The history of tasseomancy can be traced back hundreds of years. During a reading the client drinks a cup of tea but leaves a small amount in the bottom of the cup. The cup is turned upside down on a saucer and turned. The reader picks up the cup and reads the patterns formed by the tea leaves. Usually the best tea readers also have natural artistic skills.
Various symbols have certain meanings.
Time frames are estimated by the proximity of the leaves to the rim. Leaves closest to the rim represent the immediate future. Coffee grounds are also used by some readers. This form of divination is thought to have come from Italy. Divners who read coffee grounds often recite incantations.