Cacao Ceremony

What a beautiful way to enjoy the autumn sunshine in the last few days of September, invited to a Sacred Cacao Ceremony hosted by a dear friend,  Another friend and myself went along, both never having been to anything like this before and I not knowing what to expect.  Caroline greeted us warmly to her home as is the norm, the ceremony was being conducted by Ricardo down in the paddock at the bottom of the garden.  We headed down the garden path, saying hello to the lovely Dolly the Shetland pony grazing the lawn, Alice and Matilda the chickens scratching about in the flower beds, Cats and dogs around too. The Paddock looked beautiful in the sunshine and Caroline’s husband Chris had lit two small fires, one in the circle of tree stumps. We settled down, having been advised to wear layers for warmth and bring blanket and a cushion to enable us to be cosy. But these where not needed due to the wonderful warmth of the sun and the fires, with the woodsmoke drifting about the small apples trees.  We all chatted a little nervously and it transpired that most of us had never been before.  Ricardo joined us and quietly explained about the cacao and what was going to happen.  Two big thermos flasks were placed on the ground with paper cups. Along with a thin wooden box, on a beautifully embroidered cloth, there was also a drum, a rattle and a flute.  Ricardo explained he was from Mexico and had traveled around his home country teaching and learning from the people in the different regions.  He began by pouring the dark steaming liquid into the paper cups and handing them to each one of us, assisted by my friend. The liquid smelt of chocolate, but didn’t taste sweet, just slightly bitter but pleasant. He had explained the cacao had many life affirming qualities that support health and psychological well being because it naturally produces serotonin, that naturally make us feel high, it also opens our hearts so we feel more loving and peaceful. As we all sat savoring this drink, Ricardo started to beat the drum and chant.  It really was an amazing experience, I shut my eyes and imaged I was flying high over snow capped mountains like a condor. But all the time bing aware of the earth beneath my feet and the sounds around me, the breeze and sun on my face. The drumming and chanting continued for a while with different ancient songs with words I could not understand but somehow felt familiar and comforting.  We then took turns and stood arms outstretched whilst Ricardo used the pleasantly scented Florida water and with two large beautiful feathers wafted them about us removing any negativity, on asking at the end of the ceremony from what birds the feathers were from, one from a royal eagle and the larger from a condor, I smiled inwardly not surprised.  It really was a beautiful experience and nothing weird or strange just an wonderful feeling of peace and love.  Even Dolly came down and joined us in her paddock after munching some leaves she had found, stood quietly seeming to enjoy the drumming and chanting.  The last song was about the love between the moon and the sun and as the song came to an end Dudley the little dog howled. How apt! I would like to thank Caroline and Chris for inviting me and to Ricardo for an amazing experience.  So if you ever get the chance to participate in a Sacred Cacao Ceremony, do give it a go, I came away feeling so calm and relaxed after a few hours of ‘me’ time with the beautiful scent of woodsmoke lingering on my clothes.  Even Alice the hen enjoyed a peck at the cacao nibbles left in the bottom of a cup.......