The Dish Patch, Teacup Superstitions, Newsletter

The Dish Patch Newsletter on Teacup Superstitions written by Jo Cunningham and Darlene Nossaman.

Published by Robbins Nest

There are a few old superstitions regarding the every friendly tea cup that cheers. If while the tea is being made, the lid, which had been removed to pour in the water, is forgotten, it is a sure sign that someone will "drop in to tea".

If a single person happens to have two spoons in his or her saucer it is a prediction that the fortunate (or unfortunate?) drinker of that particular cup will be married within a year from that date.

If you put cream into your cup before the sugar it will "cross your love", so be very careful.

If a tea stalk floats in the cup it is called a "beau", and when this is seen unmarried women should stir their tea very quickly round and round, and then hold the spoon upright in the center of the cup. If the "beau" is attracted to the spoon and clings to it, he will be sure to call very shortly, if not that same evening; but if the stalk goes to the side of the cup, he will not come.

If you want to know how many years will elapse before you may expect to be married, balance your spoon on the edge of your cup, first noting that it is perfectly dry, fill another spoon partly with tea, and holding it above the balanced spoon, let the drops of the tea gather to the tip of the spoon and gently fall into the bowl of the one below. Count the drops required to overbalance it--each one stands for a year.

It is a sign of fair weather if the clusters of small sir bubbles formed by the sugar collect and remain in the center of the cup. If they rush to the sides, it will surely rain before night.

When toast is made, three or four thin slices of bread must be cut the whole length of the loaf, and placed one over the other. This done, they must all be cut in half by one sweep of the knife. If this is done by a young woman, and the slices are not severed clean through to the plate, she will not be married within the year. If the bread parts in two even heaps, she might as well order her trousseau. On no account must she take the last piece of toast on the plate, unless she wishes to be an old maid.

Click any small photo for larger view.

  Photo of Golden Gate, American Beauty and Rococo shapes.

  Photo of Genesse, Virginia pattern and Empress, Gold Trim pattern.

  Photo of Liberty, Georgian Eggshell and Virginia Rose shapes.

  Photo of Georgian Eggshell cups.

Click here for Books written by Jo Cunningham and Darlene Nossaman