My kids still like to remind me of the time that I told them to “shut up and read their tea bags.”

We were in the midst of moving into what would be our fourth home within five years.  With three kids, three dogs, two cats, two birds, a rabbit, and all the crap that goes along with each of them, our moving procedure had certainly become more streamlined since our first relocation adventure.  It was the physical exertion required to conduct the actual event that remained an unavoidable consequence.  I had two full days of sorting, last-minute packing, lifting, unpacking, and being asked a thousand times “Where do you want this? Where can I put this?” and “Mom, have you seen my (something that I have to have right now)?”

This was to be our first night in the house.  It was an early Sunday evening and the kids had school the next morning.  While Durwood was upstairs assembling beds, it seemed a suitable moment to locate the water kettle, rifle through my collection of dried herbs, and make a pot of “welcome home” tea for myself and the kids.

Ever since our children were little Beans, we have enjoyed exploring the magickal and medicinal properties of all the available leaves and flowering herbs that we either grew ourselves, received from friends, or purchased from various establishments.  Through lively consensus, we would choose the appropriate herb, flower, or any combination of these that we deemed eligible to reflect our specific intentions.  We would then brew a pot of our harmonious concoction to share, talk, and laugh with each other.

Now that the kids are grown, we find occasional moments to still share a pot of tea together, but not nearly as often as we did when they were younger.  It would seem that sharing a bottle of wine has become the brew of choice in recent years:)

On the evening that we were to spend our first night in our new home, I do not recall what the appropriate herbs were that I considered worthy to instill a sense of welcome.  I could not find them.  Opened and partially unpacked cardboard boxes were lined along most of the available counter space in the kitchen, so it felt like an accomplishment just to locate the kettle.

By the time that the water was boiling and the kids had seated themselves at the counter, I banged down three cups and saucers on the bar top, and pretty much threw some tea bags at each one of the young Bean’s heads.  I vaguely recall that I had found the tea bags in a random box labeled “pantry.”  Even beautifully wrapped tea bags that are printed with inspirational quotes are rendered fruitless when served by an irate mother.

As they engaged each other in lively conversation, I dismissed their banter with one terse remark.

“Shut up and read your tea bags.”

Although every good witch knows the subtle power of intention that can be weaved within the energy of a palatable brew, this is no way to serve tea.

With the energy of expanding consciousness all around us, the delightfully simple act of having a cup of tea with yourself, a friend, or even your kids remains a traditional method to enhance our human connection between nature’s bounty and our own creative Source.  The wisdom and healing power that comes from our earth in the form of plants and herbs has been explored by our foremothers (and some fathers!) since ancient times when magic and medicine were one in the same.

Now you can walk down the coffee and tea aisle in any grocery store and have an abundance of tea blends to choose from.  Specific herbal combinations that address a variety of physical conditions (from mood to a sore throat) have been carefully selected for us to eliminate the time consuming process of conducting our own research and experimentation.  Of notable value are the “Traditional Medicinal” blends that were developed by the godmother of herbalism, Rosemary Gladstar. (Thank you for that reminder, Candace)

With a trusted herbal blend, or even a simple black tea leaf that piques your senses, a well-brewed cup of tea that is steeped with focused intention can provide the perfect avenue between physical self and creative Source.  As the “tea preparer” you have the opportunity to direct the energy offered by any herb or plant provided by the planet you reside on.

Though you might want to make sure that your original intentions remain intact while serving…

Or your kids may never let you forget it:)

Tags: creative source, moving, pot of tea, power of intention, relocation, Rosemary Gladstar, tea aisle, tea bags, Traditional Medicinal, welcome home tea