Weather/Motion
Lightning Tea Leaf Symbol Meaning
Forked lightning seen in a zig-zag up the side of the cup bad weather conditions; if near the figure of a man or woman, it may possibly indicate death from lightning or electrical mechanism; if seen near the base of the cup and with a clear space...
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How to read Lightning in tea leaves
Lightning in a tea leaf reading points to Forked lightning seen in a zig-zag up the side of the cup bad weather conditions; if near the figure of a man or woman, it may possibly indicate death from lightning or electrical mechanism; if seen near the base of the cup and with a clear space.... Read it as a tea-leaf sign first: the shape, cup position, and nearby clusters matter as much as the dictionary meaning.
In tea-leaf reading, lightning is not read as a perfect picture. It is read as a cluster of damp leaves, stems, dots, and empty porcelain that briefly resembles the sign. The stronger the resemblance and the clearer its position, the more weight the symbol carries.
This entry is based on paraphrased notes from Cicely Kent's tea-leaf symbol book, rewritten for the Tasseography.org tea archive.
Cup position
How placement changes the reading
Rim
Near the rim, lightning describes something close to the present: news, movement, or a matter already visible to the querent.
Middle
In the middle of the cup, lightning points to the developing stage of the question and the choices that shape the coming weeks.
Base
At the base, lightning is slower and more rooted. It may show a hidden cause, a delayed result, or an emotional foundation.
Handle
Near the handle, lightning is personal to the querent, their home circle, or a decision only they can make.