Red Lantern Festival
So, apparently some random little boy accidentally killed the pet swan of a local folk diety one day, long, long ago. As a punishment, the enraged diety planned to kill the boy, his family, and his entire village. Moved to action, the beautiful Fairy Moon Goddess flew down from the heavens to warn the little village of their impending doom. She had them light the night sky with bright red lanterns - to make it look like fire - to which she convinced the deity that he had already burned down the town... thus saving the village. The end.
As for the poetry of the moment, take it easy. It's still so early in the year - be okay with things not being okay. This is a phase of chaos, not order. For you to expect perfection before a process can even percolate, is pushing it. Let life gets messy. Wanting everything perfect right from the start is a great way to ensure that nothing will ever get finished to satisfaction.
To make this make sense, learn to lighten up. Mistakes happen, and this is arguably the best time to have them - God forbid you carry these flaws with you into Winter. It makes sense to kick out these kinks before they snowball into something far worse. Don't let a little mishap ruin the bigger picture.
⧠How to Red Light Right â§
Paint the Town Red: Make your life festive and bright.
Eat Sticky Rice Balls: It's a delicious tradition that goes way back.
Watch the Lion Dances: The good ones actually have a personality.
Solve Little Riddles: Keep your brain and body sharp for Spring!
Light Up the Sky: Hang big red lanterns and pop fireworks!
The Year's Not New Anymore!
Contents
ã»Shifu Says: A brief word from our head teacher, Shifu David Wei.
ã»Flavor of the Month: A new month means we get a new tea flavor!
ã»The Daoist Calendar: Special holidays and how to observe them.
ã»Learning Courtesy: Hijinks and harmony with Gretchen and Grace.
ã»Astrology and Tea: This episode was recorded with an audience!
ã»Final Fortune Cookie: Big wit and wisdom from a tiny little idiom.
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⧠Shifu Says â§
On Sunday afternoon, February 22nd, I was fortunate enough to attend my late Tui Na teacher, Brian Odea's memorial. His cozy little Berkeley cottage was filled to the gills with familiar faces, many of which I hadn't seen in over 20 years! It was like walking into a time machine - putting me right back into massage school all over again. The event left me flooded with nostalgia.
I was joined by disciple, Eileen, Yue Xiu, "Wayfarer of Moonlit Excellence," to the memorial. It was really special for me to bring an inheritor. Of course I brought fresh flowers, sweet memories, and warm condolences - but I was the only one to bring progeny to the party. At least in my view, what better way to honor the ashes of my late teacher than to foster his flame forward through a new generation of healers?
Brian was special. He rode the line between humanity and magic - a true mystic journeyman. This guy clearly lived life right. Brian inspired me to set sail on a wonderful life of song and dance. He taught me to catch a wind of heartfelt purpose by way of simple, selfless service. Brian was truly special. He was a real-life, walking, talking angel - here to remind us that we all have wings too. Thank you, Sifu. I promise to keep singing your songs.
ð¶ Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen ð¶
Flavor of the Month
As the Fire Horse year begins to stir, we reach for a tea worthy of lighting the path forward. This monthâs Torchlight Gong Mei Mini Brick, feels perfect. Harvested from feral tea trees, established in the 50's and cultivated under strict Buddhist protocols, these leaves have lived largely on their own terms. No watering, no pruning, no artificial encouragement - just nature, time, and mountain air to shape their bustling character. 
In the cup, the leaves reveal a gentle maturity. Aromas of raisin, pear, and jujube unfold over crisp mineral clarity. This delicate palette is followed by a lingering sweetness reminiscent of baked apple pie. It's both grounding and uplifting - the kind of tea that steadies the breath and eases the mind. There is no better beverage to meet a Metal Tiger Moon in a Fire Horse Year, as it maintains both the brilliance of fire and the reflective clarity of metal.
Perhaps the most fitting element is its form. Each white mini brick arrives like a literal clean slate, a small foundation to build the year upon. Break into it slowly, steep it deeply, and let each infusion mark intention after intention. Whether you drink it now or set some aside to mature, this tea invites you to begin again - with torchlight in hand and the road wide open before you.
⧠Just the Tea Club â§
- Just Get the Tea. Nothing Else
- Try it Out, One Month at a Time
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Daoist Holidays
First/Square Moon: Yang Metal Tiger
Qi Node: Rain Water
Holiday: Red Lantern Festival
Forgive Your Parents, Forgive Familiars, Forgive Yourself
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