Why are ceremonies and rituals still so important?
During the last year, I felt like practising yoga, meditating, and being surrounded by people with similar vibes makes me feel more balanced and down to earth. We are all somehow going through changes, and guess everyone finds their way to recharge energy and clean the mind. Ceremony and rituals add depth and dimension to our journey. They can add extraordinary to the ordinary and help us to remember, honour, feel, and connect.
Today I’d like to bring you closer to the Cacao Ceremony! I had the privilege to attend one with Zurich-based Yoga Teacher Aleks Nicolic at the studio Yoga Tribe. (All covid-measures were safely applied, of course, attendance was limited to 4 people).
Aleks immediately conquered my heart with her feminine and natural attitude. The studio we were having our ceremony felt safe and sacred as all the moments we shared together during the two hours. A beautiful altar of fresh flowers and offerings such as crystal stones or jewellery that we could bring illuminated by lots of candles created a magic atmosphere in the room.
Let’s talk about the Sacred Power of Cacao
Cacao is a sacred plant found in Central and South America. Also known as a natural plant medicine. Cacao has been used for thousands of years in the Mayan culture of South America for medicinal, spiritual, and ceremonial purposes. Raw Cacao is a source of theobromine, magnesium, antioxidants that help the body naturally produce anandamide (the bliss chemical), serotonin (feel-good-chemical), phenylethylamine (love chemical) which results in a better quality of physical and mental health.
Aleks mentions, that cacao is the food of the Gods and the Medicine of the Heart. And that makes a lot of sense to me. As a hearty and passionate person.
Her cacao ceremonies offer a variety of cacao blends by Naked Chocolate, get them in her online shop! Experienced Yogis can surely organize their little private cacao ceremony also at home. It can also be used as a daily supplement. Sprinkle a teaspoon on your food or add it to a smoothie or coffee to enhance general wellbeing.
The cacao we got had a wonderful aromatic taste. It contained various ingredients like hibiscus, rosemary, peppermint, hemp, camomile, cinnamon, and black pepper. The taste was not sweet at all, it doesn’t taste anything like hot chocolate, it’s pure and slightly bitter.
What exactly happens during a cacao ceremony?
Aleks introduced us to the cacao we were going to enjoy with beautiful words of thankfulness followed by beautiful sounds and slow heart-opening exercises. After sitting with the cup of cacao and connecting to our hearts, we set our intention to call in our intentions and we drank our cacao. The next hour was dedicated fully to movements and further heart-opening exercises lying on our backs. The sound Aleks used was a mix of sound healing with instruments and beautiful chanting.
What happens in your soul & body during and after the ceremony?
The energy during the ceremony is very active and alive. Thoughts appear very clear – either positive or negative – it feels like the heart connects with the mind and finds a way to clear all mess up 🙂 Writing down the words or thoughts helps a lot, especially when you’re back home and want to go through it again. The morning after the ceremony I had light cramps, and sweated a bit with little signs of diarrhoea. Guess clear indication, that the cacao cleaned up my body with antioxidants!
Thank you Aleks for making me feel safe and guiding me to the voice of my heart!