In a world where magic is woven into the fabric of everyday life, there are those who seek out its secrets and power. One such group, known as the Keepers of Cups, dedicate themselves to the study and mastery of magical objects. Among the many items they explore, none are quite as fascinating as the Cups of Magic. These enchanted vessels are said to hold incredible power and can be found scattered throughout the world. The Cups of Magic are believed to have been created by ancient wizards who sought to harness the forces of magic in a tangible form. Legends tell of their ability to grant knowledge, heal wounds, and even bestow immortality to those who possess them.
So, even though you might be able to magically sense the world around you, that doesn’t mean you let just anyone know what you’re thinking (and most importantly, feeling). You might bottle up your feelings until they become dangerous to you or others, because you feel them so much that you might be a little afraid of what would happen if you let them out. You’re a deep well, and depending on what’s down at the bottom, you may not even want to look at it yourself, let alone let anyone else in there. And here’s the tough part: Gemini has an incredible memory, and can often remember faces or names of people or things from ages ago. But Gemini usually lets go of feelings pretty easily, especially traumatic ones. But you have that old Cancer moon just next to you, and Cancer does not let go of feelings (at all). Unfortunately it means that if you have suffered trauma in your early life, you are likely to carry it with you, and you might carry vivid memories of it as well. You’ll also carry pain, and that pain can become the thing that defines you if you aren’t careful. It’s a tough thing to manage: a lot of people who suffer trauma often shield themselves from it, even unconsciously, and can have gaps or blank spaces in their memories as a way to protect themselves. You often aren’t so lucky, and your pain sits just below the surface of you. It’s a burden you tend to want to carry alone, so even when you love people you try to protect them from your own pain. And you’re good at it- many of your closest friends might not know what you’re feeling, even if they sense that sometimes you’re not doing so well.
There are even people that I have met only once or twice that, despite all reason and logic, I have felt that cliched yet entirely true sensation that I had known them all my life. She might not have been psychic, but she was right about me after a few weeks of bluffing on the street corner, I could tell by the way someone walked if they were a Sagittarius or a Taurus, and I could see the unmistakable forehead crease of an Aries from down the block.
Legends tell of their ability to grant knowledge, heal wounds, and even bestow immortality to those who possess them. Each cup is said to possess a unique magical property, making them valuable artifacts sought after by mages and collectors alike. While the exact locations of the Cups of Magic remains a mystery, rumors persist of their existence in hidden caverns, ancient ruins, and remote islands.
Magical Coffee
This recipe was inspired by a drink I love at a local café. (Theirs is "magic coffee.") After my first taste, I went home and immediately started tweaking a recipe. They brew the coffee hot, but since it was summer and I am lazy, I wanted to use a cold-brewed coffee base, and I started with a recipe from the New York Times. There's lots of room for variation depending on what flavors you like—I did a Scandinavian version with white sugar, almond extract, and crushed fennel seeds too. —ErinH
Test Kitchen Notes
"One of those recipes that's a great concept rather than a precise formula, ErinH's iced coffee takes inspiration from both her local coffee house and Mexican café de olla. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a few spoonfuls of dark brown sugar to the coffee as it cold-brews gives it a lush sweetness and a hit of warmth. After a night in the fridge, you strain the coffee and pour it over ice cubes. Then comes the cream. (Or milk, depending on your mood.) And then, as ErinH says, you 'die of happiness.' We loved this iteration and think her 'Scandinavian version' (using almond extract and fennel) sounds like a winner too." –A&M
"When we talk about new and better ways to brew coffee, we usually talk about new methods (like cold-brewing, or new machinery)—but today I need to talk about a coffee that’s all about the ingredients. It’s called magical coffee, and it’s going to change the way you think about iced coffee. What makes this coffee so special is the use of cinnamon, a brewing method popular in Morocco and the Middle East that adds spice and complexity to even the most basic cup of coffee. Coupled with a few tablespoons of dark brown sugar, the flavors in this overnight recipe are so much more than the sum of its parts. In the morning, add the milk or cream—or add a Scandinavian touch, as the recipe’s originator does, with fennel and almond extract—and there’s your magical coffee. The heat in this rich and full-bodied cold brew will wake you up like nothing else. What really makes this coffee magical, though, is how forgiving and adaptable it is. If you like, try cardamom in place of cinnamon, or both! And if you like a more velvety formula, do as the Vietnamese do, and use condensed milk instead of cream. No matter how you make it, the end result is something so delicious, it tastes like witchcraft." –Karen Lo
"Every so often you eat something magical. Something so special you can’t decide between taking your time to savor it, or chewing it as fast as possible so you can swallow it, so you can tell everyone around you just how good it is. These are mystical moments, far and few between. The experience of drinking this Magical Coffee is just that. Community member ErinH, who originally graced our site with the recipe, says she got it from a nearby cafe. But it's so good, we’re prone to thinking that maybe it came to her in a vision. Is it magic because it tastes amazing? Or because it’s so wildly simple to make? We're thinking a little of each. She starts by mixing coffee grounds, freshly grated cinnamon, and a pinch of brown sugar in a jar. These get covered in water and left alone for a night of beauty sleep. The next day, she pours the content through a sieve and into a tall glass of ice. She adds some milk or creamer (drinker's choice). And for the adventurous, Erin recommends a Scandinavian twist with almond extract and fennel seeds. You may be thinking: This is too easy. Well, it is! And it's a good thing. It's beautiful, in fact. In a world of hard things, maybe there's relief in knowing that this one easy thing really works. It sits all night, waiting for you in the morning, to wake up to and pour. And with that first sip, you're almost guaranteed to start your day feeling pretty magical yourself." –Valerio Farris
A perfect pick-me-up any time of the day, this coffee method relies on a low-effort cold brew, which also allows all the lovely flavor to imbue overnight as it rests. We love the suggestion of fennel and almond, as fennel provides a dark licorice-like, slightly savory flavor that's perfect foil to the sweet, marzipan-esque notes of almond extract. —Food52
- Test Kitchen-Approved
I still don’t know how true it all is, or if that even matters, but what I do know is that over time I learned how to read and interpret astrological charts so well that I turned it into a job myself at certain points, though now I mostly reserve it for friends and family as a birthday gift. I also learned that inevitably, I am drawn to and find that some of my closest friends seem to cluster around a certain period of time that astrology likes to call the cusp of magic.
Some stories even suggest that the cups can only be found by completing perilous quests or solving intricate puzzles. The Keepers of Cups tirelessly search the world for any clues or information that may lead them to these magical treasures. Discovering a Cup of Magic is not without its dangers. Many who have sought them out have been met with traps, guardians, and other obstacles meant to protect the cups from falling into the wrong hands. Only those who possess great skill, knowledge, and a pure heart are said to be worthy of unlocking the power within these cups. It is not hard to understand why the Cups of Magic hold such allure. The ability to command the forces of magic and wield its power is a dream shared by many. The Keepers of Cups tirelessly search for these fabled artifacts, driven by a desire to uncover their secrets and harness their power for the greater good. While the Cups of Magic may remain elusive for now, their existence reminds us of the boundless possibilities that magic holds. These vessels represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved with the mastery of the arcane arts. They serve as a reminder that magic is not just a fantasy, but a tangible force that can shape the world in ways we can only begin to imagine. So, let us keep our eyes and hearts open to the possibilities of magic, for who knows what wonders may be hidden in the cups of the world – waiting to be discovered by those who dare to seek them out..
Reviews for "Experience the World of Coffee: Cups of Magic Nearby to Take You on a Journey"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Cups of magic nearby. The coffee was mediocre at best and the service was terrible. The staff seemed disinterested and the wait time was way too long. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone who values good coffee and friendly service.
- John - 2 stars - Cups of magic nearby was just okay. The coffee was average and there wasn't anything special about it. I also found the atmosphere to be quite dull and lacking any charm. It's not the worst coffee shop I've been to, but it's definitely not the best either.
- Emily - 1 star - I had high hopes for Cups of magic nearby, but sadly it didn't meet my expectations. The coffee tasted burnt and the pastries were stale. The prices were also quite high for the quality of food and drinks they offered. I wouldn't waste my time going back to this place.