Pour the grounds of coffee or tea into a white cup, shake them well about
in it, so that their particles may cover the whole surface of the cup;
then reverse it into the saucer, that all the superfluous parts may be
drained off and the figures required for fortune telling be formed. The
person that acts the fortune teller must always bend his thoughts upon him
or her that wishes to have their fortune told, and upon their rank and
profession, in order to give plausibility to their predictions. It is not
to be expected, upon taking up the cup, that the figures will be
accurately represented as they are in cards, but it is quite sufficient if
they bear some resemblance to any of the thirty-two emblems; and the more
fertile the fancy shall be of the person that inspects the cup, the more
he will discover in it. In other respects, every one who takes pleasure in
this amusement must himself be a judge, under what circumstances he 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 and detrimentally with
regard to sex.
_The Roads_, or serpentine lines, indicate ways; if they are severed with
clouds, and consequently in the thick, they are said to be infallible
marks of many past 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 an accidental gain of
money, likewise long life.
_The Ring_ signifies marriage; if a letter is near it, it denotes to the
person that has his 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. Surrounded with clouds, denotes that the party is to use
precaution in the friendship he is about to contract, lest he should be
insidiously deceived; but it is most inauspicious if the ring appears at
the bottom of the cup, as it forebodes an entire separation from the
beloved object.
_The Leaf of Clover_ is a lucky sign. Its different position in the cup
alone makes the difference; on the top, it shows that the good fortune is
not far distant; but it is subject to delay if it is in the middle or at
the bottom. Should clouds surround it, it shows that much disagreeableness
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 or land, if on the bottom of the cup; at the top and
in the clear part, it shows constant love and unshaken fidelity. In the
thick and cloudy parts it also denotes love, but tinctured with
inconstancy.
_The Serpent_, always the emblem of falsehood and enmity, is likewise the
general sign of an enemy. On the top, or in the middle of the cup, it
promises to the consulting party the triumph which he desires over his
enemy; but he will not obtain it so easily if the serpent be in the thick
and cloudy part. By the letter which appears near the emblem, the enemy
may be easily guessed, as it makes the initial of his name.
_The Letter._--By letters we communicate to our friends either pleasant or
unpleasant news, and such is the case here; if this emblem is in the clear
part, it denotes the speedy arrival of a considerable remittance of money,
but hemmed in by clouds it is quite the contrary, and forebodes some
melancholy or bad tidings, a loss or some other sinister accident. If it
be in the clear, and accompanied by a heart, lovers may expect a letter,
which secures the party the possession of the beloved object; but in the
thick, it denotes a refusal.
_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, at the top of
the cup, it signifies considerable estate left to the party by some rich
relation; in the same manner at the bottom, it shows that the deceased is
not so nearly related to the consulting party.
_The Star_ denotes happiness if in the clear, and at the top of the cup;
clouded, or in the thick, it signifies long life, though exposed to
various troubles. If dots are about it, it foretells great fortune,
wealth, high respectability, &c. Several stars denote so many good and
happy children, but surrounded with dashes shows that the person’s
children will cause him or her grief and vexation in old age, and should
be prevented by giving them a good education in time.
_The Dog_, being at all times the emblem of fidelity or envy, has a
two-fold meaning here. At the top, in the clear, it signifies true and
faithful friends, but if his image be surrounded with clouds and dashes,
it shows that those whom you take for your friends are not to be depended
on; but if the dog be at the bottom of the cup, you have to dread the
effects of extreme envy or jealousy.
_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 virtuous
spouse; if at the bottom, it denotes quite the reverse. In the clear, the
lily further betokens along and happy life; if clouded or in the thick, it
portends trouble and vexation, especially on the part of one’s relations.
_The Cross_, be it one or more, generally predicts adversities. Its
position varies, and so do the circumstances. If it be at the top, and in
the clear, it shows that the misfortunes of the party will soon be at an
end, or that he will easily get over them; but if it appears in the
middle, at the bottom, in the thick, the party must expect many severe
trials; if it appears with dots, either in the clear or the thick, it
promises a speedy change in one’s sorrow.
_The Clouds._--If they be more light than dark, expect good results from
wishing; but if black, you must give it up. Surrounded with dots, they
imply success in trade and all undertakings; but, the brighter they are,
the greater will be the happiness.
_The Sun._--An emblem of the greatest luck and happiness if in the clear;
but in the thick it bodes much sadness; surrounded by dots or dashes,
denotes that an altercation will speedily take place.
_The Moon_, if it appears in the clear, denotes high honors; in the dark
or thick part, it implies sadness, which will, however, pass without great
prejudice. But if it be at the bottom of the cup, the consulting party
will be fortunate, both on land and water.
_Mountains._--If it represents only one mountain, it indicates the favor
of people of high 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 who are endeavoring to promote the welfare of the
consulting party.
_Trees._--One tree only, be it in the clear or thick part, points out
lasting good health; several trees denote that your wish will be
accomplished. If they are encompassed with dashes, it is a token that your
fortune is in its blossom, and will require some time to bring it to
maturity. If accompanied by dots, it is a sign that you will make your
fortune in the country where you reside.
_Child._--In the clear part, it bespeaks innocent intercourse between the
consultor and another person; in the thick part, excess in love affairs,
attended with great expenses; at the bottom of the cup, it denotes the
consequences of amorous excesses.
_The Pedestrian_ denotes, in general, to a merchant, good business,
pleasant news and the recovery of lost things. It also signifies that the
consulting party will soon enlist, or get some new engagement.
_The Rider_ denotes good news from abroad in money matters, a good
situation in a foreign country, or good prospects. He that doubts his
fortune is promised a lasting one by this emblem.
_Woman_ signifies much joy in general. If in the clear, this emblem has a
more favorable signification than in the thick; there it shows very great
happiness; here, a great deal of jealousy. If dots surround the image, it
explains the lady’s great wealth. The different positions in the cup show,
at the top and in the middle, that you will be in love with a virgin; but
at the bottom, it denotes she is a widow.
_The Mouse._--As this animal lives by stealth, it is also an emblem here
of theft and robbery; if it be in the clear, it shows you will get again
what you lost, in a wonderful manner; but if it appears in the thick, you
may renounce this hope.