| Fortune telling is the ancient art of telling the future. | | | | happiness) for example. Then there are Tea leaves |
| There have been many ways used for telling of | | | | which were used to predict the personal future of |
| future occurrences, dreams prophesying great | | | | the tea drinker with the remnants of the cup being |
| events and soothsayers foretelling future happenings. | | | | swirled around and upended onto a saucer then the |
| All cultures had their way of divination. In Greece it | | | | cup turned back up and the tea leaves left behind |
| was the Oracles who told of great winning in the field | | | | were interpreted. The Crystal Ball was also used as a |
| of battle and the birth of kings and heroes. There is | | | | basis for the foretelling of the future. |
| documented evidence of Shamans in Israel at least | | | | The Tarot cards which have been used for many |
| 12000 years ago. | | | | centuries are still used today by those with or |
| In medieval times in Britain the king would have his | | | | without great experience. They have many layouts |
| astrologers and wizards to tell him the future. In the | | | | for different types of reading and many different |
| court of King Arthur as legend has it, Merlin the king's | | | | interpretations, the one thing people agree on, it |
| wizard would tell the future and be consulted when a | | | | seems is that the deck should always be wrapped in |
| decision had to be made regarding marriage or | | | | pure silk. |
| political issues. | | | | We now have other ways of telling the future as |
| At the country fairs the gypsy fortune teller would | | | | well as the traditional methods. There is the birth of |
| read the Tarot cards or look into her crystal ball and, | | | | Angel cards which are used both to interpret the |
| having had her palm crossed with silver she would tell | | | | future and for personal healing, they are a gentle and |
| you what was going to happen to you. | | | | unthreatening way of fortune telling with only good |
| Other traditional methods of telling the future are | | | | results. Universe cards are also a relatively new |
| Palmistry or the reading of the lines and contours of | | | | innovation the future is told by the cards acting as a |
| your hand, Playing cards, where each card suit | | | | mirror for our inner selves with the natural |
| represents a particular element (as in astrology) | | | | phenomena of the universe and planetary influences |
| earth, fire, air and water and each particular card has | | | | reflecting our own natures and destinies. |
| an individual meaning (Ace of hearts = love and | | | | |