PREPARING THE TEA

The tea should be prepared without an infuser in a shallow cup with a narrow bottom and wide opening and a handle. The cup should be unfluted and white inside. Large leaf loose tea is best.

While drinking the tea, make a wish or think of a question. Leave about a teaspoon of liquid in the cup with the tea leaves. Hold the cup in the left hand and swirl 3 times to the left. Gently turn the cup upside down in the saucer to drain. Turn the cup right side up and look for the first pattern. This will be the response to the wish or question. True believers swirl the last of the tea in cup and invert the cup in the saucer. The number of times to swirl the cup and the hand with which it is done are prescribed.