The “Magic Hour” is a time at sunrise and sunset when there is a beautiful glow that illuminates the atmosphere and sky around us. One evening I watched the full moon rising over Ojai on one side of the Valley as the sun was setting on the other and felt the magic of our spinning planet—I realized we could mark these moments in each of our days with a simple tea ceremony. In the morning tea ceremony we could set an intention for the day and share tea with our loved ones before we all rush off to work and school, and in the evening we can create a ritual of easing into night in the same way-through tea. I loved how the name “Magic Hour” set a tone for a special time we could set aside to feel the miracle-the magic- of our lives on this planet as it spins through the cosmos and become more mindful of the precious days we have here on Earth. 

We source from small organic and Biodynamic farmers in Sri Lanka, India, Africa, China and Japan. The Sri Lankan farm that grows the base of most of our blends is where I was married, our tea workers threw our wedding in their small Lakshmi Temple in the tea garden. I have a direct relationship to most of our farmers and find the greatest joy in buying their most precious small batch artisan teas.

In the high-country of Sri Lanka in the pristine Idulgashinna Bio Tea Garden perched above a wildlife preserve is where you’ll find me this spring, working with our growers on some new style leaves and teas to use to naturally dye our new kimono line. It was the first tea garden to become certified Biodynamic and organic in the world, and is home to our family of farmers and growers whose respect towards nature and one another has become the gold standard of tea estates all over the world. We also source from small organic family gardens in Taiwan, Rwanda, India, Yunnan, Kyoto and Kagoshima, Japan.

Tea ceremony is a mindfulness practice that helps calm your nervous system and focus your mind. It’s like a moving meditation where all of the senses are soothed and I have created several tea ceremonies with different focuses. I have ceremonies for finding calm, finding purpose, and creating connection. There are ceremonies I have designed for self-love, banishing self-doubt, and learning how to create boundaries. I have ceremonies I’ve created for lovers to create closer connection and for families to bond. There are so many I have adapted from ancient methods of tea into modern life, it’s truly a gift.

Magic Hour was born from the brilliance of tea ceremony. Tea ceremony is a sacred ceremonial practice and is a way to reconnect with our innate wisdom. It reminds our subconscious of the flow of life, aligned and intentional. Every Monday, I host a virtual tea ceremony which includes guided meditations and a weekly oracle reading all from the comfort of one’s home.