Category Archives: Tea

Mystical Magical Tea

Mystical Magical Tea

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I recently had the pleasure of joining my husband, Ted Jauw of Surcadia and my dear friend Beth, of the Orange Moon Tea Society in providing teas and entertainment for Madam Aubergine’s Mystical Tea Party. The party was a benefit for Lush Lapels charity, Blushing Violet.

The party was held at the Ladies Literary Club in Ypsilanti, MI. The club is housed in a building built in the mid 1800’s. It was full of history and the guests were not all living, and not all invited. It provided the perfect atmosphere for spooky stories and some tea leaf readings. Unfortunetly, one of the not so alive but rather ‘lively’ attendees was not pleased that I was reading the leaves. It was my first experience of a spirit being able to affect me physically. I was scratched to the point that it drew a bit of blood. Fortunetly, my husband who HAS delt with such things stepped into sheild, we shifted gears and went on about our evening in a great way.

I have to say I was embarrassed that I was unable to concentrate and lost a bit of my ‘professionalism’ initially. Glad to have regained control. It is strange to be experiencing something that no one else can see and hearing things that no one else can  hear. Although many did experince the sense of a presence and some were touched on the shoulder.

We do love tea parties!! AND the guests, well, most of them. Afterall, it is the season!

Motor City Steam Con and Orange Moon Teas

Motor City Steam Con and Orange Moon Teas

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Last weekend was our Orange Moon Tea Society’s first event at a Steampunk Convention. We had an amazing time hosting their Occult Tea, Sponsoring their tea room, giving tealeaf readings and selling our wares. I was able to go with my two youngest beans and my husband. We had a wonderful time. This weekend I hope to catch up a bit and make preparations for NEXT weekend where we travel to Yoga Fest in Northern Michigan. More tea in the making!

 

Tea and Tasseomancy

Tea and Tasseomancy

Tea&Tass. Cover

I’ve enjoyed reading tea leaves for years now. It reminds me of those summer days when I would lie in the grass, stare at the sky and find pictures in the clouds. This little book I put together so others can experiment and have fun with this as well. Each chapter begins with a block print that I created specifically for this book and the book ends with several recipes so that you can try your hand at making your own blends. You can find it here: Tea and Tasseomancy.

Orange Moon in Ohio

Orange Moon in Ohio

convention pack

 

I’m very excited to be sending off the first of our teas to the great city of Cincinnati, Ohio this weekend for the Steampunk Symposium. One of our Tea Society Members will have these along with a few other artifacts from Orange Moon Downs. I am sad that I won’t be able to attend as I had originally planned but we have other outings in the works and I’ll need to be patient for those. I’m so very excited about this endeavor. Aren’t the labels perfect? And just wait until you taste them. I had a lot of fun with the Batnip Tea. The Mango and Mandarin Orange goodness would make any fruit bat drool, and it works for people too!  I know I’ll be drinking it iced this summer.

Imbolc Tea Party

Imbolc Tea Party

tea candle

 

Last Sunday I hosted a wonderful Tea Party during a very nasty snow storm.  I was thrilled that I had so many brave guests join me.  We celebrated Imbolc, we made candles in tea cups, we broke out the drums and sang Native American songs, ate wonderful food and of course, drank tea. I never know what direction these parties may take but the conversations, the laughter and the sharing always fill my heart. Thank you to all who joined in the merriment!

Ancestral Tea

Ancestral Tea

Ancestor Altar

Yesterday’s Tea Salon was all about honoring our ancestors. The camaraderie and conversations that happen on these Sundays is always so good. I know our Ancestors would be pleased. Stories were told, family was remembered, tears were shed and hearts were filled. And so were our stomachs. The spread, as usual was beautiful. It made me happy to be able to talk about those ancestors who contributed to our stories and gave us life, even those whose lessons were painful. Some of those people we found we may not want to “honor”, but we were able to acknowledge them and their role in shaping who we are today. It was a good way to begin a season that is traditionally filled with family and expectations. It was a good way to remember, regroup and prepare for whatever may be coming up for us. And to know that we are connected to something bigger  and to each other.

Tea Party!

Tea Party!

teacup at party

 

Yesterday I hosted a Tea Salon. We haven’t had one it seems all summer! With all the unexpected happenings in my life I had been rather thrown off course and I really missed getting out all the pretties. This time I set the table with all my mismatched cups that I have collected for readings as opposed to my matching china. It was very pretty and eclectic. We had quite a group and a couple of new people. Although we were scheduled only for the afternoon, the party lasted until 9pm. I’d say that was quite a success!  And the food, oh my! I won’t need to eat for a week. Not only did I have fun making things, but my husband made some dinner things (which was good as it did turn into a dinner party) and everyone brought some goodies as well. It was great to relax among friends. Much needed.

Tea Salon for Lammas

Tea Salon for Lammas

tea party set uptea party prayers

The Tea Party I hosted this past Sunday was all about celebrating Lammas. We ate wonderful canopies of fresh vegetables, banana muffins, cherry cornbread and so much more. I even made a special apple tea. The most wonderful thing that happened, however was an impromptu ritual. Some of my guests had recently married. During their wedding, their guests made tobacco ties with wishes for them. They brought them along and we burned them while drumming and sent all the prayers for their new life together up to Spirit on the smoke. The perfect time of year to harvest those prayers for them! It was beautiful! I hope everyone has a wonderful Lammas this August 1st. May you begin to harvest all the best things in your life!