New Year's Cacao Ceremony

Rise up & celebrate the beginning of the New Year with the joy of being surrounded with community, the spirit of Cacao and some healing sound scapes! After a wonderful ceremony we already held in Paekakariki, we were asked for more...so here we come again, Kapiti!

The tradition of drinking ceremonial cacao has its origin in the ancient cultures of the Mayas and Aztecas in Central America. It was used to evoke IXCACAO—goddess of Chocolate, Fertility and Abundance. She was also known as the "Queen of Love and Pleasure", connected with the energy of the heart.

Some of this magical plant, a full-scale nutritional wonder, harvested and packed in the sacred lands in Guatemala by a cacao shaman is now in New Zealand to be shared and enjoyed. In a sacred ceremonial circle we will share a cup of bitter delight and allow it to awaken our Heart and soul.

We will guide you through a short heart-opening meditation and will hold space for music, devotional singing, dancing, sharing...in one word, for magic.

Why cacao is referred to as medicine?

Cacao is an aphrodisiac, mood enhancer, and antioxidant that protects the heart and is densely packed with nutrients, cacao is a nutritional powerhouse, proven to be the most pharmacologically complex food in nature. It can improve your memory, reduce heart disease, shed fat, boost immunity, and create loads of energy.

Cacao contains the neurotransmitters serotonin, tryptophan and dopamine—the chemicals responsible for feelings of well-being, as well as anandamide, known as the bliss molecule that leaves us feeling blissful and euphoric, moderating pain perception, as well as assisting in regulating appetite and mood.

When high quality raw cacao beans are prepared for ceremony, all the mood enhancing neurochemicals in cacao become particularly active. It increases blood flow and nutrition to the brain, heart and skin, and the whole body is nourished. People report heightened awareness, focus and intensified sensations.

Sacred Cacao ceremony participants all share raw cacao is heart opening and an amazing meditation aid. Chocolate Shaman, Keith Wilson, whose cacao we mostly use, lives in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala and has been working with cacao for over 12 years. He uses cacao for spiritual and shamanic purposes and processes his own cacao under instruction from the “cacao spirit.” Keith refers to cacao as the “food for the shift”.

Join us in an exploration of its gifts! And this is a special edition! For this ceremony we will have the amazing Yee Ley Lau, sound healer and magic-maker will contribute with a soulful sound bath, creating sound scapes to enhance your experience.

Prepaid to account number 38-9018-0117320-01

Booking is essential! We need to know the number of participants to make the cacao drink, so please book your spot in advance and be there on time. Get in touch by commenting in the event page, or writing to radha.heartawakening@gmail.com or call/text 020 4077 5534, Radha.

And a warning:

If you have a chronic heart disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding please get in touch beforehand to discuss if you are able to join the ceremony, as cacao can increase blood pressure and the heartbeat.