The large spray of mistletoe and holly at the bottom of the cup, with the letters "F" and "L" in conjunction, implies that some event of importance to the consultant, in connection with persons whose names begin with these initial letters, will occur in the winter. If the cup has been "turned" during the autumn or winter, probably a year will pass before the event takes place, as the mistletoe indicates delay. But this consultant is prepared to hear the truth, and faces it calmly, even if it is a little unpleasant; the symbol of the woman looking into the glass brings this fact to light. The child playing with its toys foreshows future pleasant plans which will result in tranquillity and satisfaction. [Illustration: FIGURE XIII] PRINCIPAL SYMBOLS _On sides_.--Bonnet and strings. Birds on perch. Pieces of rock. A pipe. _On circle_.--Child with toys. _Centre_.--Large sprays of mistletoe and holly. Letters "F" and "L." Figure of woman looking in glass. INTERPRETATION FIGURE XIV This cup was "turned" by a well-known authoress. Its sinister appearance is accounted for by the fact that at the time of "turning" the cup, she was arranging mentally a murder plot for the book she was then writing. The symbols speak for themselves and need no explanation. It is a most interesting specimen, as being absolutely unique. [Illustration: FIGURE XIV] PRINCIPAL SYMBOLS _On side overlapping circle_.--Tail and hindquarters of rat, with head in a hole. Monster with a man's head and bear's paws. _On side_.--Dead fish beyond. INTERPRETATION FIGURE XV The consultant who "turned" this cup was sorrowful and had either just passed through a bereavement, or such will take place in the immediate future. The rough cross and the grave near the handle point to this. The bed, with the figure of the woman in nurse's cloak near it tells of serious illness in the home. But this is a future trouble, as the symbols appear at some distance from the handle. The saucepan also bears witness to the general gloom. The ivy leaves beyond the rough cross show the patience with which the consultant bears the trials; also that good and loyal friends will be a source of comfort. The small bit of wood and the closed book are symbols of hope, and assure this sad consultant that the expected improvement in affairs will certainly take place and will relieve some of the present anxieties. This is the most that can be foretold of the future, for there are no signs of pleasant events or definite changes. Indeed, the symbol of the loaf of bread in the centre of the cup shows that monotony and ordinary routine are all that can be predicted from the divination. [Illustration: FIGURE XV] PRINCIPAL SYMBOLS _Near rim_.--Rough cross. Ivy leaves beyond. Large closed book. _On sides_.--Log of wood. Bed. Figure of a woman in nurse's cloak beside it. Grave, with small cross. _In centre_.--Loaf of bread. Small symbol of a saucepan. INTERPRETATION FIGURE XVI