Tea leaf reading also known as Tasseography or literally “cup-reading” is a practice of prophecy or fortune telling that involves the interpretation random patterns found in tea leaves.
This ancient art was reported to have been originally developed in Asian tea drinking countries.
However separate incidents of tea leaf reading have been recorded in Middle Eastern and Ancient Greek civilizations.
Numerous European countries such as Ireland, and England have garnered a huge tea leaf reading following and have spawned numerous writers and experts on the practice.
Many turn of the century English porcelain makers created beautiful tea services especially designed for the practice of prediction using tealeaves and other drinkable herbs and continue this practice to this very day.
Some African and Arab cultures also use this method to carry out their divination practices and it is also said that some in the Turkish culture have been known take part in similar prophetic ceremonies with coffee grounds.
Most cultures and religions that indulge in this activity have specially designed vessels or cups from which to do their readings. Also referred to by some as Tasseomancy or Tassology, tea leaf readings sometime involve swirling the contents and allowing them to settle before reading.
Some practitioners have a predetermined list of symbols that can be “read” in the random occurrences of tea leaves settling in the liquid. Regardless of method, the common factors necessary are always loose-leaf tea, water for steeping the brew and whatever kind of cup or container predetermined by the practitioner.
