THE ART OF TELLING FORTUNES BY THE GROUNDS OF A TEA OR COFFEE CUP.
Pour the grounds of coffee or tea into a white cup, shake them well about in it, so that their particles may cover the whole surface of the cup; then reverse it into the saucer, that all the superfluous parts may be drained off and the figures required for fortune telling be formed. The person that acts the fortune teller must always bend his thoughts upon him or her that wishes to have their fortune told, and upon their rank and profession, in order to give plausibility to their predictions. It is not to be expected, upon taking up the cup, that the figures will be accurately represented as they are in cards, but it is quite sufficient if they bear some resemblance to any of the thirty-two emblems; and the more fertile the fancy shall be of the person that inspects the cup, the more he will discover in it. In other respects, every one who takes pleasure in this amusement must himself be a judge, under what circumstances he is to make changes in point of time, speaking just as it suits, in the present, the past, or the future; in the same manner their ingenuity ought to direct them when to speak more or less pointedly and detrimentally with regard to sex.
The Roads, or serpentine lines, indicate ways; if they are severed with clouds, and consequently in the thick, they are said to be infallible marks of many past or future reverses. But if they appear in the clear and serene, are the surest token of some fortunate change near at hand; encompassed with many points or dots, they signify an accidental gain of money, likewise long life.
The Ring signifies marriage; if a letter is near it, it denotes to the person that has his fortune told the initial of the name of the party to be married. If the ring is in the clear, it portends happy and lucrative friendship. Surrounded with clouds, denotes that the party is to use precaution in the friendship he is about to contract, lest he should be insidiously deceived; but it is most inauspicious if the ring appears at the bottom of the cup, as it forebodes an entire separation from the beloved object.
The Leaf of Clover is a lucky sign. Its different position in the cup alone makes the difference; on the top, it shows that the good fortune is not far distant; but it is subject to delay if it is in the middle or at the bottom. Should clouds surround it, it shows that much disagreeableness will attend the good fortune; in the clear, it prognosticates serene and undisturbed happiness.
The Anchor, the emblem of hope and commerce, implies successful business carried on by water or land, if on the bottom of the cup; at the top and in the clear part, it shows constant love and unshaken fidelity. In the thick and cloudy parts it also denotes love, but tinctured with inconstancy.
The Serpent, always the emblem of falsehood and enmity, is likewise the general sign of an enemy. On the top, or in the middle of the cup, it promises to the consulting party the triumph which he desires over his enemy; but he will not obtain it so easily if the serpent be in the thick and cloudy part. By the letter which appears near the emblem, the enemy may be easily guessed, as it makes the initial of his name.
The Letter.—By letters we communicate to our friends either pleasant or unpleasant news, and such is the case here; if this emblem is in the clear part, it denotes the speedy arrival of a considerable remittance of money, but hemmed in by clouds it is quite the contrary, and forebodes some melancholy or bad tidings, a loss or some other sinister accident. If it be in the clear, and accompanied by a heart, lovers may expect a letter, which secures the party the possession of the beloved object; but in the thick, it denotes a refusal.
The Coffin, the emblem of death, prognosticates the same thing here, or at least a long and tedious illness; if it be in the thick, at the top of the cup, it signifies considerable estate left to the party by some rich relation; in the same manner at the bottom, it shows that the deceased is not so nearly related to the consulting party.
The Star denotes happiness if in the clear, and at the top of the cup; clouded, or in the thick, it signifies long life, though exposed to various troubles. If dots are about it, it foretells great fortune, wealth, high respectability, &c. Several stars denote so many good and happy children, but surrounded with dashes shows that the person’s children will cause him or her grief and vexation in old age, and should be prevented by giving them a good education in time.
The Dog, being at all times the emblem of fidelity or envy, has a two-fold meaning here. At the top, in the clear, it signifies true and faithful friends, but if his image be surrounded with clouds and dashes, it shows that those whom you take for your friends are not to be depended on; but if the dog be at the bottom of the cup, you have to dread the effects of extreme envy or jealousy.
The Lily.—If this emblem be at the top or in the middle of the cup, it signifies that the consulting party either has or will have a virtuous spouse; if at the bottom, it denotes quite the reverse. In the clear, the lily further betokens along and happy life; if clouded or in the thick, it portends trouble and vexation, especially on the part of one’s relations.
The Cross, be it one or more, generally predicts adversities. Its position varies, and so do the circumstances. If it be at the top, and in the clear, it shows that the misfortunes of the party will soon be at an end, or that he will easily get over them; but if it appears in the middle, at the bottom, in the thick, the party must expect many severe trials; if it appears with dots, either in the clear or the thick, it promises a speedy change in one’s sorrow.
The Clouds.—If they be more light than dark, expect good results from wishing; but if black, you must give it up. Surrounded with dots, they imply success in trade and all undertakings; but, the brighter they are, the greater will be the happiness.
The Sun.—An emblem of the greatest luck and happiness if in the clear; but in the thick it bodes much sadness; surrounded by dots or dashes, denotes that an altercation will speedily take place.
The Moon, if it appears in the clear, denotes high honors; in the dark or thick part, it implies sadness, which will, however, pass without great prejudice. But if it be at the bottom of the cup, the consulting party will be fortunate, both on land and water.
Mountains.—If it represents only one mountain, it indicates the favor of people of high rank; but several of them, especially in the thick, are signs of powerful enemies; in the clear, they signify the contrary, or friends in high life who are endeavoring to promote the welfare of the consulting party.
Trees.—One tree only, be it in the clear or thick part, points out lasting good health; several trees denote that your wish will be accomplished. If they are encompassed with dashes, it is a token that your fortune is in its blossom, and will require some time to bring it to maturity. If accompanied by dots, it is a sign that you will make your fortune in the country where you reside.
Child.—In the clear part, it bespeaks innocent intercourse between the consultor and another person; in the thick part, excess in love affairs, attended with great expenses; at the bottom of the cup, it denotes the consequences of amorous excesses.
The Pedestrian denotes, in general, to a merchant, good business, pleasant news and the recovery of lost things. It also signifies that the consulting party will soon enlist, or get some new engagement.
The Rider denotes good news from abroad in money matters, a good situation in a foreign country, or good prospects. He that doubts his fortune is promised a lasting one by this emblem.
Woman signifies much joy in general. If in the clear, this emblem has a more favorable signification than in the thick; there it shows very great happiness; here, a great deal of jealousy. If dots surround the image, it explains the lady’s great wealth. The different positions in the cup show, at the top and in the middle, that you will be in love with a virgin; but at the bottom, it denotes she is a widow.
The Mouse.—As this animal lives by stealth, it is also an emblem here of theft and robbery; if it be in the clear, it shows you will get again what you lost, in a wonderful manner; but if it appears in the thick, you may renounce this hope.