When I was a little girl, my mom used to make me fruit tea for breakfast, I always mysteriously spilled it on myself. We always laughed about it. I think it was because I didn't know the magic of rituals.

Rituals has been practised in one form or another by humans across the globe for millennia. Just like we need water, food, love and shelter for human survival, we also need ceremonies and rituals to survive, as they create a sense of belonging within us, which is a need deeply embedded within our DNA and critical for survival. Ceremonies remind me that there is something greater than we are able to perceive. We may crave more connection and meaning in life.

Daily rituals, such as making a cup of herbal tea, can help you be present in the moment and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. The purpose of holding an herbal tea ceremony is to honor the herbs themselves, pay respect to the simple yet profound act of drinking tea, and to listen deeply.

how to prepare a ritual

I always ask myself questions like: What do I like? What am I really longing for? What do I need right now? The art of bringing your attention to the present moment and observing it without judgement. It’s why countries like China and Japan have elevated making tea into a revered art that has strong cultural and spiritual significance. Preparing for ritual means slowing down so that you can bring intention, presence, and purpose to every step of the process. Engage all your senses – hear the sound of the water, smell the scent of the tea, notice how the colour of the water changes as it begins to infuse with the herbal goodness from the tea bag. Inhale deeply to appreciate the delicious smell of the tea. Try to see how many different scents are making up the whole.

I usually create a space that’s beautiful, comfortable, and in harmony with me. Begin by taking a few moments of silence. Listen to the sound of the tea being poured. Look at its color. Smell its aroma. Feel its warmth. To set up your intention, you can use smudging with palo santo or your favorite herb, play curated music playlist and allow your thoughts to slow down and your stress to melt away.

Slowing down to savor your tea is the most excellent way to fully appreciate its flavors, aroma, and experience. Doing so improves your mood and helps you do more during the day.

During the ceremony we emphasise the beauty and pleasure to be found in simple daily routines.

My tip:

try cold brew this summer with green or white tea, jasmin, hibiscus, orange blossom and sunflower blossom. This tea is naturally colling and soothing and you can enjoy all the benefits of tea during hot weather.

They say there’s nothing a cup of tea can’t fix. It must be true, don’t you think?

References

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sen-Rikyu

https://chestnutherbs.com/herbal-tea-ceremonies/

https://theconsciousclub.com/articles/2019/10/17/why-ceremonies-and-rituals-are-still-important-today

https://www.taosherb.com/store/sacred-herbs.html