tasseography

Tasseography, also known as tasseomancy, is a form of divination that interprets patterns formed by tea leaves, coffee grounds, or other residues left in a cup after the liquid has been consumed. Practitioners claim these patterns can reveal aspects of a person’s future, personality, or life events.

Etymology and scope: The term derives from the French tasse, meaning cup, combined with the Greek graphos or graphy, meaning writing. While tea leaf reading is the most widely known form in Western cultures, similar methods have appeared in coffee cup readings and other censer readings in various regions. The practice encompasses symbolic interpretation of shapes, clusters, and their positions inside the cup.

History and context: Tasseography has historical roots in both Middle Eastern and European traditions, where tea, coffee, and other beverages were common in social settings. The modern term and its codified reading methods emerged in the 18th to 19th centuries as these practices were popularized in Europe and later spread to broader audiences. Readings are typically performed by a practitioner who uses agreed-upon symbol sets or personal intuition.

Method and interpretation: After drinking, the cup is rotated to distribute the dregs and then inverted onto a saucer to drain. The reader examines the remaining leaves or grounds, considering their shapes, clusters, and location (near the cup’s bottom, middle, or rim) to derive meanings about past events, present circumstances, or potential futures. Interpretations are highly subjective and culturally informed.

Reception: Tasseography is regarded as a form of divination or entertainment rather than a scientifically validated method. Critics describe it as pseudoscience, while supporters view it as a reflective tool or storytelling aid. In contemporary contexts, it appears in readings at fairs, spas, and popular culture, often alongside other mystic arts.