Leaning into ceremonial space with Cacao Lab’s Ceremonial Cacao, family owned and ethically sourced Ceremonial Cacao

Expanding the Heart – Working with Ceremonial Cacao

Sharing a little bit about my experience working with Ceremonial Cacao, inspired by the online course,  Ritual of Cacao: A Five Week Exploration, with Cacao Laboratory. The course was 5 weeks long and included weekly cacao circles led by founder Florencia Fridmen, and new video content each week. This experience allowed me space and time to sit with this plant medicine and to develop a deeper relationship.

For the course, we were encouraged to do a 30 day Dieta with cacao. Meaning that we immerse ourselves with cacao by partaking in a sacred relationship for 30 days. During the 30 days we immersed ourselves with Cacao and her gentle heart opening energies. Many indigenous cultures from Meso and South America practice Dieta’s with specific plant medicines to harmonize and integrate with the spirit of the plant, receiving their wisdom and teachings. As an herbalist and infinitely curious person, this was an exciting journey and a chance to integrate ritual into my life experience. 

The incredible beauty, I love working with Ceremonial Cacao

The Course Experience-Embracing Ritual + Gratitude

For 30 days I fell deeper and deeper in love with Cacao and with myself. I set up a special place in our home surrounded by beautiful things like crystals, rocks I found at Lake Michigan and Superior, my favorite artwork and some white cedar for cleansing from the land we are stewards of.  I prepared the cacao ever morning in a loving slow way, not rushed, singing gently to myself. Sometimes I would add nutritive spices and infusions, other times embracing cacao in her most natural form, bitter but sweet and full of earthy notes. After preparing the cup of cacao I would create my ritual space by clearing the energy with my cedar and getting into a receiving state by practicing some deep breathing. 

During the course we learned about the history of cacao and how to hold sacred space by working with the elements and the Mayan calendar and cosmovision. It was a deep transmission for me because even though I am always in nature, hiking, camping, running, etc. I never stopped to say “thank you.” Now, thanks to Cacao, I honor every land I find myself on with a blessing from the heart. Learning from Florencia and the Cacao Lab fam has been nurturing a deeper sense of sacred reciprocity. Cacao helped my heart soften and allowed the deep remembering of myself, my inner light, especially when all the layers are taken away. To be an open vessel of love. 

During the 30 days, I looked forward to this new addition to my morning.  To relish in the time it took me to chop and measure the cacao, preparing the water or infusion, to add nutritive spices (turmeric, salt + cinnamon) and to slowly watch the cacao integrate into the water. I felt so honored to be able to consume this plant wisdom that feels so ancient and knowing. It was a beautiful experience that planted ritual and gratitude into the very start of my day, those sweet ambrosial hours where we are most receptive.

Embracing ritual in the everyday has cultivated a deep well spring of self love.

To make the mundane sacred, because every second of life is a sacred gift that we are all partaking in. 

The Course Experience-Embracing Intention

It is customary in Cacao circle to speak your intention, either to your self or to share with your cacao family. The beauty of sharing your unique vibration out into the world is a humbling and grounding gift. To lean deeper into what your heart has to say. I try to bring the practice of  intention into all conscious moments. 

It is my intention with this cup of cacao to…

LOVE MYSELF

TO ACCEPT MYSELF

TO BE HONEST

TO BE VULNERABLE

TO LET GO

The Course Experience-What I Learned

Each week of the course we touched on different topics including Cacao’s history in Meso and South America, how cacao is processed, the physiological, nutritive and medicinal value of cacao, cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation, medicine songs and so much more.

We met weekly for online cacao circles with Florencia and the other participants in the course which was really special to connect with people from all over with a shared passion. We would open sacred space, discuss the Mayan calendar and the energy of the day, talk about the weeks lesson and share what intentions our hearts were holding. It was a healing period of my life (I suppose this is a constant :D)  and I felt like a sweet little sponge just absorbing all the energy and wisdom.

It was very humbling. 

Cacao makes your heart soften especially when you share in community with others. I have since gone on to participate in weekly cacao circles with Cacao Laboratory and consider it the greatest medicine to share cacao with others who are also inquiring deep into the heart. I hope to continue sharing with others throughout this life time to help plant seeds of gratitude for ourselves, our planet and for the wisdom of Cacao. 

Cacao has left a deep impression on my heart space.  I have since shared it with my husband, friends and myself at least a few times a week. It keeps me grounded in a state of gratitude, intention and love…the greatest gifts we can ripple out into the world with. 

Some Interesting Facts about Cacao

🍫 Etymologists trace the origin of the word “chocolate” to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.” (Smithsonian)

🤎 Contains Phenylethylamine (PEA), an adrenal-related chemical that we create naturally when we’re excited. It also helps us feel focused and alert because it causes your pulse quickens, similar feeling to when we are excited or fall in love. (natural news)

♥️ Contains Anandamide, name comes from the Sanskrit word “ananda” (internal bliss) Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is produced naturally in the body after exercise. Cacao is one of the only foods that provides this type of neurotransmitter. Anandamide affects the parts of the brain that play a role in memory, movement control, mood, and higher thought process.

♥️ Theobromine, This makes up 1-2 percent of the cacao bean and is a nervous system stimulant that dilates the blood vessels, much like caffeine. This ingredient is what makes cacao and chocolate unsafe for dogs.

Valuable Vitamins + Minerals

• Magnesium, Cacao beans are one of the best dietary sources of magnesium — magnesium is crucial for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It’s essential for muscle and nerve function and keeps the heart rhythm steady.
  
  
• Iron,  An ounce of raw nibs has 6 percent of your recommended daily iron intake. Iron is necessary for red blood cell production.
  
  
• Antioxidants, Antioxidants are important because they absorb the free radicals that cause damage in the body.
  
  
• Mood improver, Chocolate and cacao stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters that can trigger emotions, including good ones like euphoria.
  
  

Sources: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/chocolate_science_history_and_fun_facts_part_2

http://www.naturalnews.com/022610_cacao_chocolate_raw.html

https://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-cocoa-nibs.html

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/8/2057S/4686320

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chocolate-21860917/?no-ist

To learn more check out this incredible report published by Cacao Lab

Check out Cacao Lab’s FAQ’s, or watch this beautiful documentary. I am still a vessel in learning and am excited to expand my knowledge and share with you!

 

For 10% off @Cacao Lab use the code JENNIFERS10 for 10% off 

Here are some more posts relating to working with Ceremonial Cacao

https://cacaolaboratory.com/blogs/news/this-is-your-brain-on-cacao-the-lab-report-part-iii

Connecting with Gratitude + Ceremonial Cacao

connecting with movement w/cacao laboratory

#CacaoEveryDay, A 7 Day Wellness Experience with Cacao Lab

Making Space for Cacao

connecting to breath w/ cacao

 

Taking a moment to acknowledge the indigenous wisdom of Cacao, as someone who is greatly benefiting from this plant ally and teacher, if you feel inclined to help lift and support the communities that have protected and have Mayan heritage, please see this link for ways to uplift.