The Ritual

How to prepare your cup, passed down through the women of my family

These instructions are for those who have chosen to perform their own ritual.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

What you will need
A plain white cup with a handle, rounded rather than straight-sided, with a smooth rim and no inner pattern. A saucer. Loose leaf black tea — Assam or Ceylon work well — with leaves around 10mm. Your question.

Your question
Hold an open-ended question, not yes or no. Carry it with you throughout the entire ritual.

THE STEPS

  1. Rinse your cup with hot water and empty it. A warm cup helps the leaves open.

  2. Add about a teaspoon of loose black tea directly into the empty cup — no infuser, no strainer.

  3. Pour freshly boiled water over the leaves. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

  4. Skip the milk, cream, or honey — anything thick can change how the leaves settle.

  5. Sip slowly, holding your question in mind, until about one teaspoon of tea remains.

  6. Place the saucer face-down on top of the cup, like a lid.

  7. In one smooth motion, flip the cup and saucer together, upside down.

  8. Handle position is pointed toward your chest. Turn the cup clockwise three full times, still holding your question.

  9. Flip the cup and saucer back over together, in one smooth motion. Let it sit for about 1 minute. The saucer stays put.

  10. Before picking up the cup, take a clear photo looking straight down into it, handle visible and still pointed toward your chest.

  11. Pick up the cup. Cup it in both hands, handle still pointing toward your chest. Look into the cup. This is where your reading begins.

These instructions have been passed down through the women of my family. Please follow them as closely as you can.

The ritual matters as much as the reading.