Food of the gods: sacred chocolate

Ever wondered why people exchange chocolate on romantic occasions?

Long before Willie Wonka came around, it was known among the ancient Maya as the “food of the gods,” because chocolate, or cacao, can act as a powerful aphrodisiac that awakens the “love hormones” in the body, such as serotonin and dopamine.

It has the power to provide clarity of the consciousness, to move you from your head to your heart, and to produce a gentle euphoria.

In the jungle, certain shamans use cacao in its raw, unadulterated form for healing. But here in the modern world, this plant spirit—or the energy behind the form called cacao—is often overlooked as a sacred medicine.

But when used correctly, cacao unlocks your ability to explore your own personal and mystical journey from an enlightening new perspective.

If you are drinking a homemade cacao hot chocolate in the mornings instead of coffee, it unleashes such beautiful creative energies while also giving you a subtle morning boost.

More on the mysteries of cacao below, but first, we share a delicious sacred hot chocolate recipe. (Be careful of how much raw cacao you use – this stuff can be potent!)

Sacred Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

(makes 1 serving)

10 oz. hot water (almond milk can be substituted for beginners)

2 Tbsp. raw cacao powder

2 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. organic coconut oil

1 tsp. maca powder

¼ tsp organic vanilla extract

Pinch of cayenne

Pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients, except for cinnamon and honey, into a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat.

2. Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly.

3. Once the contents are simmering, remove from heat and pour into a cup.

4. Allow to cool to about 40 degrees and add honey.

5. Sprinkle cinnamon over top of the brew and enjoy!

A Maya legend tells us that whenever there is an imbalance between humans and nature, cacao comes from the rainforest to open people’s hearts and return the planet to a state of harmony.

One of cacao’s active pharmacological ingredients consists of N-acylethanolamines, which, according to Drugs.com, are “compounds found in chocolate that are structurally similar to anandamine, which is similar to the cannabinoid responsible for euphoria from cannabis. These compounds may not exert their effect by binding with the tetrahydrocannabinol receptors, but by inhibiting breakdown of endogenously produced anandamine, thus prolonging a ‘natural high.’”

Cacao’s alchemy can be subtle and its messages can come quietly. It is an excellent synergist and partnership facilitator, helping each of us to become aware of our subconscious mind. If we pay attention to these “easier” lessons, we can avoid the hard ones.

As psychologist Carl Jung explained, the language of the subconscious is symbols, images, and metaphors. He encouraged us to notice repetitive images and also the physiological responses, like headache or nausea—seemingly common phenomena that are often ignored. Through deep meditation with the plant, its medicine can show you deeper truths about these experiences. Don’t be surprised if you experience a proverbial “Aha!” moment.

Here are some of the health benefits of cacao:

• Increases blood flow.
• Contains powerful antioxidants, up to 40 times more than blueberries, which absorb free radicals.
• Boasts the highest plant-based source of iron—twice that of spinach.
• Full of magnesium for a healthy heart and brain.
• Acts as a natural mood elevator and antidepressant.
• Contains more calcium than cow’s milk per 100g.

Some of the reported spiritual benefits of cacao include:

• Acts as a heart chakra opener, allowing for deeper, authentic love-based connections and emotional release.
• Creates a stronger connection with your higher self, to connect you with your own power and truth, and to remove blocks and create a blissful life.
• Facilitates deeper meditation, providing clarity and allowing you to receive inspiration and experience conscious creativity.
• Gaining awareness to oneness, love, and enlightenment.
• Balances the yin and yang, feminine and masculine, energies within.
• Improves yoga practice along with increasing flow of energy through Qigong, Reiki, and Kundalini.
• Allows connection to higher dimensions and ability to receive elevated inspirations, and raises vibration.

If you want to simply begin using cacao for its many health benefits, or for communing with the plant and bringing it into your meditation, the simple recipe above is perfect for daily use.

Note: the effects of cacao are most noticeable when consumed on an empty stomach and prepared without any dairy products, as these tend to dilute its efficacy.

 

yogaesoteric
November 27, 2022

 

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