Spirituality and Cacao

Finding balance while embracing Cacao

I am always looking for a more natural-minded lifestyle, to nurture my body and soul in a more conscious way. This is a long process of learning and unlearning. I am not even close to my ideal but I’m walking toward this life. I know that every change has to start from within, from all the realms of ourselves; from our memories, ancestral wisdom and unsolved issues. Our physical health is related to our internal state, our skin to our gut, our emotions to our voice. But we are also part of a community, so what happens to us as a group, affects our inner self, and viceversa. Duality and connection are always present.

I ask myself how to make life into a ceremony in the midst of the daily (un)expected challenges or surprises? In life, humanity and divinity dance together. We have both. Finding the balance might be the key to happiness: spirituality and social awareness, inner peace and social justice, connection to Mother Earth and solidarity with our brothers and sisters, nurturing our souls with high vibrations and accepting our mistakes and struggles as part of life. In my path to a balanced life, I center on the simpler ways to improve my soul -who I am-, and my body -the temple that allows me to be in this world-.

Today, I want to bring Cacao to your attention since this powerful plant contributes to both. Embracing the magic of Mother Cacao in a mindful way is one path I want to deepen this year, as well as to share it more with others. Cacao has been present all my life. I remember drinking homemade hot chocolate every Christmas and New Year from pure cacao bars that you could find in any traditional Peruvian market. It was dark, bitter, very rich in flavor and took a longer time to dissolve than commercial processed cocoa powder. I remember my paternal grandmother making chocolate from cacao beans. At the time, I didn´t understand how empowering that simple act was, when you could just choose to buy some chocolate at the store. My grandmother grew up between the Amazon and The Andes, where coffee, cacao, bananas and some other trees were part of her home. Life was not easy for her (or us) but she had so many amazing life skills that would impress any person nowadays. She was a rural teacher. That only is a big accomplishment. I have deep respect for educators. In spite of lack of opportunities and facing discrimination, she was able to raise five children who are good and decent human beings, being my father one of them.

Cacao energy and rituals

Cacao reminds me of family and connection. That is the main energy I’ve felt with it when growing up. With time, I have also found that it nurtures and cleans your energy in a gentle loving way. Opening the eyes and heart to recognize it as a sacred plant is a powerful practice. You can feel better just smelling it. Cacao is also good for the heart, the cognitive function, the mood, and a source of healthy minerals and nutrition, when it is not mixed with sugar or additives that are normally found in commercial chocolate. And it has some caffeine, a good alternative for the morning routine. These past days, I have embarked in a Cacao challenge, organized by Ora Cacao. I am more than halfway of this adventure and feeling excited to expand its magic to others in futures Cacao ceremonies, now in New Jersey. I use Cacao from Guatemala and Peru from fair trade sources, to support Latin American farmers, especially from my home country.

Cacao for your skin

For many years, I’ve been also using cacao for my skin. The skin in the larger organ that absorbs everything that we put on it. What a better way to care for it than using nature’s gifts as skincare products. There are many recipes out there. What I use is a combination of all or some of these ingredients: cacao butter, shea butter, coconut oil, bee wax, almond oil, vitamin E, and essential oils. It is super easy to make and will keep your skin moisturized and healthy.

It is not always possible to use only natural things to care for our bodies and that is ok, but if you try, and maybe recover some wisdom from your grandparents, for example, you will be keeping alive the knowledge and memories passed through generations, while having fun making your own products. Or you could start a new family tradition.

Have you made any skin care product from scratch? Have you experience a Cacao Ceremony?

More ceremonies coming soon. Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for reading!

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