To celebrate the Full Moon and the last eclipse of Summer 2020, we will work with the beautiful heart-opening and grounding medicine of Cacao. Cacao has been used for at least 4,000 years as a health elixir and ceremonial medicine by our South and Central American ancestors to facilitate healing on a physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual levels.
In the ceremony, we will learn about a very powerful cleansing ritual using the beeswax candle. Then, we will set our intentions and drink a ceremonial dose of Cacao. As we work with Cacao in an intentional way, we will connect with our emotional center and the intelligence of our own hearts. In addition to its many health benefits, cacao is a very powerful yet gentle plant medicine that supports our inner-work and facilitates a deep inner meditation. The mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in Cacao have a nourishing effect on a human body, mind, and heart. (PLEASE READ CACAO CONTRAINDICATIONS BELOW)
We will lift our prayers to the First Source, ground our energy at the heart of the Mother Earth, tune in to the wisdom of our body as the bridge between the present and the future we want to create, and open our hearts to receive a vision. We will join our hearts in silence to align our soul’s purpose with our actions in the world and allow the medicine of Cacao to heal our relationship to the world on an individual, tribal, and collective level.
The ceremony is a safe container – a space where we can connect to the unbroken intelligence of life and restore and renew ourselves. We dedicate our ceremony to all our relations – past, present, and future.
When you register, you will receive an invitation to join the group on Zoom.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THE CEREMONY
Raw ceremonial cacao, 1-2 oz per person or high quality cacao powder
Large beeswax pillar candle
A notepad and pen
A glass of water
Sage or Palo Santo for smudging (Optional)
YOUR INTENTION
In the days leading up to the ceremony, create some time to connect to your personal intention. Eclipse is a very powerful time to truly release what doesn’t serve our evolution. What people, situations, or habits would you like to release? What are you ready to replace it with?
SMUDGING
If you’re not allergic to smells, I will teach you how to smudge yourself using sage or Palo Santo. Smudging is an ancient ritual of burning sacred plants/wood and allowing the smoke to clear and bless your energetic field.
COST
The ceremony is offered on a donation basis. I look forward to seeing you at this special ceremony, you are welcome to attend even if you choose not to partake the Cacao.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
In most cases, there are no concerns to be aware of. The pieces listed below are mainly a concern in higher doses, like when we use the cacao ceremonially. In these cases, the combination of potent cacao and a higher dose warrants some additional mindfulness.
First, if you are working with it ceremonially, we recommend that you start off with about half the full dose. A full dose, the maximum we use, is 2 ounces, so that means starting off with 1 ounce. See how it feels and wait at least 30 minutes before consuming more.
Cacao is a strong bitter and stimulant, so there are some potential side effects to be aware of, as well as certain contra-indications. Since cacao is consumed in higher doses in the ceremony, people might experience symptoms such as light-headedness, sweaty palms, headache, or nausea. Simply slow down, drink water, and practice self-care as needed until symptoms subside. Cacao can also stimulant detox symptoms in some cases. If this happens, take it as a blessing and drink plenty of water as your body lets go of whatever it didn’t like. This will likely be accentuated for people on a raw diet or who are fasting. Go with lower doses in this case.
Certain anti-depressants are worth extra consideration. MAOI based anti-depressants are contraindicated with the tyramine in chocolate, so a larger dose of cacao is not recommended. MAOI based anti-depressants are first-generation anti-depressants and are less common these days. People taking them are on a restricted diet that includes limiting or avoiding chocolate, so they should know if they can consume or not. Side effects could include more serious headache and nausea, so make sure to check medications first. Additionally, there has been some concern with larger doses of cacao and SSRI type anti-depressants, because of the MAOI’s in cacao. Specifically, the tryptophan, a type of MAOI which is a pre-cursor to serotonin has been cited by some as a possible contraindication. The research about this interaction is minimal, but studies on both the amounts of tryptophan in chocolate and how that might cause ‘serotonin syndrome’ don’t indicate any problem. However, to be on the safe side, for those on SSRI’s, we suggest consulting with your doctor and/or pharmacist regarding higher doses of cacao and to consider starting with low doses.
Serious heart conditions. The theobromine in cacao increases heart rate significantly and is a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure. If you have such a condition, consider consulting a physician and certainly go lighter on amounts.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding. Like coffee or tea, it is important to reduce the intake of stimulating foods. The theobromine in cacao, which is very similar to caffeine, has a stimulating effect. Thus we recommend using lower dosages (ex. a maximum of 1oz in a ceremonial drink).
Pure cacao can be fatal to dogs (and possibly horses and parrots) so be sure to keep it away from pets.
If any symptoms do present, drink lots of water, get some rest and it will pass.
(Source of Contraindication information: heartbloodcacao.com)
It is your responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure your own wellbeing: IF IN DOUBT, CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY!