What You Need to Know About Ceremonial Cacao

Cacao ceremonies are becoming more and more popular, as people look for alternative antidotes to overcome the challenges in our chaotic lives. So, what do you need to know about ceremonial cacao and why is this such a powerful healing ritual?

Cacao has been used in ceremonies by many American ancient tribes, long before we learned how to make chocolate out of it. Its great source of health benefits has been proved by many cacao takers to nourish our physical and energetic bodies.

Cacao comes from South and Central America, where the ancient Mayan civilisation occupied the Western land of the Andes Mountains. The aroma and magical benefits of the cacao trees captured the attention of the Mayan tribe. The ancient Mayans of Belize treated cacao as the “Food of the God”.

What is ‘cacao’?

Cacao isn’t what’s used in your favourite chocolate bar.

The word ‘cacao’ originally comes from the Mayan words Ka’kau, which means to drink chocolate together. Cacao (pronounced “cu-COW”) refers to the Theobroma Cacao tree from which Cocoa is derived and is used when referring to unprocessed versions of the cacao bean.

When it comes to cacao ceremonies, cacao and cocoa are often mistaken. Both cacao and cocoa come from the same source: the cacao fruit that produces pods filled with beans. The differences between cacao and cocoa lie in the processing.

Cacao is a pure form; its nutrients are still maintained during the processing procedure. This is the reason why cacao is chosen as the ingredient for the cacao drink in ceremonies.

Cacao is a superfood

Superfoods contain significantly higher quantities of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other health boosting, anti-aging, dis-ease fighting goodness. Cacao increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to strengthen awareness and focus. It helps the body to heal, detoxify and to give your immune system a good boost. The experience of raw chocolate can also assist in energetic healing and receiving clarity in the areas of love, purpose, intuitive abilities, career and personal growth.

Cacao is also renowned for releasing dopamine and endorphins in the body, which soothe the symptoms of PMS, as well as depression, by boosting our mood. Cacao contains anandamide, which is known as the bliss molecule. This is the same thing produced in your body when you work out and you feel a rush of good energy.

It’s also naturally packed with caffeine, which acts as a burst of energy, and is said to enhance creativity, and encourage deep meditation.

Let’s talk about cacao ceremonies

The Mayans and Aztecs were organising cacao ceremonies for centuries. Nowadays, conscious communities gain knowledge about this spiritual ritual and conduct cacao ceremonies around the world. The ceremony compliments the potential of cacao as a gateway to explore and touch the depth of our soul. Embracing such profoundness in your soul is a guide to create a finer healing ability and remembrance.

Shamanic healing is one of the oldest healing practices. In Pura Vida Your Life Ceremonies we help you to re-balance the energies within you and restore good health. We sit in a circle, holding a safe and sacred space, drink ceremonial cacao, and invite cacao to connect and inspire each of us individually and collectively. In this safe space, we use music, we let go of anything heavy, meditate, set intentions, focus on inner reflection, give thanks for all the abundance in our lives and go on a deep inward journey with the beat of the comforting sacred drum, the beat of which is thought to be the heartbeat of our blessed Mother Earth. Each ceremony is unique and always brings about self-discovery and changes in our thoughts, emotions and actions.

Through opening the heart, cacao enables us to hear our true self, work through blockages and past traumas, and to dissolve any pent-up negative energy. It helps us to align with who we truly are.

It’s also a wonderful opportunity to give ourselves mental and physical space and peace. Switching off, and retreating inwards, helps you to learn more about yourself, and to gain clarity on where you are and where you’re headed.

Here are some of the benefits of ceremonial cacao:

Cacao Opens Your Heart

This fruit is a great method for helping you deeply connect with your inner self and others by opening your heart. People living with anxiety and fears find more joy and love by using cacao more often.

Cacao Heightens Meditation

Cacao opens your heart, the gateway to hear your inner spirit and wisdom. You will experience the world of meditation at a higher spiritual level. Choosing to live with cacao means you are bringing peace to your mind and soul daily.

Cacao Develops Your Creativity

New inspiration and ideas will flow with ease. It’s time to forget about the invisible obstacles that keep you away from throwing your true self into the playground of life! Make drinking cacao your new habit and you will be surprised at how creative you are.

Cacao Enhances Energy

Cacao is very nutrient-dense, which is an energy boost for your body. Who needs coffee when you’ve already had cacao? It grants you the energy you need for your day and throughout your life.

Cacao Clarifies Your Mentality

During a cacao ceremony, you will be fully aware of where you are and everything around you. You will wake up all the skills, talents, passions, and aspirations that have long been forgotten.

Cacao Brings Peace

Cacao helps you to let go of anything that has become burdensome on your shoulder. It encourages you to return to the positive part of you that you may have forgotten.

Cacao Heals Your Body and Soul

With cacao you can get closer to the genuinely happy life you want. You see your targets and passions clearly. Accordingly, it lightens the burdensome on your shoulder to bring you closer to your dreams. Not only is cacao a medicine to your body, but it’s also the cure your spirit needs.

Cacao is a feminine power that can help you see that life is meant to be fun; this is what we’re here for.

Allow yourself to fully surrender to this energy. Step into a higher dimension, where you realise that nothing here on earth is permanent.

All of life is simply a game to be enjoyed right here, right now.

Learning to open our hearts is the most important thing we can do as human beings. This allows us to open wide to our true potential, be vulnerable, and embrace our authentic selves.

It is through discovering who we really are, that we can reach our highest potential; and create the most beautiful life for ourselves, and those around us.

The more we connect to love and awareness in ourselves, the more we can make more loving and conscious choices for the greater good.

Are you ready to take your first step towards a happier, healthier, more fulfilled and conscious life?

Come and join me for live in-person monthly Shamanic Cacao & Sacred Drum Journeying Ceremonies in Coventry and Kenilworth. Book here

For more details about one-to-one and private group sessions, please contact me directly.

Thank you for joining me and I look forward to seeing you again next week for Pura Vida Your Life Happenings for insight, inspiration and more Golden Gifts and Deeper Wisdom to help you live a happier, healthier and more conscious life.

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Pura Vida Your Life – it all starts with you 🧡💙💛

Until next time – Pura Vida!