A New Rhythm, A New Year, A New Horse

First... thank you.

I truly mean that.

After asking for your feedback about the daily tea articles, so many of you wrote back with thoughtful, kind responses. Some of you loved the daily rhythm, but many of you shared honestly that one email a day can feel overwhelming with schedules, responsibilities, and the general busyness of life.

And that makes complete sense.

Tea is meant to ground life, not add to the noise.

So we’re going to try something new.

Instead of daily tea reflections, I’ll now be writing one tea article each week, and we’ll see how that rhythm feels for all of us. Please keep sharing your thoughts with me, this is a journey we’re shaping together.

Now, speaking of new rhythms…

I'm so excited to announce The Year of the Fire Horse

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse in Chinese astrology and this is no small energy shift.

The Horse in Chinese astrology represents:

• movement

• independence

• vitality

• courage

• forward momentum

• personal freedom

Horse years tend to feel fast, alive, and unpredictable. Things move. Decisions accelerate. People feel pulled toward change and action.

Add the Fire element, and the energy intensifies.

A Fire Horse year happens once every sixty years and it brings passion, transformation, confidence, bold expression, creative force and emotional heat

Put Horse and Fire together, and you get a year that says: “Move forward. Be brave. Live fully.”

Fire Horse years are known for awakening independence and pushing people toward authenticity. They can feel exciting, energizing, and occasionally overwhelming — like life has turned up the volume just a little. It’s a year of momentum, courage, and choosing your own path.

And that kind of energy deserves a tea to match.

This Week’s Tea: Fire Horse Tea

All week, I’ll be drinking the 2026 Year of the Fire Horse Tea from Harney & Sons ,which feels like the perfect ceremonial companion to this astrological moment.

The blend includes:

• black tea

• toasted rice

• sesame seeds

• coconut pieces

• caramel flavor

It’s earthy, warm, nutty, and slightly sweet. Seriously, I didn't even know that rice could be made into a tea!  But all of this is exactly what Fire Horse energy needs.

Black tea provides strength and structure. It's the steady foundation that keeps Fire Horse momentum from turning into burnout. It’s alertness with stability.

Toasted rice brings grounding. It connects the blend to the earth, to nourishment, to the body. It’s the reminder to stay rooted even while moving forward.

Sesame seeds carry ancient symbolism of vitality, longevity, and wisdom. They add depth, small but powerful, just like the tiny decisions that shape big years.

Coconut softens the blend, bringing warmth and emotional sweetness. Fire energy can be intense, and coconut reminds us to stay open-hearted while moving boldly.

Caramel ties everything together with warmth, comfort, and a sense of reward. The taste of encouragement.

Together, this tea feels like motion with grounding, passion with nourishment, courage with comfort. Seriously, is this a blend for tea or an ancient recipe for success this year! 

I love that this new weekly rhythm for the tea articles begins alongside the Fire Horse year. It feels aligned with intentional movement.

And I want to thank you again for being part of this tea journey with me, for reading, responding, reflecting, and sharing space in this small ritual we’re building together.

It means more than you know.

As the cup empties, the tea seems to cheer me on saying: “Let's GO!  I step into the next chapter of my life with courage, clarity, and living fire!

Here’s to this new Fire Horse year, to courage, warmth, steady cups of tea, and the journey we’re continuing together.

Two caveats I must also note...

1. We are also experiencing a solar eclipse today, so rather than taking day one of this new year by storm, approach it softly, first doing the inner work to release any burdens that are holding you back.

You might like to be aware of this consciously and say aloud... "I release timelines built from fear, obligation, and exhaustion. I return to the living fire of my true path.”

2. Happy Mardi Gras to all my Louisiana family and friends and to all lovers of all things New Orleans! Laissez les bon temps rouler cher'. I'm celebrating both holidays here at the cottage today so things could get a little wild and crazy lol. If you'd like to know more about New Orleans, check out my book, Spirits of New Orleans: Supernatural Spells, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead 

With warmth, humor and deep intention, your tea-totaling sommelier,
Kala 

Kala Ambrose
Wisdom Teacher, Intuitive Interior Designer & Oracle of Energy
https://www.exploreyourspirit.com/

Thank you for joining me here on this journey . Please share this newsletter with others whom you think might benefit from the information.