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 the tree on the other are two of the best
signs of promotion, rewards, and prosperity. The house near the pistol
pointing towards the handle of the cup indicates the acquisition of
property, but as neither tree nor house are surrounded by dots this will
be a town, not a country, residence. The repetition of the initial 'L'
may show the name of the admiral, ship, or battle in which the officer
will win renown. The triangles confirm the other signs of good fortune.
[ILLUSTRATION 1]
FIG.1
_Principal Symbols_:--
Two pistols on sides.
A cannon in conjunction with a trident in centre.
A pear.
A tree.
on sides.
A house.
A pair of compasses near the rim.
Several small triangles scattered about. Initial letters 'L'
(twice), 'N,' and 'V' (twice).
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 2
There is nothing very significant in this tea-cup. The wavy lines denote
a troublesome journey leading to some small amount of luck in connection
with a person or place whose name begins with the initial 'E.' The
hour-glass near the rim and the place from which the journey starts
denotes that it will be undertaken in order to avoid some imminent
peril. The numeral '4' conjoined with the sign of a parcel shows that
one may be expected in that number of days.
[ILLUSTRATION 2]
FIG.2
_Principal Symbols_:--
Wavy lines.
Initial 'E' in conjunction with Horse-shoe.
Hour-glass near rim.
Parcel in conjunction with numeral '4.'
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 3
This shows, by means of the crescent moon on the side, prosperity and
fortune as the result of a journey denoted by the lines. The number
of triangles in conjunction with the initial 'H' indicates the name
commences with that letter, and, being near the rim, at no great
distance of time. The bird flying towards and near the handle,
accompanied by a triangle and a long envelope, denotes good news from an
official source. The flag gives warning of some danger from an enemy.
[ILLUSTRATION 3]
FIG. 3
_Principal Symbols_:--
Crescent moon.
Bird flying.
Triangles.
Flag.
Initial 'A' in conjunction with sign of letter in official
envelope.
Other initials, 'H' and two 'L's.'
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 4
The consultant is about to journey eastward to some large building or
institution, shown by the figure at the end of the straight line of
dots. There is some confusion in his or her affairs caused by too much
indulgence in pleasure and gaiety, denoted by the butterfly involved
in obscure groups of tea-leaves near the handle. The tree and the
fleur-de-lys (or lily) in the bottom of the cup are, however, signs of
eventual success, probably through the assistance of some person whose
name begins with an 'N.'
[ILLUSTRATION 4]
FIG. 4
_Principal Symbols_:--
Large tree in bottom of cup.
Fleur-de-lys (or lily).
Butterfly on side approaching handle.
Line of dots leading east to Building.
Initials 'N' and 'C.'
INTERPRETATION
FIG.5
A letter is approaching the consultant containing a considerable sum of
money, as it is surrounded by dots. The future, shown by the bottom of
the cup, is not clear, and betokens adversities; but the presence of the
hammer there denotes triumph over these, a sign confirmed by the hat on
the side. The consultant will be annoyed by somebody whose name begins
with 'J,' and assisted by one bearing the initial 'Y.'
[ILLUSTRATION 5]
FIG. 5
_Principal Symbols_:--
Hammer in centre of bottom.
A letter approaching the house, accompanied by
Dots,
Hat,
Initials 'Y' and 'J' (accompanied by small cross).
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 6
A letter containing good news, shown by bird flying and the triangle,
may be expected immediately. If from a lover it shows that he is
constant and prosperous, owing to the anchor on the side. The large
tree on the side indicates happiness and prosperity. A letter will be
received from someone whose initial is 'L.' In the bottom of the cup
there are signs of minor vexations or delays in connection with someone
whose name begins with 'C.'
[ILLUSTRATION 6]
FIG. 6
_Principal Symbols_:--
Large tree on side.
Anchor on side.
Bird flying high towards handle.
Small cross in bottom.
Letter sign close to handle.
Triangle.
Initial 'L' with letter sign.
Other initials, 'C' and 'H.'
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 7
The two horse-shoes indicate a lucky journey to some large residence
in a north-easterly direction, the tree surmounting which denotes that
happiness and fortune will be found there and that (as it is surrounded
by dots) it is situated in the country. The sitting hen in the bottom
of the cup, surmounted by a triangle (to see which properly the
illustration must be turned round) is indicative of increased wealth by
an unexpected legacy. A letter from someone whose name begins with
'T' will contain a remittance of money, but it may not arrive for some
little time.
[ILLUSTRATION 7]
FIG.7
_Principal Symbols_:--
Large horse-shoe, edge of bottom, in conjunction with
smaller horse-shoe.
Line of dots leading E.N.E. to
Large building surmounted by
Tree, overlapping rim.
Flowers.
Small triangles.
Initial 'T' with letter and money signs.
INTERPRETATION
FIG.8
This tea-cup appears to give warning by the flag in conjunction with
a rifle and the letter 'V' that some friend of the consultant will be
wounded in battle, and as there is a coffin in the bottom of the cup
that the wounds will be fatal. On the other side, however, a sceptre,
surrounded by signs of honours, seems to indicate that 'V' will be
recognized by his sovereign and a decoration bestowed upon him
for bravery in battle, shown by the initial 'K' accompanied by a
letter-sign, and by the astrological sign of Mars, intervening between
these and the sceptre.
[ILLUSTRATION 8]
FIG. 8
_Principal Symbols_:--
Coffin in bottom, in conjunction with 'V.'
Flag in conjunction with rifle on side.
Sceptre on side.
Large initial 'K' with letter sign near sceptre.
Astrological sign of Mars between them.
Initial 'V' near flag and rifle.
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 9
If the consultant be single this cup will, by means of the hare on the
side, tell him that he will speedily be married. The figure of a lady
holding out an ivy-leaf is a sign that his sweetheart will prove true
and constant, and the heart in conjunction with a ring and the initial
'A' still further points to marriage with a person whose name begins
with that letter. The flower, triangle, and butterfly are all signs of
prosperity, pleasure and happiness.
[ILLUSTRATION 9]
FIG.9
_Principal Symbols_:--
Hare sitting on side.
Butterfly near rim.
Heart and ring.
Large flower on edge of bottom.
Figure of woman holding ivy-leaf in bottom.
Triangle.
Initials 'A' and small 'C' with dots.
INTERPRETATION
FIG. 10
This is typical of the cup being too often consulted by some people. It
is almost void of meaning, the only symbols indicating a short journey,
although the flower near the rim denotes good luck, and the fact that
the bottom is clear that nothing very important is about to happen to
the consultant.
[ILLUSTRATION 10]
FIG. 10
_Principal Symbols_:--
Line of dots leading W.S.W to
Flower.
Two letters near rim