CAT, difficulties caused by treachery. + +CATHEDRAL, great prosperity. + +CATTLE, prosperity. + +CHAIN, an early marriage; if broken, trouble in store. + +CHAIR, an addition to the family. + +CHURCH, a legacy. + +CIRCLES, money or presents. They mean that the person whose fortune is +read may expect money or presents. + +CLOUDS, serious trouble; if surrounded by dots, financial success. + +CLOVER, a very lucky sign; happiness and prosperity. At the top of the +cup, it will come quickly. As it nears the bottom, it will mean more or +less distant. + +COCK, much prosperity. + +COFFIN, long sickness or sign of death of a near relation or great +friend. + +COMET, misfortune and trouble. + +COMPASSES, a sign of travelling as a profession. + +COW, a prosperous sign. + +CROSS, a sign of trouble and delay or even death. + +CROWN, success and honour. + +CROWN AND CROSS, signifies good fortune resulting from death. + +DAGGER, favours from friends. + +DEER, quarrels, disputes; failure in trade. + +DOG, a favourable sign; faithful friends, if at top of cup; in middle of +cup, they are untrustworthy; at the bottom means secret enemies. + +DONKEY, a legacy long awaited. + +DOVE, a lucky symbol; progress in prosperity and affection. + +DRAGON, great and sudden changes. + +DUCK, increase of wealth by trade. + +EAGLE, honour and riches through change of residence. + +ELEPHANT, a lucky sign; good health. + +FALCON, a persistent enemy. + +FERRET, active enemies. + +FISH, good news from abroad; if surrounded by dots, emigration. + +FLAG, danger from wounds inflicted by an enemy. + +FLEUR-DE-LYS, same as LILY (q.v.). + +FLOWERS, good fortune, success; a happy marriage. + +FOX, treachery by a trusted friend. + +FROG, success in love and commerce. + +GALLOWS, a sign of good luck. + +GOAT, a sign of enemies, and of misfortune to a sailor. + +GOOSE, happiness; a successful venture. + +GRASSHOPPER, a great friend will become a soldier. + +GREYHOUND, a good fortune by strenuous exertion. + +GUN, a sign of discord and slander. + +HAMMER, triumph over adversity. + +HAND, to be read in conjunction with neighbouring symbols and according +to what it points. + +HARE, a sign of a long journey, or the return of an absent friend. Also +of a speedy and fortunate marriage to those who are single. + +HARP, marriage, success in love. + +HAT, success in life. + +HAWK, an enemy. + +HEART, pleasures to come; if surrounded by dots, through money; if +accompanied by a ring, through marriage. + +HEAVENLY BODIES, SUN, MOON AND STARS, signifies happiness and success. + +HEN, increase of riches or an addition to the family. + +HORSE, desires fulfilled through a prosperous journey. + +HORSE-SHOE, a lucky journey or success in marriage and choosing a +partner. + +HOUR-GLASS, imminent peril. + +HOUSE, success in business. + +HUMAN FIGURES must be judged according to what they appear to be doing. +They are generally good and denote love and marriage. + +INTERROGATION (mark of), doubt or disappointment. + +IVY, honour and happiness through faithful friends. + +JACKAL, a sly animal who need not be feared. A mischief maker of no +account. + +JOCKEY, successful speculation. + +JUG, good health. + +KANGAROO, a rival in business or love. + +KETTLE, death. + +KEY, money, increasing trade, and a good husband or wife. + +KITE, a sign of lengthy voyaging and travel leading to honour and +dignity. + +KNIFE, a warning of disaster through quarrels and enmity. + +LADDER, a sign of travel. + +LEOPARD, a sign of emigration with subsequent success. + +LETTERS, shown by square or oblong tea-leaves, signifies news. Initials +near will show surnames of writers; if accompanied by dots they will +contain money; if unclouded, good; but if fixed about by clouds, bad +news or loss of money. + +LILY, at top of cup, health and happiness; a virtuous wife; at bottom, +anger and strife. + +LINES indicate journeys and their direction, read in conjunction with +other signs of travel; wavy lines denote troublesome journeys or losses +therein. + +LION, greatness through powerful friends. + +LYNX, danger of divorce or break off of an engagement. + +MAN, a visitor arriving. If the arm is held out, he brings a present. +If figure is very clear, he is dark; if indistinct, he is of light +complexion. + +MERMAID, misfortune, especially to seafaring persons. + +MITRE, a sign of honour to a clergyman or through religious agency. + +MONKEY, the consultant will be deceived in love. + +MOON (as a crescent), prosperity and fortune. + +MOUNTAIN, powerful friends; many mountains, equally powerful enemies. + +MOUSE, danger of poverty through theft or swindling. + +MUSHROOM, sudden separation of lovers after a quarrel. + +NOSEGAY, the same as BOUQUET (q.v.). + +NUMBERS depends on symbols in conjunction with them. + +OAK, very lucky; long life, good health, profitable business, and a +happy marriage. + +OBLONG FIGURES, family or business squabbles. + +OWL, an evil omen, indicative of sickness, poverty, disgrace, a warning +against commencing any new enterprise. If the consultant be in love he +or she will be deceived. + +PALM-TREE, good luck; success in any undertaking. A sign of children to +a wife and of a speedy marriage to a maid. + +PARROT, a sign of emigration for a lengthy period. + +PEACOCK, denotes success and the acquisition of property; also a happy +marriage. + +PEAR, great wealth and improved social position; success in business, +and to a woman a wealthy husband. + +PEDESTRIAN, good news; an important appointment. + +PHEASANT, a legacy. + +PIG, good and bad luck mixed: a faithful lover but envious friends. + +PIGEONS, important news if flying; if at rest, domestic bliss and wealth +acquired in trade. + +PINE-TREE, continuous happiness. + +PISTOL, disaster. + +RABBIT, fair success in a city or large town. + +RAT, treacherous servants; losses through enemies. + +RAVEN, death for the aged; disappointment in love, divorce, failure in +business, and trouble generally. + +RAZOR, lovers' quarrels and separation. + +REPTILE, quarrels. + +RIDER, good news from overseas regarding financial prospects. + +RIFLE, a sign of discord and strife. + +RING, a ring means marriage; and if a letter can be found near it, this +is the initial of the future spouse. If clouds are near the ring, an +unhappy marriage; if all is clear about it, the contrary. A ring right +at the bottom means the wedding will not take place. + +ROSE, a lucky sign betokening good fortune and happiness. + +SAW, trouble brought about by strangers. + +SCALES, a lawsuit. + +SCEPTRE, a sign of honour from royalty. + +SCISSORS, quarrels; illness; separation of lovers. + +SERPENT, spiteful enemies; bad luck; illness. + +SHARK, danger of death. + +SHEEP, success, prosperity. + +SHIP, a successful journey. + +SNAKES are a sign of bad omen. Great caution is needed to ward off +misfortune. + +SPIDER, a sign of money coming to the consultant. + +SQUARES, comfort and peace. + +STAR, a lucky sign; if surrounded by dots foretells great wealth and +honours. + +STEEPLE, bad luck. + +STRAIGHT LINE, a journey, very pleasant. + +STRAIGHT LINES are an indication of peace, happiness, and long life. + +SWALLOW, a journey with a pleasant ending. + +SWAN, good luck and a happy marriage. + +SWORD, dispute, quarrels between lovers; a broken sword, victory of an +enemy. + +TIMBER, logs of timber indicate business success. + +TOAD, deceit and unexpected enemies. + +TREES, a lucky sign; a sure indication of prosperity and happiness; +surrounded by dots, a fortune in the country. + +TRIANGLES, always a sign of good luck and unexpected legacies. + +TRIDENT, success and honours in the Navy. + +TWISTED FIGURES, disturbances and vexation; grievances if there are many +such figures. + +UMBRELLA, annoyance and trouble. + +UNICORN, scandal. + +VULTURE, bitter foes. + +WAGON, a sign of approaching poverty. + +WAVY LINES, if long and waved, denote losses and vexations. The +importance of the lines depends upon the number of them and if heavy or +light. + +WHEEL, an inheritance about to fall in. + +WINDMILL, success in a venturous enterprise. + +WOLF, beware of jealous intrigues. + +WOMAN, pleasure and happiness; if accompanied by dots, wealth or +children. Several women indicate scandal. + +WOOD, a speedy marriage. + +WORMS indicate secret foes. + +YACHT, pleasure and happiness. + +YEW-TREE indicates the death of an aged person who will leave his +possessions to the consultant. + +ZEBRA, travel and adventure in foreign lands. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A COLLECTION OF SPECIMEN CUPS, WITH INTERPRETATIONS + +The succeeding ten figures are copied from actual tea-cups that have +been at different times subjected to the proper ritual by various +consultants and duly interpreted by seers. They are selected out of +a larger number as being representative of many different classes of +horoscope, and they should afford students practical instruction in what +symbols to look for, and how to discern them clearly as they turn the +cup about and about in their hands. + +By reference to the interpretations provided upon the pages facing the +illustrations he will be able to ascertain the principles upon which to +form a judgment of the cup generally; and this, once he has mastered the +method, he will be able to supplement, by consulting the alphabetical +list of symbols and their significations in the previous chapter, and +in this way will speedily attain proficiency in reading any tea-cup +presented for his consideration. + + +INTERPRETATIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG.1 + +This is a fortunate horoscope. If cup has been turned by a man it shows +that he will gain success, honour, and wealth in the profession of a +naval officer. If by a woman then her luck is bound up with that of a +sailor or marine. + +The pistols on the sides show the profession of arms, and the naval gun +in the bottom of the cup accompanied by a trident the branch to which he +belongs. The on one side and the tree on the other are two of the best +signs of promotion, rewards, and prosperity. The house near the pistol +pointing towards the handle of the cup indicates the acquisition of +property, but as neither tree nor house are surrounded by dots this will +be a town, not a country, residence. The repetition of the initial 'L' +may show the name of the admiral, ship, or battle in which the officer +will win renown. The triangles confirm the other signs of good fortune. + +[ILLUSTRATION 1] + +FIG.1 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Two pistols on sides. + A cannon in conjunction with a trident in centre. + A pear. + A tree. + + on sides. + A house. + A pair of compasses near the rim. + Several small triangles scattered about. Initial letters 'L' + (twice), 'N,' and 'V' (twice). + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 2 + +There is nothing very significant in this tea-cup. The wavy lines denote +a troublesome journey leading to some small amount of luck in connection +with a person or place whose name begins with the initial 'E.' The +hour-glass near the rim and the place from which the journey starts +denotes that it will be undertaken in order to avoid some imminent +peril. The numeral '4' conjoined with the sign of a parcel shows that +one may be expected in that number of days. + +[ILLUSTRATION 2] + +FIG.2 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Wavy lines. + Initial 'E' in conjunction with Horse-shoe. + Hour-glass near rim. + Parcel in conjunction with numeral '4.' + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 3 + +This shows, by means of the crescent moon on the side, prosperity and +fortune as the result of a journey denoted by the lines. The number +of triangles in conjunction with the initial 'H' indicates the name +commences with that letter, and, being near the rim, at no great +distance of time. The bird flying towards and near the handle, +accompanied by a triangle and a long envelope, denotes good news from an +official source. The flag gives warning of some danger from an enemy. + +[ILLUSTRATION 3] + +FIG. 3 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Crescent moon. + Bird flying. + Triangles. + Flag. + Initial 'A' in conjunction with sign of letter in official + envelope. + Other initials, 'H' and two 'L's.' + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 4 + +The consultant is about to journey eastward to some large building or +institution, shown by the figure at the end of the straight line of +dots. There is some confusion in his or her affairs caused by too much +indulgence in pleasure and gaiety, denoted by the butterfly involved +in obscure groups of tea-leaves near the handle. The tree and the +fleur-de-lys (or lily) in the bottom of the cup are, however, signs of +eventual success, probably through the assistance of some person whose +name begins with an 'N.' + +[ILLUSTRATION 4] + +FIG. 4 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Large tree in bottom of cup. + Fleur-de-lys (or lily). + Butterfly on side approaching handle. + Line of dots leading east to Building. + Initials 'N' and 'C.' + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG.5 + +A letter is approaching the consultant containing a considerable sum of +money, as it is surrounded by dots. The future, shown by the bottom of +the cup, is not clear, and betokens adversities; but the presence of the +hammer there denotes triumph over these, a sign confirmed by the hat on +the side. The consultant will be annoyed by somebody whose name begins +with 'J,' and assisted by one bearing the initial 'Y.' + +[ILLUSTRATION 5] + +FIG. 5 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Hammer in centre of bottom. + A letter approaching the house, accompanied by + Dots, + Hat, + Initials 'Y' and 'J' (accompanied by small cross). + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 6 + +A letter containing good news, shown by bird flying and the triangle, +may be expected immediately. If from a lover it shows that he is +constant and prosperous, owing to the anchor on the side. The large +tree on the side indicates happiness and prosperity. A letter will be +received from someone whose initial is 'L.' In the bottom of the cup +there are signs of minor vexations or delays in connection with someone +whose name begins with 'C.' + +[ILLUSTRATION 6] + +FIG. 6 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Large tree on side. + Anchor on side. + Bird flying high towards handle. + Small cross in bottom. + Letter sign close to handle. + Triangle. + Initial 'L' with letter sign. + Other initials, 'C' and 'H.' + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 7 + +The two horse-shoes indicate a lucky journey to some large residence +in a north-easterly direction, the tree surmounting which denotes that +happiness and fortune will be found there and that (as it is surrounded +by dots) it is situated in the country. The sitting hen in the bottom +of the cup, surmounted by a triangle (to see which properly the +illustration must be turned round) is indicative of increased wealth by +an unexpected legacy. A letter from someone whose name begins with +'T' will contain a remittance of money, but it may not arrive for some +little time. + +[ILLUSTRATION 7] + +FIG.7 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Large horse-shoe, edge of bottom, in conjunction with + smaller horse-shoe. + Line of dots leading E.N.E. to + Large building surmounted by + Tree, overlapping rim. + Flowers. + Small triangles. + Initial 'T' with letter and money signs. + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG.8 + +This tea-cup appears to give warning by the flag in conjunction with +a rifle and the letter 'V' that some friend of the consultant will be +wounded in battle, and as there is a coffin in the bottom of the cup +that the wounds will be fatal. On the other side, however, a sceptre, +surrounded by signs of honours, seems to indicate that 'V' will be +recognized by his sovereign and a decoration bestowed upon him +for bravery in battle, shown by the initial 'K' accompanied by a +letter-sign, and by the astrological sign of Mars, intervening between +these and the sceptre. + +[ILLUSTRATION 8] + +FIG. 8 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Coffin in bottom, in conjunction with 'V.' + Flag in conjunction with rifle on side. + Sceptre on side. + Large initial 'K' with letter sign near sceptre. + Astrological sign of Mars between them. + Initial 'V' near flag and rifle. + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 9 + +If the consultant be single this cup will, by means of the hare on the +side, tell him that he will speedily be married. The figure of a lady +holding out an ivy-leaf is a sign that his sweetheart will prove true +and constant, and the heart in conjunction with a ring and the initial +'A' still further points to marriage with a person whose name begins +with that letter. The flower, triangle, and butterfly are all signs of +prosperity, pleasure and happiness. + +[ILLUSTRATION 9] + +FIG.9 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Hare sitting on side. + Butterfly near rim. + Heart and ring. + Large flower on edge of bottom. + Figure of woman holding ivy-leaf in bottom. + Triangle. + Initials 'A' and small 'C' with dots. + + + +INTERPRETATION + +FIG. 10 + +This is typical of the cup being too often consulted by some people. It +is almost void of meaning, the only symbols indicating a short journey, +although the flower near the rim denotes good luck, and the fact that +the bottom is clear that nothing very important is about to happen to +the consultant. + +[ILLUSTRATION 10] + +FIG. 10 + +_Principal Symbols_:-- + + Line of dots leading W.S.W to + Flower. + Two letters near rim + + + +CHAPTER VI + +OMENS + +How have omens been regarded in the past? An appeal to anciency is +usually a safeguard for a basis. It is found that most of the earliest +records are now subsisting. See official guide to the British Museum. +Babylonian and Assyrian antiquities, table case H. Nineveh Gallery, the +following appears: + +"By means of omen tablets the Babylonian and Assyrian priests from time +immemorial predicted events which they believed would happen in the near +or in the remote future. They deduced these omens from the appearance +and actions of animals, birds, fish, and reptiles; from the appearance +of the entrails of sacrificial victims; from the appearance and +condition of human and animal offspring at birth; from the state and +condition of various members of the human body." + +In India, where the records of the early ages of civilization go back +hundreds of years, omens are considered of great importance. + +Later, in Greece, the home of the greatest and highest culture and +civilization, we find, too, omens regarded very seriously, while to-day +there are vast numbers of persons of intellect, the world over, who +place reliance upon omens. + +That there is some good ground for belief in some omens seems +indisputable. Whether this has arisen as the result of experience, by +the following of some particular event close upon the heels of signs +observed, or whether it has been an intuitive science, in which +provision has been used to afford an interpretation, is not quite +clear. It seems idle to attempt to dismiss the whole thing as mere +superstition, wild guessing, or abject credulity, as some try to do, +with astrology and alchemy also, and other occult sciences; the fact +remains that omens have, in numberless instances, given good warnings. + +To say that these are just coincidences is to beg the question. For +the universe is governed by law. Things happen because they must, not +because they may. There is no such thing as accident or coincidence. We +may not be able to see the steps and the connections. But they are there +all the same. + +In years gone by many signs were deduced from the symptoms of sick +men; the events or actions of a man's life; dreams and visions; the +appearance of a man's shadow; from fire, flame, light, or smoke; the +state and condition of cities and their streets, of fields, marshes, +rivers, and lands. From the appearances of the stars and planets, of +eclipses, meteors, shooting stars, the direction of winds, the form of +clouds, thunder and lightning and other weather incidents, they were +able to forecast happenings. A number of tablets are devoted to these +prophecies. + +It is conceivable that many of these omens should have found their way +into Greece, and it is not unreasonable to believe that India may have +derived her knowledge of omens from Babylonia; or it may have been the +other way about. The greatest of scholars are divided in their opinions +as to which really is the earlier civilization. + +The point to be made here is that in all parts of the world--in +quarters where we may be certain that no trace of Grecian, Indian, or +Babylonian science or civilization has appeared--there are to be found +systems of prophecies by omens. + +It may be accounted for in two ways. One that in all races as they grow +up, so to speak, there is the same course of evolution of ideas and +superstition which to many appears childish. The other explanation seems +to be the more reasonable one, if we believe, as we are forced to +do, that omens do foretell--that all peoples, all races, accumulate a +record, oral or otherwise, of things which have happened more or less +connected with things which seemed to indicate them. In course of time +this knowledge appears to consolidate. It gets generally accepted as +true. And then it is handed on from generation to generation. Often with +the passage of years it gets twisted and a new meaning taken out of it +altogether different from the original. + +It would be difficult to attempt to classify omens. Many books have been +written on the subject and more yet to be written of the beliefs of the +various races. The best that can be offered here is a selection from one +or other of the varied sources. In Greece sneezing was a good omen and +was considered a proof of the truth of what was said at the moment by +the sneezer. + +A tingling in the hand denoted the near handling of money, a ringing +in the ears that news will soon be received. The number of sneezes then +became a sign for more definite results. The hand which tingled, either +right or left, indicated whether it were to be paid or received. The +particular ear affected was held to indicate good or evil news. +Other involuntary movements of the body were also considered of prime +importance. + +Many omens are derived from the observation of various substances +dropped into a bowl of water. In Babylon oil was used. To-day in various +countries melted lead, wax, or the white of an egg, is used. From the +shapes which result, the trade or occupation of a future husband, the +luck for the year, and so on, are deduced in the folk practices of +modern Europe. Finns use stearine and melted lead, Magyars lead, +Russians wax, Danes lead and egg, and the northern counties of England +egg, wax and oil. + +Bird omens were the subject of very serious study in Greece. It has been +thought that this was because in the early mythology of Greece some +of their gods and goddesses were believed to have been birds. Birds, +therefore, were particularly sacred, and their appearances and movements +were of profound significance. The principal birds for signs were the +raven, the crow, the heron, wren, dove, woodpecker, and kingfisher, and +all the birds of prey, such as the hawk, eagle, or vulture, which the +ancients classed together (W. R. Halliday, "Greek Divination"). Many +curious instances, which were fulfilled, of bird omens are related in +"The Other World," by Rev. F. Lee. A number of families have traditions +about the appearance of a white bird in particular. + +"In the ancient family of Ferrers, of Chartley Park, in Staffordshire, a +herd of wild cattle is preserved. A tradition arose in the time of Henry +III. that the birth of a parti-coloured calf is a sure omen of death, +within the same year, to a member of the Lord Ferrers family. By +a noticeable coincidence, a calf of this description has been born +whenever a death has happened of late years in this noble family." +(_Staffordshire Chronicle_, July, 1835). The falling of a picture or a +statue or bust of the individual is usually regarded as an evil omen. +Many cases are cited where this has been soon followed by the death of +the person. + +It would be easy to multiply instances of this sort: of personal omen or +warning. The history and traditions of our great families are saturated +with it. The predictions and omens relating to certain well known +families, and others, recur at once; and from these it may be inferred +that beneath the more popular beliefs there is enough fire and truth to +justify the smoke that is produced, and to reward some of the faith +that is placed in the modern dreambooks and the books of fate and the +interpretations of omens. + +OMENS + +ACORN.--Falling from the oak tree on anyone, is a sign of good fortune +to the person it strikes. + +BAT.--To see one in day time means long journey. + +BIRTHDAYS.-- + + "Monday's child is fair of face, + Tuesday's child is full of grace, + Wednesday's child is full of woe, + Thursday's child has far to go, + Friday's child is loving and giving, + Saturday's child works hard for its living; + But a child that's born on the Sabbath-day + Is handsome and wise and loving and gay." + +BUTTERFLY.--In your room means great pleasure and success, but you must +not catch it, or the luck will change. + +CANDLE.--A spark on the wick of a candle means a letter for the one who +first sees it. A big glow like a parcel means money coming to you. + +CAT.--Black cat to come to your house means difficulties caused by +treachery. Drive it away and avoid trouble. + +CHAIN.--If your chain breaks while on you means disappointments or a +broken engagement of marriage. + +CLOTHES.--To put on clothes the wrong way out is a sign of good luck; +but you must not alter them, or the luck will change. + +CLOVER.--To find a four-leaf clover means luck to you, happiness and +prosperity. + +COW.--Coming in your yard or garden a very prosperous sign. + +CRICKETS.--A lucky omen. It foretells money coming to you. They should +not be disturbed. + +DOG.--Coming to your house, means faithful friends and a favourable +sign. + +DEATH-WATCH.--A clicking in the wall by this little insect is regarded +as evil, but it does not necessarily mean a death; possibly only some +sickness. + +EARS.--You are being talked about if your ear tingles. Some say, "right +for spite, left for love." Others reverse this omen. If you think of the +person, friend, or acquaintance who is likely to be talking of you, and +mention the name aloud, the tingling will cease if you say the right +one. + +FLAG.--If it falls from the staff, while flying it means danger from +wounds inflicted by an enemy. + +FRUIT STONES OR PIPS.--Think of a wish first, and then count your stones +or pips. If the number is even, the omen is good. If odd, the reverse is +the case. + +GRASSHOPPER in the house means some great friend or distinguished person +will visit you. + +HORSESHOE.--To find one means it will bring you luck. + +KNIVES crossed are a bad omen. If a knife or fork or scissors falls to +the ground and sticks in the floor you will have a visitor. + +LADYBIRDS betoken visitors. + +LOOKING GLASS.--To break means it will bring you ill luck. + +MAGPIES.--One, bad luck; two, good luck; three, a wedding; four, a +birth. + +MARRIAGE.--A maid should not wear colours; a widow never white. Happy +omens for brides are sunshine and a cat sneezing. + +MAY.--"Marry in May, and you'll rue the day." + +NEW MOON on a Monday signifies good luck and good weather. The new moon +seen for the first time over the right shoulder offers the chance for a +wish to come true. + +NIGHTINGALE.--Lucky for lovers if heard before the cuckoo. + +OWLS are evil omens. Continuous hooting of owls in your trees is said to +be one of ill-health. + +PIGS.--To meet a sow coming towards you is good; but if she turns away, +the luck flies. + +RABBITS.--A rabbit running across your path is said to be unlucky. + +RAT.--A rat running in front of you means treacherous servants and +losses through enemies. + +RAVEN.--To see one, means death to the aged or trouble generally. + +SALT spilled means a quarrel. This may be avoided by throwing a pinch +over the left shoulder. + +SCISSORS.--If they fall and stick in the floor it means quarrels, +illness, separation of lovers. + +SERPENT OR SNAKE.--If it crosses your path, means spiteful enemies, bad +luck. Kill it and your luck will be reversed. + +SHOES.--The right shoe is the best one to put on first. + +SHOOTING STARS.--If you wish, while the star is still moving, your wish +will come true. + +SINGING before breakfast, you'll cry before night. + +SPIDERS.--The little red spider is the money spider, and means good +fortune coming to you. It must not be disturbed. Long-legged spiders are +also forerunners of good fortune. + +TOWEL.--To wipe your hands on a towel at the same time with another, +means you are to quarrel with him or her in the near future. + +WHEEL.--The wheel coming off any vehicle you are riding in means you are +to inherit some fortune, a good omen. + +WASHING HANDS.--If you wash your hands in the water just used by +another, a quarrel may be expected, unless you first make the sign of +the cross over the water. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tea-Cup Reading, and the Art of +Fortune-Telling by Tea Leaves, by 'A Highland Seer' + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEA-CUP READING *** + +***** This file should be named 18241.txt or 18241.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/2/4/18241/ + +Produced by Ruth Hart, ruthhart@twilightoracle.com + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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