Honey from the Sky

The morning after I met Eve, she led a tea ceremony. I sat across from her in the peaceful home where we were gathered on retreat. She spoke softly, her eyes downcast. “Tea is a gentle teacher.” I watched the slanting morning light catch the rising steam. “Tea comes to your house. Other plant medicines make you go to theirs.”

Her words seemed to draw us in, to close our circle, and sing a deeper note into the space. “As we begin, hold an intention or question, something to ground you in the rounds to come.” I wondered, what is my role within my work?

The ceremony began. She filled each bowl with steaming water, swilled, and poured the water out. She filled the teapot from the kettle, her hand resting on its lid. She filled each bowl with tea, and the last droplets fell like rain.

She never stopped moving, yet she never hurried.

As she turned the bowls, just slow enough to know it was with care, Eve made the only eye contact of the ceremony. When our eyes met, I felt like she was barely there, like the tea, that gentle medicine, was looking through her eyes. She was clear enough inside to step out of the way.

I picked up my bowl, lifted it to my mouth, and drank deeply from the steam. The tea smelled like rich, dark earth. I took a sip. I let out a slow exhale.

The power of the ceremony took time to reveal. It was not the first round, when I was conscious of the tea, the bowl, the steam that brushed my cheek, as I thought, I help people tell stories.

It was not the second round, when I felt the group shifting, settling on their cushions, clearing their throats, as I thought, but what do I really give?

It was in the third round, when all thought was gone. I was the sun pouring over the earth, the tea trees drinking it, the hands that picked the leaves. I was the water, singing, boiling, greeting the tea in that old dance. Behind Eve’s movements, I saw a thousand generations who wondered at the mystery rising with the steam.

When the last round was poured, the water round, only then did she speak. Her voice was soft, her eyes downcast.

“Every element is present in this ceremony. The water that steeps the tea, the fire that heats it, the earth that forms the cups and kettle. The wood—the leaves of the tea.

“But where is the metal, you might ask? The metal is in the protocols.”

There it was, in the motions of the pour, the swirling of the liquid, the way the cups were turned.

“It is rigor and order, sword and wing.”

This, I realized. This is what I give.

—

Later that day, Eve and I talked about her work. She was a ceremonialist, an animist, a Daoist, and a teacher. All this I knew. Then she said, “There’s one more thing. I feel called to write a book.”

I thought, I hope we work together. I hope she lets me push her. I wondered how her greatness would take form.

—

For the past year, it has been an honor and joy to work closely with Eve as she writes hat will be a great work of her life. She is the ancient tea, the pure water, the living flame. I am the metal—the structure, the boundary, the clean edge. Our work together forms the clay, the vessel that holds us both.

What a ceremony it has been.

—

Honey from the Sky

• I’m thrilled to share this first episode of Hana’s podcast, featuring Eve reading a newly finished work, reflections on the story, and a discussion of storytelling craft. I hope you find it as enlivening as I did. It’s a true privilege to listen Eve read.

Upcoming Events

• Parables of Change—the next cohort begins July 6th. Are you called to tell your story? Sign up soon. The early bird special ends June 6th.

• Hana Showcases: Three exquisite readings are on the docket for June, Annie Coleman on June 3rd, Eve Bradford on June 9th, and Chief Beverly Cook on June 17th. I can’t recommend these live readings enough—they’re such deep medicine.

Private Coaching

• I’ve opened a limited number of spots for 1:1 work with clients. Are you called to hone your storytelling craft, grow your power and integrate your past? It would be my honor to support you.

Your Reflections

• Do you find these posts fulfilling? What could be improved? What are you seeking in your own storytelling, meaning-making, or spiritual journey in this time? I’m grateful for your feedback.