Cacao + Menstruation
I drink a cup of Cacao during almost every monthly bleed and at times it has been a miraculous medicine.
I haven’t used painkillers for 8+ years, not even when I’ve been in almost unbearable menstrual pain, one because I wanted to cut out pharmaceuticals and two I wanted to increase my capacity to be with pain.
During one monthly bleed last year I spent a whole night, through to the next day, in agony with cramp. Early in the morning i made myself a cup of ceremonial Cacao with Maca, Ashwaganda and almond milk. I could barely stand up at the oven and had to regularly drop to my knees because of the pain.
I took the Cacao back up to my bedroom, sat on the floor and before drinking said a prayer to the Cacao spirit asking to understand any messages within the pain and for my body and womb to receive whatever it needed nutritionally and energetically. I also offered a short song to Cacao.
Not long after drinking, the pain drastically eased and my whole body softened. Whether it was the magnesium in the Cacao and other nutritional content, or the combined effect of my intentions and presence to be with the pain — the whole experience turned into a profound and beautiful ceremony.
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Pain brings me into conscious relation with my body.
To me there are messages within pain that ask to be heard. Without painkillers the process of listening for messages can mean becoming excruciatingly present to every single breath, sensation and movement inside.
I took many messages from that experience last year – insight into the stress my body was experiencing around that time and where I was pushing too much mentally. For the rest of the day after I had moved through the waves of pain, I found myself in such a tender, open and connected place within. Connected to my body and to something mystical inside of and all around me.
I can only go off my personal experience and i’m not making suggestions of answers to serious medical conditions, but to me Cacao and menstruation are intrinsically connected and wonderfully compatible.
For anyone who struggles during their monthly bleed with pain or other difficulties, and even for those who don’t and would simply like to have a ritual to connect more into their body at that time, exploring the potential of Cacao could be helpful for you too.
My recommended ritual - make yourself a mug of warm ceremonial grade Cacao, sit with it in your hands feeling the warmth and taking in all of the rich scents. Ask for insight & support and give yourself permission to receive the warmth of Cacao’s medicine into your heart.
♥
