Through the ancient ritual of 'tea', Cassey inspires a deeper connection and understanding of 'self', a woman's cycle, movement and energy.
Cassey Maynard is helping to reclaim our magic, one cup at a time. Through the ancient ritual of ‘tea’, Cassey inspires a deeper connection and understanding of ‘self,’ a woman’s cycle, movement and energy.
Seeking an alternative to our leafy friend? Turn to cacao for a potent hit of magnesium, calcium, iron, a sharpened focus, and energy boost.
M+E: Talk to us about your Shamanic cacao ceremony – how does this differ to a traditional tea ceremony?
CM: When you sit in sacred ceremony with me, cacao is used as a powerful tool for embodiment, inviting more love, gratitude, joy, and celebration into your life. Once dropped deep into your heart space, you will embark on a transformative Shamanic journey, guided by the Ancient Chakana Medicine Wheel and the three worlds of existence in Andean Cosmology - the inner world, upper world, and physical world.
This ceremony is an opportunity to release heavy emotions, transforming them into light, as you reconnect with your true essence. Through prayer and connection to your inner realm, profound healing becomes accessible, allowing for the creation of a new, expansive reality.
This is a time to soften, connect with your heart, tap into your innate wisdom, and embrace your truth, as you move towards a deeper understanding of yourself.
The significant difference between a Tea ceremony and Cacao ceremony is, Tea is sat in complete silence compared to that of cacao which is guided by the facilitator.
M+E: What are the hero benefits of a cacao ceremony for body and mind?
CM: Cacao is packed with nutrients like antioxidants, magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamins which have a positive effect on how our bodies function. It also contains compounds like theobromine, which can improve blood flow and cardiovascular health, as well as phenylethylamine, known as the ‘love chemical’ which can enhance mood and increase feelings of happiness and pleasure. Yummmmm!
This gentle yet powerful medicine turns down the volume of the mind so we can hear the whispers of our heart!
One of the key hero benefits of a cacao ceremony is its ability to facilitate emotional healing and inner transformation. Cacao contains compounds that can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with feelings of joy and relaxation. During a ceremony, these effects can be amplified, leading to a deeper sense of connection with yourself and others, as well as profound insights into your thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behaviour.
The women who sit in ceremony with me say they experience a greater sense of clarity, release, and empowerment as they journey inward and confront old wounds or limiting beliefs.
M+E: Something we may not know about cacao?
CM: In certain Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya and Aztec civilizations, cacao was consumed not only as a beverage but also as a stimulant before going into battle. The potent mixture of ground cacao beans mixed with water, spices, and sometimes chilli peppers provided warriors with a boost of energy and mental alertness. It was believed to increase stamina and sharpen focus, making it an ideal drink for soldiers preparing for combat.
Additionally, cacao was used by indigenous women during childbirth. It was believed to have properties that could ease labor pains and provide the mother with strength and endurance during childbirth. Theobromine, a compound found in cacao, has stimulant effects similar to caffeine but is milder, which might have helped women endure the intensity of labor.
M+E: Your favourite cacao products?
CM: I have a few favourite Ceremonial cacao brands I absolutely love and work deeply with:
Sacred Earth Medicine
Nourish Hub
Great Spirit
M+E: How else can we incorporate the benefits of cacao into our daily/weekly routines?
CM: Start your day with a nourishing cacao instead of coffee. Cacao has an activating and energising effect on the body giving energy without the crash so it’s a great alternative to coffee. I love to create a morning heart drop in ritual. Making my cacao is a part of this. Pop on your favourite playlist, light a candle, burn incense and enjoy this slow and intentional practice. Then sit with your medicine, connect with your heart and ask if it needs anything today. I share how I make my Cacao on my Instagram page so please come check it out.
M+E: What other methods do you engage to unwind and self-connect?
CM: I connect with my heart each morning and ask these questions:
Where am I in my cycle?
How am I feeling energetically/physically/mentally?
What do I need today?
My routines and rituals very much depend on where I am at. I work very intentionally with my cycle and hormones. For example, my movement increases during Follicular and Ovulation phases and my meditation, journaling and self-care practices increase during Luteal and Bleed phases. I love Yoga, breath work, walks in nature, waterfall visits, energy healing and my new joy project of DJing.
M+E: Last random act of kindness?
CM: I gifted two of my friends a rose, incense and handwritten message in a beautiful card just to say, ‘I love you’.
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