What Is Ceremonial Cacao?

Cacao where to begin? Cacao still holds a lot of mystery and depth that us modern humans haven’t been able to fully discover.  But what we do know is that this velvety elixir of Ceremonial Cacao, transcends the boundaries of time, inviting you into a mystical journey of self-discovery. The humble yet powerful plant teacher, was used by ancient Peruvian civilisation from as early as 5,500 years ago. The raw cacao beans were ground down with stone mixed with water and consumed chunky, cold, bitter and very spicy. Ceremonial Cacao offers not just a drink but a sacred passage, a union of tradition, connection to the earth and exploration of the self.

As we venture deeper into the happenings of our cacao circle™, we uncover the subtle art of prayer. There’s a way to commune with the universe, a method that assists the heart to access full coherence with the brain engaging in a sacred dialogue of alignment. The Ancient Shamans knew this well. Cacao leads you along the path of authenticity encouraging you to live the ceremony beyond ritualistic practices. It's about infusing and  integrating spiritual practices into the very fabric of life, weaving your authentic self expression with practicality and simplicity. It’s finding the middle line between humility and confidence, nurturing intuition, and establishing a reciprocal relationship with life and the universe.

Cacao, revered as the “Food of the Gods” by the Ancient Mayans, transcends the realm of chocolate; it's an entheogen, a sacred substance shepherding connection to the sweet divine. This plant ally, holds the capacity to induce transformation and healing of the heart, awakening a deeper understanding within those who receive its powerful gift. As traditions and stories about the spirit of Cacao echo between the mountain jungles of Peru to the Mayan Peninsula, our quest isn’t to replicate but to establish our own unique relationship with this universal Medicine of the heart, while honouring its origins and the Indigenous cultures. 

Loco Love is rescuing one of the oldest and aromatically richest cacao in the world, Chuncho Urushayua Criollo Cacao emerges as a beacon of rare genetic varieties. In years past, this precious bean teetered on the edge of extinction. However, thanks to the interest of organic chocolate makers like Loco Love, farmers joined hands to rescue these trees from losing them quite possibly forever. “Chuncho” is the name bestowed upon native, wildcrafted Cacao in the high Andean jungle — a gift from the Motherland. This Cacao carries a particular ancient frequency that resonates with the soul.

Why is Cacao so Good for You?

Beyond the mystical allure, Cacao also has developed a modern scientific side that fortunately  has been well researched over the years. Often underestimated due to its subtlety, Cacao is a nutritional “power temple”. It boasts perfect ratios of calcium and magnesium allowing these elements to be easily and most efficiently be absorbed by the body. Furthermore, cacao contains an amino acid called phenylethylamine (PEA), a precursor to serotonin, often referred to as the "happy brain chemical." PEA enhances mood and fosters a sense of joy, making cacao not just a delightful treat but a natural mood enhancer to say the least. This revered bean is rich in antioxidants, compounds that combat oxidative stress and promote cellular health within the body. The combination of these nutritional elements positions cacao as more than a mere indulgence; it becomes a holistic elixir contributing to physical vitality and emotional well-being. 

The Powers of Theobromine in Cacao

At the heart of cacao’s magic sits a powerful constituent called  “Theobromine”, a natural stimulant, that transcends the confines of taste and emotion, offering tangible advantages. Theobromine, akin to caffeine but milder, is unlike the rapid surge and subsequent crash associated with caffeine and other stimulants, theobromine provides a sustained lift in energy. This steady release contributes to a prolonged state of wakefulness, mental alertness while promoting cognitive clarity and focus. Theobromine does this by interacting with the central nervous system, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as Dopamine. This Neurochemical cascade results in a natural elevation in mood, fostering feelings of joy and contentment. And in the realm of ceremonial practices, this heightened state of awareness and elevated emotions becomes a conduit for introspection and spiritual exploration. 

Moving into the heart centre now and beyond its effects on energy and mood, theobromine offers support to the cardiovascular system. It acts as a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels, improving blood flow, increasing your blood oxygen levels by up to 70%  and giving the body optimal efficiency to distribute oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. 

Theobromine is very much a heart stimulant, creating a subtle but profound connection with the emotional and spiritual aspects of the consumer. This humming resonance of the heart centre is believed to enhance the ceremonial experience, encouraging a deeper connection with one's inner self and the energies present in the ritual. Theobromine unfolds its multifaceted nature, inviting participants on a journey of sustained vitality, heightened awareness, and a literal heart opening experience. 

How to Brew Your Own Ceremonial Cacao

Ceremonial Cacao Recipe:

As we sip this powerful but gentle Cacao indulging in the sweetness of this mysterious and unique drink, we embrace a colourful array of spiritual and physical benefits. To sit with this medicine is an initiation inspiring us to create and dance with the ancient and modern, the mystical and the scientific and ultimately with your own essence. 

Ingredients

• 1 serving of Loco Love Ceremonial Cacao
• 1 cup Spring or filtered water
• ½ tsp Honey
• Pinch Cayenne Chilli 
• Pinch Cinnamon
• Sage, Palo Santo or other (Smudging)

Ritual Props

• Sacred cup or vessel
• Smoke of choice for smudging e.g. sage

Method

1. Begin by selecting a sacred cup, cleanse it with smoke of your choice,  as well as the pot and other utensils you choose to use.
2. Filling your selected cup up with filtered water measuring the amount you’d like to drink  (the less water the thicker the brew) , then pour into a small pot and bring it to a light simmer (do not boil)
3. Removing one cacao disk from its paper wrap, use a sharp knife to roughly chop the cacao and place into the pot (do not boil). 
4. Using a whisk gently stir the cacao in a clockwise direction with closed eyes; sending it love, calling upon the spirit of cacao and ultimately programming the cacao into whatever medicine your heart needs.
5. Once the cacao has melted, add honey, cinnamon and lastly chilli. As you add the chilli say your intention, the chilli will activate the cacao.

The Ceremony

As you step into your daily ritual with Cacao, infusing it with intention and gratitude, a ceremonial practice unfolds. This elixir, when received mindfully, becomes a bridge between intention and reality, a compass guiding your day. Embrace it, call upon its spirit, and relish its essence, allowing it to lead you back to your heart whenever needed.

1. Maestro Cacao loves singing and sound so bring celebration and joy into the room while you are preparing 
2. Smudge and bless the cacao once more, then pour the brew into your cup and find a comfortable seating position.
3. Take a moment to sit with the cacao, bringing it to your chest while calling upon her spirit, smelling her essence, feeling her warmth. Offer generous prayers for yourself into the cup allowing it to come straight from the heart.
4. Take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth into your cup, take a sip. Repeat this process until your cup is empty.
5. During this, feel the spirit of cacao infuse every cell of your being; feeling the prayers already being granted, feeling gratitude for the andes, the mountains and jungle of Peru and the indigenous people, deeply thanking them for sharing this sacred plant with us. Continuing to extend gratitude out to all the elements of nature. Wind, fire, water, earth, the sun, the moon, the mountains, the rivers and the oceans.
6. Lastly, send a prayer to someone or somewhere that you feel may need a it today 

Attend a Cacao Circle™ in Byron Bay

You can experience a Cacao Circle™ first-hand at Loco Love Chocolate's ceremony space in Byron Bay, Australia. 

Experience a transformative journey guided by Tanisha Cook and the spirit of Ish Cacao in the sacred space of Loco Love. Embark on an experimental approach to meditation, harnessing the potent energy of our Loco Love Chuncho Ceremonial Cacao to recalibrate heart, mind, body and soul.

Each ceremony has a duration of 60 minutes, with a carefully tailored sound journey, deep meditation and short energy cultivating practise. With a complimentary chocolate and herbal tea to complete your ceremony experience.

BOOK HERE

References 

• Cacao Ceremony. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.anahataretreat.org/cacao-ceremony/
• Cacao: The Food of the Gods. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/cacao-food-gods-0010361
• Chuncho Urushayua Criollo Cacao. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/BZc-1X-l0N6/
• Theobromine: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage. (2021, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/theobromine#benefits

• Ccao and Cardiovascular Health: The Kuna Case Reconsidered. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296090/
• Theobromine - The Health Benefits You Never Knew About. (2022, January 17). Retrieved from https://www.thefloatspa.co.uk/blog/theobromine-the-health-benefits-you-never-knew-about
• Heckman, M. A., Weil, J., & De Mejia, E. G. (2010). Caffeine (1, 3, 7‐trimethylxanthine) in Foods: A Comprehensive Review on Consumption, Functionality, Safety, and Regulatory Matters. Journal of Food Science, 75(3), R77-R87. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01561.x
• Nehlig, A. (2018). Interindividual Differences in Caffeine Metabolism and Factors Driving Caffeine Consumption. Pharmacological Reviews, 70(2), 384–411. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.117.014407
• Grassi, D., Desideri, G., Necozione, S., Lippi, C., Casale, R., Properzi, G., ... & Ferri, C. (2008). Blood pressure is reduced and insulin sensitivity increased in glucose-intolerant, hypertensive subjects after 15 days of consuming high-polyphenol dark chocolate. Journal of Nutrition, 138(9), 1671–1676. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/138.9.1671
• Corti, R., Flammer, A. J., Hollenberg, N. K., & Lüscher, T. F. (2009). Cocoa and cardiovascular health. Circulation, 119(10), 1433–1441. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.827022