The Art of Tasseomancy: Reading the Leaves

Imagine sitting in a candlelit nook, a steaming cup of Witches Brew tea (or tisane) in hand, its fragrant steam casting a swirling spell around your head. With each sip, you’re not just drinking tea; you’re stirring the energies of the universe, ready to uncover secrets hidden in your cup. As you finish the last drop, candlelight dancing on the rim of the vessel, daring you to peek deep inside where the tea leaves have settled. Are you ready to reveal whispers of your own destiny?

This is the art of tasseomancy, a timeless ritual where it’s believed the patterns in your teacup unlock insights into your past, present, and future. At Witches Brew, we believe every leaf tells a story, and our artisanal loose-leaf teas and tisanes are your perfect companions for this mystical journey.

Like tea, tasseomancy traces its roots back in time to ancient China. This mystical divination practice traveled along trade routes to Europe in the 17th century. From bustling marketplaces, to candlelit gatherings, tea leaf reading was a popular social and mystical practice, especially among women who would swirl their emptied cup, flip it, and interpret the leaf patterns in hopes of gaining insights into love, family, or future events. It was an acceptable way to explore the occult and a rare outlet for intuition in a restrictive society, fitting seamlessly with the era’s fascination with spiritualism.

Today, you can revive this enchanting ritual in your own kitchen, transforming an everyday cup of tea into ritual—a portal for personal insight and timeless wonder. We at Witches Brew invite you to continue the tradition of tasseomancy, with our loose-leaf teas. 

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

• Teacup and Saucer: Use a wide, shallow, white or light-colored cup to see leaf patterns clearly. A saucer is key for draining excess liquid after swirling.

• Witches Brew Teas and Tisanes: These handcrafted loose-leaf blends construct a passage between the everyday and the ethereal, with their whole-leaf botanicals settling into vivid, symbolic formations ideal for divination. Some suggestions, but go with what you like:

1. Cloud Kissed Darjeeling - (black tea with long, wiry leaves for cloud-like omens of dreams and journeys).

2. Witches Whisper (a haunting green tea whose delicate, twisted leaves drift into spectral shapes of secrets and hidden truths)

3. Crimson Zing (a vibrant rooibos bursting with ruby petals and zest, forming bold, fiery symbols of passion and sudden change).

4.  Nocturnal Enchantment (a caffeine-free herbal tisane blending larger herbal pieces for starry, subconscious whispers).

• Loose-Leaf Spoon or Scoop: A small, dedicated utensil to measure 1-2 teaspoons of leaves per cup, ensuring even brewing without fines that muddy patterns.

• Kettle or Teapot: For steeping at the right temperature—boiling for tisanes and black teas like Cloud Kissed Darjeeling (212°F); if using a green, oolong, or white tea (e.g., Wicked Green or Witch’s Whisper), drop to 175–185°F to preserve delicate notes.

• Timer

• Notebook and Pen: To journal your interpretations, questions, or recurring symbols 

• Optional Enhancers: A candle for ambiance, tarot cards for cross-referencing symbols, or essential oils like lavender to attune your space.

SET THE SCENE: 

Find a quiet corner, an empty room, or a spot in nature where you won’t be disturbed. Dim the lights (if applicable), light a beeswax candle (if safe), play soft ambient sounds, hum your favorite mystical tune, or just tune into the comforting sounds of nature around you. You might choose to perform your reading at twilight or midnight for heightened intuition. Set your intention or focus on a question on which you wish to gain insight (e.g., “What awaits in my career?”).

HOW TO PERFORM TASSEOMANCY:

• Begin by measuring 1–2 teaspoons of loose tea of your choosing and dropping it straight into your empty teacup. 

• Next, fill the cup with the appropriate temperature of water allowing the leaves to float, sink, and dance, which is ideal for pattern formation. 

• Cover the cup with its saucer (or a small plate) and steep for 3–5 min (black teas) or 5–7 min (tisanes), keeping heat in, aromas trapped, and leaves free to unfurl.

• Focus on your question or intention while you sip your brew. Sip until about 1 tablespoon of liquid remains with the leaves.

• Swirl your teacup clockwise three times for future focus or counterclockwise for introspection. Invert on saucer to drain. Now you can read the leaves. View them with handle toward you, in three zones: 

1. Rim: Present or near future.

2. Sides: Near to mid-term.

3. Bottom: Distant or subconscious.

• Note patterns and insights in a journal. Link back to your intention 

COMMON SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS:

• Bird: Freedom or news 

• Heart: Love 

• Line: Journey

• Circle: Completion 

• Arrow: Direction, focus, or a message coming your way

• Bell: Good news, celebration, or a wake-up call

• Book: Knowledge, study, or a secret revealed

• Cat: Intuition, independence, or mystery (especially near the rim)

• Cloud: Confusion or a dreamy transition (clear vs. dark = positive/negative)

• Cross: Sacrifice, burden, or spiritual protection

• Dog: Loyalty, friendship, or a faithful ally

• Eye: Insight, watchfulness, or someone observing you

• Fish: Abundance, fertility, or deep emotions

• Flower: Joy, growth, or budding romance

• Horse: Strength, travel, or swift change

• Key: Solutions, opportunities, or unlocking secrets

• Moon: Intuition, cycles, or hidden truths (crescent = new beginnings)

• Mountain: Obstacle, ambition, or a major challenge ahead

• Snake: Transformation, healing, or hidden danger

• Star: Hope, guidance, or destiny shining through

• Tree: Growth, family roots, or long-term stability

• Triangle: Creativity, power, or unexpected change (point up = success)

• Wings: Messages, ascension, or spiritual freedom

Translating symbols is akin to translating dreams; they’re subjective. In my experience, divination does not tell us where to go or what to do, it’s an aide, a guide making suggestions. It’s up to us to give those symbols and readings meaning. The Universe is constantly conspiring with us. Tasseomancy is just another tool of communication with the Divine; another way to hear guidance. Free will gives us the option to follow this guidance. So, what are the symbols at the bottom of YOUR cup telling you?

Happy brewing, sipping, and reading!

© Dani Clifton/Witches Brew 2025