Beltaine Moon Esbat

The Esbat Group met on 2nd May for a discussion about the successful Beltaine Sabbat at Martlesham Creek. It was decided to hold Litha at the same spot. More on that later.

We went into the woods to listen to the Nightingales and saw Pipistrelle and Noctule bats.
Back at the Covenstead we did a spot of Tasseomancy (divination by tea leaves). Most of us remember our Grandmothers indulging in the same ritual!

TASSEOMANCY

Divination through reading tea leaves was popular in 19th century Europe but is hardly practised now because almost everyone uses teabags instead of tea leaves so no leaves are left to view, after drinking. You need one teaspoon of leaves for each cup and one extra for the pot, make sure the tea-pot has holes large enough for the leaves to pass through. Use white cups with saucers that show up the dark leaves and of course don’t use a strainer! After drinking the cup of tea you should leave a little liquid in the bottom. Swirl the dregs around three times, deosil, then turn the cup over onto the saucer and turn it three times widdershins. The tea leaves stick on the inside & bottom of the cup. Turn the cup the right way up with the handle towards you. Read the cup clockwise round from the handle to give some indication of time, directly opposite the handle would mean ‘in six months time’.
Concentrate on the tea leaves and try to find pictures and symbols; below are some traditional interpretations. Experience will enable you to interpret more easily.

• Anchor: A journey, at the end of that trip happiness.
• Arrow: Luck in love affair(s).
• Axe: difficulties which lie in your path
• Balloon: you are going up in the world, unexpected promotion or inheritance.
• Bell: evil spirits are banished
• Birds: in flight – good news is on the way
• Book: Ask advice before going further on with whatever you are involved with.
• Bottle: Your social activities will increase.
• Bow: There will come a meeting or a date that is important for your further life.
• Bridge: act fearlessly
• Broom: a change of residence.
• Butterfly: Your partner/spouse takes your affair not as seriously as you believe is essential.
• Cat: false friends
• Chair: return of an old friend
• Chain: In a certain activities in your professions you should give more and better efforts.
• Church: A marriage (also a Bride & Groom)
• Clock or watch: An important meeting will happen.
• Crown: Promotion, honour