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Where and when did Cacao ceremonies originate?
It’s thought Cacao was first used as a health elixir and ceremonial medicine as far back as 1900 bc by the ancestors of Central America, the Olmec people, before becoming a ritualistic medicine used by the Aztec and Mayan cultures, signifying both life and fertility. Cacao is associated with universal love and considered to be a divine spiritual elixir, sacred medicine healer and ritual aid. First grown in South America and used by the Aztecs and Mayans thousands of years ago, they would sit together in circle drinking Cacao to commune with their gods. Back then, Cacao was also given sacred status and was used as a trade currency, given to warriors when they returned home, was served in religious ceremonies and appeared on the tables of the royal courts of the day. It was the Spanish who took it out of those native cultures as they invaded and colonised. They realised the value of Cacao and brought it back to Europe, sweetening it with sugar, spices and adding milk totally changing it from it's pure natural form. Word did eventually spread and slowly it was made into solid chocolate. Today much of it’s ceremonial understanding has been lost, as millions of us consume vast quantities of Cacao, heavily mixed with vegetable fats, processed sugar and dairy milk. Cacao is a super food and is now being reintroduced in its purest form, its sacredness being realised once more as the western world is slowly becoming more conscious in how they think, live and want to feel. 
Why drink ceremonial Cacao? Using intention, quiet time and meditation to work on yourself to find and maintain peace in a chaotic world is how and why you might drink Cacao and hold space for yourself. Cacao has incredible healing properties and is very nutritous, not to be confused with cocoa powder of hot chocolate. Ceremonial Cacao is pure chocolate without the vegetable oils and sugar added to processed chocolate. Nothing added or taken away. Cacao has so many natural health benefits, with a tangible emotional grounding and heart opening energy. 15gms is recommended for a daily serving 35gms for a ceremonial serving Cacao can be enjoyed simply and naturally with hot water and unsweetened. You may prefer to use a plant based milk and sweeten to your taste. Use a natural sweetener such as agave or maple but avoid using dairy milk or sugar. You may wish to get creative and add some cinammon or cayenne for some extra heat, or rose water for a gentle lift. Be as simple or as adventurous as you want to be. There is no right or wrong ~ just play and enjoy!! It is important to not boil the Cacao as this will destroy some of the compounds and medicinal properties. She is a sacred Plant Medicine so you may want to have a special board to prepare her on, a wooden spoon, a small sharp knife, a small pan just for your Cacao and a special cup to drink her from. As you slowly cut through the large block take the time to focus and prepare consciously, with love. Even where she is stored makes a difference. Maybe you would like her in a glass jar in a special place, or in a place of honour in the kitchen. She is special so treat her as such. Your journey with her is one of beauty and intention; put your Heart and Soul into her. The most essential ingredient to add to your daily Cacao Medicine is oodles of Love!
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Some of the beautiful benefits of Cacao
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