Ceremonial Cacao: Rich, Joyful Medicine for the Heart
Cacao is the main ingredient in chocolate. Cacao pods are picked from the cacao tree, an evergreen that grows in Central and South America, and parts of Africa. Some of the best ceremonial cacao - cacao used for physical healing and spiritual awakening as opposed to candy treats - is harvested in Guatemala and Ecuador.
When this traditional Mayan superfood is ground into paste and brewed as a drink that's served ceremonially (think hot chocolate, but far purer, and more potent in its effects for whole-self wellness), cacao is a gentle yet powerful heart-opening plant medicine. It brings about feelings of bliss, dissolves inhibitions around self-expression, activates creative potential, and helps us feel greater love while putting us more deeply into touch with our true desires. It is not psychedelic, but is psychoactive. Those who drink cacao remain perfectly lucid and "sober," but get a blissful buzz that's entirely beneficial for mind, body, and spirit.
A cacao ceremony is an incredible focus point or "opener" for group events, especially events in which participants want love, joy, and creative expansion to bubble up from within. The energy between participants becomes synergized, allowing people to relax and enjoy more freedom (and synchronicity!) in their interactions. It's lovely for private parties (ladies nights or co-ed gatherings), as well as being a unique, heart-opening addition to wedding ceremonies, parties for people of any age, and more.
SAFETY AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
Drinking cacao in this form is very safe for people in general, but is toxic to most pets. Those on antidepressants should take lower doses; those on MAOI inhibitors, or with heart conditions, may wish to take smaller doses or avoid drinking cacao. Pregnant or nursing women may take cacao in smaller amounts, and small doses or cacao are also safe and beneficial for children.
When this traditional Mayan superfood is ground into paste and brewed as a drink that's served ceremonially (think hot chocolate, but far purer, and more potent in its effects for whole-self wellness), cacao is a gentle yet powerful heart-opening plant medicine. It brings about feelings of bliss, dissolves inhibitions around self-expression, activates creative potential, and helps us feel greater love while putting us more deeply into touch with our true desires. It is not psychedelic, but is psychoactive. Those who drink cacao remain perfectly lucid and "sober," but get a blissful buzz that's entirely beneficial for mind, body, and spirit.
A cacao ceremony is an incredible focus point or "opener" for group events, especially events in which participants want love, joy, and creative expansion to bubble up from within. The energy between participants becomes synergized, allowing people to relax and enjoy more freedom (and synchronicity!) in their interactions. It's lovely for private parties (ladies nights or co-ed gatherings), as well as being a unique, heart-opening addition to wedding ceremonies, parties for people of any age, and more.
SAFETY AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
Drinking cacao in this form is very safe for people in general, but is toxic to most pets. Those on antidepressants should take lower doses; those on MAOI inhibitors, or with heart conditions, may wish to take smaller doses or avoid drinking cacao. Pregnant or nursing women may take cacao in smaller amounts, and small doses or cacao are also safe and beneficial for children.
Jen drumming at a cacao ceremony at the Algomah Acres Honey House & Meadery in Greenland, MI (July 2017)
OUR CACAO
Jen is currently using Belize Cacao and Ecuador Regenerative Cacao, using pure Upper Peninsula spring water for her brews. Ceremonial cacao is entirely vegan, gluten-free, and organic. The slightest touch of organic cayenne is added to make the cacao more bioavailable to the body, and to enhance its overall energetic effects. A hint of organic cinnamon is also added, along with a small amount of local honey or maple syrup.
Drinkers have the option of adding more cayenne, cinnamon, or cardamom, and extra sweetener to their drink during ceremony.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of cacao, or check out Bright Star's cacao gathering options.
Jen is currently using Belize Cacao and Ecuador Regenerative Cacao, using pure Upper Peninsula spring water for her brews. Ceremonial cacao is entirely vegan, gluten-free, and organic. The slightest touch of organic cayenne is added to make the cacao more bioavailable to the body, and to enhance its overall energetic effects. A hint of organic cinnamon is also added, along with a small amount of local honey or maple syrup.
Drinkers have the option of adding more cayenne, cinnamon, or cardamom, and extra sweetener to their drink during ceremony.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of cacao, or check out Bright Star's cacao gathering options.
Some of the benefits of drinking ceremonial cacao*:
Click here to learn more about Bright Star's cacao gathering options, and to check out what others are saying about the cacao experience.
*Health information found at Ceremonial Cacao BlogSpot
- Feelings of bliss, joy, love, and a greater sense of connectedness to those around you
- Being able to discern true desires from those not aligned with your Highest Good
- Courage and clarity in communicating truth to others
- Experiencing moments of clarity in confusing or difficult situations
- An upswing in creative inspiration and output
- Increased energy levels (most notable for the first 4–6 hours after drinking) due to theobromine and caffeine content
- May allow for a deeper nights’ sleep (especially in the day or two after drinking) and bring about lucid dreaming
- Experiencing relief from depression and anxiety; a returning to a more natural state of harmony, happiness, and well-being
- Relief from postpartum depression
- 30–40% increase in oxygen levels in the blood
- Antioxidant boost
- The creation of new neuropathways in the brain
- Has natural aphrodisiac properties
Click here to learn more about Bright Star's cacao gathering options, and to check out what others are saying about the cacao experience.
*Health information found at Ceremonial Cacao BlogSpot