Have you ever heard of ceremonial cacao?
It’s a lot different from regular cocoa.
Ceremonial cacao is natural, and it has many health benefits. Besides, the magic of cacao is that it allows you to reconnect with your Highest Self, your divine essence.
Cacao has a long history of use in Mesoamerican and South American cultures. It is famous for its healing properties, both physical and spiritual.
If you want to know more about ceremonial cacao, here you will find some of its benefits and how can you start.
Ready? Let’s jump right in!
What is ceremonial cacao?
What makes cacao "ceremonial" is the heart-opening experience that it produces and the production process that the cacao bean goes through.
To be considered "ceremonial," a cacao product must be organic, ethically sourced, and minimally or traditionally processed pure cacao bean paste.
Different cultures drink cacao in ceremonies because of its capacity to induce an intense body state. The heart-opening sensation makes individuals feel more open, receptive, and vulnerable. When we feel that way, it makes us more likely to identify something in our lives that needs to change, which is why ceremony occurs in the first place: to catalyze change.
Why ceremonial cacao?
Cacao acts as an antidepressant
Cacao has many benefits because of the neurotransmitter modulating agents that serve as natural antidepressants. Cacao's high valeric acid concentration inhibits stress hormones while simultaneously activating the production of the "bliss molecules": dopamine, anandamide, and the endorphin phenylethylamine.
Cacao also includes the essential amino acid tryptophan, which helps us stay cheerful and happy by increasing the production of serotonin, a key brain neurotransmitter. Cacao's neurotransmitters also stay in the system for a long time after consumption, resulting in a natural antidepressant effect. Its theobromine and caffeine raise energy levels and relieve fatigue.
Cacao produces a natural high
Cacao includes anandamide, often known as the bliss molecule. When you get a workout "high," your body creates an endogenous ligand called anandamide. Anandamide is a natural pleasure chemical that binds to cannabinoid receptor sites of the cells of the nervous system.
The name "anandamide" comes from the Sanskrit word "ananda," which means "bliss, joy, delight."
Although cacao contains a small amount of caffeine, it is very different from coffee.
Coffee contains a high concentration of caffeine that stimulates the nervous system and may cause a jittery "buzz." On the other hand, ceremonial cacao contains a high concentration of theobromine, that stimulates the cardiovascular system and can provide a warm and uplifting "hum."
When compared to coffee, cacao produces an alert yet soothing, less jittery bodily state in low dosages. At high dosages, it can produce a warm and euphoric body state. It is similar to the elation some individuals have when feeling intimately connected with life.
Cacao relieves stress
Cacao relieves stress naturally because it contains potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium, all of which are beneficial to cardiovascular health. Cacao can stimulate the production of dopamine and the endorphin phenylethylamine, both of which help to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and depression. Chocolate helps to ease emotional stress, according to scientific evidence.
Cacao gives you mental clarity
Pure cacao also has a variety of antioxidants and a significant amount of chromium, which helps keep blood sugar levels in check. Cacao also improves blood flow to the brain, increasing mental agility, awareness, and focus.
Cacao opens your heart
Cacao is a wonderful way to help you connect deeply with your inner self and others. It is famous for helping those who suffer from fear and anxieties and it brings them joy and love.
Ancient Mayan scriptures described ceremonial cacao as "heart-opening." Modern studies also reveal that theobromine, an important cacao component, can enlarge blood vessels and stimulate the heart in particular. However, this is only a scientific explanation for a profoundly spiritual inner journey.
Cacao seeks to softly touch and open up our body's emotional core, the heart chakra. The medication works by connecting us to our feelings of love, oneness, and connection. We become our actual and authentic selves, able to hear the deepest callings of our hearts from inside.
Cacao heightens meditation
Cacao aids meditation for many reasons. It helps you relax, which is essential for any meditation practice. Also, it assists you in keeping focused.
Besides, cacao expands your heart, allowing you to hear your inner knowledge and soul. You will have a deeper spiritual understanding of the realm of meditation. Drinking cacao daily means bringing calm to your mind and spirit regularly.
Cacao promotes creativity
New ideas and inspiration will flow freely. Make drinking cacao a habit, and you'll be shocked at how creative you become. Those in the creative profession will find it helpful to consume cacao daily.
Cacao heals your heart and soul
With cacao, you're one step closer to living a truly joyful life. Cacao is not only good for your health, but it's also medicine to your soul.
Cacao is a powerful plant medicine with spiritual properties that promote physical and mental wellness. It is a powerful Plant Medicine that assists us in releasing emotional blocks that no longer serve us, finding forgiveness in ourselves and others.
This plant points us in the right direction if we are stuck or fearful of making meaningful life adjustments. It also allows us to access blocked emotions, conditionings, behavioral patterns, and hidden additions that are deep inside the unconscious mind.
Mesoamerican and South American cultures, including the Mayans, Aztecs, and Spanish conquistadors, knew about the powers of cacao.
They revered cacao as an aphrodisiac, exotic food, and medicine. Its scientific name Theobroma Cacao translates to 'Food of the Gods, Thea (god), Broma (food), with the Maya term Ka'kau.'
Ceremonial cacao helps you to shift your perspective. It allows you to identify and let go of limiting beliefs, outdated patterns, past traumas, and habits that no longer serve you.
Ceremonial cacao will help you to open your heart completely, releasing and healing the energetic blockages that keep you away from living up to your highest potential. Sometimes a cacao ceremony can lead to making profound changes in our lives.
Cacao balances divine feminine and masculine energies
Cacao is also famous for balancing our divine masculine and feminine energy, in addition to its heart-opening capabilities.
We all have masculine and feminine energy in us, regardless of our gender. When these energies are out of harmony, they can cause energetic obstacles and impede us from enjoying life at its fullest.
Cacao softly harmonizes our inner masculine and feminine energy, allowing us to live a more productive and harmonious existence.
How to use ceremonial cacao
You can also make your cacao ceremony by yourself.
The general recommendation is to have 42.5 grams of shaved cacao paste or cacao pucks from our Firefly Ceremonial Cacao Collection (about 1/4 cup) to get the "ceremonial dosage."
If you are new to ceremonial cacao, start with half of this amount and see how you feel. Then, gradually increase the dosage.
When you consume ceremonial cacao, your emotional state, the environment you're in, and the people you're with may have just as much of an impact on your experience as the type and dose of cacao you drink. Choose the time and place wisely.
Cacao ceremonies are amazing experiences that will allow you to tune into the spirit of the plant. We host cacao ceremonies at our Port Credit location and we would be happy to have you join us! Email ceremony@shamansisters.com to ask about our next offering.
