Ceremonial Cacao, or Ceremonial - Grade Cacao paste, as it is also known, is much more than just chocolate. It contains health restoring, mood elevating and consciousness altering compounds such as theobromine, serotonin, calcium and magnesium as well as many others that when consumed generate a particular heart warming sensation in the body.
Its active ingredients include theobromine, which translates in Mayan culture as, 'Food of the Gods'. It has been used for thousands of years in ceremony and rituals as a way of connecting to ourselves, and opening our heart. Cacao is SELF LOVE, and self love is our greatest medicine.
It is made by fermenting the beans, slightly heating them and hand peeling them before grinding them down on a heated mill resulting in a powder that congeals to make a paste.
A ceremonial dose of Cacao is 40g it becomes a powerful plant medicine that calms the mind and reconnects us to feelings of love, peace and connection. In a shamanic journey I help people to connect to the spirit of cacao to release blockages around the heart and heal emotional wounds.
Cacao when consumed creates a heart warming and heart opening sensation, it brings a uniquely expansive, elevated, yet peaceful mental state. She helps us consciously explore our own inner world so that we can access healing, and lasting transformation, bringing us to our true nature and giving us a sense of joy.
Brewing Cacao
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Ceremonial Cacao paste chopped or grated. max dose is 40g (always consult a doctor before taking any medicines)
A Medicine Cup, choose a special cup that you only use for your cacao.
A cup of filtered Water.
A whisk for mixing.
Your choice of sweetener if desired. (maple syrup, organic agave syrup, raw honey).
Caynee pepper or chilli.
I love to add other spices such as cinnamon and clove, but experiment with other delicious spices .
RITUAL
Start by cleansing all of your tools using smoke (palo santo, incense or sage) use your breath, or a feather, or your hand to move the smoke over all the tools and cacao.
Place the water in a saucepan and gently heat ,once simmering add the cacao and whisk slowly in a clockwise direction, do not let the water boil.
At this stage set an intention into your cacao. What do you need assistance with? How do you want to feel? What do you want to experience.
Once the cacao is fully melted add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli which activates the spirit of cacao and sets your intention.
Add sweetener and other spices if you desire and once you are happy with the taste pour into your medicine cup.
Find somewhere to sit and bring your Cacao to your heart and take a moment to feel the energy of Maestra Cacao, her warmth , her sweetness and call in your intention and prayer for the day.
Take a sip and feel the Cacao spirit and your prayer filling your being. Know that what you have asked for is done. Trust you will receive what you have asked for. All you need to do is watch for the signs and give thanks as they appear.
Give gratitude to the spirit of cacao and now mindfully enjoy your delicious medicine.
Have an amazing day and stay mindful of your morning prayer and intention as you move through your day.