Fortune Telling on Coffee Grounds. A Self-help Guide for Everyone. Arina Apraksina
continues to evolve and adapt to modern conditions, taking on new forms and methods. At the same time, modern and traditional tasseography practices have both similarities and differences, each of which uniquely affects the cultural and individual meaning of this activity.
Similarities
Both traditional and modern coffee grounds reading methods are based on the interpretation of symbols and images that are seen in the remains of coffee. These symbols can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but the idea that they can provide insight into the future or understanding of current circumstances remains the same. Regardless of the context in which divination is performed, it is often accompanied by certain rituals. This may include a specific way of preparing coffee, the way the grounds are poured and distributed in the cup, and special prayers or meditations.
Differences
Modern practices increasingly use digital technologies. For example, there are smartphone apps that allow users to take a photo of their coffee grounds and get an automated interpretation of the symbols, but this alone does not give the full picture. A person must have special sensitivity traditional methods may have been more closed and carried out in a more intimate, ritual setting. In traditional societies, tasseography can have deep spiritual and cultural meanings, while in modern practitioners it is often devoid of religious context and is used as a means of personal entertainment or self-knowledge without cultural or spiritual heritage. Traditional methods of coffee ground reading often involve deep personalization in the interpretation process, taking into account the personal stories and circumstances of the client. In modern practice, especially in automated formats, interpretations can be more standardized and generalized.
Chapter 2. How to read coffee grounds correctly
Fortune telling on coffee grounds, or tasseography, is the art of interpreting patterns left by coffee sediment at the bottom of a cup. This process includes not only the act of divination itself, but also preparatory rituals, coffee selection, preparation and serving of a drink. Here is a detailed description of each stage:
Choosing a coffee
For tasseography, natural washed coffee of medium or fine grinding without additives and aromatizers is best suited so that the grounds are as readable as possible. It is recommended to use freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee, as it leaves pronounced patterns and has a strong fragrance that can enhance the atmosphere of the ritual.
Methods of preparation
The ideal way to prepare coffee for fortune telling is to boil it in a Turk over low heat. The water should heat up slowly, and add the coffee when the water is almost boiling. It is important that the coffee does not boil, as this can destroy the patterns formed by the grounds. After adding the coffee to the Turk, keep it on the fire until the foam rises, but do not let it boil away. After removing from the heat, the coffee should steep for a few minutes so that the grounds settle to the bottom.
Choice of dishes
Thick porcelain or ceramic cups are best, as they retain heat for a long time. The cup should be narrow at the base and widen towards the edges so that the patterns are clear and easy to interpret. It is advisable to use light-colored cups so that the patterns of the grounds are more noticeable.
Accompanying rituals
It is important that the entire process takes place in a calm and clean environment. Some practice meditation or prayer before the beginning of the fortune-telling to tune in to the perception of the symbols of the oxen. After the coffee is drunk, the cup is carefully placed on top with the saucer on top and turned upside down so that the grounds can flow down the sides of the cup, forming patterns. The cup should stand upside down for several minutes, usually five to ten, so that the grounds completely settle and form clear figures.
After the cup is turned back upside down, the fortuneteller begins the interpretation. The patterns formed by the grounds can be located on the bottom, sides or edges of the cup, each of which has its own meaning. The bottom of the cup refers to deeply personal or long-term issues, to the foundations of the questioner’s life. The sides of the cup show events that are happening in the present or will develop in the near future. The edge of the cup symbolizes immediate events or thoughts that are on the surface of the questioner’s consciousness. In modern practice, there is a more liberal approach to fortune-telling, where traditional methods are combined with new technologies and psychological methods. For example, there are online courses on tasseography and even applications that analyze photographs of coffee grounds for preliminary interpretation. These tools can serve as an introduction to fortune-telling for beginners or as an additional tool for more experienced practitioners. For example, animals usually symbolize people or events associated with animal characteristics (for example, a fox can mean cunning). And figures and objects can have literal or metaphorical meaning (for example, a ring often symbolizes a wedding or the completion of affairs). On the other hand, natural elements such as water or mountains can indicate an emotional state or obstacles, respectively. However, we will dwell on the issue of interpreting coffee grounds in maximum detail a little later, in section number three of our book.
Coffee ground reading continues to attract attention not only as a traditional art form, but also as part of a modern culture of self-discovery and entertainment. Here are some of the aspects that help this practice remain relevant and interesting for people of different cultures and generations. Modern psychologists and therapists sometimes use tasseography as a tool in psychotherapy. The process of interpreting coffee ground patterns can help clients better understand their internal conflicts and emotions, providing a new way of expression and self-reflection. This can be especially useful for those who have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings in words. Coffee ground reading, known as tasseography, is common in many parts of the world, taking unique forms and adapting to local traditions and cultural characteristics. Here is a detailed overview of coffee ground reading practices in different regions: Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
In Europe, tasseography is especially popular in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, including countries such as Turkey, Greece and Russia. Turkey: Tasseography is part of the cultural heritage. Coffee is prepared in a Turk, and after drinking, the remaining grounds are used for divination. The fortuneteller usually interprets the symbols that have formed on the bottom and sides of the cup. The practice is closely linked to communication and often involves long conversations.
Greece and Cyprus – Here the practice is similar to Turkish, with the difference that divination may be accompanied by certain rituals, especially during the New Year and Christmas holidays.
In Asia, tasseography is less traditional, but it is practiced in regions under Ottoman influence, as well as in places where coffee is popular. In the Middle East, in countries such as Lebanon and Syria, coffee ground reading has similarities with Turkish traditions, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and communication. In South Asia, such as India and Pakistan, tasseography is less common, but interest in it is growing due to globalization and the popularization of coffee culture. In North and South America, tasseography is more common among immigrant communities that preserve their cultural traditions. In the United States and Canada, the practice is popular in the Turkish, Greek and Armenian diasporas. Fortune telling is usually performed at family gatherings or cultural events.
In South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina, where coffee is a significant part of the culture, interest in tasseography is also growing, especially in urban areas.
In Africa, tasseography is less well known, but in northern countries such as Egypt, it is practiced mainly in urban coffee houses as part of a cultural heritage linked to Middle Eastern traditions. In Egypt and Morocco, coffee grounds are often used as a form of entertainment in coffee houses and at private parties. In Morocco, the coffee used for tasseography is usually very strong, and after drinking the coffee, the cup is covered with a saucer, turned upside down, and the grounds are