Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup Postcards

From Mystic Tea Room

Revision as of 00:32, 27 December 2020

In this set of 12 postcards, issued in Great Britain some time between the First and Second World Wars, we have essentially a series of flash cards or teaching instructions in cup reading. These British tea leaf postcards were intended to be sent as greetings or distributed at a party, but they can also be used by fledgling tasseomancers as study cups on the way to learning a basic list of tea leaf symbols. Because the printed interpretations are so brief, i will, at a future time, add some further explanations of how they were derived.

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Anchor at Bottom, Journey, Leaves at Rim

"The leaves at the brim tell of letters with good news coming to you shortly. They will lead to the long voyage indicated by the line of dots, and the anchor at the bottom foretells [a] successful career abroad."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Anchor at Bottom, Square with Three Dots

"There is a letter here (long leaf on [the] brim}, with good news indeed. You have got your wish (three dots inside [a] square of four leaves), and a successful career ([the] anchor at [the] bottom is before you."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Anchor at Bottom, Square with Dot at Side

"You will receive an important letter (4 leaves in [a] square). The dot just at [the] side of [the] square tells of your wish being granted, and you will gain [an] important position. The anchor at [the] bottom foretells [a] brilliant future."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Anchor at Rim, Broad Leaf Below

"A happy life of love and constancy is foretold for you by the anchor at the top. but there are troubles ahead, indicated in the broad, flat leaf, representing a jealous enemy."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Anchor at Rim, Mountain, Three Dots in Line

"You have a friend in high social position ([the] mountain of leaves) who will make you an offer shortly (three dots in [a] line). Don't worry over the gossip ([the] small leaves at [the] bottom) but accept, and you will have [a] happy married life ([the] anchor) at [the] top."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Mountain, Square with Dot

"Promotion for you is indicated by the mountain of leaves. The square formed by 4 leaves foretells an important letter in which money will be forwarded; if not money, very good news, indicated by [the] dot in [the] centre of [the] square."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Heart. Roadway, Dots

"There are many pleasures for you in the near future, as indicated by the heart standing by itself. The long line of little dots foretells a voyage, which will lead to a happy marriage, shown by the ring."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Heart, Ring, Leaves at Rim

"You are just entering upon a round of gaities, indicated by [a] heart standing by itself. The letter inviting you to be one of a happy house-party is now on its way, as shown by [a] leaf on the brim, and there is a ring here foretelling marriage."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Ring and Triangle

"You are lucky! Good news and continued good fortune are foretold by the triangle of three large leaves. And the ring is here too, indicating [a] happy marriage."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Cat and Letter

"You have a rival (leaves forming cat) who is fast gaining ground just now. But a lucky letter (leaf on rim) is to up-lift you, and promotion will be given you shortly (long leaves in line)."

Your Fortune in a Tea-Cup! -- Dog and Three Dots in a Line

"The leaves forming [a] dog tell of a faithful friend coming home from abroad, and the three dts in a line indicate [an] offer of marriage from him. This will mean a great and happy change in your fortune as shown by the wavy lines."

catherine yronwode
curator, historian, and docent
The Mystic Tea Room

See Also

• Tea Leaf Symbols in Art
• Tea Leaf Reading in Art
• Advertisements for Tea Leaf Reading Services
• Harry Roseland's Fortune Teller Art
• Tea Company Booklet Art
• The Ceylonese Tea-Plucker in Art