If you have swirled correctly (read: vigorously), the leaves should now be clumped together in several different places on the cups inside, including the rim, sides and bottom. These clumps will form the symbols that you will read. You should always begin the interpretation by looking for the simplest symbols first. Several of the leaf clumps may clearly form shapes, letters or numbers.
- Shapes:
Triangles = good karma
Squares = the need for caution
Circles = great success
- Letters: refer to the names of friends or relatives
- Numbers: indicate spans of time, like months or years.
Most of the clumps, however, will form random shapes (a bird, an anchor, a spider, Regis Philbin). With a little staring and a bit of creativity, these shapes can easily be distinguished. The following is a list of those most often encountered along with their interpretations:
Acorn: financial success
Kangaroo: a trip
Airplane: an impending journey
Kettle: a sign of peace in the home
Anchor: an unpleasant situation
Kite: wishes that will come true
Angel: good news
Ladder: success in business
Ants: many impending difficulties
Leaf: a new life
Apple: prosperity, achievement
Lock: obstacles
Arrow: bad news in love
Man: a visitor, male or female
Axe: possible danger or difficulty to you or a friend
Mask: a secret that must be kept
Ball: desire to travel
Mouse: theft of heart, object or idea
Bell: good news
Mushroom: a future disturbance
Bear: bad luck
Necklace (whole): admirers
Bird: good luck, good news
Necklace (broken): danger ahead in love
Boat: a visit from a friend
Net: a trap
Book (open): the answer to a question
Oak tree: health
Book (closed): a question needing investigation
Oar: success in store after a period of trials
Bottle: possible disease
Owl: a sign of good or bad luck ahead
Bull: arguing with friends
Oyster: love, an impending engagement
Butterfly: much expected happiness
Palm tree: a trip to an upcoming tropical place
Candle: a light for the future, help from friends
Pig: greed
Cat: deceit, a false friend
Purse (open): financial gain
Child: a new idea
Purse (closed): financial loss
Coin: prosperity
Question mark: questionable morals
Cross: sacrifice, reward for suffering
Rabbit: bravery
Daisy: a new love
Rat: a dishonest person
Dog: a good friend
Raven: bad news
Dove: coming peace
Ring: upcoming marriage
Drum: a change
Rose: popularity
Eggs (broken): a career setback
Shark: bankruptcy
Eggs (whole): assured career success
Shell: good news
Envelope: good news
Shoe: increased energy and productivity
Eye: caution, foresight
Snake: an enemy nearby
Face: a change in friendships
Spider: reward for work
Finger (raised): a warning
Star: hope
Finger (lowered): a need for direction
Sword: warning of future arguments
Flag: impending danger
Teapot: friends
Foot: a walk away from the past
Tower: disappointment
Fountain: great happiness
Tree: health
Forked line: a coming decision
Turtle: criticism
Fruit: fruitful hopes
Umbrella: protection
Garden: a party
Vase: a secret admirer
Globe: travel
Volcano: an impending emotional eruption
Grapes: happiness
Wagon: hard times ahead
Gun: arguments with family
Waterfall: abundance
Hand: a friends assistance
Wheel: business advancement through great effort
Harp: romance
Witch: a strange occurrence
Hat: an upcoming raise on the job, an upcoming honor
Wolf: jealousy
House: comfort, home
Yoke: need for change
Iceberg: lack of inner self
Zebra: a move from one physical or emotional state to another
We admit it: most of these interpretations are obvious, but thats how reading tea leaves works. You probably should not tell your subject how you reached your conclusions, to maintain a sense of mystery.
While this list is rather comprehensive, it is almost a given that you will encounter shapes that dont apply. This is where intuition and melodrama fit in. If you are perfectly certain that the leaf clump you are staring at can be NONE OTHER than Bob Marley, dont fight it. Just add him into the reading. (I see you getting a job as a Bob Marley look-alike.)
After a few readings, you will become more and more adept at assigning names to symbols, and in doing so will be able to interpret just about anything. Remember that the most important thing in reading tea leaves is your own creativity.
