THE FOOD OF THE GODS
Discovered more than 5 000 years ago by Mayan shamans, cacao – or ixcacao – was considered the food of the gods. Today, clinical psychologist Alice Coelho, a certified cacao ceremony facilitator, hosts cacao rituals at her Pretoria home.
‘Ixcacao is considered to be the sacred seed that holds deep wisdom and the ability to heal both heart and soul,’ she says. ‘The energy of sacred ixcacao is gentle, nurturing, supportive and nourishing.’
According to Florencia Fridman, who facilitates cacao ceremonies in New York, ceremonial cacao is genetically different from 99% of commercially available cacao. ‘It is grown from heirloom strains. It is minimally processed to allow all its beneficial nutrients to be absorbed.’
‘The most important ingredient in any cacao practice,’ says Alice, ‘is the intention with which you work with this sacred teacher plant. Using ixcacao in ritual and ceremony with focused intentions radically transforms both the cacao and the individual – energetically, spiritually, psychologically and emotionally.
‘Psychologists often encourage clients to create small rituals to aid in the processing of trauma and loss, and to mark important transitions in their lives. But this often comes from a very academic, sterile and clinical stance.’
Performing her own rituals and ceremonies has empowered Alice to ‘experience the healing power of these seemingly simple acts, which often deepen the experience in ways that language and words cannot do. They don’t have to be anchored in any specific religious paradigm to have value. They simply need to be anchored in acts of love and care.’ ❖
‘The most important ingredient in any cacao practice is the intention with which you work.’