Tasseomancy
Divination & The Harry Potter Series
Season 13 of Every Day Tarot is all about divination, and today’s episode dives into tasseomancy—the ancient art of reading tea leaves—and its appearance in the Harry Potter universe.
What we explore in this episode:
The history of tasseomancy, from melted wax divination to Romani tea room traditions
How Harry, Ron, and Trelawney approached tea leaf reading in Prisoner of Azkaban
The balance between ambiguity, symbolism, and intuition in both tarot and tea reading
Brewing Wisdom: Tea Leaf Reading and Tarot
There’s something enchanting about the bottom of a teacup. The dregs swirl into shapes—animals, letters, or strange little patterns—and suddenly you find yourself asking: What does this mean for me?
This art is called tasseomancy (or tasseography), the practice of reading tea leaves, coffee grounds, or other remnants to divine meaning. While many of us met tasseomancy through Professor Trelawney’s dramatic classes in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, its roots stretch far deeper—back to melted wax readings in the Middle Ages, Romani traditions in tea rooms, and Scottish folk practices.
Like tarot, tasseomancy works through symbols. A dog might be an omen of loyalty for one person, a shadow of death for another. A line could suggest careful planning, while a cup shape symbolizes love. Each shape can hold countless meanings depending on who’s reading and for whom.
Harry Potter & The Grim
Of course, no conversation about tasseomancy is complete without Harry’s first class with Trelawney. While Harry sees “a load of soggy brown stuff,” Trelawney finds ominous symbols: a falcon, a skull, and most famously, the Grim. To Harry, it’s a death omen. To readers, it’s also a foreshadowing of Sirius Black, his godfather, protector, and the animagus in the form of a great black dog.
Symbols rarely have just one meaning, and that’s the magic of divination.
Tarot Cards
To explore the energy of this episode, I pulled cards from:
Anima Mundi Tarot Deck by Megan Wyreweden
For me, tasseomancy resonates deeply with the Temperance card in tarot. This card reminds us that magic lives in the everyday. Brewing tea with intention can become a ritual of balance, presence, and transformation.
Deck referenced:
If you haven't listened to my other seasons yet, go check them out!
Season 1 - Tarot basics
Seasons 2 & 3 - Major Arcana and 4 suits
Season 4 - Tarot in Pop Culture
Season 5 - Tarot Spreads
Season 6 - Suit of Wands
Season 7 - Suit of Pentacles
Season 8 - Suit of Swords
Season 9 - Suit of Cups
Season 10 - Tarot and Witchcraft
Season 11 - Tarot and Plant Allies
Season 12- Tarot and Animals
💭 Today's Tarot Pull:
From Ophidia Rosa Tarot deck by Leila & Olive, I pulled the Page of Wands (Upright).
This card reminds us of the tension between possibility and hesitation. You have the power to take flight, but sometimes the choice itself feels like the struggle. Trust your spark. Try something new, even imperfectly, instead of staying stuck at the crossroads.
Reflective prompts on this card:
What choice am I overthinking right now?
Where am I standing at a crossroads instead of moving forward?
What small action could I take today to let my creative spark take flight?
A 12-Week Tarot for Transformation Journey
Starting at the end of summer, join me for a 12-week live course based on Tarot for Transformation!
We’ll spend three months together, working through the major arcana as archetypal guides. Each week, we’ll:
Focus on one major arcana card and the life themes it highlights.
Explore journaling prompts and exercises from Dreya Blume’s book.
Share experiences and support each other in a safe, witchy, and affirming space.
Participate in live one-hour calls (with replays available if you can’t join live).
This is not just about learning tarot — it’s about using tarot as a vessel for real, meaningful change in your life.
If you've ever longed for a supportive community to explore big personal shifts, or if you’re ready to commit to discovering your most authentic self, this journey is for you.
You can sign up to receive more information (no FOMO!). We’re planning to begin at the end of August, so there’s plenty of time to get ready.
Ways to Connect & Support:
Get my Tarot Card Creation Workshop including the full hour long recording with my step by step method, examples of the tarot cards I’ve created, journaling questions, and PDF to walk you through it for just $33. Click here to purchase now!
Join my 12-week Tarot for Transformation Live course starting this fall where we will be deep diving into the Major Arcana to Discover Our Best Selves and Create a Life Worth Living. If you’re interested, sign up here for more information!
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