Now you can examine the cup and the patterns of the tea leaves inside.

Imagine three levels on your cup. The surface area of your tea when you began to drink and above is the Rim Section. Remember the amount of tea you left in your cup before you dumped it out? That is your Base Section. Visualize the area of the cup that exists between the rim section and the base section. That is your Middle Section.

In a relaxed state of mind, examinate the inside of your cup. Allow patterns to drift into your mind. Interpreting the leaf patterns and shapes is like taking a Rorschach Test. Allow your imagination to wander.

First take a quick look inside the cup to see if there are any signs that jump out at you:

• Any distinct drops of tea or coffee that remain in the cup despite the swirling and emptying of the cup, represent tears.
• A very large clump of tea leaves indicates trouble. Near the handle – trouble caused by your own making. Opposite the handle – the trouble is not your fault.
• Tea-stalks indicate people. Long stalks indicate men. Shorter stalks indicate women. Pale or dark stalks indicate colouring. Slanted stalks indicate untrustworthy people.