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Superstition #273

After drinking tea, turn the cup upside down, whirl it round three times, set it down in the saucer, whirl again, take it up, turn right side up, and look at the grounds. If all are settled in the bottom of the cup, you will be married right off. If they stay on the side, the number of grounds will be the number of years before marriage. The fine dust in the bottom means trouble, a wish, a letter, or a journey.

Somewhat general in the United States.

Source: Current Superstitions (1896), entry 273.

Fanny D. Bergen, editor.

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