Page:Spaewife, or, Universal fortune-teller (3).pdf/13

13 TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE GROUNDS OF A COFFEE CUP.

Directions to pour out the Coffee-grounds.

Pour the grounds of coffee in a white cup, shake them well about in it, so that their particles may cover the surface of the whole cup; then reverse it into the saucer, that superfluous parts may be drained, and the figures required for fortune-telling be formed. The person that acts the fortune-teller must bend their thoughts upon the person that wishes their fortune told, and upon their rank and profession, in order to give plausibility to their predictions. It is not to be expected upon taking up the cup, that the figures will be accurately represented as they are in the pack, and it is quite sufficient if they bear some resemblance to any of the following emblems.

The Roads,

Or serpentine lines, indicate ways; if they are covered with clouds, they are said to be infallible marks either of past or future reverses. If they appear clear and serene, they are a sure token of some fortunate chance near at hand: encompassed with very many dots, they signify an accidental gain of money, likewise long life.

The Ring,

Signifies marriage; if a letter is near it, it denotes to the person that has his fortune told, the initial of the name of the party to be married. Likewise, if the ring is in the clear, it portends happy and lucrative friendship. Surrounded with clouds, designs that the person is to use precaution in friendship he is about to contract. If the ring appears at he bottom of the cup, it forebodes an entire separation from the beloved object.

The Leaf of Clover,

Is as well here as in common life, a lucky sign. Its different position in the cup alone makes the difference; because if it is on the top, it shews that