several centuries, I would recommend a careful study of their cups for,
say, three months. Let them make notes of such signs as appear and
beside them place their meanings and predictions.

At the end of this time, compare all that has taken place with these
notes, and I think there will be no further lack of faith in the
tea-leaf symbols.

Before very many years have passed the language of symbolism by cards,
tea-leaves, crystal gazing, etc., will probably be almost universally
understood. The day will undoubtedly come when it will be accepted as
naturally as the English language, and we shall cease to worry ourselves
as to the why and wherefore of it all.

It is important that those who are learning the art of divination by
tea-leaves should realise the necessity for consistently attributing the
same meanings to the symbols. Do not be tempted to change their
interpretation for what may seem a more probable, or pleasant,
prediction for your client. It is a fatal mistake.

Remember that you are dealing with conditions and events of the future
which are outside the limited knowledge of the normal mind, whose power
of vision is limited to physical sight.

A simple instance of what may occur, should you thus change the meanings
of the symbols, will suffice to show the folly of such a practice.

A consultant comes to have her "fortune read." She is known to you
personally, and you are aware that she is anxious to hear a hopeful
report of someone dear to her who is ill. The tea-leaf symbols are