THE "NELROS" CUP
TWO EXAMPLE READINGS OF ITS SIGNS

"If thou wouldst learn thy future with thy tea,
This magic cup will show it thee."

Some readers may find an additional interest in divination by tea-leaves, if they use a cup marked with the planetary symbols, patented as the "Nelros Cup of Fortune." A short explanation of the symbols, and the method of using this cup, will be helpful for those who are not familiar with its signs. I am not suggesting the use of the "Nelros" saucer, for the reason that its signs are somewhat obscure, and students who have no experience in the science of astrology would find it confusing, if used in addition to the cup, in which all needful signs are illustrated.

As in the case of the ordinary tea-cup, the handle remains as the representative of the consultant. The turning of it and draining of the moisture should be carried out in the usual way.

Immediately under the handle, and above the space given to the Sun, are seen a Diamond and a Horseshoe. Next on the left are a Snake twisted round a stick, and a Spade, these being placed over the space given to Saturn.

Following them are a Bell and a Club, seen over the sign of Venus. Next, an Eye and Envelope, above the space given to Jupiter.

Then comes a Cross, with the sign of Pisces, the Fishes, these being over the sign of Mercury.

Next are a Winecup and a Spider above the space of Mars.

Followed by a Cat's Head and a Heart, above the Moon.

Each one of these signs round the brim has a symbolic meaning, though their meaning must also be judged by the position they occupy in the cup.

Now, taking the signs round the brim of the cup, and connecting them with the planetary symbols beneath.
Beginning at the handle is a Diamond, this being a token of wealth, which, with the sign of the Sun below, indicates much prosperity, favours, and general well-being, the Horseshoe over the Sun also betokening good luck and successful projects.

In the next space, reading to the left, is the Snake twisted round a stick, over the sign of Saturn. This is emblematical of a risk of poverty coming through deceit, and with a Spade over Saturn, whose characteristic is privation, there is a further indication of toil, loss, undoing.

The next sign is a happier one; the Bell over the sign of Venus, with the Club beyond, indicates joyful news, events meaning much happiness, love and peace, the characteristic of Venus being peace or placidity.

Next is the sign of Jupiter, whose characteristic is expansion; above it are placed an Eye and an Envelope, the Eye showing the power of penetration, seeing things in a right perspective, and light thrown on difficult questions, the letter showing that news from all parts of the world is made possible by its expansion.

Next come the Latin Cross and the watery sign Pisces, the Fishes. These being in connection with Mercury, whose characteristic is activity, show much alertness and desire for knowledge; the Cross meaning obstacles and hindrances in the chosen path, whilst the sign of Pisces denotes interesting news from distant lands, with much desire for travel and exploration.

In the next space the Winecup and Spider, in connection with the sign of Mars, the characteristic of Mars being energy, show the strength, courage, and perseverance needed to carry out a successful career; the Spider being a symbol of concentration, patience, and achievement, whilst the Wine-cup tells of joy and realised ambition.

Following these signs are the Cat's Head and the Heart, with the Crescent Moon below. The characteristic of the Moon is change, mobility; it is also a symbol of good fortune in the tea-leaves. In combination with the Heart it indicates a romantic love affair. The Cat's Head shows interference by those who are mean and spiteful.

Having learned from this brief explanation the symbols of the "Nelros Cup," the reading of the tea-leaves in relation to those symbols will be easy. For instance, suppose the wife of a sailor to be the consultant. Her husband is on his ship in the North Sea, and she is eagerly awaiting news of him. In the cup she has "turned," the symbol of a letter comes in the watery sign )-( with a large ivy leaf beneath it. Further patience will be necessary, the ivy leaf tells us, as the wished-for letter is still far away. The distance from the handle (the consultant) shows this, also the letter symbol being in the watery sign indicates the fact that it will come from across the sea. The waiting for the news causes a feeling of disappointment and sadness; these will vanish later on, and the waiting be compensated by the happy news that will come in the longed-for letter. This is seen by the tea-leaves which appear on other symbols of the cup.

The form of a man is seen between the signs of the Bell and Club; near this form is the letter "A," the first letter of the consultant's name. Round this initial letter is a well-formed circle; a trident lies at a little distance from it.

Here is evidence of the joyful news coming from her husband, the tea-leaves in the spaces of the Bell and Club making a prediction of the satisfactory news a safe one. The circle round the letter "A" and the symbol of the trident near, enable the seer to prophesy a good promotion, much success and happiness.

This example reading of the "Nelros" cup is a fortunate one. We will now consider one of a less satisfactory character.

The consultant is a widow; opposite the handle of the cup she has "turned" is the Envelope over Jupiter, upon the Envelope tea-leaves forming an Owl are seen, beneath is a small arrow pointing towards the handle. These signs foretell bad news probably coming from a far country; the sign of Jupiter and distance from the handle (the consultant) would show this. The symbol of the Owl indicates the anxiety caused by the arrival of the letter and its news. The arrow pointing towards the handle would show that the matter is personal, and will much affect the consultant.

Upon the sign of Saturn, with an arm stretched towards the Spade above it, is the figure of a man. The characteristic of Saturn being privation, and the Spade being a symbol of toil, it is evident that the figure of the man represents someone related to the consultant for whom the present prospects are very bad. It may well be this man from whom is coming the news in the letter which will cause her so much anxiety.

Fortunately, on the Anchor at the bottom of the cup is a well-formed key. Being in this position, it shows that someone at a distance, having the welfare of the consultant much in their mind, will be the means in the future of helping her out of the difficulties. The key being on the Anchor indicates the security she may feel in the friends, who will be instrumental in giving her happiness and peace of mind.

These two example divinations will illustrate the manner in which the tea-leaves are read in relation to the signs upon the cup. To some it may appear an easier means than that of the ordinary tea-cup.
In any case it is very useful to have an alternative method of foretelling the future. Variety is always acceptable, and for this reason I commend the "Nelros Cup of Fortune" to my readers.