The Cacao plant was one of the most valued trees in ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Mayans, Olmec and Aztecs all used cacao in ceremonies meant to invoke an inner awakening, to receive creative guidance. The beans were considered to have many medicinal uses, treating heart conditions, regulating blood sugar and opening blood vessels. Cacao beans were currency, traded for food and textiles. Ek Chuah, the Mayan patron God of Cacao was honored several times a year with elaborate ceremonies involving the consumption of chocolate drinks while dancing and offering gifts of feathers, cacao beans and incense.
It makes sense ancient people used cacao for so many things. In addition to releasing endorphins, PEA compounds and anandamide, considered to be the love chemicals, cacao has more concentrated magnesium than any food known to man. Magnesium, the 'relaxer mineral' relaxes the heart muscles while softening tissue, loosening muscles and easing tension. The active ingredient, Theobromine, increases blood flow to the brain, while flavanoids protect the heart. Always listed at the top of the list of recommended superfoods, Cacao is also high in antioxidants and iron. As cacao takes effect, a warm wave of release can be felt moving through the body, the opening of the blood vessels allowing increased oxygen to the muscles just before the brain is inundated with happy chemicals. This makes is easier to fully relax into a deeper meditative state for stronger connections and more profound results.
Today, groups conduct cacao ceremonies coinciding with Lunar cycles for the purpose of cleansing heart energies, setting spiritual intentions and achieving a deep sense of full body relaxation. Casa Alegria, a sacred community space rooted in the foot hills of the Talamanca mountain range of southern Costa Rica hosts group cacao ceremonies. I was blessed to be able to participate in one two days before a Lunar eclipse, the perfect time to clean out negative energies and set true intent for the next life cycle.
The ceremony facilitators, Vanessa Ellen, owner of House of Cacao who specializes in holding space and connecting people in heart-centered ways, and Vyola Myst, of Sound Healing Costa Rica, a professional Sound Healer, Violinist and Reikki Master were skilled in taking groups on vibrational relaxation journeys using vocals, violin, crystal and Tibetan bowls and other hand-made instruments.
They call Casa Alegria the gateway to Chirripo, the highest mountain in the Central America. The site sits above the Chirripo River on Highway 242, the road to Chirripo National Park and several other popular cloud forest destinations. Casa Alegria serves as an educational center housing a 7 frequency bio-dome, home to multiple species of tropical plants and butterflies. Coffee and Gelato are served with other gourmet snacks 7 days a week to locals and tourists who are able to book tours and private events, attend yoga and dance classes and community gatherings, connecting with friends and family members. We met in the studio space above the cafe. The room was set up with a yoga mat, blanket and pillow for each participant facing the facilitators who were sitting cross-legged in the front of the room surrounded by candles, flowers, incense and other alter totems ready to begin the ceremony.
Vanessa opened with blessings, introductions and information on the history of Cacoa and its effects on the human body. She set the intent to release tension, move into our heart spaces, connect to each other and increase love frequencies. We were encouraged to sing in a safe space void of judgment during the group singing exercise before moving to the sound medicine session where we would lay down and meditate individually as vibrations from crystal bowls, Tibetan sound bowls and other musical instruments moved through the room and our bodies. The group of 15 participants was made to feel comfortable and energy flowed freely in the group as the room was smudged with palo santo and sage. A powerful sense of community could be felt by everyone when the music began and each of us approached the alter one at a time to receive our blessed sacrament, a beverage made from cacao.
It is important to note the preparation of the ceremonial chocolate drink is important to the quality of experience individuals have during the ceremony. This isn't just any chocolate product found at your local grocery store. This is concentrated cacao powder mixed with water. I spoke with Tao prior the ceremony about preparing the ceremonial chocolate drink. As the owner of Samaritan Xocolata Factory, she has been creating a ceremonial chocolate blend for the better part of a decade for ceremony facilitators and personal use. Preparing the sacrament is a form of Alchemy. It's more than using high grade ingredients, it is the intent embedded in every step of the process. Tao does use the highest quality, locally sourced and organically grown ingredients, but every step of the process is infused with loving intent. Her Auspicious Day Ceremonial Chocolate with cardamom, lucuma, ginseng, chili, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut sugar and flor de cocoa, traditional to the Mayan recipe, is only prepared during certain galactic windows, solstices and equinoxes, new or full moons, (or days with an “a” in them.) Each ingredient has its purpose and Tao's intent is to invoke the most positive energy from each one with the hope each individual participating in a ceremony get the most benevolent outcomes, medicinally and spiritually.
The chocolate drink being used in this ceremony was mixed and blessed by Vanessa and Casa Alegria owner, Maira Wolff in the cafe kitchen prior to the ceremony. Each alternated stirring and singing to the drink as it was heating on the stove. They added their positive wishes and embedded love and acceptance for everyone participating, yet another level of intent. The facilitators would perform another blessing ceremony in the space just before everyone entered. Every action preparing for and during the ceremony is laden with positive energy, every candle lit with loving intent, sound bowls placed in perfect order, mats laid out to create a circular space, all to facilitate deep, spiritual
connection.
We brought the warm cups of sacrament to rest on our chests and were guided to visualize heart connections before slowly drinking the bitter, but slightly sweet concoction. Everyone participated in group vocals, an exercise meant to loosen core muscles in the diagram. Our voices harmonized with the drum and other instruments being played, positive energy flowed freely in the group. We were all quite relaxed moving into horizontal positions on our mats, breathing in to the vibrations created by sound bowls and the slow methodical drum beat. Each of us remained connected, but also enjoyed personal reflections while the euphonious sound of the violin mingled with the vibrations created by the sound bowls and angelic singing voices.
I spent this time thanking My Celestial Parents for the opportunity to convene with others in the community in such a positive and powerful way, visualizing heart connections and seeing the intent to open up my spirit to more divine opportunities to be of service to my brothers and sisters. I sent out my intent to the Universe to better understand and embody unconditional love. I felt completely relaxed with a deeper sense of community. The ceremony closed with each participant holding a Tibetan sound bowl while sharing with the group a little about our individual experiences. Everyone expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect and for the community as a whole. The entire experience proved to be uplifting and positive.
If you are interested in attending a group cacao ceremony, check Casa Alegria's event calendar for their hosted events. If you are traveling to the area, Casa Alegria can assist with accommodations, excursions and ceremonies. Ceremonial Chocolate can be purchased from Samaritan Xocolata in person at the factory or ordered online through their website or Facebook page. Samaritan ships to anywhere, locally and internationally. If you are hosting a ceremony and need a skilled facilitator, House of Cacao can help you find the perfect match through their network of certified professionals.
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