The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IT IS A CUSTOM IN MY FAMILY TO USE THE PRESENCE OF A TEALEAF STEM IN A CUP
OF TEA TO DETERMINE WHEN A VISITOR WILL COME TO THE HOUSE. WHEN A PART OF A STEM
(NOT PART OF A LEAF) IS FOUND FLOATING IN THE TEA CUP, IT IS REMOVED AND PLACED
ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE HAND. IT IS STRUCK WITH THE CLOSED FIST OF THE OTHER HAND
AS MANY TIMES AS IS NECESSARY TO CAUSE IT TO STICK TO THE FIST. THIS NUMBER OF
TIMES IS THE NUMBER OF DAYS LATER WHEN A VISITOR CAN BE EXPECTED AT THE HOUSE.
THIS CUSTOM HAS CARRIED THROUGH AT LEAST TWO GENERATIONS ON MY DAD'S SIDE. IT IS
NOTED THAT, DUE TO INCREASED PERFECTION OF TEA, FEWER AND FEWER OF THESE "VISITORS"
ARE BEING FOUND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN