Reading Tea Leaves and Coffee – Letter U

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We have been talking about reading tea leaves for almost a month now.

But how does one read coffee?

Reading coffee grounds is the same concept than reading tea leaves. You drink the coffee and read the grounds left on the
bottom of the cup. Reading coffee cream is different. while you can now use any colorful or decorated cup, with a handle,
and are no longer in need of a saucer, I prefer to use two specific tools – a special cup, I dedicate only for the purpose
of reading coffee cream, and  a teaspoon that is only used for the purpose of placing the “Wolke”, the cream cloud into the  center of the cup.
The process is rather simple. Gently place the heavy cream into the center of the cup that is filled with black coffee and DO NOT STIR! Allow the cloud take shape in front of your eyes, and notices where it travels, does it travel closer to the handle (representing you and now), or does it travel farther away from the handle (representing others, and another time). If the cloud travels in a clockwise direction, your reading concerns your future, counter-clockwise it represents the past.

The symbols are the same as for tea leaf reading, and should be read as such. For those of you who are vegan or can not
use dairy in their diet, you can substitute full-fat coconut cream for the heavy cream. (this is not the time to think
about your diet).

Now it is time for our symbols.

Letter U:

An Ugly Face: Unpleasant news

Umbrella: Depends on if it is open or closed: An open umbrella speaks literally about bad weather while a close umbrella speaks about a situation – this situation is not pleasant, but can be avoided if you pay attention beginning right now.

Unicorn: You might find yourself in the middle of unwanted drama

Urn: Check your health – unless there is a symbol indicating another person, then check their health

Interesting, isn’t it?

To brew the coffee for coffee cream readings, I prefer to use the over the cup cone dripping method. It is individual
and gives me time to clear my mind of distractions before reading the cream.

Oishii Pour Over Coffee Dripper Available on Amazon

My favorite cone is the Oishii Pour Over Coffee Dripper. I love the fact that it does not allow any grounds to come through, despite the fact that it does not need an extra paper filter. So it is good for the reduction of garbage and makes a smooth cup of coffee. It is easy to clean – just rinse and wipe – and is small enough to store out of the way. Very stable, it sits comfortably upon a regular size mug as well as a wide mouthed, smaller cup. Great for the fresh cup of coffee in the morning, or to take with you in an office, that does not have a coffee machine (there is supposed be to such a thing, I have heard – the horror).

(Disclaimer: I received the above-mentioned Oishii Pour Over Coffee Dripper for free in return for an unbiased, and honest review)

Peppermint And Predictions – A To Z Blogging Challenge Post Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary

Good to have you back for another day of Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary – A To Z Blogging Challenge Eddition. As usual I do not just talk about the symbols but want to also mention other interesting tea facts. I predict that you will find these just as interesting as I do.

My favorite herbal tea is Peppermint tea. It’s leaves, when brewed loose are a perfect match for Tea Leaf Reading. But it also holds plenty of health benefits, that make this tea not only delicious but an important staple in anyone’s household. Simply place one heaping  spoonful of the dried leaves into your favorite cup, fill with hot water, and strain (unless you are using the leaves for a reading) after 6 minutes. Sweeten to taste.

Here are a few examples of Peppermint tea has to offer:

 

A word of caution: Some people are allergic to this and other herbs. If you are prone to allergies to herbs, consult your health care professional before drinking this tea. Also, as always the information given in this blog is for educational purposes only. See disclaimer page for details.

Let’s get to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary:

Letter P:

Padlock: Is it open? That is a positive sign, it means a happy surprise. Closed? Be careful and take precautions.

Palace: Wealth and abundance are on the way

Palm Trees: A symbol of increased wealth, fortune and honor. There might even be some fame and recognition involved.

Parrots: It looks like you might have some travel outside of the country on the horizon. But there could also be some gossip surrounding you that is not all favorable, so be on the watch out for rumors.

Pears: You are receiving good news, and are able to advance in life. One pear means an addition to the family of some kind.

Piano: You are making the most out of what is given to you, and that is a good thing. Keep on doing that.

Pig: A successful symbol specifically in the realm of gardening, agriculture and related fields. There might be an unexpected amount of money coming your way.

Potato: Patience is needed.

Purse: Watch your belongings. Warning of possible burglary or theft.

 

I hope you enjoyed today’s dictionary.

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Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary – Letter L – An A To Z Blogging Challenge Post

This post may contain affiliate links

Matcha tea might be completely useless for tea leaf reading, but should be mentioned here anyway, not just because it
seemed to be a very trendy tea at the moment, but because it is rightfully so. With multiple health benefits, this green
powder is a powerhouse of the teas.

Here are just some of the health benefits of this tea. 

1. Improves mental alertness and clarity
2. Detoxifying
3. increases strenght of immune system
4. prevents and assists in bacterial, fungal and viral infections
5. assists with cardiovascular health
6. energy booster.

(Disclaimer: I am legally required to mention that Matcha tea has not been approved to treat any aillments by the FDA. Check with your health care professional for details)

What is exactly is Matcha Tea anyway?

Grown from the shade-grown tea leaf known as tencha, this green tea is powdered, and gets added to hot water while whisking it, creating a frothy type of beverage. Originally used for health purposes only, during it’s original time in China,
Japanese Monks realized the power of this wonderful tea, and cultivated the production of this type of green tea.

A word of caution
Matcha tea contains caffein, and also has been known to cause allergic reaction in some sensitive people. Also people with hypothyroidism should stay away from Matcha tea (as well as all black and green teas) due to its fluriod content.
Let’s get back to our daily dose of Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary! Today’s letter is L. Enjoy!

Letter L:

 

Ladder: Advancement. You are climbing up the ladder. Slow but steady process toward the successful end goal you are seeking.

Lamb: A surprising success is on its way. If you were doubting your path, it will become clear soon.

Lantern: A light shining through troubled times. Better times are on its way, just keep on going.

Leaves: Leaves speak of prosperity, as a result of your hard work and self-discipline. New connections and friends are on their way.

Leg: A motion forward.

Lettuce: Depression, and lack of energy

Lighthouse: A good sign of guidance, and reassurance. If the lighthouse is broken, do not trust the advice that was given to you – as there are troubled waters on the horizon.

Lightning: check out the location of the lightning in the cup. If it is anywhere but the bottom, it indicates bad weather, if it is on the bottom of the cup it indicates property and personal damage due to weather. Next to a human figure means that electrical problems and dangers are related to that person.

Lion: A very positive symbol of prosperity and power. You are about to enter a positive season of your life. If you are looking for recognition, it is on its way.

 

If you are looking for a high-quality Matcha tea  you can trust and enjoy, check out this Organic Matcha by Kiss Me Organics. A very high-quality green tea powder that is USDA organic certified, and has a strong, welcoming flavor, that Matcha tea should have. I love that  it is also guaranteed to be non-gmo, is vegan, and simply delicious. I am a fan of Kiss Me Organic products, and this Matcha tea is no different. Try it out! Available on Amazon now!

(Disclaimer: I was given Organic Matcha by Kiss Me Organics for free in return for an honest, and unbiased review).

A To Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary “B”

 

Before I am starting with the letter B today, I wanted to share with you 22 Facts about Tea Leaf Reading:

22 Facts About Tea Leaf Reading

1. Tasseography is also known as tasseomancy and tassology
2. Tasseography works not only with tea leaves, but also with coffee grounds or wine sediments
3. A skilled reader or diviner will combine the knowledge of standard symbolism with intuitive skills to come to a complete and comprehensive reading.
4. While many readers prefer white or solid colored cups for reading tea leaves, some use specific cups, with special designs. Three examples of these are Zodiac cups, Playing Card cups and symbol cups.
5. Due to the healing powers of various arts, Tasseomancy is a natural extension of the Healing Arts, and Kitchen Witchcraft
6. Turkish coffee ground reading can never be read by the one asking questions, but must be read by someone else.
7. You can use any loose leaf tea for reading tea leaves. It does not have to be black tea, it can also be that of an herbal variety.
8. Some traditions prefer to swirl the tea leaves, others are taught not to swirl – either way creates an accurate readings, and is entirely up to the practitioner, their background and who taught them.
9. Tea leaf readings are a short term reading – most readings see only into the future for about 1 year.
10. An overwhelming negative reading usually is the manifestation of the person’s deep-rooted worries and fears, and should be read as that.
11. One theory is that this form of divination is a form of psychometry – the psychic ability to read inanimate objects through clairvoyance.

• Tea leave reading was introduced to Europe in the 1600 after tea became a very popular drink.
• It is best to avoid very large tea leaves for reading, like gunpowder green tea, because they will cover the inside of the cup, and not create spaces and forms to interpret
• You can sweeten your tea for the tea leaf reading as you usually would, just avoid using cream, because it will clump up the tea leaves.
• Speaking of cream – a form of Tasseography used particularly in an area of Germany called “Ostfriesland”, is reading the cream “cloud” during their tea ritual. Only a special tea is used for this type of reading and ritual, as well as a special “cream spoon”. You can also read the cream cloud by adding it in coffee.
• There is such a thing as tea leaf reading cards.
• The only liquid that needs to be left in the cup for the reading is about one teaspoon full. The rest is drunk by the person read for.
• If you do choose to swirl your tea, do it three times, counter-clockwise
• The initial impressions are usually the most correct ones
• The handle is an important part of reading tea leaves – it indicates details such as timeframe, if a situation is leaving or entering someone’s life, and represents the person the reading is done for.
• You should never read more than one time a day for yourself, actually most people should not read more often than once a week for themselves, in order to not get your readings confused and being contradicting what you read before
• The more specific your question is, the more likely you will get a clear answer. Both the reader and the diviner should concentrate on the question in unison.

 

And now it is time to continue with our dictionary:

Letter B:

 

Badger: If you are not married, you will have a long life filled with happiness, as a single person. If you are married, you will regret that you have not made the decision to have stayed single.

Basket: Family, a new person or animal to take care off. Living in a family unit. You have taken on the role as a caregiver, or will do so in the near future.

Bat: (the animal) Pay attention to those in your care, as this is not a good omen regarding your household. Prevent any misfortune by tending to them now. Make sure you let those you love, know how much you care for them, while you have a chance.

Bear: a long period of travel, most likely toward North or colder climates.

Birds: our winged friends tend to bring good news, by themselves news will arrive soon, if they are sitting in a row, these new will take some time to unfold. Birds in a cage however means that there are obstacles you have to remove first in order option those good news you are longing for.

Boat: a boat in itself brings the news of impending friends arrival, if seen with rough seas, trouble is coming your way.

Bouquet: one of the luckiest symbols: great friends, success, happy marriage. Reunions with long lost friends and the reversal of estranged relationships are very likely to appear.

Bridge: there is an opportunity on its way! If you are about to travel your journey will be favorable.

Building: something or someone is about to be removed out of your life. Or you are removing yourself from a situation. This does not always mean negative. Sometimes we have to let go off a situation, person or circumstance to move forward. Now would be that time.

Bull: a rather negative symbol. Watch out for potential trouble to keep it under control

Bush:  You are about to receive an invitation that will excite you.

Butterfly: butterfly are creatures of a passing pleasure, but rather inconstant and flighty. So if you are flirting with someone at the moment, it is not meant to become anything more. Save yourself some heartache and move on.

 

A To Z April Blogging Challenge Theme Reveal

Today, is the great theme reveal for next month’s A to Z Blogging Challenge! If you are asking yourself what I am talking about, then it is time for me to direct you toward the wonderful organizers of this month-long blogging event, that happens every year for more information. But if you want the condensed form of what I am talking about, its if the following.

For the month of April – with the exception of Sunday’s – participants pledge to blog about something, corresponding with the day’s letter, starting at A, working ourselves through the entire alphabet. Participants sign up here, and either decide to blog about random things that come to mind, or choose a theme.

Which brings me to today. Those of us who are choosing a theme, post a little bit about our chosen subject today. So, I am going to get right to it:

 

Yup, I will write for the  entire month about Tea-leaf reading symbols, tea rituals, and related information. No worries to my regular readers, who might not be  interested in the subject, I plan on continuing my usual posting, in addition to the A to Z blogging challenge – even if that means I have to do double work.

Here is the schedule for each day of the A to Z Challenge, and it’s corresponding letter:

So are you planning on joining us for this adventure? If you are, are you choosing a theme this year? For those of you who are participating, leave your blog link in the comment section, so I can come visit you throughout the challenge!

See you soon!

Claudia

 

Book Review: Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone

Title: The Cinderella Princess (Royal Holiday Book 1)

Author: Melissa McClone

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 2nd, 2015

Rating: 5/5 Stars

I recently began reading the Royal Holiday Series by Tule Publishing, which features short romances from different authors, but with a royal theme.
The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone is the first one in the series and got me hooked on it from the start. While this story is a modern-day fairytale – do not read this, if you want the most realistic version of contemporary romance – it was set beautifully and the now.
I love how the main female character, Emily Rodgers is not a weak character at all (a theme that repeats itself in this series and makes it even more appealing to me), instead she is a woman with her own career, her own ambition, and her own skills. She is not looking for a prince, yet finds him in Luc, who is as charming as he is wounded.
While I would have read a longer story by this author, I am glad she kept it short, anything beyond the length of the book would have made it drawn out.
Very nicely done!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me for free by the publisher via NetGalley, in return for a honest review.

Allspice – An A to Z Challenge Post

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! This month’s theme is “A Quick A to Z Guide to Herbs And Spices”, in order to celebrate tomorrow’s release of my “Mixing Spices” book!

So without further delay, let’s talk food!

A – Allspice:

Even though this spice is known to have a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, this is not a spice blend, but rather the dried unripe berry of a plant called Pimenta dioica.

Matches well with: turnips, sweet potatoes, grains, onions and corned beef. An important ingredient in Jamaican jerk spice blend

Health benefits: anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent, increases the circulation of the skin and can be added to teas to stimulate appetite.

Magical Attributes: Associated with Mars and Fire. Useful in all healing mixtures. As oil and/or incense, it is often used to attract luck or money

(Disclaimer: The health benefits are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your health care professional for medical advice)

If you enjoyed this entry, why not check out my book

“Mixing Herbs – A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes”

On Sale April 2nd 2015!

“Writing Challenges”: 5 Reasons Why You Should Join One

Okay, I am biased about this subject, but out of good reasons. I currently run the March part of a continuously running Writing Challenge (writingchallenge.org), and I love it. But besides that it is the most fun I have had on Twitter for a while, there are real, tangible reasons, why I think, writing challenges, on social media platforms work well.

Here are 5 of them:

1. Accountability
Accountability in a work environment, in which we are left to our own devices and flexible time management, can work wonders in productivity. People work better with deadlines, and clear set goals and these challenges provide such. Some challenges work with charts, others with chains, but however they decide to utilize the accountability of their participants, the results speak for themselves. More people write consistently when they made a commitment outside of themselves, to someone else, then when you are working without a clear deadline. Accountability challenges provide that for you.

2. Encouragement
Working together with peers gives participants an opportunity to give and receive encouragement. Sometimes all we need is a kind word from someone who has already written a book or is going through the same steps you are, to get unstuck and stick with the planned project.

3. Sound Board
There have been times, where being able to share an idea with the group, or asking a question about a plot or character, has brought new insights, because of the viewpoint and shared (mostly kind) opinions of fellow writers. This is a great, often overlooked aspect when participating in these challenges.

4. Lasting connections
Challenge participants are really nice people who love to connect with others who have similar interest. We all automatically have a common ground, on which to build lasting relationships on. What a nice way to find friends in an otherwise solitary profession.

5. Professional connection
Many participants work in related fields, such as publishing and editing, or web design. I have come across a few people who’s services I will be using, once my projects are to that stage of development where their services are of value. This is a wonderful way to find people you can work with, that you can trust. After all, you already know them.

If you are looking to join one of these continuous challenges, I recommend checking the three examples below. Again, I am biased about the first one, but the other challenges are great as well.

WritingChallenge.org
750 Words
My 500 Words

Of course, there is the ever popular NaNoWriMo in November and the CampNaNoWriMo in April.

Happy Writing!

Waiting On Wednesday “A Deadly Web” by Kay Hooper

Now here is a blog hop, I am very exited about participating in: Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, asks participants to post every Wednesday about a book they are looking forward to reading. This week, I chose a Paranormal book, that is a part of a series, I absolutely love:

Title: A Deadly Web
Author: Kay Hooper
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Paranormal Thriller/Romance
Release Date (aprox): April 7th, 2015

“John Brodie is a Guardian, a member of a secret network devoted to protecting the psychics in his charge from a ruthless—and virtually invisible—enemy.

Tasha Solomon is unaware of the Guardians’ existence—until the night the gifted psychic suffers a shocking and violent attack and Brodie saves her life.”

Tough and resilient, Tasha isn’t used to depending on anyone. But the assault has left her vulnerable. Tasha doesn’t know who wants her dead, or why, or when he will strike again. Now, she is forced to trust that Brodie can guide her through a tangled web of danger and deception toward a safe harbor—one she fears is more elusive with each dark and endless night. (From Kay Hooper’s Website)
I am a die-hard Kay Hooper fan, and every time there is any annoucement of a new book of hers to arrive soon, I am all happy. A Deadly Web is a part of her series “Bishop Files”, which re-visits my favorite FBI agents who all have “gifts”, psychic abilities of one form or another, and use these to hunt down killers of the most notorious kind. This is one book, I am hoping to be able to review via an advanced copy, but if not, I will be purchasing it the moment it is released. Can’t wait!

A Deadly Web (A Bishop Files Novel) will be available in Paperback and Kindle – you can pre-order it here