The Strange Background of a Popular Herbal Tea Brand
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Chapter 1: The Origins of Celestial Seasonings
When one thinks of tea, black or green varieties are often the first to come to mind. These types derive from the Camellia sinensis plant. In contrast, herbal teas, such as those produced by Celestial Seasonings—a Boulder, Colorado-based company—are distinct in their composition. Established over 50 years ago, Celestial Seasonings gained fame with its Sleepytime blend, crafted from chamomile, spearmint, and various herbs, and notably, it contains no caffeine.
The company's journey began in 1969 when a group of young enthusiasts foraged wild herbs in the Rocky Mountains, ultimately leading to the creation of their signature blend. Initially named Mo's 36, Sleepytime was introduced to food co-ops and health stores, quickly rising in popularity. At the time, herbal teas were relatively unknown, but this innovative mix sparked a surge of interest. Over the years, Celestial Seasonings expanded its offerings, introducing other varieties like Red Zinger, and has since grown to become one of the leading herbal tea brands globally.
The founders, Mo Siegel and John Hay, were just teenagers when they embarked on this venture. Their shared passion for herbal teas was coupled with an interest in New Age spiritual philosophies, particularly those described in a lesser-known text known as The Urantia Book.
Section 1.1: The Urantia Book's Influence
In the early 20th century Chicago, Dr. William Sadler and his wife, both physicians, encountered a neighbor who would occasionally enter trances. During these episodes, a celestial spirit allegedly spoke through him, sharing profound religious concepts. Over time, these communications were compiled into a substantial volume titled The Urantia Book, published in 1955, which remains authorless, though some speculate that Dr. Sadler may have authored it himself.
This extensive work, spanning over 2,000 pages, merges themes from religion, science, and reincarnation. It explores the origins of the universe, the history of Urantia (the name given to Earth by the celestial entity), and the idea of a Thought Adjuster—a divine spark guiding human thoughts. The text posits that Earth is the 606th planet in the Satania system, with Jerusalem as its capital.
One notable portion of the book details the life of Jesus Christ, including previously unrecorded aspects of his youth. While aligning with many New Testament accounts, it challenges traditional narratives, such as claiming that Jesus did not perform miracles like walking on water and was not born of a virgin. Instead, it asserts that he was a reincarnation of "Michael of Nebadon," one of many divine beings inhabiting various planets.
Critics have raised concerns about the book's implications, particularly regarding its promotion of eugenics, a belief in the purification of races, with passages discussing the "renovation of the racial stocks." Dr. Sadler authored several books on this controversial topic.
Mo Siegel acknowledged that The Urantia Book significantly influenced his management style at Celestial Seasonings. According to journalist Megan Giller's 2016 report, Siegel expressed beliefs that figures like Jesus and Adam and Eve were extraterrestrial beings who visited Earth, and he suggested that poor health stems from evil influences.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Evolution of Celestial Seasonings
After leaving Celestial Seasonings in 1985, John Hay ventured into other business endeavors. In 2000, Celestial Seasonings merged with the Hain Food Group, forming the Hain Celestial Group, a conglomerate managing numerous health food brands. Siegel retired two years later, but he remains active as a trustee of the Urantia Foundation, which claims to safeguard the teachings of The Urantia Book. Despite these connections, Celestial Seasonings itself appears to operate independently of the book or its foundation.
Chapter 2: A Look at Corporate Casket
The video title is "Sleepy Time Tea's Weird Cult? | Corporate Casket - YouTube." In this segment, the unusual affiliations of Celestial Seasonings and its founders are explored, shedding light on the company's intriguing past and the spiritual beliefs that may have influenced its creation.