What’s the Tea? Vol. 6: November Tea Ritual
I was walking through Boston Common recently at sunset. I turned towards the skyline and gasped. I immediately whipped out my phone and took the photo above. The colors were unbelievably vibrant, and I was overcome with emotion. Like…nature is so amazing, isn’t it? Before all the leaves fall, the trees give us this immense color show. I like to think the trees are reminding us that they’ll be back soon.
In New England, the leaves are becoming brittle. You can hear the rattle of the leaves as they fall, travel through the wind, and hit the pavement. Late fall is upon us, and it’s such an achingly beautiful time of year. As we slow down, we’re very much called to reflect on the past year and the movements we’ve gone through. I think of a symphony playing movements of a classical composition—light and jovial; slow and melancholy; fast and chaotic; and then all the above mushed together.
What’s the composition of your past year been like? A good question to ponder while drinking some tea. :)
A Tea Ritual for November
This is as good of a time as any to start drinking tea more regularly, and there’s no better way to implement this routine than creating a ritual for yourself. Some key components to consider:
Time: How much time can you devote to drinking tea?
Tea: What type of tea suits your needs best (hint: I’ve got a quiz on my site to help you determine that)?
Music: Do you want to listen to music while enjoying your cup of tea? If so, what type of music are you in the mood for? I’ve got my playlist below to help inspire you.
Prompts for Reflection: Do you want to use this time to reflect on anything in particular? Or would you rather clear your mind of any thoughts and use this time to meditate?
Recommended Tea Blends to Drink
Autumn Blend
Yes, cinnamon and clove and ginger appear in this blend, but I’ve also added more unique flavors like coriander seed (which lends a bright pop of citrus-y flavor) and fenugreek (which adds a lovely maple-y flavor). I love this blend in the morning, either on its own or with a little raw honey added to it.
Third Eye Chakra Blend
This time of year is known as one where the “veil” between the spirit world and our earthly world is at its thinnest. The third eye chakra is the source of our intuition and powers of manifestation. Juniper, schisandra berry, sage, mugwort, and helichrysum help increase vibrational frequency and encourage vivid dreams.