Small Ceremonies of Tea

 "Pouring out a proper cup of tea from a china teapot is a truly soothing experience that seems to engender a disproportionately high sense of well-being for what is such a simple act." from an article called Time for Tea in The English Home magazine.

I know, I know - tea again!

Tea is indeed a ceremony, sometimes a meditation, a time to share with a friend, a group, or alone.

Here I am sharing tea with a friend outdoors in a park. It was a small ceremony of friendship.

 

The tent is ready for a large gathering to celebrate tea with others. This was my British tent at the TeaFestPDX last year. The cup below was what each attendee sipped their tea.

The next three pictures are the WuWo Tea Ceremony from Taiwan. 

You can find a video of the ceremony on the website, www.nwwuwotea.com

 

 This tea time was the sharing of dear friendship.

 A friend shared making tea over a charcoal burner in her own backyard. What a treat to be honored by this ritual of tea.

 

 

Tea in my garden/green house is also a ritual or ceremony of friendship over cups of tea.

 

Sometimes the tea is served in different ways. Here is a teatime at the Chinese Gardens, served from a gaiwan.

This was a tea offering to our ancestors. A ceremony in the Chinese Garden.

 

Another teatime celebrated in the apple orchard, celebrating friendship and a quiet time.

A Japanese tea ceremony taking place at the Camilla Festival this year.

 

A celebration of the season. Easter time and the renewal of the earth.

 

A Russian teatime.

 

The samovar is the center piece of a Russian tea celebration.

 

 Do you celebrate with tea? or another drink? Do you often feel it is a ceremony?

It can be a time to celebrate the simple things of life or a more elaborate celebration.

 

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Celebrate each day!