why drink cacao and why in ceremony?

WHY DRINK CACAO AND WHY IN CEREMONY?

Cacao has recently seen a huge surge in interest as more and more people are realising its many benefits for mind, body and spirit. Its essence is a beautiful and natural medicine for the heart, bringing us into balance with our emotions, with each other and with the planet.

‘It is said, by the indigenous people who know the power of cacao, that when man and Mother Earth become out of balance Mama Cacao will speak to our hearts and bring us back to kindness and equilibrium, returning the planet to a state of harmony.’

The main ingredient in chocolate, pure cacao is choc full of  health benefits. A warming cup of the rich liquid packs a powerful punch of high-quality, anti-oxidant polyphenols that boost cardiovascular health and lift your mood. It’s a natural, delicious (and legal) way to get your happy buzz on, containing amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamin, which  increase feelings of wellbeing and can alleviate depression.

Plus, the organic, raw cacao paste we use in our Sussex Cacao Ceremonies has more calcium than cow’s milk, at 160mg per 100g vs only 125mg per 100ml of milk. Maybe it’s time to swap that latte for a cup of cacao!

Experiencing a cacao ceremony is a chance to take time out of our frantic lives, where the tranquil stillness of a candlelit yurt supports you as you slowly sip the heart-opening, happiness-inducing elixir. Connecting with cacao in this way can help us through difficult times by holding us in high vibration, encouraging us to meet everything with more love and flow with life’s natural rhythm rather than fighting against it.

Many of us are stuck in our minds, wanting to analyse, to find proof, to find the thing or teacher that will make sense of life’s challenges and confusion. But there is another way. A long time ago, we lived in sync with the natural world and the energy of the universe. Then a huge shift in consciousness led us away from nature and humanity immersed itself in matters of the mind, intently focused on mental, abstract and mathematical thinking, wedded to man-made linear time.

Believing we were separate from nature we lost a lot along the way. We only have to witness what is going on in the world to see that we live in state of severe delusion that dictates that nature is for domination and exploitation - to our detriment.

Cacao is a loving intelligence with unique feminine, nurturing qualities. Her alchemy works through a deep sense of knowing and feeling in our bodies rather than the cerebral, analytical way we are used to.  Sitting in ceremony with cacao, bringing the mind back to the wonderful present moment and letting the heart, body and soul open to love, our spirit thanks us for reconnecting to our natural selves once again.

Of course, the experience of cacao will be unique for everyone - sometimes she envelopes you, opens your heart and leads you into radiant landscapes. Sometimes she is a teacher helping you to see things more clearly. Sometimes she is a friend who tells you when it's time to let go, to surrender. Her energy can be healing, soothing, connecting, deepening, releasing or creative. But cacao always teaches you - about balance, living a more heart-centred life and the universal laws of nature.

It feels like coming home.

It feels like things are changing.

It feels like hope.