Nature Bound Pagan

Tea & Spirituality

While the exact origins of tea drinking are unknown, most sources point to ancient China and Emperor Shennong, who is commonly credited with unintentionally discovering the concept of tea when a leaf fell into his water as it boiled. Over time, drinking tea evolved from medicinal purposes, to social purposes, and is now commonly done for both. 

Tea as a whole represents refinement, introspection, and the beauty of every day life. In literature, tea is often a symbol of peace, hospitality, and social grace. The four core fundamentals within Japanese tea ceremonies are Harmony, Respect, Purity, and Tranquility. Drinking tea provides a way to slow down, center oneself, find peace and balance, and reconnect with nature. This has allowed tea to become a cornerstone of not only cultural practices, but of spiritual practices as well. It offers a way to quiet the mind, and center the soul. Tea certainly reminds us of the importance of keeping our inner selves warm with passion for our beliefs and intentions, all while taking time to pause and reflect on life's simple moments. 

Tea magic combines the intentional brewing of herbs, flowers, and spices to promote healing, protection, transformation, and divination. 

Preparing tea involves each of the natural elements: Earth provides the leaves, Water acts as the solvent, Fire boils the water, and Air cools and steeps the tea. In Wuxing philosophy, the element of Wood is also incorporated by the tea plant itself. It also engages the five senses: Sight to admire the shape of tea leaves, Taste when drinking, Smelling the scent of the leaves and herbs, Touch when noticing the leaf texture, Sounds of boiling and pouring water and even kettle whistles. 

When practicing tea magic, intention setting and mindful meditation are done while brewing and drinking the tea. As water pours, visualize and meditate on the concept of your intentions filling your cup. When drinking, drink mindfully to absorb the intention. 

Ritual brewing may involve creating a sacred space and using specific tools to enhance the magic. Select ingredients that correspond with your intention, or use loose tea (you can cut open tea bags) within other spells and rituals. Charge your tea accordingly: stir clockwise to attract, and counterclockwise to banish.

Some things to consider when practicing tea magic:

• the type of tea and herbs used: different types of tea have different properties, same for herbs
• the vessel and tools you use: your cup, pot, saucer, spoon, etc. - all these can hold spiritual weight to you if you'd like
• how you prepare: how you prepare your space, the steps you plan to follow, incorporating other potential elements like candles, cloth, etc. 
• the words and symbology used: words have power; you can use a mantra, affirmations, sigils, runes, or other words and symbols in your magic

**Yes, iced tea can also be used in tea magic. The cold preparation of iced tea (solar infusion) can align with intentions of cooling, relaxation, and to match energies of the summer season. 

Tasseography

The ancient fortune-telling practice of reading and interpreting tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments, for divination purposes. As popular as tea is across cultures, reading the leaves is just as popular, though probably most commonly thought of in Romani practices. 

The art of reading tea leaves evolved into new ways of divination, including readings from splattered candle wax, lead, and even jewelry charms. 

The Process

A cup of tea would be made using loose-leafed tea (tea that is not held in a bag) and then drank until there is only a small amount of liquid left. The cup is then swirled three times and then upended onto its saucer to drain the remaining liquid. Once drained, the cup is righted and the shapes of the tea leaves are then revealed and read.

The handle of the cup represents the seeker; the one who's fortune is being read. The rim of the cup represents the near future, and the bottom of the cup represents the distant future and deepest issues. The walls of the cup thus provide a gradual timeline of future events. In some practices, the cup is viewed as an astrological chart,  and the placement of the leaves connecting to the corresponding astrological sign. 

Interpretation

There seems to be no set interpretation for the shapes that are seen in tea leaves. Some interpretations are very literal, and some are much more symbolic. A few common categories of symbols include: 

• Animals - usually representing fears, or a comforting presence
• Objects - usually representing daily life
• Nature - usually representing influences
• People/body parts - usually representing specific people that play a role in the future event
• Numbers - usually represent time, date, or place

While a simple tea cup can be used in this process, some tasseographs prefer to use a specific fortune telling cup that better labels the parts of the cup and saucer for easier readings.

Reflection

• What tea ritual would you like to incorporate in your spiritual practices?
• How else can you incorporate tea into your practice?
• What teas would you like to try?

** For all my non-tea drinking readers, stay tuned for Coffee Magic!