Coffee reading: Bean there, might do that

The residue in your coffee cup can give you a glimpse into what lies ahead.

The swirls of dry, ground coffee hide certain clues that can give you a brief glimpse into the future. But those who want to decrypt secrets through coffee reading must be prepared to gulp the bitter-sweet truth the beans behold.

Accounts of the origin of coffee reading are many and varied, but there is consensus regarding the fact that the reader must be spiritual and should be gifted with a strong intuition. “Everything appeared so clearly before my eyes when I did my first reading,” says Pari Dokht, who has been coffee reading for family and friends for the past 15 years. The symbols and patterns formed by the coffee grounds just flashed before her eyes and she immediately felt connected to them. “At the time it was for a friend in India and she was left in a state of awe when I reported instances from her present and offered insights into her future.”

While the art of visualising patterns in coffee grounds may remain a mystery to many, the preparation of the coffee cup is fairly simple. To prepare the blend, Dokht explains that, “a teaspoon of Turkish ground coffee, carefully selected for its thicker consistency, is added to a small coffee cup full of boiling water.” It is allowed to rest for a while after which one is asked to drink it slowly and make a wish after taking the last sip.

A saucer is then placed on top of the cup and, once it is well sealed, rotated clockwise at chest level. “It should always face the heart,” Dokht says. The cup is then placed upside down on the saucer and left in the same position for a few minutes, allowing the grounds to cool down and dry up. “This will create patterns and symbols as the grounds slowly slide towards the saucer,” she says. The cup is then placed upright on the saucer for the reader to decrypt the symbols and patterns.

“I wish I had noted down everything when I got my coffee read,” says *Mina Hussain who had requested Dokht for a reading. She came with many questions, like everyone else, about her life ahead and to clear her mind before pursuing a business venture. “She told me I would be travelling to a distant land and at the time I never thought I would actually be off to Australia for two weeks. She also saw a camel in my coffee cup and told me I had to fulfil my mannat (wish).”

And while Hussain was informed about her good fortunes, not every coffee reading ends on a happy note. To be able to peak through a window into the future, one must be prepared for even the worst.

Dilaira Mondegarian is a subeditor on The Express Tribune Magazine desk.
She tweets @DilairaM

Decoding the beans

What some of the shapes and figures represent:

Window

Health in your home.

An old man

Someone who will help and protect you.

Raven

Death.

A standing couple

The start of a relationship. But, if the girl is standing at the distance, then that symbolises imminent pregnancy.

Candle

Good news.

Shade of the coffee trail

If it is a lighter shade, it is commonly noted that one is happy. But, if it is a deep shade of brown, it implies depression and unhappiness.

Funnel-shaped coffee trail

If the two vertical lines grow wider apart as they reach the brim of the cup, it means one shall be travelling in the near future. But, if the coffee trail appears slashed at any point, it means that your plans will not materialise.

Numbers

They could symbolise days, months or even years, depending on the interpreter.

Triangle

Gift or money.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, December 1^st, 2013.