Tea-Cup Reading, and the Art of Fortune-Telling by Tea Leaves | Page 8

indistinct, he is of light complexion.
MERMAID, misfortune, especially to seafaring persons.
MITRE, a sign of honour to a clergyman or through religious agency.
MONKEY, the consultant will be deceived in love.
MOON (as a crescent), prosperity and fortune.
MOUNTAIN, powerful friends; many mountains, equally powerful enemies.
MOUSE, danger of poverty through theft or swindling.
MUSHROOM, sudden separation of lovers after a quarrel.
NOSEGAY, the same as BOUQUET (q.v.).
NUMBERS depends on symbols in conjunction with them.
OAK, very lucky; long life, good health, profitable business, and a happy marriage.
OBLONG FIGURES, family or business squabbles.
OWL, an evil omen, indicative of sickness, poverty, disgrace, a warning against commencing any new enterprise. If the consultant be in love he or she will be deceived.
PALM-TREE, good luck; success in any undertaking. A sign of children to a wife and of a speedy marriage to a maid.
PARROT, a sign of emigration for a lengthy period.
PEACOCK, denotes success and the acquisition of property; also a happy marriage.
PEAR, great wealth and improved social position; success in business, and to a woman a wealthy husband.
PEDESTRIAN, good news; an important appointment.
PHEASANT, a legacy.
PIG, good and bad luck mixed: a faithful lover but envious friends.
PIGEONS, important news if flying; if at rest, domestic bliss and wealth acquired in trade.
PINE-TREE, continuous happiness.
PISTOL, disaster.
RABBIT, fair success in a city or large town.
RAT, treacherous servants; losses through enemies.
RAVEN, death for the aged; disappointment in love, divorce, failure in business, and trouble generally.
RAZOR, lovers' quarrels and separation.
REPTILE, quarrels.
RIDER, good news from overseas regarding financial prospects.
RIFLE, a sign of discord and strife.
RING, a ring means marriage; and if a letter can be found near it, this is the initial of the future spouse. If clouds are near the ring, an unhappy marriage; if all is clear about it, the contrary. A ring right at the bottom means the wedding will not take place.
ROSE, a lucky sign betokening good fortune and happiness.
SAW, trouble brought about by strangers.
SCALES, a lawsuit.
SCEPTRE, a sign of honour from royalty.
SCISSORS, quarrels; illness; separation of lovers.
SERPENT, spiteful enemies; bad luck; illness.
SHARK, danger of death.
SHEEP, success, prosperity.
SHIP, a successful journey.
SNAKES are a sign of bad omen. Great caution is needed to ward off misfortune.
SPIDER, a sign of money coming to the consultant.
SQUARES, comfort and peace.
STAR, a lucky sign; if surrounded by dots foretells great wealth and honours.
STEEPLE, bad luck.
STRAIGHT LINE, a journey, very pleasant.
STRAIGHT LINES are an indication of peace, happiness, and long life.
SWALLOW, a journey with a pleasant ending.
SWAN, good luck and a happy marriage.
SWORD, dispute, quarrels between lovers; a broken sword, victory of an enemy.
TIMBER, logs of timber indicate business success.
TOAD, deceit and unexpected enemies.
TREES, a lucky sign; a sure indication of prosperity and happiness; surrounded by dots, a fortune in the country.
TRIANGLES, always a sign of good luck and unexpected legacies.
TRIDENT, success and honours in the Navy.
TWISTED FIGURES, disturbances and vexation; grievances if there are many such figures.
UMBRELLA, annoyance and trouble.
UNICORN, scandal.
VULTURE, bitter foes.
WAGON, a sign of approaching poverty.
WAVY LINES, if long and waved, denote losses and vexations. The importance of the lines depends upon the number of them and if heavy or light.
WHEEL, an inheritance about to fall in.
WINDMILL, success in a venturous enterprise.
WOLF, beware of jealous intrigues.
WOMAN, pleasure and happiness; if accompanied by dots, wealth or children. Several women indicate scandal.
WOOD, a speedy marriage.
WORMS indicate secret foes.
YACHT, pleasure and happiness.
YEW-TREE indicates the death of an aged person who will leave his possessions to the consultant.
ZEBRA, travel and adventure in foreign lands.

CHAPTER V
A COLLECTION OF SPECIMEN CUPS, WITH INTERPRETATIONS
The succeeding ten figures are copied from actual tea-cups that have been at different times subjected to the proper ritual by various consultants and duly interpreted by seers. They are selected out of a larger number as being representative of many different classes of horoscope, and they should afford students practical instruction in what symbols to look for, and how to discern them clearly as they turn the cup about and about in their hands.
By reference to the interpretations provided upon the pages facing the illustrations he will be able to ascertain the principles upon which to form a judgment of the cup generally; and this, once he has mastered the method, he will be able to supplement, by consulting the alphabetical list of symbols and their significations in the previous chapter, and in this way will speedily attain proficiency in reading any tea-cup presented for his consideration.
INTERPRETATIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

INTERPRETATION
FIG.1
This is a fortunate horoscope. If cup has been turned by a man it shows that he will gain success, honour, and wealth in the profession of a naval officer. If by a woman then her luck is bound up with that of a sailor or marine.
The pistols on the sides show the profession of arms, and the naval gun in the bottom of the cup accompanied by a trident the branch to which he belongs. The on one side and