This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On a crisp autumn afternoon in early October, a group of women gathered in Topanga Canyon for a serene tea ceremony, led by Ms. Elspeth. The ceremony took place under a large, shady tree on a private property off Route 27, surrounded by a tranquil atmosphere.
Ms. Elspeth had carefully prepared the setting, arranging nine white seat cushions in a neat semicircle atop a tan woven rug. A brown mat lay directly in front of her, with a set of ceramic bowls to her left and a kettle on a brazier to her right. Soft, dulcet melodies filled the air, courtesy of a discreetly placed Bluetooth speaker.
According to Ms. Elspeth, the intention of the ceremony was to harmonize with the natural elements of nature. In an email sent to the group the week prior, she encouraged participants to wear 'comfortable and natural fitting' clothes in 'soft colors/earthy tones.' The women had heeded this request, donning a beautiful green jumpsuit, a dress that looked like a canvas bag with pockets, and flowy, burnt orange balloon pants.
As the women took their spots on the cushions, Ms. Elspeth carefully prepared the tea. She rinsed each ceramic bowl with water, describing this as a 'physical and energetic cleansing' for her guests to witness. Then, she brewed the first pot of tea and poured it quickly down the line of bowls.
Ms. Elspeth then placed each bowl in front of its corresponding guest, making unsparing eye contact with everyone. The women responded with a range of gestures, from clasping their hands together to bowing slightly. Once everyone had a bowl, they reached out with two hands and brought the tea to their grateful mouths. The tea was hot and pleasant, but its flavor was fleeting, tasting like hot water with a hint of sourness.
