Pour your tea into a white cup and drain off the liquid, leaving the grounds in the cup. Shake them well so as to spread them over as much of the surface as possible. They will form groups of imaginary figures, and the fortune-teller must exercise ingenuity to discover in these figures resemblances to familiar things. To the inexpert eye there may be nothing but detached particles of tea, but to the chiromancer it will be easy to find familiar forms.

Long wavy lines are interpreted as meaning loss and trouble.

The more lines there are, the greater their influence.

Straight lines indicate long life and peace.

Circles indicate that money will soon be received, but if they are connected by straight lines, there will be a delay.

Squares and oblongs denote peace and happiness, while angular and distorted figures foretell annoyance and worry.

A large number of lines running parallel signify a happy old age.

A crown brings honor and success.

A cross is a bad sign and usually means the death of a dear one.

But if there are two or more crosses, it means an unexpected honor.

A ring denotes marriage, while if there is a letter of the alphabet inside of it or near by, it foretells the initial of a lucky spouse. If there are lines above or below the ring, it means a disappointment.

A clover leaf is a good sign and usually denotes good luck.

Figures of flowers denote long life and happiness. If at the extreme bottom of the cup, they mean a disappointment.

Figure of a tree near the top foretells disappointment. Several trees are a sure sign of misfortune. A tree near a circle denotes a visit to the country. An X is a good sign and means that your wishes will soon come true.

A mountain denotes a trip to be taken shortly.

A star denotes happiness, while the crescent of a moon means success.

Birds are a sign of good luck.

The figure of a fish denotes good news from a distance.

A snake is a sign of an enemy and tells you to beware.

A heart signifies joy and the receipt of money.

Any letter by itself denotes good news from a person whose initial letter that happens to be.

A long line signifies a journey.

A circle with a cross inside usually foretells the birth of a child and is a lucky sign.

An anchor means success in business. If near the top of the cup, it speaks of fidelity and love.

A crown and a cross near each other denote that you will inherit a large fortune.

People of poetical views will be able to find many more articles from which they can draw their own interpretation.

Telling fortunes by means of coffee grounds in a cup follows the same general rule, altho the figures are much less varied.