NEW YEAR’S CACAO CEREMONY AND SOUND BATH – ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE AND A FULL MOON
Another year has passed, winter and its holiday spirit are here. Nature is asleep, long nights and low temperatures offer us the opportunity to go inwards, to contemplate, to rest and restore ourselves in the state of inner silence. Winter invites us to calm our minds and to listen to our hearts and souls in preparation for new growth, a new cycle. Winter invites us to allow ourselves to feel what we really feel underneath the facade we are showing to the world and to let go of everything that does not serve us anymore. Only in inner silence we can gain clarity, focus and strength for the new spring, both symbolically and literally. In the fast-paced modern world we lack this “inner silence” in which we would be able to hear ourselves, our inner voice.
On this special day of winter solstice and a full moon we have prepared a women’s circle with cacao ceremony for you. Cacao is a loving, gentle plant teacher who can take us to the immense depths of ourselves. In shamanism it is known as “The Heart Opener”. Healing power of a sound bath with Himalayan and crystal bowls will assist us in our journey with cacao.
The purpose of the women’s circle is to create a safe, sacred space in which you can hear yourself, your true inner motives and desires. Through the journey with cacao and sound you will experience loving, friendly support and receive spiritual guidance. You can also set a specific intent for the ceremony.
This is an evening dedicated to you, your time for yourself, with cacao ceremony, sound bath, circle dances and a safe, friendly atmosphere.
You will find more information about the program below.
WHEN
Saturday, 22 December 2018
From 3.30 pm to approximately 7.30 pm
WHERE
Dance School TEJ Dance
Kolarjeva ulica 47
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
WHO
Tadeja Škorja: I am passionate about everything that helps me know myself and the world around me better. The more I learn, the more I am aware those two are not two separate things. Many of you know me as nagual Uchu’s “right hand”. Uchu is a shaman from Latin America. Seven years of working and travelling with him have given me many things and experience for which I am deeply grateful.
Uchu introduced me to cacao. We held ceremonies together. Later on I met a shaman from the United Kingdom, Rebekah Shaman, who is one of the most known cacao shamans in Europe. I had the honour of training with her in one of her wonderful cacaoista retreats where we worked with the plant deeply and intensely in a circle of women. It was a profound, life-changing experience. The connection I made with the plant captured my heart. The spirit of the plant, goddess Ixcacao, surprised me with her depths, wisdom and nurturing nature. She touched my heart like a true “Heart Opener” (the plant’s nickname in shamanic circles). I felt how important it is for women to offer safe spaces and gatherings to each other, where they can relax and just be who they truly are.
You can read more about me here:
http://en.arianasyard.com/o-meni/
Ph.D. Albinca Pesek: Albinca is a musician, music teacher, professor, author of primary school textbooks for music, skilled sound and dance therapist, and above all my dear friend. She devoted her life to her love of music which is felt in all her work. She will show us a few circle dances and pamper us with a sound bath to prepare us for the ceremony.
Sara Petretič: During the ceremony Sara will take care of you as my assistant. She is an excellent support for keeping the ceremonial sacred space and is available to you if you need anything during the ceremony. She is also a great artist and designer.
PROGRAM
Women’s Circle: Women’s circles offer us the opportunity to connect, to feel closer to women of all ages and forget about the rivalry, which is so greatly promoted by our society. They are a place of trust, friendship and relaxation. It is the day of the winter solstice – the day of the longest night which means the beginning of a new cycle when the daylight starts getting longer again. Symbolically, this is the time of introspection, inner silence, preparation for new ideas, projects, new beginnings. It is also the day of the full moon. Moon will be at the peak of its power – full moon represents maturity, action, it gives us energy, clarity and momentum we need in setting our goals and intentions.
Cacao Ceremony: An indigenous Mayan legend tells us whenever the balance between humans and nature becomes threatened, (ceremonial) cacao comes from the rainforest to open people’s hearts and return the planet to a state of harmony.
Ceremonial cacao was traditionally used by the Ancient Mayan Shamans to travel between the worlds. For them the Cacao Spirit was one of the most powerful deities. We will drink organic, raw, ceremonial grade cacao from the Ashaninka tribes of Peru. Ceremonial cacao leads you to the door to the heart, to the spiritual dimension, but it does not push you through like other plants. Ceremonial cacao gently invites you on a journey, to travel with the chocolate spirit through the veil if you choose to.
With over 1200 chemical constituents, the beans from Theobroma Cacao (translating from the greek: theo – meaning god and broma – meaning food), appear to be the most pharmacologically complex food in nature. Certain active ingredients help release ‘feel good’ emotions, therefore cacao is considered a heart opener that paves the way to transformation through self-love. It triggers release of dopamine, the ‘pleasure’ hormone. Through cacao you access the subconscious to reveal and heal the deepest aspects of yourself. It helps you to remove blockages in all areas of your life: relationships, career, personal growth, creativity, or wherever your focus is. Ultimately, cacao expands your capacity to love and be loved.
You may prepare questions or intent for your ceremony. Ixcacao may not take you where you expect her to take you. But you can be sure she will take you where you need to go. Allow yourself to be surprised!
Circle dances: Before the ceremony we will take a few minutes to dance in the circle. In the old European pre-Christian traditions the symbols of the circle and circular movement are extremely important. Life unfolds itself in cycles, in circular movements, which are represented by symbols such as air vortices, water vortices, spindle, spinning wheel, weaving the threads (of faith)… These are the symbols of the feminine divine principle. They also depict the supernatural beings moving in circles, and circular vortices represent the bridge between this world and other worlds.
Through a short, meditative dance we will tune in as a group and energize ourselves. Movement is extremely simple and easy, therefore no dance knowledge is required. Albinca will intuitively choose the right dances for the group.
Sound Bath: The sound of Himalayan and crystal bowls will prepare us for the ceremony and enable us to understand and integrate its messages better. During the sound bath with Albinca you will harmonize your energies, your mind, body and spirit.
Closing: We will close the ceremony with a talk, integration of experiences and socializing. Journeying with cacao may trigger deep emotional processes, so try to spend the rest of the evening calmly, quietly and without stress.
A Note: Cacao is safe to ingest, however there are certain medical conditions where we need to adjust the dose. If you have heart conditions, take antidepressants or are pregnant, please let us know. If you have epilepsy, unfortunately we cannot invite you to cacao ceremony for your own safety. More details will be provided when you apply.
PRICE:
50 €
Bookings and Information:
Due to limited places please book your place by applying to the following email prior to the event:
arianasyard@gmail.com (Tadeja)
You will receive further information when you apply.
Welcome!