FORTUNE-TELLING BY TEA OR COFFEE GROUNDS.
To pour out 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 surface of the whole cup; then reverse it into the saucer, that all the superfluous parts may be drained, and the figures required for fortune-telling be formed.
The person who acts as the fortune-teller, must always bend his or her thoughts upon him or her who is to have their fortune told, and on their rank in life, and profession, in order to give plausibility to the predictions. It is not to be expected that upon taking up the cup, the figures will be accurately represented as they are in reality, but it will be quite sufficient if they bear some resemblance to any of the emblems; and the more fertile the fancy is of the person that inspects the cup, the more he or she will discover in it.
In other respects, every one who takes a pleasure in this amusement, must be a judge under what circumstances he or she 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 with regard to sex.
The Roads, or separate lines, indicate ways; if they are covered with clouds, and, consequently, in the thick, they are said to be infallible marks, either of many great 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 either a gain of money, or long life.
The Ring signifies marriage; if a letter is near it, it denotes to the person that has their 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; if surrounded with clouds, the contrary. But if the ring appear at the bottom of the cup, it forebodes the probability of a separation.
The Leaf of Clover is, as well here as in common life, a lucky sign. Its different position in the cup alone makes the difference; because, if it be on the top, it shows that the good fortune is not far distant; but it is subject to delay, if it be in the middle or at the bottom. Should clouds surround it, it shows that many disagreeables 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 and by land, if on the bottom of the cup; at the top and in the clear part, it shows constant love and fidelity; but in thick and cloudy parts, it denotes inconstancy.
The Serpent, always the emblem of falsehood and enmity, is likewise here a general sign of an enemy. On the top or in the middle of the cup, it promises to the consulting party that by his always acting properly, his enemies will not be able to triumph over him; if in the thick or cloudy part, he must watch his temper and actions very carefully, to prevent great troubles.
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 or turbid. In the clear, it denotes long life; if in the thick, at the top of the cup, it signifies a considerable estate likely to be made by cautious industry.
The Dog, being at all times the emblem of fidelity or envy, has also a two-fold meaning here. At the top, in the clear, it signifies true and faithful friends: if the image be surrounded with clouds and dashes, it shows that some whom you take for your friends are not to be depended on; but if the dog be at the bottom of the cup, take much care not to excite any person to envy or jealousy, or you will have to dread the effects of both.
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 good spouse; if it be at the bottom, it denotes anger. In the clear, the lily further betokens a long and happy life; if clouded, or in the thick, it portends trouble and vexations.
The Cross, in general, predicts adversities; if it be at the top, and in the clear, it indicates that the misfortunes of the party will soon be at an end, or that he will, by careful conduct, easily get over them; but if it appear in the middle, or at the bottom of the thick, the party must expect many severe trials; if it appear with dots, either in clear or thick, it promises recompense for sorrow.
The Clouds. If they be more bright than dark, you may expect a good result from your hopes; but if they are black, you may give it up. Surrounded with dots, they imply success in trade, if you are saving, and not too venturesome; the brighter they are, the greater will be your happiness.
The Sun, is an emblem of the greatest luck and happiness, if in the clear; but in the thick, it denotes a great deal of illness; surrounded by dots or dashes, it foretells that, without much circumspection, an alteration will soon take place.
The Moon. If it appear in the clear, it denotes high honors; in the dark or thick parts, it implies disappointment and sadness, which will, however, pass without great prejudice. But if it be at the bottom of the cup, the consulting party may expect, by industry and prudent conduct, to be very fortunate.
The Star denotes happiness, if in the clear, and at the top of the cup; if clouded, or in the thick, it signifies long life, though exposed to various troubles. If dots are about it, it foretells fortune and respectability. Several dots denote good children; surrounded by dots, it predicts that, without good bringing up, they may cause you grief and vexation.
Mountains. If it present only one mountain, it indicates the favor of people of 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.
The Letter. Signifies both pleasant and unpleasant news. If this emblem is in the clear part, it denotes the speedy arrival of welcome news; surrounded with dots, it announces the arrival of a remittance of money; but hemmed in by clouds, it forebodes some melancholy or bad tidings, a loss, or some other accident; if it be in the clear, and accompanied by a heart, lovers may expect a favorable letter; but in the thick it denotes the contrary.
The Tree. One tree only is indicative of good health; a group of trees in the clear part, betokens misfortunes, but which may be avoided by carefulness and industrious habits; several trees, wide apart, promise that your wishes will be accomplished; if they be encompassed by dashes, it is a token that your fortune is in its blossom, and requires only your own care and prudence to bring it to maturity; if the trees be accompanied by dots, it is a sign of riches.
The Child. In the clear part it bespeaks innocent intercourse between the consulter and another person; in the thick part it signifies crosses in love matters, and requires your utmost care to prevent great expenses; and a family without means of support.
The Woman. Signifies much joy in general. If in the clear, this emblem shows very great happiness; but in the thick part it cautions against jealousy. If dots surround the image, it shows children and wealth.
The Pedestrian. Denotes in general a merchant, good business, pleasant news, or the recovery of lost things. It denotes to the female a kind and industrious husband; it also signifies some engagement, and a short journey.
The Rider or Horseman. Denotes a letter, good news from abroad, a good situation, or the like; it also foretells that a fortune is to be obtained by care and industry.
The Mouse. As this animal lives by stealth, it also is an emblem of theft or robbery; if it be in the clear, it shows that your loss will be easily prevented; but if in the thick, you must use your utmost watchfulness.
The Rose, or any other Flower. Usually indicates success in science or art by study; if married, good children may be expected, and all the happy fruits, if they have but a good education and good examples.
The Heart. If it be in the clear, it signifies future pleasure. It promises joy at receiving some money, if surrounded with dots. If a ring or two hearts be together, it signifies that the party may expect to be married; if a letter is perceptible near it, it shews the initial of the person’s name.
The Garden, Wood, or Bush. Signifies a large company. In the clear and with leaves, it indicates good friends; in the thick, encompassed with streaks, or if without leaves, it is a token of the caprices of fortune, and warns the consulting party to be cautious whom they take for their friends.
The Rod. Predicts differences with people about matters relating to legacies; in the thick, it denotes some affliction, which will require your utmost care to avert.
The Bird in general. In the clear, it signifies that the disagreeables and troubles with which you will have to combat, will only be surmounted by persevering in doing good; in the thick, it is a sign of good living; also a speedy journey, or voyage, which, if there be dashes, is likely to be to a distance.
Fish in general. Imply some lucky event by water, if in the clear, which will either happen to the consulter, or be the means of improving his affairs. If they are in the thick, the consulter may expect to fish in troubled water. Surrounded with dots, his destiny warns him to use diligence, temperance and frugality.
The Lion, or any Ferocious Beast. At the top, in the clear, it signifies prosperity in your intercourse with people of quality. At the bottom it warns the consulter to shun such intercourse and do nothing to excite any person to envy his fortune.
Worms. At the top, or in the middle of the cup, they denote good luck in trade and in matrimony; below they warn you against rivals in courtship, and against enviers in your trade and profession.
The Style. If combined with an hour-glass and in the thick, it denotes imminent dangers of all kinds; in love, disappointment; but in the clear, it signifies that your sweetheart is faithful and affectionate toward you, and that you are likely to live a long and happy life.