STERLING ETHOS and the distinctive Sterling Ethos logo are registered trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

© 2024 Chloé Zarka Grinsnir

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ISBN 978-1-4549-5557-3

ISBN 978-1-4549-5558-0 (e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024933112

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Cover and interior design by Stacy Wakefield Forte

Cover and interior art by Chloé Zarka Grinsnir

To Mr. Fox,for planting agarden in whichI could grow.

INTRODUCTION

When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment.

—MURIEL BARBERY, THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG

There is beauty in the mundane, in the simple act of drinking vanilla tea during a cold winter evening or adding a little pinch of cinnamon to your hot chocolate, and feeling your home being wrapped in warm, comforting scents. There is poetry when you brew an iced tea on the hottest day of August and watch condensation create little transparent pearls on your glass, or when you bake the bread you have watched rise slowly on your windowsill.

That is witchcraft to me.

Witchcraft is stored in the little moments of life; it can be found in something as simple as a cup of tea. Waking up and stirring your morning Earl Grey can be your own little dose of magic, a peaceful pause before the day starts.

Witchcraft is all about intent and mindfulness. Nothing in life is trivial, and nothing is unimportant. Everything has a meaning. Lemon can cleanse negative energy, cinnamon symbolizes abundance, and simply putting a bay leaf in your wallet can attract money your way. All the little things that surround you already have magic in them.

I discovered witchcraft at a time when everything was changing in my life. I had just started working as a freelance illustrator while simultaneously moving to a new country, and suddenly everything felt new and strange. Witchcraft became a way for me to feel in control. It was the reminder that I had power, and I found great comfort in the notion that even little actions done with a lot of intent could impact my life positively.

One of the first spells I ever did was the simplest of things. After waking up and making myself a cup of coffee, I stirred it clockwise and focused on what I wanted to attract that day: peace, happiness, creativity. And just like that, with that simple motion, I was doing witchcraft.

Tea has always brought me a sense of comfort; it is a constant companion in my life. Even when I was a kid, there was the cup of tea with a splash of milk my mom had every morning. Then, there was often a cup of tea next to me, keeping me warm during sleepless nights when I was studying for art school. And the cup of tea my grandmother poured me after lunch, in her pretty china. Adding magic to my cups immediately felt like the most natural way to practice magic. I already had a mug on my desk, and suddenly, my steaming mug of chamomile was more than just that. It was also a manifestation of my own power.

so, what is tea witchcraft?

Many seemingly disparate crafts can cross paths and belong to multiple categories. Tea witchcraft is often seen as part of the more general practice of kitchen witchcraft, which centers around cooking and the act of making food to create spells and manifest things into your life. This book, however, will focus on tea alone.

Tea witchcraft has always felt like a such a powerful way to practice witchcraft to me. The act of preparing a cup and then drinking feels so potent, intimate, and palpable. Spellwork can seem abstract at times, but holding a cup of tea in your hands and feeling the warmth and enjoying the smell surrounding you is such a grounding moment of magic.

Just like with kitchen witchcraft, the power of tea magic exists in the ingredients and the choices you make when brewing your cup of tea. For that reason, this book will focus on the meanings and magical properties of various teas and all the ingredients you might add to your cup, like milk and honey. And to inspire and guide you in your practice, I will share some tea spell recipes you can try at home.

Tea witchcraft can also be part of the art of divination, as tasseomancy has been used as a way to see into the future for centuries. It is a divination method that consists in the reading of tea leaves, and while it is a complex practice, I will try to offer a brief introduction to it in the last part of the book.

I believe that tea witchcraft is perfect for beginners and seasoned witches alike. It is such a great way to start adding some witchcraft to your everyday life! With just a cup, anyone can create their own spells or simply boost their day with an extra touch of magic. Picking the right tea, stirring it, adding milk, or your own dried herbs … All these little actions are already witchcraft, as long as you do them mindfully.

I hope you will enjoy this little journey through the magic of tea!