Once Upon a Grind (39 page)

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state,

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself, and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,

Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

Like to the lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

—WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, SONNET 29
(TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL RUSSIAN)

R
ECIPES
& T
IPS
FROM THE
V
ILL
AGE
B
LEND

Visit Cleo Coyle's virtual Village Blend at CoffeehouseMystery.com for even more recipes, including:

* “Poisoned” Apple Sharlotka
(Spiked Russian Apple Cake)

* Fairy Bread and Fairy Bread Cookies

* Chocolate Babka

* BBQ Chipped Ham Sandwich

* Glacéed Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Syrup Shots

* Chocolate Ricotta Muffins

* Twinkie Baba Rum

* Clare's “Welcome Back!” Iced Coffee Cake

* Gingered Ale and more . . .

Coffee tasseography is the art of seeing the future through coffee grinds, and a serious art it is. The ritual was born in the culture of Turkish coffee drinking, which reaches back to the sixteenth century. In the seventeenth century, the ritual arrived in Europe and became fashionable in Paris. No, I didn't learn it then—I'm not
that
old, my dears! I was taught by my Turkish friend Yasmina, just as Clare learned the art from her beloved Italian nonna in Western Pennsylvania.

Coffee reading is an oral tradition, you see, and not something you'll learn about in books. That said, I have set down this quick guide to help budding seers, using the techniques and interpretations I learned.

Your Coffee Reading:
To start, you must brew coffee. Coffee readers have traditionally used a Turkish-style method of brewing. The Bosnian method also works well, and you'll find recipes for both following my little guide.

Why must you make the coffee this way? Because these very old brewing methods will leave grinds at the bottom of your cup. It is these grinds that you will use to read fortunes.

Although there are different styles of reading coffee grinds, all require the beverage to be consumed by the person seeking his or her fortune. As the reader, you should provide a relaxing, cordial atmosphere while the seeker imbibes. When the cup is nearly drained, the reading begins.

Ask the seeker to slowly turn the cup in his or her hands for a few moments while contemplating a question or problem. When the seeker is finished, he or she should cover the cup with the saucer and turn them both upside down. With this method, the coffee grinds spread and move, leaving symbols on the walls and bottom of the cup. Allow the grounds to cool and dry for a few minutes before turning the cup over and beginning the reading.

How to Read the Cup:
Visually divide the cup into horizontal halves, top and bottom. The symbols seen on the bottom half are messages regarding the past. The symbols near the top are messages about the future. This would be the
immediate
future. Like Tarot, a coffee reading cannot predict events beyond forty days. The reader must also divide the cup into vertical halves—right and left. This division helps the reader determine positive or negative answers or outcomes. Right is positive, or “yes.” Left is negative, or “no.”

For Example:
You may see the shape of an airplane in the coffee grinds, which predicts a journey:

* If the plane is on the
top
half of the cup, this journey is in the
future
.

* If the plane is on the top
right
side of the cup, this future journey will have a
positive
outcome. However, if the plane is on the top
left
side of the cup, this future journey will have a
negative
outcome.

* If the plane is on the
bottom
half of the cup, this journey was in the
past
.

* If the plane is on the bottom
right
side of the cup, the events from this past journey will have a
positive
influence on the future. However, if the plane is on the bottom
left
side of the cup, the events from this past journey will have a
negative
impact on the future.

Your Mental Powers:
As the reader, gazing into the cup, let your imagination run free. Coffee reading is not unlike cloud gazing. One must discern the shapes by using both
imagination
and
intuition
.

A Quick Guide to Symbols:
There are literally hundreds of symbols found in coffee grinds. While there is not enough space here to cover every possible symbol, I have listed a hundred of the most common, along with widely held interpretations. Please note that these are not the only interpretations. As I mentioned, this is an oral tradition that will vary among readers. With time and practice, you will hone your skills and arrive at your own interpretations.

The Magic and Power of Story:
Remember that the coffee reader must tell the seeker a
story
to help make sense of the symbols seen and interpreted. And telling stories is a magical thing. For when you engage imagination and intuition, you awaken the very mental powers that have shaped our world—and hold the power to reshape your own.

—Madame Tesla,
New York City

 

Acorn
—Success. Financial success if found at the top of the cup. Good health if found at the bottom.

Airplane
—A journey. A broken wing indicates an interrupted trip or an accident.

Anchor
—Success in business or romance. A blurry anchor means problems.

Angel
—Good news.

Arch
—A wedding.

Arrow
—Sudden bad news.

Axe
—Troubles that will be overcome by great effort.

Bag
—If open, a trap you can escape. If closed, you will be trapped.

Barrel
—A party, feast, or celebration.

Basket
—An
empty
basket
implies financial woes. A
full basket
promises a gift.

Bat
—False or untrustworthy friends.

Bee
—Social success, or praise at work.

Beehive
—Prosperity or riches. The sweet life.

Beetle
—A difficult undertaking.

Bell
—Surprising news. On the right of the cup, good news. On the left, sad tidings.
More than one bell
indicates a wedding.

Bird
—Freedom from worry.

Birdcage
—Quarrels.

Bird's nest
—A loving home.

Boat
—A visit from a distant friend or relative, safe refuge.

Branch
—
With leaves
is a birth or new prospects.
Without leaves
is a setback.

Bridge
—An opportunity.

Butterfly
—Frivolity.

Car
—Luck or good fortune.

Cherry
—A love affair.

Claw
—Hidden enemies who seek to do you harm.

Clouds
—A storm brewing, trouble ahead.

Clover
—Prosperity.

Coffin
—Very bad news.

Comet
—An unexpected visitor or sudden opportunity, not without risk.

Crescent
—A pleasant journey.

Cross
—Sacrifice, ill health. Conversely,
two crosses
predict a long life.
Three crosses
signify longevity
and
a great achievement.

Dagger
—Impetuous actions that lead to danger.

Daisy
—Romantic love and happiness.

Dancer
—Shame or disappointment.

Door
—Strange or mysterious occurrences.

Dove
—Peace, tranquility, good fortune.

Dragon
—Unpredictable changes, trouble.

Drum
—Scandal, gossip.

Duck
—Money is coming.

Egg
—Prosperity, success—the more eggs the better.

Eye
—Vigilance needed to overcome difficulties.

Fairy
—Joy, enchantment.

Fan
—Inappropriate flirtation, indiscretion.

Feather
—Lack of concentration.

Feet
—An important decision must soon be made.

Finger
—This symbol emphasizes the symbol it points to.

Fish
—Good fortune in all things.

Fist
—Argument.

Fruit
—Prosperity, fertility.

Gun
—Trouble, quarrels, danger.

Hammer
—Overcoming obstacles, hard, unpleasant work.

Hand
—Friendship. If fingers are missing, selfish or deceitful friends.

Hat
—New job or home, a change.

Hawk
—Jealousy.

Horn
—Generosity, abundance.

Horse
—A
galloping
horse
indicates good news from a lover. A
horse head
means romance.

Horseshoe—
Good luck.

Hourglass
—Quick action is required. Time is running out.

Iceberg
—Hidden hazards ahead.

Kettle
—Minor accident or illness.

Key
—Unlocking new success.
Two keys
means a robbery.

Ladder
—A job promotion.

Lightning
bolt
—Swift resolution to a vexing problem.

Mouse
or
Rat
—A theft.

Mushroom
—Growth after setbacks.

Musical note
—Celebration of good fortune.

Nail
—Physical pain.

Number
—Time, usually the number of days before an event.

Oak leaf
—Good fortune.

Oar
—Help in difficulties.

Owl
—Scandal, failure.

Pitchfork
—Quarrels.

Pyramid
—Success in all stages of life.

Question mark
—Doubt, hesitancy, overcaution.

Ring
—Closure, completion. A
broken ring
could indicate the end of a romance or marriage.
Two rings
mean plans are working out.

Rose
—Approval, popularity, fame.

Saw
—Outside interference.

Scales
—A lawsuit.
Balanced scales
suggest justice.
Unbalanced scales
hint at an injustice.

Scissors
—Domestic strife, separation.

Shamrock
—Wishes granted.

Sheep
—Fortune.

Skeleton
—Loss of money, ill health.

Skull
—Death.

Spoon
—Generosity to others.

Square
—Protection, peace.

Star
—Health and happiness.

Sun
—Status, power.

Toad
—Distrust all flattery.

Torch
—Turn for the better in business.

Tree
—Ambition fulfilled.

Turtle
—Harsh criticism.

Umbrella
—Need for safety or safe shelter.

Unicorn
—Secret romance or wedding.

Whale
—Career or business success.

Wheel
—A
complete wheel
means earned success. A
broken wheel
means toil without reward.

Wolf
—Beware a jealous or selfish person.

Woman
—Sensual pleasure.

Worm
—Scandal. The more worms, the worse the scandal will become.