In our latest guest-blog Hannah Carr of The Nourished Body talks about the benefits of the Cacao ceremony. Hannah will be co-facilitating (and hosting a ceremony) at this summer’s Well-being Retreat.
The cacao bean is what chocolate is made from, but the product that most of us know and love has very small amounts of cacao, lots of milk and sugar, and is highly processed.
You will be introduced here to ceremonial grade cacao, which is not like consuming dark chocolate, or even raw chocolate. Our cacao is sourced from small farmer co-ooperatives in the Peruvian Andes, it’s very bitter (we add a little sweetness to balance it) but the depth of flavour is truly amazing.
You will start to feel excited just by the smell, and it will be prepared for you with love and intention.
What I love about this as a nutritionist is that it’s naturally high in iron, magnesium, B-complex vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Cacao has been used in ceremonies for thousands of years and is used as a heart opening medicine. It is used to help to heal the mental, physical and spiritual body. Physically it increases blood flow to the brain by 30-40% when taken as ceremonial dose and also increases the oxygen levels in blood by around 20%.
It’s effects are subtle and profound people can safely experience awakening, revelation and inner healing. Intentions are set and once consumed, euphoric states are unlocked, negative emotions are released and we are able to connect to ourselves and the loving energy in our body.
Come and experience the magic of the ceremony at the Athena summer well-being retreat. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is said that Summer is related to the organ of the heart, and bitter flavours support the heart, so this is perfect timing.
Together we will be supporting the heart at the optimal time of the year, a time when consuming cacao delivers it’s most powerful effects.
We will sit in a circle and set intentions, listen to heartfelt music and share as a group together. It is the most wonderful way to connect, release, uplift you and realign you with who you truly are.
To find out more about Hannah Carr and her work; click here to visit her website
To book your place on our retreat please click here.