I’d always thought cacao was just super dark chocolate, to be honest, but it has quickly replaced my afternoon or evening cup of tea. I even had a high vibe happy hour with some the other day instead of a glass of wine (I know, who am I ).
According to @mama.nurture aka Michelle Bruno, “It is the ultimate combination of both spiritual/energetic benefits along with physical/health benefits. It has been valued as heart medicine for thousands of years by indigenous tribes of South and Central America.” She has even more information about the plant medicine of cacao in this Cacao 101 post.
Besides being full of nutrients and antioxidants, cacao opens the heart chakra and facilitates a feeling of unity and love. For my very first cup, I followed Michelle’s guidance to start with a smaller dosage (~.5oz). I know it’s weird to talk in dosages, which bring psychedelics to mind (at least for me, hah), but cacao is not like that. The amounts are general guidelines because you can definitely make yourself nauseous if you drink too much. (Note: I’m not a doctor, and I’m not telling you to or to not take a certain dosage. I’m just sharing my experiences with certain amounts.)
I prepared my first cup with Oaxacan Spice Ceremonial Cacao from Firefly Chocolate (another great resource on all things cacao), adding just a touch of honey with the 5oz of hot water. Adding any type of milk is not encouraged, but sweeteners and other spices are okay. Sitting in meditation, I swirled my cup like glass of robust wine, inhaling the warm, chocolatey scent before taking my first sip. As the chocolate traveled, I imagined it spreading in my body like the roots of a tree, bringing its magic to all of my veins, organs, joints, bones, muscles, and tissues.
Within minutes, I genuinely felt warm and fuzzy and decided to draw myself a bath. Listening to mantra—anything by A Beautiful Chorus is a favorite—I relaxed into my own little world of bliss. I felt called to sit and journal afterward, feeling a deep connection to my ancestors. I’ve continued to drink a micro-dose before an evening bath, a kundalini kriya or morning meditation. Each cup and experience is different, and I feel, brings me exactly what I need in the moment. As a healing modality, I look at cacao as another tool in my arsenal for going within, listening to the whispers of my soul, and ultimately bringing forth messages from my highest self.
I have yet to sit in true ceremony with her, but I’m excited to soon.
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