The stable phrase about divination on coffee is now perceived as irony, sarcasm. But in the past, this ritual was reverently treated and the predictions were believed unconditionally. Meanwhile, this ritual has a special name - tasseography.
History of occurrence
The roots of coffee divination are hard to find. Some sources indicate the appearance of this ritual among the Indians of Peru. Allegedly, before the hunt, they tried to predict the outcome. There is a version about a similar ritual held in ancient Egypt for the pharaohs, only there was sand instead of coffee. In one version, the origins of fortune-telling are attributed to the Russian tsars, but there is a version about the origin of the tradition from the Turkish sultans.
And one of the most popular versions says that the ancestor of divination on coffee grounds is the Italians: the mention of the ritual and the interpretation of symbols date back to the 18th century.
As it was in Russia
It is believed that Peter I brought coffee to Tsarist Russia. However, there are references that Alexander I used it as a medicine. At firstPeter I forced the courtiers to drink the drink with him.
In secular circles, coffee divination gained popularity during the reign of Catherine: interpretations were made, and fortune-tellers whose predictions were close to reality were worth their weight in gold. Gradually, the drink "entered" the masses: it became more accessible. And the fortune-telling ritual spread to the people, but since the life of secular and peasants was very different, there was a difference in interpretation. The attitude of the serfs to this type of divination was very skeptical. It is here that the skepticism of the whole phrase "fortune telling on the coffee grounds" originates.
Rules and stages of divination for coffee
The classic divination ritual does not include coffee recipes, proportions and other subtleties. In order to tell fortunes in the thick, you need to perform the following simple steps: it is advisable to grind coffee yourself and brew it in the usual way in a Turk. In the process of grinding and boiling, you need to think only about the question that you want to ask. This is where self-discipline and preparation are important. Coffee should not be liquid: it is necessary to drain the excess and pour coffee with sediment into the cup. In the process of drinking coffee, think only about your question. When finishing your coffee, pay attention to the fact that thick and a little liquid should remain at the bottom.
Let's go step by step:
- According to the old custom, the cup should be in the left hand. Vigorously, but gently, you need to shake the thick clockwise so that it washes the walls to the brim andleft a trace.
- Next, quickly and abruptly turn the cup onto the prepared saucer.
- Wait a few seconds (it is recommended to count to 7 measuredly) and take the mug in your left hand.
- Tilt the cup at an acute angle and slowly turn it clockwise so that the remaining thick drips onto the saucer and forms patterns.
- Traces on the walls of the cup show the present and the future. The patterns that appeared on the saucer are the past.
- Interpretation of received drawings. If decryption occurs independently, then we connect intuition and interpret the resulting figures.
Examples in history. Paul I
In the periodicals of the 18th century, the case was mentioned that in 1799 Lieutenant Kempen was convicted, who told his colleagues a rumor discussed about divination for the future on coffee, and indicated the name of Tsar Paul 1. The count was reported, and the Secret Chancellery, after interrogating him, she sent him to serve in the Razumovsky regiment. However, this rumor was widely known, including by the Secret Office.
Her records tell that once a coffee-fortune teller came to the palace and offered the king to tell fortunes for the future. Pavel I agreed, and the gypsy asked for coffee. She predicted that he would reign for 3 years, after which he was to die. Three times she divined to the king, and three times the interpretation of divination by coffee did not change. She was sent to the fortress, and the next time Paul turned to her before the birth of his wife. She seemed to have predicted everything correctly. After that, the sovereign gave her 500 rubles and let her go.
Alexander Pushkin
Widely known storyhappened to the great poet. It is believed that his prediction came true completely. Once Alexander Pushkin, together with a friend, looked at the famous fortune-teller - Charlotte Kirchoff. She foretold him money, links to the north and south, and advised him to avoid a man with a white head. A friend predicted imminent death. The prophecy for a friend came true: in the morning he was killed. Very soon, the prediction about money came true: Pushkin was returned the old debt. The words about exiles were fulfilled: first Pushkin was exiled to the south to Chisinau, and then to the north, to Pskov. But the most surprising thing is that the killer of the poet, as you know, was blond. In the materials of that time, one can find confirmation that the poet avoided fair-haired horses, people.
Napoleon
Fortune-telling on coffee grounds completely predicted the fate of Emperor Napoleon. Then the fortuneteller predicted to officer Bonaparte the coronation and marriage to a woman who would make him great, but after a divorce, a black streak would come with her, and life would end in loneliness. It is interesting that the same fortune-teller predicted to Josephine a quick marriage and all sorts of honors. Being divorced and with 2 children in her arms, Josephine did not believe in the result of fortune-telling. However, history has shown the truth.
Character decoding
Of course, it is better to invite an experienced person to interpret the characters left after divination for coffee. Positive signs are: a harp, symbolizing harmony, a viper, a mill, a column, mountains, a fish and an anchor. They mean success in various fields of activity. Circle, lines, tree, house - fulfillment of desires, harmony, progress.
From the neutral symbols can be distinguished: a butterfly, a bell and a bee, a comet. This is adventure, news, guest, respectively. The following signs predict negative consequences: a hawk, a pistol and a flag - danger; hat, triangle - failure; knife and scissors - quarrels; goat, snake, drum - hatred, enemies or intrigues.
Some signs have similar interpretations. And it's not just in symbols.
Deciphering letters and numbers
May drop letters, numbers or figures after divination for coffee. Letters portending positive changes: A, Z, L, M, O, T, X, C, W, L, Z (victory, entertainment, love, money, travel, dating, wedding, career, reconciliation, flirting, stability). Letters portending negative changes: C, D, F, I, K, S, U, H, E, Yu (grief, money problems, conspiracy, bad consequences, trials, disputes, quarrels, loss of a loved one, theft, illness).
The figures that appeared after divination on coffee are usually interpreted as follows:
- 1 - love for you, 3 - successful completion of affairs, 7 - happiness at home, 9 - useful acquaintance for the future, 10 - long, happy life; 0, 101 - happy life.
- 2 - expect trouble, 4 - bad outcome, 5 - gossip and intrigue, 6 - problems, 8 - quarrel with loved ones.
Of course, interpreting characters is not as difficult as recognizing them. Therefore, it is important to look closely at the signs on the cup and use a creative approach to interpret coffee divination.
