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Reading the Leaves

An Intuitive Guide to the Ancient Art and Modern Magic of Tea Leaf Divination

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An illustrated guide to tapping into your intuition through the simple act of sitting down to a cup of tea.

Whether you're wondering about career, finances, love, or health, Salem witches Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama are here to help build your intuitive skills and transform your life. Reading the Leaves shows you how to:
   brew a cup of tea for divination purposes
   interpret more than 200 time-tested symbols that are most likely to show up, such as hearts and anchors, and what their size, location, and relationship to other shapes mean
   set an intention
   create a regular tea ritual
   keep a tea leaf reading journal
   do a reading for family and friends
   make their favorite tea time recipes
   respond when a "bad" symbol shows up

You already possess the tools, and with Sandra and Leanne's guidance, the true journey of self-discovery can begin. You don't have to be a witch to find your inner magic.
"An approachable, savvy guide.... Wright and Marrama’s enchanting handbook is a great starting point for those interested in tea-leaf reading."—Publishers Weekly

"Brimming with easily digested instructions and exercises, steeped in little known historical facts, and sweetened with personal anecdotes and recipes, Reading the Leaves is definitely my cup of tea—and I have no doubt that it will be yours, too!"—Dorothy Morrison, author of Everyday Magic, The Craft, and Utterly Wicked

"If you want to learn how to read tea leaves, this is absolutely the book for you. Sandra and Leanne are the perfect guides to this ancient and timeless practice that will activate your intuition and enrich your life. Follow their wise and whimsical advice and you'll be reading tea leaves like a pro in no time!"—Tess Whitehurst, author of You Are Magical

“Tea leaf divination isn’t just for witches: it is a natural practice that can be enjoyed by all tea drinkers. This book transported me back to my time in England, sitting in an English cottage, with a tea cup and a silver spoon. Reading the Leaves is well researched; however, what makes its worth and power is experience. Both Leanne and Sandra have a heritage of knowledge that has been carried in families through the generations. Their ancestors have brought forward the method you will learn in this fun and informative read. In particular, I was impressed by their chapter on timing, which is always a challenge, even for authorities in occult divination. Their method by which timelines are captured brings accuracy to readings regarding past, present, and future. I am excited to try the recipes they have included, which are a delicious way to support divination, and add to the magic.”—Laurie Cabot, author of The Power of the Witch, Love Magic, and The Witch in Every Woman

"This book is incredible. The combination of rituals and customs of a bygone era, storytelling, and straightforward practical instructions makes this book the quintessential practical handbook for anyone wanting to tap into this ancient form of divination. The authors have successfully applied their skill and years of experience to create a brilliant and accessible handbook for everyone, regardless of experience. As I read, I envisioned how easy it will be for me to share this book with friends and co-workers who may or may not be witches. It’s that universal. Although a practitioner of cartomancy for the most part of four decades, I have never been drawn to the practice of tasseomancy—until now. Sandra and Leanne instantly drew me in and made me want to put the kettle on to brew some tea and get down to the business of Reading the Leaves."—Mary-Grace Fahrun, author of Italian Folk Magic: Rue’s Kitchen Witchery

"I was not a tea-leaf- or coffee-grounds-reader before. I am now. That’s the highest praise I can give to a book that sets out to teach a technique. It hooked me with the presentation. It drew me in with clear explanation of history, theory, and method. It delivered in terms of enabling me to do the thing it describes. I am a better Sorcerer for having read Reading the Leaves."—Jason Miller, founder of Strategic Sorcery

"A smart, fun dive into a path of intuitive discovery. As I read, I felt like I was a having a conversation, over tea, with two powerhouse psychics who prove reliable and fresh, and care deeply about my experience. Packed with useful information as well as grounded reassurance, Reading the Leaves is a solid resource and an awakening into new powers."—Tama Kieves, bestselling author of Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work and Thriving Through Uncertainty

"Smart, modern, practical and witty! Thorough and thoroughly inspired with rituals, recipes, symbolism, and timelines for manifestation, Reading the Leaves is the definitive accessible guide to tasseomancy for our time. Wright and Marrama have accomplished something truly magickal. Like a whisper from behind the veil, they have channeled the essence of a largely Victorian occult practice and catapulted into the mainstream magickal practice of today with grace, beauty, practicality, intelligence, and wit. Reading the Leaves is an impressive addition to the modern magical bookshelf, honing in on the ethics of prognostication, paying homage to the past, while being completely relevant to both secular magic practitioners as well as cunning folk. Let them lead you on a thrilling dive into the psychic depths of the teacup. From establishing the conducive atmosphere for divination, to choosing the perfect cup, as well as hundreds of symbols, Wright and Marrama serve the tea and keep it hot. With illustrations and explanations, Reading the Leaves is a must read for advanced practitioners and newcomers to tasseomancy alike."—Judy Ann Nock, author of The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick

"It is clear when first peering into Reading the Leaves that it is a labor of love. Its style invokes a Victorian elegance infused with a grandmother’s wisdom. You can almost smell the tea brewing from the kettle as you sit in a parlor lit by dim candlelight. Leanne Marrama and Sandra Mariah Wright weave a spell throughout the pages of this book, taking the reader on a journey from ancient China into your very own kitchen. Reading the Leaves is more than just another guide to divination. It is a window into the magic found within the lives of these two women and the people that they have touched with their magical gifts. This will be a foundational work on the subject of tea leaf reading that will be a much-cherished addition to anyone’s book collection. Upon reading this book, you will never have an empty tea cup—only a doorway to destiny!"—Brian Cain, author of Initiation into Witchcraft 

"Reading the Leaves is an empowering work of divination that reveals the hidden wisdom sprinkled across the bottom of an ordinary teacup. Salem witches Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama offer an hospitable welcome into the charming but oft-mysterious world of tea leaf reading that makes it accessible to everyday people trying to make sense of their lives and provides tools of understanding using this time-honored method of foreseeing the past, present, and future. From the history of tea-leaf reading, to the symbols one might find in the cup, to recipes, rituals, and even communication with departed loved ones, Reading the Leaves bridges old-world wisdom with modern insight in what is sure to be a classic of the genre!"—Christian Day, author of The Witches’ Book of the Dead
© Kevin Wright
Sandra Mariah Wright is the High Priestess of Elphame Coven in Salem, Massachusetts. She owns a jewelry and occult supply company (Gallows Hill Witchery) as well as an annual psychic fair (Spirit Beacon Psychic Fair and Mystical Marketplace), and hosts The Psychic Tea radio
show monthly with her co-author. She has appeared on the Travel Channel, Showtime, and The Real Housewives of New York City. View titles by Sandra Mariah Wright
© Kevin Wright
Leanne Marrama is a full-time psychic medium at the shop she co-owns: Pentagram Shoppe in Salem, Massachusetts. She teaches classes and presents at festivals around the country. Among her many media appearances, she has been featured on TLC's What Not to WearGhost Chronicles, and Beyond Belief with George Noory. View titles by Leanne Marrama

Introduction:

"Is my grandmother still with me?” 
“Am I going to have the money to pay for my kids’ college?”
“Will I find my soul mate?”
“Should I take that job offer?”

We are professional psychics based in Salem, Massachusetts, and these and many more questions occupy the minds of our clients. They are the kinds of inquiries that are at once reaching out to the spirit world and tethered to the challenges of everyday life. Our mission is never to feed the desperate, obsessive, or unhealthy anxieties of our clients but to empower them to take control of their lives and manifest their dreams. This book is our chance to reach even more people and give them resources they can work with independently.

We’ve been reading for private clients and hosting public events for decades. We launched our first Mourning Tea in 2007, and have counseled thousands of people one- on- one and in small groups— people who by and large were not witches but who came to Salem looking not only for answers but for magic.

Sandra Mariah Wright
I remember the first time my mother shared my “baby book” with me; this modest collection of fun facts about the only child she would ever raise meant so much to her. And while every baby’s jour-ney has common steps, every baby’s journey is entirely unique. I remember the way reading about myself gave me an odd feeling, as if the book told someone else’s story, because I didn’t remember the majority of what it recorded ever taking place. Some things re-mained true: I was still extremely verbal (I talked at nine months old), still fascinated by animals, and I still loved tea. It was the first line under the “favorite foods” category.

As a child, I spent an inordinate amount of time at my grand-mother’s house: my Nana watched me while my mother worked two jobs. My father was an alcoholic, and I was petrified to be alone with him because he’d drink himself into a stupor. Even at five years old, I could sense that being with him was really no better than being on my own. Luckily, my grandmother didn’t have a job, so she was there for me after school and into the evenings, sometimes even overnight. Nana was very nearly born in Ireland; her mother was pregnant with her when she came over to the United States on a ship in 1911. Tea was a family tradition my grandmother carried on: she would put the kettle on at nine a.m., noon, three p.m., six p.m., and nine p.m. every day. She is the main reason tea was the first line in my baby book, as well as my first line of defense against whatever was troubling me as I grew up.

It was my father’s alcoholism that first awakened my psychic abil-ity. School was done for the day. I would be in the house with my father while my mother worked her second job, waitressing. As I walked down the hill toward home, I had a vision that he would have one of his “attacks,” a physical episode where he convulsed and had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I was terrified to be alone when this happened. I prayed that he would have the attack before my mother left for work. I could see her there, in her uniform, helping me. Sure enough, just a few minutes before she would have been out the door, my father went into convulsions, and I called out to her. This convinced me that I had a sixth sense, a way to see into the future, to sense what would happen so I could be better prepared for it, especially if it would be otherwise out of my control. This night set the course for me to spend most of my life helping others see into the future so they, too, could respond to the opportunities, obstacles, and challenges of life.

I began practicing witchcraft when I was still a preteen in junior high school. Laurie Cabot had a shop on Essex Street in Salem, and I purchased the components for my first spell there. Of course, it had to do with a boy! In the years ahead, I would come to counsel hun-dreds of people about their relationships. Throughout my life, the Craft of the Wise (otherwise known as “witchcraft”) has provided the support I have needed to overcome obstacles, and I’ve had the honor of providing many others with the guidance they needed to live their best lives.

Leanne Marrama
I grew up an only child in a traditional Italian family with a few uncommon traditions. My Nana read tea leaves and interpreted dreams for her neighbors. Unfortunately, I learned very little from her before she passed away, but I believe I have her to thank for my gifts. I realized at an early age that I could tune in to people’s inner lives through the sound of their voices. By high school, I picked up tarot cards and was often in the school gym playing with a Ouija board while my classmates were outside playing sports. But as gradu-ation approached, I felt the pressure to lead a “normal” life that met the expectations of others. So I pushed my vivid dreams aside, and I began to focus on college and walking a more conventional path.

I went to Katharine Gibbs School to be an administrative as-sistant, graduated, and secured a  dead-  end job that basically con-sisted of pushing papers. I moved into my parents’ Revere basement apartment and got married, all before my  twenty-second birthday. After two lovely children and more than ten years as a stay- at- home mother, I had lost my identity— and my magic.

That is when I met my friends and mentors, Shawn Poirier and Christian Day, at my first Pagan Pride event. I was restless, eager to rediscover my magical self, and find like-minded people who could understand me. I felt an immediate connection with Shawn, and we were inseparable from day one. Shawn brought magic back into my everyday life, and I returned to my tarot cards. Shawn told everyone how psychic I was, and soon people were coming to me for readings. I started believing in myself again.

In 2003, I started working as a psychic and medium. I had rediscovered my gifts, supported by an amazing circle of people. I got involved with a local coven and proudly called myself a witch. It wasn’t long before I was able to quit my day job and do readings full time. While these changes made me incredibly happy, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. My marriage fell apart, and I found myself in the throes of a nasty divorce. There was no turning back: my life as a typical soccer mom was over, and my children watched me transform into a full- time psychic and witch in Salem, Massach-setts.

Life as a public intuitive in the Witch City was a different social atmosphere than I was used to, and it posed many challenges. This community’s waters were difficult to navigate. Everyone was posi-tioning themselves to be top witch in the group, and I grew frus-trated with some of my new friends. I looked for a deeper friendship, one that didn’t rest on status. That’s when I met Sandra. We were attending a ghost-hunting event for Festival of the Dead. I had heard her name mentioned with reverence and some fear. I wondered who this Sandra was and why she evoked such strong reactions. All I knew was that she had an important job with the October festival.

My friends were all drinking and following the festival owners around, trying to find the gates to the castle, so to speak. That’s when I saw Sandra sitting alone, blond hair framing her face like a lion’s mane. In that moment, my motivation to introduce myself and sit with her was a mixture of curiosity, social strategy, and loneliness. In the two hours that I spent talking with her, we shared more genuine honesty than I had felt in years. I came to understand why my friends were intimidated by her. She didn’t seem to care what anyone else thought of her, she didn’t buy into the politics, and she spoke her mind, even when it went against the popular opinion. When Shawn and Christian saw us chatting, their eyes betrayed a mixture of amusement and concern. But I was thrilled. A friendship was born.

Over the next four years, I worked hard to become one of the most  sought-after psychics at the Festival of the Dead. While Sandra was a talented psychic, her ability to manage an entire stable of them was even more valuable, and so she was tasked with “herding the cats.” We put together events to enlighten and entertain the tourists who flocked to Salem for the entire month of October. Our faces were plastered on posters all over the city. We worked closely together forming memories, making magic, and creating an empire.I was finally living my wildest dream. But in the spring of 2007, tragedy struck. Shawn Poirier died suddenly. I owed so much of who I had become to Shawn, and he was gone. Once again, I found my life in turmoil. October was no longer a bright spot in my year. Instead, the approach of the Season of the Witch now caused me dread and anxiety. I very nearly left the business altogether to run back to the safety of carpooling and soccer games.

In Shawn’s absence, Sandra became even more vital in helping Christian run his rapidly growing business, but their calls lacked their usual humor. When we look back today, we know we were all consumed with processing our grief. Out of that grief, we gave birth to the first Mourning Tea.

At that first tea, we encouraged our guests to share stories and photos of their friends and family who had crossed over. We believed this was the first step in healing after grief and in making connections with our Beloved Dead. We served a traditional  three-course tea in the Victorian tradition. When everyone had eaten their fill, we began the readings. Sandra and I showed the guests how to interpret the symbols in their cups and delivered brief messages from the dead. We both found great personal healing in the process. I had barely been able to share my story of Shawn, but with Sandra by my side, I poured my heart out to complete strangers. This genuine act of sharing helped me open up and begin to mend. Now, when I read tea leaves for guests at our annual Mourning Tea, I know I am conveying messages that will help others who are walking through grief.

Every year, the event has grown, and we continue our mission to bring the magic of tea to as many people as possible. We have hosted the Mourning Tea, the Mother’s Tea, the Holiday Tea, and the Mys-tic Tea for many years, and each event has a focus all its own. The power of our friendship has allowed us to do great things for others. We hope this book will help us continue that tradition with an even greater number of people. Welcome to the next step in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and manifesting a better future.

About

An illustrated guide to tapping into your intuition through the simple act of sitting down to a cup of tea.

Whether you're wondering about career, finances, love, or health, Salem witches Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama are here to help build your intuitive skills and transform your life. Reading the Leaves shows you how to:
   brew a cup of tea for divination purposes
   interpret more than 200 time-tested symbols that are most likely to show up, such as hearts and anchors, and what their size, location, and relationship to other shapes mean
   set an intention
   create a regular tea ritual
   keep a tea leaf reading journal
   do a reading for family and friends
   make their favorite tea time recipes
   respond when a "bad" symbol shows up

You already possess the tools, and with Sandra and Leanne's guidance, the true journey of self-discovery can begin. You don't have to be a witch to find your inner magic.

Praise

"An approachable, savvy guide.... Wright and Marrama’s enchanting handbook is a great starting point for those interested in tea-leaf reading."—Publishers Weekly

"Brimming with easily digested instructions and exercises, steeped in little known historical facts, and sweetened with personal anecdotes and recipes, Reading the Leaves is definitely my cup of tea—and I have no doubt that it will be yours, too!"—Dorothy Morrison, author of Everyday Magic, The Craft, and Utterly Wicked

"If you want to learn how to read tea leaves, this is absolutely the book for you. Sandra and Leanne are the perfect guides to this ancient and timeless practice that will activate your intuition and enrich your life. Follow their wise and whimsical advice and you'll be reading tea leaves like a pro in no time!"—Tess Whitehurst, author of You Are Magical

“Tea leaf divination isn’t just for witches: it is a natural practice that can be enjoyed by all tea drinkers. This book transported me back to my time in England, sitting in an English cottage, with a tea cup and a silver spoon. Reading the Leaves is well researched; however, what makes its worth and power is experience. Both Leanne and Sandra have a heritage of knowledge that has been carried in families through the generations. Their ancestors have brought forward the method you will learn in this fun and informative read. In particular, I was impressed by their chapter on timing, which is always a challenge, even for authorities in occult divination. Their method by which timelines are captured brings accuracy to readings regarding past, present, and future. I am excited to try the recipes they have included, which are a delicious way to support divination, and add to the magic.”—Laurie Cabot, author of The Power of the Witch, Love Magic, and The Witch in Every Woman

"This book is incredible. The combination of rituals and customs of a bygone era, storytelling, and straightforward practical instructions makes this book the quintessential practical handbook for anyone wanting to tap into this ancient form of divination. The authors have successfully applied their skill and years of experience to create a brilliant and accessible handbook for everyone, regardless of experience. As I read, I envisioned how easy it will be for me to share this book with friends and co-workers who may or may not be witches. It’s that universal. Although a practitioner of cartomancy for the most part of four decades, I have never been drawn to the practice of tasseomancy—until now. Sandra and Leanne instantly drew me in and made me want to put the kettle on to brew some tea and get down to the business of Reading the Leaves."—Mary-Grace Fahrun, author of Italian Folk Magic: Rue’s Kitchen Witchery

"I was not a tea-leaf- or coffee-grounds-reader before. I am now. That’s the highest praise I can give to a book that sets out to teach a technique. It hooked me with the presentation. It drew me in with clear explanation of history, theory, and method. It delivered in terms of enabling me to do the thing it describes. I am a better Sorcerer for having read Reading the Leaves."—Jason Miller, founder of Strategic Sorcery

"A smart, fun dive into a path of intuitive discovery. As I read, I felt like I was a having a conversation, over tea, with two powerhouse psychics who prove reliable and fresh, and care deeply about my experience. Packed with useful information as well as grounded reassurance, Reading the Leaves is a solid resource and an awakening into new powers."—Tama Kieves, bestselling author of Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work and Thriving Through Uncertainty

"Smart, modern, practical and witty! Thorough and thoroughly inspired with rituals, recipes, symbolism, and timelines for manifestation, Reading the Leaves is the definitive accessible guide to tasseomancy for our time. Wright and Marrama have accomplished something truly magickal. Like a whisper from behind the veil, they have channeled the essence of a largely Victorian occult practice and catapulted into the mainstream magickal practice of today with grace, beauty, practicality, intelligence, and wit. Reading the Leaves is an impressive addition to the modern magical bookshelf, honing in on the ethics of prognostication, paying homage to the past, while being completely relevant to both secular magic practitioners as well as cunning folk. Let them lead you on a thrilling dive into the psychic depths of the teacup. From establishing the conducive atmosphere for divination, to choosing the perfect cup, as well as hundreds of symbols, Wright and Marrama serve the tea and keep it hot. With illustrations and explanations, Reading the Leaves is a must read for advanced practitioners and newcomers to tasseomancy alike."—Judy Ann Nock, author of The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick

"It is clear when first peering into Reading the Leaves that it is a labor of love. Its style invokes a Victorian elegance infused with a grandmother’s wisdom. You can almost smell the tea brewing from the kettle as you sit in a parlor lit by dim candlelight. Leanne Marrama and Sandra Mariah Wright weave a spell throughout the pages of this book, taking the reader on a journey from ancient China into your very own kitchen. Reading the Leaves is more than just another guide to divination. It is a window into the magic found within the lives of these two women and the people that they have touched with their magical gifts. This will be a foundational work on the subject of tea leaf reading that will be a much-cherished addition to anyone’s book collection. Upon reading this book, you will never have an empty tea cup—only a doorway to destiny!"—Brian Cain, author of Initiation into Witchcraft 

"Reading the Leaves is an empowering work of divination that reveals the hidden wisdom sprinkled across the bottom of an ordinary teacup. Salem witches Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama offer an hospitable welcome into the charming but oft-mysterious world of tea leaf reading that makes it accessible to everyday people trying to make sense of their lives and provides tools of understanding using this time-honored method of foreseeing the past, present, and future. From the history of tea-leaf reading, to the symbols one might find in the cup, to recipes, rituals, and even communication with departed loved ones, Reading the Leaves bridges old-world wisdom with modern insight in what is sure to be a classic of the genre!"—Christian Day, author of The Witches’ Book of the Dead

Author

© Kevin Wright
Sandra Mariah Wright is the High Priestess of Elphame Coven in Salem, Massachusetts. She owns a jewelry and occult supply company (Gallows Hill Witchery) as well as an annual psychic fair (Spirit Beacon Psychic Fair and Mystical Marketplace), and hosts The Psychic Tea radio
show monthly with her co-author. She has appeared on the Travel Channel, Showtime, and The Real Housewives of New York City. View titles by Sandra Mariah Wright
© Kevin Wright
Leanne Marrama is a full-time psychic medium at the shop she co-owns: Pentagram Shoppe in Salem, Massachusetts. She teaches classes and presents at festivals around the country. Among her many media appearances, she has been featured on TLC's What Not to WearGhost Chronicles, and Beyond Belief with George Noory. View titles by Leanne Marrama

Excerpt

Introduction:

"Is my grandmother still with me?” 
“Am I going to have the money to pay for my kids’ college?”
“Will I find my soul mate?”
“Should I take that job offer?”

We are professional psychics based in Salem, Massachusetts, and these and many more questions occupy the minds of our clients. They are the kinds of inquiries that are at once reaching out to the spirit world and tethered to the challenges of everyday life. Our mission is never to feed the desperate, obsessive, or unhealthy anxieties of our clients but to empower them to take control of their lives and manifest their dreams. This book is our chance to reach even more people and give them resources they can work with independently.

We’ve been reading for private clients and hosting public events for decades. We launched our first Mourning Tea in 2007, and have counseled thousands of people one- on- one and in small groups— people who by and large were not witches but who came to Salem looking not only for answers but for magic.

Sandra Mariah Wright
I remember the first time my mother shared my “baby book” with me; this modest collection of fun facts about the only child she would ever raise meant so much to her. And while every baby’s jour-ney has common steps, every baby’s journey is entirely unique. I remember the way reading about myself gave me an odd feeling, as if the book told someone else’s story, because I didn’t remember the majority of what it recorded ever taking place. Some things re-mained true: I was still extremely verbal (I talked at nine months old), still fascinated by animals, and I still loved tea. It was the first line under the “favorite foods” category.

As a child, I spent an inordinate amount of time at my grand-mother’s house: my Nana watched me while my mother worked two jobs. My father was an alcoholic, and I was petrified to be alone with him because he’d drink himself into a stupor. Even at five years old, I could sense that being with him was really no better than being on my own. Luckily, my grandmother didn’t have a job, so she was there for me after school and into the evenings, sometimes even overnight. Nana was very nearly born in Ireland; her mother was pregnant with her when she came over to the United States on a ship in 1911. Tea was a family tradition my grandmother carried on: she would put the kettle on at nine a.m., noon, three p.m., six p.m., and nine p.m. every day. She is the main reason tea was the first line in my baby book, as well as my first line of defense against whatever was troubling me as I grew up.

It was my father’s alcoholism that first awakened my psychic abil-ity. School was done for the day. I would be in the house with my father while my mother worked her second job, waitressing. As I walked down the hill toward home, I had a vision that he would have one of his “attacks,” a physical episode where he convulsed and had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I was terrified to be alone when this happened. I prayed that he would have the attack before my mother left for work. I could see her there, in her uniform, helping me. Sure enough, just a few minutes before she would have been out the door, my father went into convulsions, and I called out to her. This convinced me that I had a sixth sense, a way to see into the future, to sense what would happen so I could be better prepared for it, especially if it would be otherwise out of my control. This night set the course for me to spend most of my life helping others see into the future so they, too, could respond to the opportunities, obstacles, and challenges of life.

I began practicing witchcraft when I was still a preteen in junior high school. Laurie Cabot had a shop on Essex Street in Salem, and I purchased the components for my first spell there. Of course, it had to do with a boy! In the years ahead, I would come to counsel hun-dreds of people about their relationships. Throughout my life, the Craft of the Wise (otherwise known as “witchcraft”) has provided the support I have needed to overcome obstacles, and I’ve had the honor of providing many others with the guidance they needed to live their best lives.

Leanne Marrama
I grew up an only child in a traditional Italian family with a few uncommon traditions. My Nana read tea leaves and interpreted dreams for her neighbors. Unfortunately, I learned very little from her before she passed away, but I believe I have her to thank for my gifts. I realized at an early age that I could tune in to people’s inner lives through the sound of their voices. By high school, I picked up tarot cards and was often in the school gym playing with a Ouija board while my classmates were outside playing sports. But as gradu-ation approached, I felt the pressure to lead a “normal” life that met the expectations of others. So I pushed my vivid dreams aside, and I began to focus on college and walking a more conventional path.

I went to Katharine Gibbs School to be an administrative as-sistant, graduated, and secured a  dead-  end job that basically con-sisted of pushing papers. I moved into my parents’ Revere basement apartment and got married, all before my  twenty-second birthday. After two lovely children and more than ten years as a stay- at- home mother, I had lost my identity— and my magic.

That is when I met my friends and mentors, Shawn Poirier and Christian Day, at my first Pagan Pride event. I was restless, eager to rediscover my magical self, and find like-minded people who could understand me. I felt an immediate connection with Shawn, and we were inseparable from day one. Shawn brought magic back into my everyday life, and I returned to my tarot cards. Shawn told everyone how psychic I was, and soon people were coming to me for readings. I started believing in myself again.

In 2003, I started working as a psychic and medium. I had rediscovered my gifts, supported by an amazing circle of people. I got involved with a local coven and proudly called myself a witch. It wasn’t long before I was able to quit my day job and do readings full time. While these changes made me incredibly happy, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. My marriage fell apart, and I found myself in the throes of a nasty divorce. There was no turning back: my life as a typical soccer mom was over, and my children watched me transform into a full- time psychic and witch in Salem, Massach-setts.

Life as a public intuitive in the Witch City was a different social atmosphere than I was used to, and it posed many challenges. This community’s waters were difficult to navigate. Everyone was posi-tioning themselves to be top witch in the group, and I grew frus-trated with some of my new friends. I looked for a deeper friendship, one that didn’t rest on status. That’s when I met Sandra. We were attending a ghost-hunting event for Festival of the Dead. I had heard her name mentioned with reverence and some fear. I wondered who this Sandra was and why she evoked such strong reactions. All I knew was that she had an important job with the October festival.

My friends were all drinking and following the festival owners around, trying to find the gates to the castle, so to speak. That’s when I saw Sandra sitting alone, blond hair framing her face like a lion’s mane. In that moment, my motivation to introduce myself and sit with her was a mixture of curiosity, social strategy, and loneliness. In the two hours that I spent talking with her, we shared more genuine honesty than I had felt in years. I came to understand why my friends were intimidated by her. She didn’t seem to care what anyone else thought of her, she didn’t buy into the politics, and she spoke her mind, even when it went against the popular opinion. When Shawn and Christian saw us chatting, their eyes betrayed a mixture of amusement and concern. But I was thrilled. A friendship was born.

Over the next four years, I worked hard to become one of the most  sought-after psychics at the Festival of the Dead. While Sandra was a talented psychic, her ability to manage an entire stable of them was even more valuable, and so she was tasked with “herding the cats.” We put together events to enlighten and entertain the tourists who flocked to Salem for the entire month of October. Our faces were plastered on posters all over the city. We worked closely together forming memories, making magic, and creating an empire.I was finally living my wildest dream. But in the spring of 2007, tragedy struck. Shawn Poirier died suddenly. I owed so much of who I had become to Shawn, and he was gone. Once again, I found my life in turmoil. October was no longer a bright spot in my year. Instead, the approach of the Season of the Witch now caused me dread and anxiety. I very nearly left the business altogether to run back to the safety of carpooling and soccer games.

In Shawn’s absence, Sandra became even more vital in helping Christian run his rapidly growing business, but their calls lacked their usual humor. When we look back today, we know we were all consumed with processing our grief. Out of that grief, we gave birth to the first Mourning Tea.

At that first tea, we encouraged our guests to share stories and photos of their friends and family who had crossed over. We believed this was the first step in healing after grief and in making connections with our Beloved Dead. We served a traditional  three-course tea in the Victorian tradition. When everyone had eaten their fill, we began the readings. Sandra and I showed the guests how to interpret the symbols in their cups and delivered brief messages from the dead. We both found great personal healing in the process. I had barely been able to share my story of Shawn, but with Sandra by my side, I poured my heart out to complete strangers. This genuine act of sharing helped me open up and begin to mend. Now, when I read tea leaves for guests at our annual Mourning Tea, I know I am conveying messages that will help others who are walking through grief.

Every year, the event has grown, and we continue our mission to bring the magic of tea to as many people as possible. We have hosted the Mourning Tea, the Mother’s Tea, the Holiday Tea, and the Mys-tic Tea for many years, and each event has a focus all its own. The power of our friendship has allowed us to do great things for others. We hope this book will help us continue that tradition with an even greater number of people. Welcome to the next step in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and manifesting a better future.