YACHT, pleasure and happiness. YEW-TREE indicates the death of an aged person who will leave his possessions to the consultant. ZEBRA, travel and adventure in foreign lands. CHAPTER V A COLLECTION OF SPECIMEN CUPS, WITH INTERPRETATIONS The succeeding ten figures are copied from actual tea-cups that have been at different times subjected to the proper ritual by various consultants and duly interpreted by seers. They are selected out of a larger number as being representative of many different classes of horoscope, and they should afford students practical instruction in what symbols to look for, and how to discern them clearly as they turn the cup about and about in their hands. By reference to the interpretations provided upon the pages facing the illustrations he will be able to ascertain the principles upon which to form a judgment of the cup generally; and this, once he has mastered the method, he will be able to supplement, by consulting the alphabetical list of symbols and their significations in the previous chapter, and in this way will speedily attain proficiency in reading any tea-cup presented for his consideration. INTERPRETATIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS INTERPRETATION FIG.1 This is a fortunate horoscope. If cup has been turned by a man it shows that he will gain success, honour, and wealth in the profession of a naval officer. If by a woman then her luck is bound up with that of a sailor or marine. The pistols on the sides show the profession of arms, and the naval gun in the bottom of the cup accompanied by a trident the branch to which he belongs. The on one side and the tree on the other are two of the best signs of promotion, rewards, and prosperity. The house near the pistol pointing towards the handle of the cup indicates the acquisition of property, but as neither tree nor house are surrounded by dots this will be a town, not a country, residence. The repetition of the initial 'L' may show the name of the admiral, ship, or battle in which the officer will win renown. The triangles confirm the other signs of good fortune. [ILLUSTRATION 1] FIG.1 _Principal Symbols_:-- Two pistols on sides. A cannon in conjunction with a trident in centre. A pear. A tree. on sides. A house. A pair of compasses near the rim. Several small triangles scattered about. Initial letters 'L' (twice), 'N,' and 'V' (twice). INTERPRETATION FIG. 2 There is nothing very significant in this tea-cup. The wavy lines denote a troublesome journey leading to some small amount of luck in connection with a person or place whose name begins with the initial 'E.' The hour-glass near the rim and the place from which the journey starts denotes that it will be undertaken in order to avoid some imminent peril. The numeral '4' conjoined with the sign of a parcel shows that one may be expected in that number of days. [ILLUSTRATION 2] FIG.2 _Principal Symbols_:--