"Cacao isn’t a thing;
it is a multidimensional spirit energy
whose physical manifestation
is through the cacao plant.”
- Keith, the Chocolate Shaman
Cacao and Ceremony
First of all, let's make a clear distinction between Cacao and Cocoa.
Cacao refers to the raw and very minimally processed cacao beans, that can be consumed as such or in a form of a paste, which then used in preparation of chocolate drink.
Cocoa on the other hand, is a highly processed version of a cacao beans, with additive added, cacao butter extracted, and some nutrients destroyed through the process.
So, the focus of this page is to inform you about the essentials of real, ceremonial grade Cacao, and introduce you to the benefits of the chocolate elixir on one's well-being and the ceremony associated with that.
CACAO ESSENTIALS
Ceremonial Cacao is a sacred plant medicine that has been revered and used for centuries by indigenous cultures of Meso-America, like Mayans, Aztecs and others. In recent times, Cacao has been "rediscovered" by wellness communities and gains its popularity due to the effects and benefits on spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being. The effects of consuming ceremonial cacao are rather gentle, but nevertheless profound.
At the core of ceremonial cacao lies the awakening of the heart center, the seat of love and compassion.
The real Cacao considered to be a superfood, as it's nutritionally dense with biochemicals and compounds that promote the release of feeling-good serotonin and endorphins, that lead to sense of love, joy and compassion.
The main magic molecule of Cacao is Theobromine, a natural stimulant that gently elevates the heart rate and expands blood vessels. Theobromine('theo'-god and 'broma'-food in Greek) in Cacao unlocks the heart's receptivity and clears the minds pathways.
Alongside with theobromine there are two other major influencers that assist with deeper awareness, exploration, healing, elevated sense of love and joy: Anandamide("The Bliss Molecule") and Phenylethylamine("The Love Molecule").
When you sip sacred cacao(the love elixir) in ceremonial circle, you embark on the journey of self-discovery, your awareness heightens, you become more emotionally open, receptive and connected to Self and others; you feel your heart is more in sync with the rhythms of the universe and you feel love and oneness with all that is...
I discovered Real Cacao almost four years ago, when one day I stopped drinking coffee and was looking for another warm drink with more nutritious substance to it. I went through trying all sorts of powdered drinks with reishi mushrooms, turmeric, and other good stuff in it, until I landed on Keith's Cacao page. And right there and then I bought my first cacao paste AND signed up to "The power of Cacao: Practitioner Training Course", just to learn more about it and not even having any thoughts to become a practitioner. But, what is clear to me now and wasn't clear then, is that the Spirit of Cacao called me to connect to this plant medicine, learn about it, and then share it with others.
My first ever Cacao ceremony took place in a very sacred location, Chaco canyon, NM. I didn't know much about the place itself at that time, and was very new to ceremonial cacao, as I just finished the practitioners' course. But, the friend of mine, who invited us to join his Mayan fire ceremony at Chaco canyon, also asked me to do the cacao ceremony for those who will be gathered for his event. Without thinking at all I answered "yes", and only after the event and spending time on that sacred land, I "remembered" that actually it wasn't the first time that I did the ceremony with the cacao and the land itself, like living library, flooded me with the memories of the past...
So, since that moment, it was clear to me that the Spirit of Mama Cacao(as many lovingly call her) called me, as she called many others, to share her medicinal gifts and help us to live in our hearts and remember our connection to Nature... to our Earth Mother...
If you and your circle of friends, or your colleagues, or your place of work/business would like to experience the magic of ceremony with the sacred cacao, please reach out to us, and we can create a special Cacao Ceremony, just for you!