Greeks have always had a fascination for coffee cup readings. Its official term is known as Tasseography and I had my first experience in my early teens. An elderly Greek lady would reveal what was happening in my life and what was around the corner by just looking into the cup. I wondered how did she get all that information from some thick coffee sediment? There were no colourful pictures like a tarot deck to help the user or client to at least get a hint of the messages. Just brown markings that moulded into a mixture of pictures, letters or symbols that only a trained reader could interpret.
All the coffee cup readers I have met over the years were mainly trained from young by someone in their family - either a parent or grandparent who also had the ability. As a Greek, it was seen as a fun social thing to do after lunch where we would sit around the table to hear what stories would come out of this old form of divination. Many years ago, we used to gather at a friend's home in Western Sydney to have our cup read by her father. He would read one cup at a time in a private spot of the backyard and we would all take note who's turn it would be next. Due to the popularity of this gathering, it was mayhem with so many people coming and going throughout the day but in the end it was a great excuse to catch up with friends we had not seen in a while. These days if you search the web, you can find professional coffee cup readers around the world and some have the ability to help their clients by bringing awareness into the consciousness. Word of mouth recommendations seem to have higher success rate (just like any profession/modality).
Greece - To Flitzani Cafe
Heading off to Greece, I was on the hunt to find someone who had this gift that led me to a coffee cup reading place in Peristeri, Athens called Sas Leme 'To Flitzani' (We Tell the Cup). Doing some research I discovered that the owner was a professional lady by the name of Mary, who had found herself at crossroads during the GFC from being a journalist to then making a change in her life. She chose to take her chances and opened a Greek cafe where customers could come in to either have a relaxing coffee (Greeks are obsessed with coffee and this is their favourite pastime), or book in to have their coffee cup read with an optional choice of including a card reading. At a time where Greece was going through financial turmoil, this would have been a gutsy move. For centuries and in times of uncertainty, people tend to turn to alternative forms of seeking out information for their future and it seems to have continued to this day.
Dragging along my travel buddy from England, we booked in for the experience. I was a little apprehensive for my friend due to the fact she has never had a Greek coffee before, let alone a reading! Greek coffee is not for everyone and if you haven't grown up with it, it can be a little strong and for a first timer, they need to be advised to not drink the sediment that lays at the bottom of the cup! Without the sediment, there isn't much to tell (and it is not pleasant to the palate!).
My past experience has always been over a kitchen table and it was quite refreshing stepping into a proper cafe environment. To Flitzani has a large ground floor level with plenty of comfortable seating and an upper level where there are partitioned areas for customers to get their readings done in privacy by different readers. We were greeted by the lovely owner Mary, who took our orders for the coffee. We both asked for 'metrio', which means slightly sweet. To Flitzani cafe make their coffee in the traditional way, served with some of the best homemade Greek fruit sweets!
Coffee cup sediments can say a lot but the person reading it needs to have the ability to interpret them. Like any divination modality, the reader needs to be highly intuitive, understand the sediment symbols or pictures as well as communicate to their client what it all may mean. Messages shared with me during the reading, helped bring some clarification and peace of mind in some matters going on for me at that point in time. Some things have already unfolded and some have not. That is not uncommon and I feel it has something to do with each individuals free will and the choices they make each and every day.
When I look at the energy around the coffee cup, not only is there coffee sediment but also, energy sediment of the person who has drunk from the cup. For someone who is sensitive to energy may see coloured energy or sense it around the cup. Hence, highly skilled coffee cup readers have the ability to do psychometry whilst holding the cup (object they are holding to do the reading) as well as interpret the symbols of the sediment. The reader may not necessarily be aware of this being part of the process.
Tips for Coffee Cup Readings:
1. Be prepared to actually drink some of the coffee for the reading to actually work. Some may disagree with this but too many times I have seen people blanch or cringe at the thought and only take a sip before it is poured out. If you are not prepared to drink this type of coffee, please find a different type of reading modality that would still give you the required messages and a more comfortable experience.
2. Do not drink all the cup. Leave the sediment and a little liquid. This allows a little moisture and easier to swirl the cup to pour out the sediment ready for your reading.
3. Ask the reader if they will do the swirling and pouring, or if you need to do it. Different Coffee cup readers may have a specific technique they use. So best you check rather than assume.
4. Enjoy the experience and ask questions if you are not sure what the reader is sharing with you. That way you get better clarification.
5. Have fun!!! Like any type of reading, some information will be to your benefit and some may not. Always listen to your instincts and you will be able to link into what is making you happy and what is not. You have free will and sometimes when armed with knowledge you can take more positive steps in your life.
To Flitzani: Irodotou 21 & Ithomis, Peristéri, Attiki, Greece PH: +30 21 1012 3120
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