You can discover how in raw cacao ceremonial doses becomes a powerful heart opener that paves the way to transformation through self-love…
With over 1200 chemical constituents, the beans from Theobroma Cacao (translating from the greek: theo = god and broma = food and cacao = the mayan name for the chocolate beans) – or the chocolate tree, appear to be the most pharmacologically complex food in nature. Cacao has been used for millennia as a food and antidote to a vast array of health issues. It has also been used ceremonially by the ancient Meso-americans in conjunction with other plants and rituals.Cacao was considered to be a divine ambrosia, spiritual elixir, sacred medicine healer and ritual aid, as well as a powerful sexual tonic and life-force elixir, which was regularly included as part of wedding rituals and life celebrations.
Cacao’s Biochemical Gifts
So what is cacao? Cacao is not cocoa. Cacao is the raw and naturally fermented, unheated form of chocolate, while cocoa is cacao that has been heated. Processed chocolate is made with roasted cocoa, sugar, milk, and other ingredients that turn it into a solid food and studies have found that by adding dairy this actually blocks the absorption of antioxidants in chocolate. The benefits of cacao are only found in the raw form, and organic raw cacao has an array of amazing benefits.
Cacao contains the neurotransmitters serotonin, tryptophan and dopamine that stimulate brain activity and are vital in regulating mood. Serotonin is the feelgood brain chemical responsible for feelings of wellbeing. This mood improving chemical is known as the bliss molecule and leaves us feeling blissful and euphoric, but also plays a vital role in moderating pain perception and the memory of pain, as well as assisting in regulating appetite and mood.
Health Benefits of Cacao:
- Magnesium rich (relaxing mineral) for a Healthy Heart & Brain.
- Rich in Sulfur (the ultimate beauty mineral, especially good for skin)
- Lowers LDL cholesterol
- Mild stimulant
- Natural stress reliever
- Mild pain reliever
- Contains essential fatty acids
- Improves micro circulation
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries
- Highest plant-based source of iron.
- More calcium than cow’s milk
Chocolate wasn’t popular as a psychoactive in the 60s because it’s not actually psychedelic (although many experience visions and powerful journeys in my ceremonies). It is is gaining a lot of popularity now. Cacao ceremonies are a type of shamanic healing – which is one of the oldest holistic healing practices used by indigenous cultures all over the world. These types of healing ceremonies work with rebalancing energies in the body to regain health. However, unlike other shamanic experiences, drinking cacao will not make you hallucinate or give you some sort of ‘out-of-body’ psychedelic experience.
Cacao Ceremony benefits
HEART CONNECTING
Chocolate opens the heart and allows for a deeper, authentic love-based connection with yourself, others, the world and all of life.
ENHANCES MEDITATION
Cacao enables you to connect with your inner spirit and wisdom, allowing for more profound meditation. It allows you to focus more on the present moment and its remedying properties can begin to work on your mind and soul.
MENTAL
Increased blood flow to the brain creates more mental sharpness, agility, awareness and focus. Cacao acts as a powerful natural anti-depressant by reducing physical and emotional stress and creating a positive chemistry in the brain. Its high Valeric Acid content blocks the stress hormones, while triggering the release of Dopamine and the endorphin Phenylethylamine, both of which are known as ‘bliss chemicals’. It also contains the essential amino acid Tryptophan, which increases production of Serotonin, an important brain chemical that helps us remain positive and happy.
IMPROVED YOGA, CHI KUNG AND SIMILAR PRACTICES
Your practice improves on every level; physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
This is probably the case with other practices too (chi kung, aikido, kick boxing etc.)
TOTAL RELAXATION
Drinking cacao for ceremonial purposes invites us to SLOW DOWN and to intentionally set time aside for ourselves. This means stepping OUT of the daily hustle and stepping IN to our inner-self. So often we rush from one experience to the next without even understanding why we’re doing what we’re doing.
ENERGY
Cacao can grant you the energy you need for your day and throughout your life. You’ll find yourself able to skip the coffee, your cravings will diminish, and you will be able to better accomplish your daily tasks.
Cacao alone doesn’t make the experience
As I’ve just mentioned, Cacao is an invaluable, heart opening ally, but the plant itself doesn’t make the ceremony so special. There are many that fused a wide range of state-shifting elements with Cacao that are the key to the experience:
- Meditation
- Singing
- Ecstatic dance
- Tribal drumming
- A beautiful, candle-lit atmosphere
- Yoga
- Essential Oils
I like to use Cacao for specific intentions, like Couples Ceremony to depend their connection, Deep therapeutic trauma work and Full Moon sharing circles.
If you feel inspired to dance with the Spirit of Cacao and share her magic, I recommend finding a ceremony led by a shaman, mystic or experienced facilitator to explore the profound effects cacao has to offer. And if you want to simply begin using it for its many health benefits, or maybe for communing with the plant and bringing it into your meditation. There are a huge range of profound responses, learning and healings available for those willing to experience its gifts!
What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.
– Katharine Hepburn
Sacred Cacao was bypassed in the ‘60’s resurgence of medicine-plants because it does not act like a psychedelic – it does not take you on its trip, but facilitates your own. There are Indigenous shamans in Central and South America who prefer cacao over psychedelics, but few have heard of them. I am not here to speak for them. I speak from my years of experience with cacao and cacao ceremonies since the Cacao Spirit began sharing and partnering with me in the metaphysical work that I do. And I speak through sales of the cacao that She guides me to.
– Keith Wilson, the Chocolate Shaman
Natasja, with a Dutch mother and Portuguese father is born in Amsterdam. Since her childhood she has the ability of clairvoyance; clear knowing, feeling and hearing. Natasja is trained as a photographer but ended up a business woman in the hospitality, events and fashion industry. She owned multiple companies and had a very diverse and broad career. Within those years she did always study esoteric philosophy, Reiki, ThetaHealing®, ETF, NLP, nutrition and shamanism. In 2013, she made a major change in her life. She had enough of the fast-passed life style. She started her journey inwards, closed her business, and dedicating herself to the exploration of consciousness.
Today she is a Holistic Transformational Mentor with 10+ years of experience in counseling, life and business coaching. She assists people who are seeking cutting-edge transformational tools so that they can transform themselves from the inside out. Natasja travels extensively, studying and sharing inner wisdom. She embodies sacred medicine work and she brings aspects of ceremony into all of her offerings. An intuitive healer who creates a powerfully safe space of love and acceptance. She has a strong background in working with those suffering from habits and addiction, unresolved trauma, depression, relationship issues, anxiety and stress. She holds space as an educator of empowerment and facilitator of many workshops, retreats, sacred medicine journey’s, and has developed an awakening integration program. All she does is to support the Alignment between gut/mind/heart and the Creative Source of All That Is.
”Deep within the human heart lies the desire to awaken the medicine within.” Natasja Pelgrom
