Autumn Tea Sessions

By Stuart Roland (@steepful)

The shortening days and the cool winds of autumn bring the leaves to the ground and tea leaves to my cup. A warm cup of tea complements the cool air and reminds one that the small comforts of life are still available as the seasons change; in fact they become even more important. While many mourn the passing of summer, autumn can be a time to refocus on the habits and pursuits that renew and reinvigorate oneself. For me, the practice of drinking tea outdoors is one of the most important aspects of taking care of myself, as a quiet and deeply refreshing moment of my day to quiet my mind and refocus on the present moment, on the physical senses, on the changing seasons around me. For me, autumn is a time to refocus on my tea practice to remind myself that even with the coming winter, there is still warmth.

While I'm sure everyone is familiar with how cozy it can be to drink a warm cup of tea indoors on a cool autumn day, I would encourage anyone who hasn't had the experience to get out under the thinning canopy and have a tea session outdoors. There are many parallels between the autumnal forest and tea. The cool, often damp, swirling air full of leaves outside reflect the warm, swirling water and leaves within your cup. The familiar smells of fallen leaves compliment the rich, earthy scents of tea.

Indeed, fall is one of the most fragrant seasons in the forest, at least in the deciduous Northwoods. The gentle wafts of fresh decay that rise up from the newly fallen leaf litter surprise me every year with how pleasant and refreshing they are. Gentle but complex, they are unmistakable signs of the changing seasons. The scents of freshly fallen leaves are comforting in the same way the pleasant, familiar aromas of your favorite cup of tea are. Having a tea session out in the woods will naturally draw your attention to the often complex, grounding aromas of the environment. As you savor your tea you will naturally drink in the refreshing autumn air.

Instead of dreading or avoiding the coming cold promised by autumn, I believe it is best to embrace the changing seasons and find the positives. For me, that all starts by heading out and having a warm cup of tea out amidst the swirling gusts of falling leaves.