Clara

“ A full moon signifies that other events have poured their treasures into conditions which have required time. Your moon is not yet over the full scenes of your life. The sunrise, too, appears! How sublime! Here is the stout man--your future husband with a child at his side. A man of affairs, with the triangle and a ship of state, and here are the roses growing. You will be greatly beloved. The key and the ring are in the bottom of the cup. You will become equal to your high social duties as mistress of the castle, and mother of two well endowed children, who will bless and survive you. ”

“ Your symbols urge you to noble deeds, yet you will never be blessed by woman's love, nor aid. Do you see the standing well-poised form of a woman? Rising power--creative force. See she has her feet firm on the back of the monster snake. You will soon become master of your higher destiny. I feel inspired by a mighty impulse. You will stand before many people--see the tall, straight ladder of fame--I should say that you are holding some still-cherished, mighty plans, despite many of life's defeats. ”

“ Are we not at the perpetual mercy of evil men and powers, which blind fair reason?
Listen, friends, are there not better objects everywhere? Yet modest things are apt to be overlooked. Are we not dazzled by pomp and show? Did we not all cry out, "Oh, what a wonderful cup--a king, a king with a crown?" We must not allow our morals to thus easily hang like conventional cowards. This cup of the king's is full of strife. Numerous virtues are not observed. ”

“ The companion of the desert and the plain; that turns the moist furrow in the spring in order that all the world may have abundant harvests; that furnishes the sport of Kings; that with blazing eye and distended nostril, fearlessly leads our greatest Generals through carnage and the smoke of battle to glory and renown; whose blood forms one of the ingredients that go to make the ink in which all history is written, and that finally, mutely and sadly, in black trappings, pulls the humblest of us all to the newly sodded threshold of eternity. ”

“ So try your gift in this mingling of your aspirations for lofty expressions, which transmit pleasing convictions, strange as at first these may appear. Each soul, as reading or listening, creates an atmosphere of either flippancy, depression, courage, trust, or some vital power.
Some persons there are, who make us feel happy and well by simply looking at us, or thinking of us, with that subtle power that cures one of melancholia, discouragement, or irritability. Writing a letter with a soul is good. You know there is the soul of things, a fact in nature. ”

“ Serpents are lying low in the grass--see their heads, you will suffer thereby--your head now lays low in some severe illness. Fate is silent and sad for a time, as in mourning for the sorrows of the good and true. See you the shaft, draped like a funeral pall across the cup? You are also to bury a friend, a worthy minister. The people mourn. ”

“ First, there are spears, guns, rasping files; secret orders, too, which shall in due time become fully known to Uncle Sam, for, see you the boxes and the broken lines, like a serpent yet, living cables with its intricate workings. I am stirred by its forces, now international. Oh, yes, you could learn to read by concentration of mind. This is the first time this great combination has been presented to me. Your special auras and the cosmic direction in present era of human action have aided in portraying these objects. Life is full of signs of the times. You are thinkers. ”

“ This fear of kindly death or hell is the enemy of mankind. Do not again thus cringe to this fair angel of life to all men eventually. You can live to old age and follow streams, fishing as pastime. This old man symbolizes your dear self now calmed in mind--not so dead as in youth. ”

“ Let us all desire to thus aid the race along these lines, or in whatsoever ways we can.
I am forever indebted to a dear, high-souled lady, who loved young folks, for my first deep moral thought-lessons in cupology, and in character readings. Life-long impressions and aids have these brought to many others, in this high-art sensing of human needs, therefore let us supply an atmosphere in which good thoughts can germinate, believing that nature has a bank which is a sure one that can never break. A bank of full justice; life's worthy inheritance ”

“ Do not hold to cowardice nor fear of death. The mad bull with the spade stands near by. Look into this strange cup of figures and graves. Some recent death and gloom has somehow filled your mind with renewed horror. You have also felt that you are about to die. Not a comfortable thought, madam, to be snuffed out of all earthly hopes! ”

“ Many things photograph themselves for further reading by observation. We are yet in the very infancy of comprehending cause and effect.
Kismet! I detest war, yet mankind is destined to thus make the annals of future history more complete in equity and in fraternal justice to humanity. Let us prove that the world is really advancing. This is the fierce and fermenting time, the entire world's chemicalizing process. We may all learn from the great book of life.
Though many noble souls seem vanquished, each actor shall be his own, yet united historian. ”

“ One really desiring to aid humanity can become inspired into consistent kindness, well centered in the lines of forecast, as also in the cup reading pleasure. So observe the figures, point them out, summing up as these gems of thought come to life. One too lazy or disobliging cannot grow these many latent powers. These are as yet but dimly apprehended. All persons possess some special gift. ”

“ First cup turned was by a tall, handsome girl, who, herself, possesses keen imagination with true power for character-reading, and with love for the study of the occult sciences.
In her very first turn, the sky with misty scenes and an airship were traced well up in the lines surrounding the lady.
High, sailing hopes, said the reader. You are gifted beyond the ordinary. You love books, study and art; do not yet care for any domestic duties. You are in cloud-lands. ”

“ The rasp and the little scissors shadowed beneath the larger symbols. Behold the bed-rock, with crevices to catch the feet, and here, a small road comes near a tunnel, looking ambitiously towards the large avenue where splendor, prestige and power are seen. See modern fashion so careless of the rights of others--these poor little people. Yes, I will describe some of these figures, to teach, if so we may, a bit of entertaining, benevolent sense. ”

“ These intricate and wonderful relationships--these cosmic laws--bind all mankind together for better or, more often, for needless sorrow and trials. Yet here was some good side to these life-lines, for their own choosing, had each been more unselfish and just. Are we, then, arbiters of our own fate? It is still an open question to many, though there is a time for all things. ”

“ You have spoken correctly, for here are broken, also incomplete circles and squares. These imperfect lines so near the life symbols key and wish with shattered urns and crushed flowers. Ah! and here are some blighted trees! This is both the spring time of your lives as of the seasons, so have care for the sad heart tears you cause and will reap. Lives are oft thus crushed. You are acting your funny parts as now you think. ”

“ The keys, circles, anchor, squares, links--these represent realizations. Yours are in other lines, yet a bell is traced near you. A belated wish lies under cover. It is in a field not yet in your thoughts, though an anchor, a human form and a crooked, broken path lie yet beyond that.
THIRD TOSS.
Now is revealed some disaster to friends, confusion and a large family whirlwind, also, some obstinate man--see the rickety team with the mule in the lead, as running away--a woman in black as the outcome. See how she climbs the steep, jagged hill. Your face is turning towards her in mutual friendship. ”

“ You girls will soon drift apart by a stolen letter and some dark cloud of distrust, though you will need each other. See you the separate roads, with the harsh wind blowing the leafless branches of the trees? and yet near by shines the beautiful meadow, just beyond your present thoughts. Strive to cultivate more of the duties of needed practical life and hopes. These high thought signs will not serve you, when life's autumn comes. ”

“ I wish it were the test cup--the third and certainty--for the sake of the fortunate lady and her family, then your destiny were assured and your mentality would advance into lofty channels by the influence of an elderly couple and their progressive sons, for here is a tower of moral strength. Hearts, circles, Bible and clovers are in the life-path. The skies, too, are clear and every thing is high up you see in optimism. ”

“ NEXT READING.
An enemy is for you, sir, in your present conditions of duty. Some spoil is here. A ditch, a wasp, and serpents at the top with tongues out. If you are now in politics or litigation defeats await you, for the briars are thick and a blind man at a desk holds some document. You appear to be very expectant, though fearing something. A woman is also against you. See, her head is up. She is fair in appearance and influential, yet false. Some men are back of her acts. ”

“ See the trumpets, I can almost hear their blast, and see the dust and life-blood of degrading, cruel wars, which impoverish and grind into filth the entire afflicted human race, though there are very excellent people of wealth, were there to wisely co-operate. There is some promise in this reading. If rich men could become active benefactors--see the little banners--wars would at once end, and the Christ would live with mankind. ”

“ Now let us invoke the kindly powers to a solution of the many evils cast by contending conditions of jealousies and spite. Let your soul be possessed and purified, for now I know that you are truly one of the chosen few who are tried by the fierce fires and floods of life. ”

“ A fine steed comes from another city through a church-yard, much resembling Trinity E of New York City. Some letters follow--see the succession of dots and squares. Houses of smoke, news and trailing objects, representing deep-laid intrigues.
Now you are aboard a steamer on the broad ocean. A tall, military looking man is with you, also a young man and woman. Something of importance has taken place in your national life and in your financial position, as well as in political and church affairs. See the crowing cock and the stork, a change that is to play its part for the tall man. ”

“ Look at these lines of chairs in this fine toss, also men.
Birds again--rows of singing birds, and flowers, too--joyous expectations. Man with baton--musical matters, attended by audiences. You either are in full touch with singers, or certainly will be. The swing up high is a fine sign. Follow it up with courage, The double triangle, the long road and the unobscured star are before you. These promise you honors and fame. You will know the art of growing old sweetly. ”

“ Woman comes into full evidence with man and victory squares these and banners. Now, see you the large moon-faced man from over the deep water? Behold the many little people. These represent, without doubt, the toiling masses. See them look to our great flag, Uncle Sam and America. See the guns they leave behind, though they appear well armed by some firm revolves. Some power crowned is near death's gates. There is some peril on the other shores and on this, yet the links for chains of co-operation come later on. ”

“ They come close together, Uncle Sam and the woman, as though to embrace in true love and lasting equality. Now, behold the bird ascending the mountain, and the large hen and cockrell. Behold the dove still higher up. Justice, wisdom and peace must go hand in hand by all the people and for all the people. ”

“ Fear nothing but injustice. You will be tested. You will yet love the ocean, even the lightning's fierce flashes, though after sudden peril and loss you will make acquaintance with your higher self--not be so selfish nor material. ”

“ Only one comprehensive life-course reading has shown this entire evening. We do not gain the high art of holding the good which we gain, so profligate are we. Then we like to blame our friends or the fates for our poor judgment and our obtuseness. Until we begin to work as though we belong to and believe in an immortal life, as an inheritance, the great human family cannot enjoy that useful cohesion that belongs to mankind as God designed life's distributives--our higher attributes. ”

“ Though the young philosopher chose for himself a severe taskmaster, with plenty of added work, yet, with some special kindliness in trustful tones that proved part-pay, some needed, minor chord was touched in the soul-life of the lad, that gave him hope in himself and in his future, which proved very true. He has long been a kind and useful citizen, in precepts for the young, and an object lesson to many. A practical, reasoning benefactor of the race, as was the kindly Charles Dickens in the interest of child-life. ”

“ See the little tables and the tender vines so choked by grasses, even modest flowers by the fallen walls! Let us note these, yet glory and pomp are man's highest aim in life. I say we should all become a freer people, but we are flattered by show and even despotism. ”

“ Just the requisites with your mentality for doing good to poor humanity. As a wise teacher you could excel.
SECOND CUP.
Flurries of wind and storms--confusion in your home and heart--crooked lines with a crude cross and a sodden log, out of which will rise a broken anchor--lost hopes or wishes. Now, an ugly thing is discerned. See the spitting of cats and the angry dog. That is some disagreeable quarrel between friends of yours. A gentleman will pass through cruel loss and change. Nothing good is yet promised to present wishes. ”

“ Upon her finger in a handsome ring the very modern girl wears the stone that means good omen to her, and feels that she is secure from harm. If it is not in a little golden circlet upon her hand, then perchance she wears it at her throat, in one of the little dingle dangles that are so fashionable. ”

“ You must be strong. In your trials, being magnetic, your forces will bring help to aid you by mental suggestions.
But see this elephant, tossing about at the end of the bridge--some imposition upon your family. See, the house being in touch, you will lose by the elephant, as letters with many lines mean vexation--strayed or stolen letters--and dead birds are on the ground. The rabbit is some coward. Do not mind this, you will yet gain significant prestige by the aid of an old man on the new path. ”