Quote:
Originally Posted by
St. Toussaint 
"Okay, ladies, we're going to start brewing the tea now. I want each of you to take about a pinch of tea and put it in your cups. Then, very carefully, pour the hot water into your cups and let it steep for a few minutes while we carry on with the lesson." She made sure to emphasize 'very carefully'. Clara Belle was a witch of such admirable taste and style, in St. Toussaint's opinion. It would not do to have the young ladies of her namesaked school going around splashing hot-water on themselves. Ugh! Tacky much?!
Cassandra took a pinch of tea, just as the professor had and placed it in her cup. She then, very carefully, (as the professor requested) poured herself the hot water and let it steep while she listened further.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
St. Toussaint "As one of you mentioned, sediments of wine are also lumped together in this category of Divination. Where did this practice orginate? And, what other specific substances may be in this category?"
Cassandra raised her hand, "The noble art of Tasseomancy originated independently in the Middle East, Asia and Ancient Greece. It was then picked up by the Europeans and in the Victorian ages, used as a parlor game. The most popular substance is tea leaves, but one may read coffee grinds, Turkish coffee to be more specific, wine sediments and in a way... ink. Tasseomancy is very much like a muggle Rorschach or Ink Blot Test."