The present conditions of this consultant are not cheering. The large cloud, associated with dots, the small dog on the opposite side, and the policeman beyond, all point to grievous money worries, possibly caused by dishonesty.
The somewhat indistinct axe implies a brave effort to overcome, and final mastery of, some of the difficulties.
However, the future has more pleasant prospects, and may be looked forward to with hope. The symbols of the clover and cherries, give assurance of this.
The spray of ivy speaks of the patience with which the present trials are borne, also that true friends are a source of comfort to the consultant.
[Illustration: FIGURE XII]
[Illustration: FIGURE XII]
On side.—Small dog lying down.
Near rim.—Policeman. Indistinct symbol of an axe. Large cloud. Dots.
Centre.—Two small butterflies. Small symbol of a stocking. Small bunch of cherries. Spray of ivy. Clover.
The consultant who has "turned" this cup must be prepared for delays, and must not expect real happiness until rather late in life, this being shown by the bonnet and strings on the side of the cup.
The small symbol of birds on a perch gives further evidence that having to wait is a feature of the consultant's lot. The rock and pipe beyond show some dismay with regard to a dear friend.
The large spray of mistletoe and holly at the bottom of the cup, with the letters "F" and "L" in conjunction, implies that some event of importance to the consultant, in connection with persons whose names begin with these initial letters, will occur in the winter. If the cup has been "turned" during the autumn or winter, probably a year will pass before the event takes place, as the mistletoe indicates delay. But this consultant is prepared to hear the truth, and faces it calmly, even if it is a little unpleasant; the symbol of the woman looking into the glass brings this fact to light.
The child playing with its toys foreshows future pleasant plans which will result in tranquillity and satisfaction.
[Illustration: FIGURE XIII]
[Illustration: FIGURE XIII]
On sides.—Bonnet and strings. Birds on perch. Pieces of rock. A pipe.
On circle.—Child with toys.
Centre.—Large sprays of mistletoe and holly. Letters "F" and "L." Figure of woman looking in glass.
This cup was "turned" by a well-known authoress. Its sinister appearance is accounted for by the fact that at the time of "turning" the cup, she was arranging mentally a murder plot for the book she was then writing.
The symbols speak for themselves and need no explanation.
It is a most interesting specimen, as being absolutely unique.
[Illustration: FIGURE XIV]
[Illustration: FIGURE XIV]
On side overlapping circle.—Tail and hindquarters of rat, with head in a hole. Monster with a man's head and bear's paws.
On side.—Dead fish beyond.
The consultant who "turned" this cup was sorrowful and had either just passed through a bereavement, or such will take place in the immediate future. The rough cross and the grave near the handle point to this. The bed, with the figure of the woman in nurse's cloak near it tells of serious illness in the home. But this is a future trouble, as the symbols appear at some distance from the handle. The saucepan also bears witness to the general gloom.
The ivy leaves beyond the rough cross show the patience with which the consultant bears the trials; also that good and loyal friends will be a source of comfort.
The small bit of wood and the closed book are symbols of hope, and assure this sad consultant that the expected improvement in affairs will certainly take place and will relieve some of the present anxieties.
This is the most that can be foretold of the future, for there are no signs of pleasant events or definite changes. Indeed, the symbol of the loaf of bread in the centre of the cup shows that monotony and ordinary routine are all that can be predicted from the divination.
[Illustration: FIGURE XV]
[Illustration: FIGURE XV]
Near rim.—Rough cross. Ivy leaves beyond. Large closed book.
On sides.—Log of wood. Bed. Figure of a woman in nurse's cloak beside it. Grave, with small cross.
In centre.—Loaf of bread. Small symbol of a saucepan.
This cup gives an impression of a somewhat undeveloped character which is further brought into notice by the stump of a tree on the circle; the hen on a nest, near the handle, points to a home life of comfort and affection.
The egg in the cup, and the duck, show that a risk of threatened disaster, as a result of rash speculation will be averted, and with the symbol of the three boots, fortunate prospects, and the guarantee of hope fulfilled, may safely be predicted for the future.
[Illustration: FIGURE XVI]
[Illustration: FIGURE XVI]
On sides.—Hen on nest. Shapeless leaves. Egg in cup.
Near circle opposite handle.—A duck.
On circle.—Stump of tree. Three boots.
The figure of the child, with its toys beyond, implies that new plans, to be made very soon, will be most beneficial, and will bring much pleasure to the consultant. But as the sausages and snail are not far distant, there is likely to be a marring of the pleasant conditions, caused by an act of unfaithfulness on the part of someone with whom the consultant is closely connected.
The bellows beyond suggest that the matter is treated with as much philosophy as possible, and with a resolve to make the best of a bad business; the ham also, being in conjunction, it is evident that the episode will not interfere with the consultant's success in life.
The sign post, with the running figure beside it and the large letter "M" beyond, prepare the consultant for startling news, the result of which will be of great importance. The news will come from a place beginning with the letter "M." There is no doubt that the matter will turn out admirably and bring about many advantages, as shown by the spreading branches of the tree; while the grapes beneath promise abundant success and joy.
The large boot-tree and latch-key on the circle beneath the handle predict a fortunate and unexpected gain in the near future. This consultant may look forward with confidence to the pleasures which fate has in store.
[Illustration: FIGURE XVII]
[Illustration: FIGURE XVII]
On sides.—Child seated. Toys beyond. Sausages. Snail. Ham. Bellows.
In centre.—Sign post. Running figure beside it. Large letter "M" in conjunction.
On circle.—Tree with spreading branches. Bunch of grapes beneath. Large boot-tree. Latch-key.
The shadow beneath the haycock shows that the consultant will soon be placed in a somewhat trying position and will have considerable difficulty in finding a way out of it.
The future is full of promise and there can be little doubt that the consultant will enjoy the pleasures of prosperity.
A journey to a cold climate to be taken later will result in very propitious news as shown by the symbol of the pheasant.
[Illustration: FIGURE XVIII]
[Illustration: FIGURE XVIII]
On sides.—Shapeless leaves. Haycock. Shadow beneath.
In centre.—Pair of boots. Spreading branches of a tree. Pheasant flying.
Near circle.—Head of a polar bear.
The doll on the side, with the small symbol of a toadstool beside it, gives a warning to the consultant against folly and a bad habit of gossiping when feeling bored in society. The stuffed head of the deer, in this case, shows that much distress is caused by the unguarded talk, and the consultant certainly cannot be described as an "innocent cause."
The various scattered shapeless leaves point to confusion, and a somewhat "happy-go-lucky" nature. The spray of poppies on the circle beneath the handle foreshows that a pleasant experience may be expected in the summer.
The broken gate, with the cross above it, denotes that a new opportunity which awaits the consultant at a future date, will coincide with a time of perplexity and trouble, which fact is further borne out by the running figure below. This being in conjunction with a large letter "Y," implies that the disturbance will arise in connection with a place, the name of which begins with "Y."
[Illustration: FIGURE XIX]
[Illustration: FIGURE XIX]
On sides.—Small symbol of a toadstool. Doll. Head of a stuffed deer.
Near rim.—Many shapeless leaves.
On circle.—Spray of poppies.
In centre.—Broken gate with cross above it. Large "Y." Running figure.
This cup shows confusion and that the consultant was in a state of mental turmoil at the time of "turning" it. But in spite of this drawback there are some interesting facts to be found.
The dotted circles and large ornamental arch point to a most hopeful outlook and to the successful development of some desire at present unattainable.
The various initials and small numerals scattered about show correspondence as to plans and fixing of dates. The bush apple tree speaks of some pleasure which may be looked forward to in the summer.
The dancing figures predict much future happiness; the numerous changes which are likely to come about will all tend to success and the gratifying of the consultant's wishes. And what more cheerful outlook than this can be desired?
[Illustration: FIGURE XX]
[Illustration: FIGURE XX]
On sides.—Scattered shapeless leaves. Several initials. Small numerals. Dotted circles. A large ornamental arch.
Near circle.—Bush apple tree.
In centre.—Dancing and grotesque figures.
It may be safely promised to those who follow the simple instructions given in this book that within a short time they will find themselves encircled by a halo of popularity. For few things provide a more certain guarantee of this pleasant condition than that of being able to "tell fortunes." Divination by tea-leaves will bring to those who study it deeply a fund of knowledge beyond the radius of normal understanding.
For those who use it as a means of amusement only, it will give pleasure which is dependent upon nothing more difficult to obtain than a cup of tea! With this recommendation I will leave these pages, in the sincere hope that this little book may be of real value to those who desire to be initiated into the fascinating art of reading the future in a tea-cup.