Bonnie Henry: Tea-leaf reader shares her skill

Zeramby, who is a clairvoyant, certified massage therapist, feng shui consultant and master of Reiki — which is a form of energy healing — also delves from time to time into a white china cup, trying to discern the meaning of the tea leaves within.

"I've always been psychic — though I haven't yet won the lottery," says Zeramby, 36.

One of her more lighthearted endeavors involves teaching the basics of tea-leaf reading.

"This practice has been around for thousands of years," says Zeramby. It's a fad that may have crested during the Victorian era in Britain.

"At one time, tea was worth more than money," says Zeramby. "Reading tea leaves became a status thing, to show you had enough tea to play with."

Those playing with tea these days include middle-aged women who've signed up for Zeramby's recent tea-leaf readings.

"I thought it would be a fun thing to do," says Nancy Lebofsky, 58, who went to a tea-leaf reading last fall with her daughter, a law student at the University of Arizona. As for what she saw in her tea cup: "I saw a quail with a little thing on its head," says Lebofsky.

Both she and her daughter did not take the class "as seriously as some," Lebofsky confesses. "I must say we had a giggle on the way home."

Judy Wasley, 54, who talked five friends into going with her to another of Zeramby's readings, also saw the class as fun.

"I expected to have a good time and I did," says Wasley. But she says she also found the class "empowering. Peggy told us to trust what we saw."

As for what one might see in tea leaves, it can range from dogs to birds to dinosaurs.

"A bird in flight could mean a trip," says Zeramby, who gives a list of symbols — and what they mean — to those taking her class.

A clock could mean better health. A cat might indicate a false friend. A cigar might mean new friends.

Apparently sometimes a cigar is more than just a cigar. Who knew?

Where tea leaves fall in the cup also changes the meaning. "Tea leaves on the bottom indicate something is ongoing. On the side of the cup, it's an event," says Zeramby.

The cup is also divided into 12 months, starting clockwise at the handle.

During my tea leaf reading, Zeramby sees little of note happening in my life for the first three months of the year, followed by some event I'll be trudging through.

She also sees a dog, a roadrunner and a rose. Somehow this all translates into my day-to-day life becoming more energetic and lighter by next fall.

OK by me.

At least there are no symbols of foreboding, which Zeramby does pick up from time to time.

The worst thing she ever saw in the tea leaves? "I saw a child who was considering suicide," she says. "They told me the child was in a depressed state. I said this gave them time to come up with a plan. There was outreach. They got help."

Whenever she has to deliver bad news, says Zeramby, "I always say they have a window of opportunity to come up with a plan, get the tools they need."

But for the most part, tea-leaf reading, she says, "is for enjoyment and fun."

What: Tea-leaf reading.

When: 4-6 p.m. Feb. 10, or 4-6 p.m. April 8.

Where: Chantilly Tea Room, 5185 N. Genematas Drive.

Cost: $27.

Reservations: Pima Community College, 206-6468.

For more info: Contact the tearoom at 622-3303.