the 7 spiritual benefits
of cacao
1) CACAO OPENS YOUR HEART
Ancient Mayan texts described cacao to be “heart opening” and even modern research shows that the active ingredient theobromine widens the blood vessels and stimulates the heart.
Cacao opens the heart and allows you to deeply connect with yourself and others in a deeper, more authentic loving way. Fear and anxiety will be replaced with love and joy.
2) CACAO BALANCE INNER MALE AND FEMALE ENERGIES
Sun and moon. Light and dark. Day and night. Inhale and exhale. There are binaries that exist in nature. They are each essential and fundamental for the existence of the other. There is no daytime without the nighttime. There is no exhalation of breath without the inhalation of breath.
Everyone has masculine and feminine energies. Cacao is known for gently balance both energies, allowing us to live life more effective, filled with complete harmony. The female energies allow you to receive inspiration and the masculine energy allows you to act on it.
3) cacao enhances meditation
Cacao enables you to connect with your inner spirit and wisdom, allowing for more profound meditation. Meditation will be easier and more beneficial, quieting the mind becomes easy and it allows you to focus more on the present moment, gives you mental clarity and it works on your body, mind and soul.
CACAO OPENS YOUR HEART
BALANCE THE ENERGY & ENHANCE MEDITATION
4) cacao brings mental clarity
Cacao can help you find mental clarity. The medicine can help you change your perspective, enabling you to recognize and let go of limiting beliefs, outdated patterns, past traumas and old habits that do not serve you any longer. You can be reminded of your talents, skills, creative ability and life purpose.
Cacao invites us to slow down and intentionally set time aside for ourselves. Stepping out of our daily hustle to connect with our higher self.
5) cacao helps you develop your creativity
When the mind calms, you will create space for healing and creativity. New inspiration and creative ideas will flow with ease. Invisible obstacles will disappear, making room for new inspiration. Getting clarity on your talents and skills and connect with your creative abilities such as; writing, painting, dancing, making music. You will be surprised at how creative you are.
6) CACAO BOOST YOUR ENERGY
The theobromine in the cacao gives you a longer and softer energy without the peak and dip that many people experience from e.g. the caffeine in coffee. The cacao gives you an energy boost and grants you the energy you need throughout the day. It will even allow you to better accomplish your daily tasks.
7) cacao enhances healing
As the cacao opens your heart (the gateway to your inner spirit and wisdom) you will experience a stronger connection with the higher self (intuition, soul, God,). This connection will guide you to follow your own path and truth. You will become aware of things that have been keeping you from living the life you love and receive strength in letting them go. Cacao can lead you to a healthier lifestyle in body and spirit.
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How to create an altar
One part of your own home rituals and ceremonies is an altar, a set up space that’s a center space during your spiritual connection.
In this article we show you how you can create your own altar for your home or any place you want to.
WHAT IS AN ALTAR?
An altar is a sacred space to connect with spirit and use for rituals, ceremonies and prayers. It has alway been used in most religions. Usually you find them in shrines, churches, temples and other worshipping places as well as known to use little home altars.
And also shamanic tribes have been using altars to focus on holding space, connect with the spirits and worshipping their ancestors during the ceremonies and rituals.
You find altars everywhere, in entries, in front of buildings, in the middle of buildings, in corners of a room, at beaches, on top of the mountains or even in cars.
WHERE TO SET UP AN ALTAR?
An altar doesn’t need to be big, it can also be just as big as a shoebox. So, don’t worry, if you don’t have the space in your room. You can also find a little table and decorate it with a sarong or piece of fabric.
As long as you have the right intention – should it be more in a quiet area in the corner, close to a window with lots of light and fresh air or in the middle of the room as the center of your rituals and ceremonies?
Find a place that resonates with you and the way you worship, pray and practise your rituals.
BUILD YOUR ALTAR
You may want to use elements that reflect and symbolize the connection with mother earth and your spirit. In the shamanic path we are usually working with the five elements earth, water, fire and air and spirit.
You may want to include all of the five elements onto your altar to include all 5 basic elements. Each element can be symbolized by certain elements from nature or with a spiritual or personal meaning.
Elements of the Earth:
- A bowl of soil from your area or a sacred land
- Plants or flowers (best is with roots)
- White sage
- Crystal and stones
- Black candle
Earth energy is grounding, connects us with the sacred feminine and represents our mother earth.
Elements of the Water:
- Water from a holy place (spring, temple, blessed water)
- Sea shells
- Blue candle
Water energy is dynamic and flowing. It represents our emotions, intuition, healing and reflection.
Elements of the Air:
- Incense stick (smoke represents air)
- Smoke of sage, palo santo and other plant material
- Feathers (preferred some that you found)
- Wind chimes
- Bells
- Yellow candle
Air energy stands for knowledge and the power of the mind. It stimulates courage and bravery.
Elements of the Fire:
- A symbol that represents the sun or fire
- Red candle (and flaming candles in general)
Fire energy is powerful and stands for creative energy, manifestation, inspiration, strong will power and sexual energy.
Elements of the Spirit:
- A mirror
- Picture of a rainbow
- Picture of your guru, spiritual teacher, spirit, god
- Picture or symbol of a butterfly
- White candle
Spirit energy represents our life force that encompasses and is the creator of all. It can include the spirits of our ancestors and the healing forces which can move the elements of our world and connect between different worlds.
Different tribes have different orders on how to layout the different elements on your altar.
For example:
Native Americans: Earth (north, Water (east), Fire (South) and Wind/Air (West)
Andeans: Fire (east), Earth (South), Water (West), Air (North)
Spirit is always in the center.
It’s up to you how you want to place the elements as long as you do it with your intention.
Now its your turn.
Create your own altar and post your result! We can’t wait to see your beautiful sacred creation.
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WHAT IS A CACAO CEREMONY
A cacao ceremony is an opportunity for you to connect with yourself, your true essence and with the others around you. With the help of cacao, you will be guided to open your heart and to let go of what no longer serves you.
Cacao ceremonies have been around for thousands of years and are a form of shamanic healing. It’s believed that cacao was used by the Mayans and Aztecs in Central and South America for spiritual, medicinal and ceremonial purposes for inner awakening and creative guidance. For the Mayans and Aztecs, the cacao plant was sacred, giving the plant a Latin name Cocao meaning “Food of the Gods” and was so highly valued that the cacao beans were used as currency.
In today’s ceremonies, you will slowly sip cacao, allowing the plant-medicine to open your heart and share of what you want to let go and what you are calling in. The cacao will work gently on your body, mind and heart.
With the help of the cacao you will be able to open your heart completely, releasing and healing the energetic blockages that keep you from living up to your highest potential. The plant-medicine silences the mind and connects to the wisdom and spirit within you. Cacao brings us back to the feeling of love, oneness and connection.
Every cacao ceremony is different, some consist of sitting in circles, sharing and singing. While others let you explore through movement, in combination with yin yoga, or even ecstatic dance. The most important thing is that the ceremony gives you space to safely connect and to open your heart.
Are you ready to explore the wonderful and healing benefits of cacao yourself?
