Cacao Ceremonies

A common reply when I mention I give Cacao Ceremonies is piqued interest and  'what is that?'.  To which my response is 'Ceremonial dosages of chocolate."  Of course it takes more of an explanation than that because nothing I do is simple.

Ever since I was young I've missed ritual and ceremony.  I've been fascinated that I have Native American blood in my lineage, yet no roots or connection to my ancestry.  So in some ways I've come full circle, however, I've ended up creating my own rituals.  I use my own guidance of what calls to me and moves me.  I have had a deep reverence and love for Gaia, Mama Earth, Pachemama since I was little and it's only grown deeper with time.
I've just recently moved across the country in a rapid and unexpected transition from Portland, Oregon to the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina.  One of the primary callings was living closer to the cycles and rhythms of Gaia, surrounded by more nature and gardening again.  I also received the message many times that I was returning "Home''.    Although I've only been here a little over 2 weeks, I certainly feel all of that has already occurred.  I'm nestled in a cozy cabin on top of a mountain at a healing retreat center called Isis Cove and my view is of the Appalachian blue hills of Nantahala National Forest.  I continue to be in awe that this is where I've landed for the beginning of this next journey.  But back to the intention of this post, Cacao Ceremonies...

I received inspiration (I usually express it as 'a message') last January to start giving cacao ceremonies.  I'd seen others post about ceremonial cacao journeys, but really didn't know what it was or what that would look like.  I've realized everything I offer (besides massage) I've created from my own guidance and inspiration rather than learning methods and approaches from someone else and this has been no exception.  Within 3 hours I was connected with Keith in Guatemala, who's become known as the 'Cacao Shaman'.  Virtually everyone I've come across that's working with chocolate in this manner is deriving it from Keith.  I was drawn to him for several reasons.  1. He uses old strains of cacao which have the complete range of constituents which is about 1200 and everything within cacao - neuromodulators, neurotransmitters, minerals (cacao has the highest concentration of magnesium which is necessary for every metabolic function.) vitamins, etc. is contained within us.  2. He's guided by the cacao deva (plant spirit - consciousness) of who to purchase the raw cacao.  My understanding is essentially All cacao (even the Fair Trade, Organic) is hybrid these days which lack the range of constituents that the cacao I'm using contains.  3. From reading his blog and understanding his intentions, instructions, experiences and integrity with working with high doses of cacao, I have felt confident to share and create an experience for others.

I created a recipe of raw, organic 'bliss balls' that's a simple, yummy and potent formula for ceremonial dosages (which is a total of 29 grams of cacao split into 3 'bliss balls') of cacao.  I also have a flower essence line  - Purifoy Flower Essences - www.purifoyfloweressences.com and I work intuitively with my essences (that's another blog post..).  I incorporate them into the 'bliss balls' to further assist with the opening and support that the heart centered cacao provides.   Cacao has been known as the 'food of the gods' and now it's becoming known as 'the food of the shift'.  For those of you on a path of personal and/or spiritual growth, you know that that means.  For those of you that aren't familiar with the term 'the shift', there's a belief that our consciousness is 'waking up' and we are healing and moving through personal, ancestral and collective healing at a rapid rate.  There's much more to this, but there's a brief explanation.
I create a ceremony around an intention - for example, 'Seeding your Dreams' where we go through a physical process through guided meditation and the blissful heart expansion of cacao to tap into our grandest visions for ourselves.  I invite everyone to write what their vision is and then plant it into earth (which I bring and have on our alter) to 'seed'.  Whether we're alchemically releasing fears through fire or planting a vision for ourselves, I complete the final step of the process by releasing ash or depositing dreams some place that speaks to me out in nature after the ceremony.

A run down of my ceremony looks something like this:  I begin the Ceremonies with a brief explanation of what Ceremonial Cacao is, how I'm working with it and what Flower Essences are in it.  I lead everyone through a Grounding to bring them into the present time, space and their body.  We take a few minutes for introductions and connections.  I go around and individually smudge everyone.  I call in the directions, the cacao deva, the essences and Gaia and then I pass out the cacao.  Next there's typically a guided meditation, a ritual towards whatever the intention of the ceremony is, heart connections individually and sending that energy within the group, group sharing and I finish with releasing the energies and the Circle.


I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Much Love.
Lorin

*If you live in or near the Asheville, NC area, I'd love to have you join one of my ceremonies.  I typically have them around Solstice and Equinox.  The next one is 12.20.13 in Asheville, NC and you can find information about the event on my FB page https://www.facebook.com/events/163349763875651/

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