
This post is the first in a series demonstrating how a tea leaf reading with me works — the thought that goes into tea and deck selection, and the types of messages that can be gained from the symbols found in the tea leaves.
This reading was done with Mint Chocolate Orange Pekoe tea, a black tea with a little extra “oomph” added. Black tea is great for general readings, while Mint tea is perfect for readings on wealth and abundance and rich flavours like Chocolate add luxuriousness, and send the message to your Higher Self that you are ready to indulge and satisfy your own needs. How perfect for this reading, meant to identify any blocks to the flow of abundance and creativity; I selected the Nature-Speak Oracle for its powerful, grounding messages and inspiring imagery, perfect for reconnecting with the flow of life and finding ways to keep growing.
As the tea steeped, we looked at the cards — zap, a little slap!! From these cards we learn that the main reason for this sense of stuckness and creative block is actually related to something emotional — before further progress can be made, there is a need to quite literally “balance the emotions.” The Advice card confirms that there will be no “New growth” until emotional needs are met and the “Inner Air” is purified, allowing those creative fires to start producing again. At least commitment to better health was already indicated in choosing a chocolatey tea, right…? Lol!
And so, let’s look into the tea cup for Advice on how to balance those emotions and promote new growth…

It almost looks like a tea party right in the cup! On the left we have a long-necked goose-looking figure, in the middle a big hulking figure that reminds me of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, sitting cross-legged and looking at the figure on the right, who looks like some sort of hermit-dragon.

Looking closer at the goose, we see that it is looking forward, towards the future. It has an optimistic stance, and it is plump and healthy-looking. It does have a very thin neck so it may be fearful of “putting itself out there” with something that it has created and nurtured tenderly and with all its heart — geese are known to be very loyal, and excellent, nurturing parents. It looks like the goose has a unicorn horn or a little pointed hat on; either way, this creative effort is touched with magic, and the person can know that they are truly blessed to begin and will be supported throughout the endeavour.
Next we see that hulking beast! His yogic position hints at the Beast’s true temperament — looks can be deceiving, and as we know, the Beast has a heart of gold. It could be that the project you feel so blocked about, that you’re feeling so emotionally invested in to the point of being paralyzed re: progress, would be completely transformed with a simple vow of personal dedication; simply “sitting” with the project, expecting nothing from it but to coexist for a while, will lead to beautiful and unexpected changes. The Beast looks so eager, one arm propped jauntily on one crossed leg, turned in profile to look at the third figure, the hermit-dragon.

Looking at it up close I wonder why I’m so attached to calling this a dragon, but I do find it interesting as Mint tea loves to read on abundance and areas where growth is ready to happen. That I found it to look like a Hermit is also interesting, directly aligning it with the Beast — they are actually looking each other directly in the eyes — they are conversing about the project, thinking on ways to bring it out of the Shadows. But not just yet, there needs to be more time to focus, to seek love for the Self, to connect with the Inner Fire, to meditate, ground, and recenter.

Turning the cup over, the image changes: here we see what looks like an Easter Island head on spider-legs like the baby-head in Toy Story scuttling out the left-hand side of the cup; it’s time to let go of the ideas that were good in theory, but are aren’t necessarily the direction you’re thinking in anymore. The middle figure become a witch-like figure wearing a headwrap, head same size as body, wearing a dress and holding her finger to her chin in contemplation; she is looking forward to the future, and the tip of her nose is being licked by a shaggy dog with a long giraffe neck and similarly miniature body. We have two guides present in this cup, the Hermit and the Witch; this would be a good time to seek advice from people who have succeeded in your field, who could bring fresh ideas and energy to the project. The licking dog reminds to have fun with the process, expect the unexpected, but know that all of what’s coming to you now is from a place of love and support — you may have to crane your neck to maintain a balanced perspective on things, but trust and loyalty are on your side.

Flipping the cup again, it looks like the vice from a big construction vehicle! Push through this period of stalling, knowing it is a matter of re-centering, then powering up to scoop. scoop, scoop more of what you know empowers you so much! It’s reaching for something out the North-West side of the Cup, indicating that you’re poised to manifest something directly related to your natural gifts, your personal “super power.”On the right it looks like there’s gleeful fox-face getting ready to eat a fly or butterfly — you’re ready to look for ideas that pique your interest, ingest them, and get even more excited as a result! Butterflies in your stomach, here you come!

A final turn, and we see a much larger dragon head, its body curved down to look at a cawing crow with a unicorn horn, symbolic of a magical connection with the Otherworld being established — listen closely to “signs” like numbers, animals, and other patterns, as these are the ways spirit guides communicate. In the background we see a second little hooded Hermit, almost Santa-Clause like, retreating with a hobo-pack on a pole, much like the Fool’s bag on the tarot card. The large, contemplative dragon symbolizes not fearing your passion-ideas, trusting them to age well and to longevity. The retreating Hermit represents the gift of allowing yourself to “come and go as you please” where it comes to utilizing creative energy — this type of thing can’t be forced, and when it is, it’s only to your own emotional detriment. One way or another you always have everything you need <3<3
Our main symbols in this tea cup were dragons and hermits, with dogs/foxes/animals and birds a close third and fourth. It’s time to trust your passion, and to know that it’s actually okay to “pull back” sometimes — these periods of self-care are necessary, and even though it sucks when they manifest in the form of creative black, that’s a sure sign that you need a personal time out to regain your balance in favour of proceeding when you’re feeling stronger. Your loyalties have been established and you know where your support system lies, and so it’s a great time to just relax and receive — in fact, the inspiration you seek is on its way and will soon be noticed <3<3<3
Deck used:
The Nature-Speak Oracle. Ted Andrews. Jackson, TN: Dragonhawk Publishing, 2006.