Thin tan stoneware plate holds a large pile of loose-leaf tea in a waning crescent moon shape, and a blue and brown stoneware mug with a handle that is full of tea. Plate sits on a brown plaid linen cloth. Background is a stone wall with newly sprouted hen-and-chick plants among the rocks. Lighting indicates a cold cloudy day outdoors.

Nynaeve’s Wisdom Tea

Zeela March 24, 2023November 10, 2023

One thing we hear a lot about all across the Westlands (in Wheel of Time) is tea. Only the Seanchan drink coffee (they call it “kaf”), and everyone else is very much into tea of all sorts. Today we visit the Two Rivers for a hot mug of Wisdom Tea, a specialty of the Wisdom of Emond’s Field, Nynaeve Al’Meara. This is an herbal tea with ingredients mostly grown in the Two Rivers, and cloves brought in by the summer peddlers who will arrive just after sheep-shearing time. The villagers will soon be celebrating Bel Tine, a huge party at the beginning of spring when the lambs are born and the first crop is up. This not-quite-warm weather is the perfect time to put all the dried herbs together so there is plenty of tea when everyone gathers.

Take a pause and center yourself. Get out your favorite mug, the one that makes you smile just holding it. Tea is a magic thing. Happy? Drink tea. Sad? Drink tea. The world is chaos and maybe there are monstrous trollocs or news of a war in Ghealdan? People are using the One Power to call down lighting? Drink tea. Probably avoid the trollocs and lightning though.

Important note: Make sure that all your herbs and flowers are organic / pesticide-free, so they are food-safe. If you do not garden, try joining your local Buy Nothing group and see if your neighbors do! Sharing a cup of tea is wonderful for community-building, and you might find your own friendly village circle right where you are.

Thanks to Feathered Thing and Barn Owl Nursery for the inspiration!