Reading Tea Leaves

Boston Harbor

Today is December 16th -  the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

I wasn't there, but I'd like to think that when the Sons of Liberty threw all that tea into the Boston Harbor in 1773, they leaned over the rail of the ship and read the tea leaves. If they had, they could have deciphered the images they saw with this compilation of symbols and meanings I've pulled from various websites:

ACORN - at the top means success and gain: At the bottom means good health ANCHOR - clouded, inconstancy AXE – difficulties BABY - something new, pregnancy  BAGPIPES- Disappointment BEANS- Poverty BED- Inertia  BEE -Social success BELL - unexpected news  BIRDS - ascension, good news, BOAT – lifepath BOOK - you will find your answer by something written BUTTERFLY – transformation  CANDLE - sacred light CAT - deceit, a false friend CHAIR - a guest CIRCLE - success, completion CLOCK - better health CLOVER – Prosperity  COAT – End of a friendship COFFEEPOT- Slight illness  COFFIN - Bad news COIN - Repayment of debts CROSS - protection, sacrifice CROWN – Honor CRUTCHES - Help from a friend CUP - Rewarded effort CURTAIN - A secret DAGGER - danger from self or others DOG – friend DOOR - opening (to something new) or closing (old issues and relations) DUCK - money coming, a man named Bill EGG - good omen ELEPHANT - wisdom, strength, luck ENVELOPE - message coming, EYE - open (awakening) - closed (something not seen) FENCE- minor setbacks FISH – Christ FLAG - denotes nationality FLOWER – Wish coming true FLY - domestic annoyance FORK - speak with false tongue FRUIT - prosperity GOAT - be careful of enemies GRAPES – happiness GRASSHOPPER - News of a much travelled friend GUITAR - Happiness in love HAMMER - hard work HAT - head, consciousness HAWK - jealousy HEART - love, trust HORSE - if galloping means good news HORSESHOE - good luck, HOURGLASS - time running out, need to decide something HOUSE – security ICEBERG – danger  KANGAROO - harmony at home KITE - wishes coming true KNIFE - hidden enemy  LADDER - promotion LEAF- Prosperity, good fortune LEOPARD - News of a journey LETTER- News  LIGHTHOUSE - Trouble threatening, but averted LOOP - avoid impulsive actions MASK - something hidden MERMAID -  Temptation, an offer that is not what it seems MONKEY –A mischief-maker MONSTER – Terror MOUNTAIN - obstacles NAIL - injustice, unfairness NECKLACE - if broken means danger of losing a lover OCTOPUS - danger, 8 OSTRICH - not seeking a truth OWL - gossip, scandal PALM TREE - success PARROT - A scandal PEACOCK - With tail spread - riches, land PENTAGON - Intellectual balance PIG - Material success brings emotional problems PIGEON - important news PURSE - at top means profit; at bottom means lose QUESTION MARK - need for caution RABBIT - need for bravery RAKE - watch details RAVEN - bad news RING - coming full circle ROCKS – Difficulties ROSE – Popularity SCALE - legal issues SCISSORS - quarrels, possibly separation SHEEP - good fortune SHELL - good news SHOE - sole/soul SNAKE - an enemy SUN - happiness, success, power SWORD - arguments TABLE - social gatherings TENT - travel, hidden truth  THIMBLE - changes at home TORTOISE – criticism TREE - your life path UNICORN  - A secret wedding TRIANGLE - something unexpected, 3 in a relationship URN - wealth and happiness VASE - a friend needs help VOLCANO - harmful emotions WASP - romantic problems WINGS – messages WORMS – scandal WREATH - Happiness ahead WOLF - jealousy  


So perhaps as the tea leaves swirled in the sepia-stained water, they spotted a knife, a nail, a dagger, and (if they were especially perceptive and anticipated Paul Revere's later warning) an envelope. Or maybe they just saw a lot of caffeinated fish.