I have also heard that you should use tea that is not fruit or flavored teas, such as the cinnamon teas, or the orange teas, etc. however, I cannot recall why that is so. also, it is most beneficial to find tea leaves that were rolled, rather then crushed--and most importantly- not in a tea bag. the tea bag teas are too fine a tea, having been crushed.
definitely no strainer! you need to place about 1/2 to 1 tsp. of tea leaves into the cup and pour the boiling water into the cup to steep. I've also have been told or read that a white cup or light colored cup is the best tea leaf reading cup to use, so you can easily see the symbols the tea leaves leave behind.
my grandmother read tea leaves and w/her, you couldn't add sugar or any other sweetener. you didn't have to have much tea if you cannot stand the unsweetened teas, but you did have to have at least 1/2 cup and drink the majority of the liquid, while thinking of your question. then the cup was turned upside down onto its saucer, to expel the remaining liquid. (if you do not have a saucer, use a paper towel).
the tea reader will then turn the cup while upside down, around 3x--clockwise and then turn it over. the tea leaves will have stuck to the inside of the cup and is thus read in that manner. there is a timing read as well with tea leaves, but for the life of me, I cannot recall how that is done. I've tried tea leaf reading many times, but not very good w/it.
so, I don't have any of my tea leaf reading cups or books w/me here in this home.
there are many different ideas on reading tea leaves. but it is most important to read w/tea leaves and not teabag tea. anything that is coarsely crushed is best, as the finer crushed tea - such as teabag tea-just won't work.
I love Earl Grey tea! and the Darjeeling, English Breakfast, and Ceylon. I also like Lady Grey tea. but some of my fave teas are--cinnamon teas, orange rind tea, and chamomile teas. I'm fortunate to have a tea store just south of us, where I can get fresh teas of pretty much any flavor/idea. they'll mix them as well for you. fresh teas are wonderful! much better then teabag tea. however, teabag tea is much more convenient.
hmmm...the more i think of it, I believe the tealeaves closest to the rim of the cup are what will occur soon and the further down the cup to the bottom is the future or would that be the past? things that had already occurred? not sure on that.