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COFFE CUP FORTUNE
TELLING.....Are
humans indeed free agents
or just Shakespeare’s players acting out our scenes? The
answer may lie in the bottom of your cup. Personal experience
implies there is not a reading without a long journey, some kind of
financial dealing (for better or worse) and a metaphorical mountain
involved somewhere, but for most foreigners in Istanbul certainly
the journey, and in all likelihood the other two, do indeed lie
ahead. Just once in a long while, though, you may find someone whose
ability to infer the future from the remnants of your drink is
distinctly uncanny.
The theory is simple. Once you reach the
sediment the cup is turned upside down in its saucer, and,
optionally, the bottom is touched for luck. When it cools, the
grinds, in sliding down the inside of the cup, will have arranged
themselves into various readable signals which forewarn of future
events. The practice, however, (much) more often than not, simply
covers for probing questions and gossip. “I see something
going on with your X (brother/lover/work/etc.)... What would that
be?” And as such it serves a useful purpose -boundaries are
temporarily lifted and the important issues that didn’t make up the
conversation over the coffee can be examined...

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A thick horizontal line promises material
things coming your way. |
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An empty
triangle could mean impending gifts or easy
money.
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An empty circle stands for good luck, a good
omen for marriage. |
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A bureaucratic problem will be
resolved. |
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Ribbons for engagements or weddings – not necessarily
your own.
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Stars for travel or an investment.
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Sun set: at last – unexpected fulfillment of
desire.
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A friend will come to your rescue.
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You’ll be meeting new people at holiday.
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Leaves for good conversation, or old or new friends
turning up.
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Double lines for a sea voyage.
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Money! A lump
sum!
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An empty square bodes well for the family.
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A vertical line for a journey. Return should be
successful.
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Success, maybe with hard work, maybe with ruling
empires.
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Three dots in a row for a new adventure or
friendship.
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A necklace says presents might be necessary to win
a heart.
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A bag will bring money, though you should be careful
with it.
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Key to a new home? A new heart?
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Someone’s watching. Beware or rejoice.
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Careful of the butterfly – determination and
resolution, a must in a friendship.
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An ear. Don’t believe everything you hear.
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Dots in a triangle. A friend will be in need, and you
must be a friend indeed.
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A handful of sand. Don’t let money slip through your
fingers.
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