Sacred Cacao Ceremonies
RAW CACAO CEREMONIES
The tradition of the cacao ceremonies has its roots in Central- and South America and is still alive in the culture of indigenous tribes in this regions. As sacred cacao ceremonies becoming very popular these days, we can only encourage this movement, because these ceremonies are all about reconnecting our nature to the earth, but also about ‘opening of the heart’ and reconnecting to the people around you. Cacao is known as a medicinal healing spirit for the human heart, as it strengthens (when kept in its pure, unprocessed form) the qualities of connection, truth and harmony within us. In a ceremony one drinks the medicinal raw cacao in a small dose (with hot water), this brings us into a state where we can easily open up and listen to the voice of our heart, enter into a state of relaxation and presence. Because the Cacao is a true heart opener, we can easily connect ourselves with the world. Feel life flowing through your senses, feel eachother's gratitude by dancing, singing and sharing. It's all about expressing your true self. The cacao among many others is a 'plantteacher'. Plants like these form a very interesting alliance with humans, they bring health and strength into our physical, emotional and energetic body. Having the cacao as your guide, this spirit enlightens your being with divine playfullness and a simplicity regarding life as it is. These ceremonies by ‘the white arrow’ are all about ‘la familia’. Singing, dancing, healing and celebrating ‘together’, as one big family. We create a space for openness, to express one's feelings in mutual respect and with dignity. Together we make it happen. Throughout our shamanic trainings over the years with the shamans in Peru and Europe we incorporated a lot of healing techniques, singing medicine songs (icaro), soundhealing, bodywork and much more. According to our perception, the cacao ceremony is one of the strongest healing ceremonies.
Thanks to the Spirit of Cacao, we celebrate life, we celebrate you, with all beings present in these moments of joy and creativity.
OUR UNIQUE STORY
Many years ago we started our cocoa ceremonies. Cocoa ceremonies have been held all over the world for a long time and everyone does so in their own unique way and approach. At The White Arrow, we have chosen a very unique formula that makes these ceremonies a very profound and connecting experience. In the meantime, this formula has already been adopted here and there and the work is therefore spreading through other facilitators. We bring a unique combination of: Cocoa, Tobacco, Breathwork, dance and healing work, topped with a live concert by The White White Arrow. These ceremonies by 'the white arrow' are all about 'la familia'. Singing, dancing, healing and celebrating 'together', like one big family. We create a space for openness, so that everyone can express their feelings with mutual respect and dignity. Being together makes this possible. During our shamanic training over the years with the shamans in Peru and Europe, we have acquired many techniques, singing the self-healing songs (icaro), sound healing, body work, breath work and so much more. According to our perception, the cocoa ceremony is one of the friendliest yet most powerful healing ceremonies. Thanks to the 'spirit' of Cacao, we celebrate life and ourselves. With all present we enter into a magical exchange of joy and creativity. You will find more about ceremonial cocoa, tobacco, breathwork, etc. further down this website. Use a text section to describe your values, or show more info, or summarize a topic, or tell a story. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore.
How to prepare myself for a cacao ceremony?
If you hit the button, you will enter thes page where you will find all the important information to prepare for a cacao ceremony at The White Arrow. Many of the elements we offer will differ from other cacao ceremonies, therefore this website only applies to the cacao ceremony at The White Arrow. The cocoa, Tobacco and breathwork can be found in all our 'intimate cocoa ceremonies', and during the intimate cocoa ceremonies at Aiyana we also work with the medicine of the Rose. The large cocoa ceremonies come under the name 'Heartbeat' and are real cocoa dance events with a large group of people, live music and a DJ act. You will find more in-depth information about all these matters further down this website, as well as an agenda of all our upcoming events.
Your heart is a river
"Like a river, the qualities of your heart can flow vigorously from the inner to the outside. Imagine how it would be if your deepest desires, strongest intuitions, most passionate desires, bottomless compassion, wildest dreams, highest truths, your core values, would flow out to the world. If you meet people, compassion can be the quality you radiate instead of self-interest. The idea of separation begins to melt, narrow self-determination will be less present. Your words can be the quality of depth, love, compassion and wisdom all through your connection with your essence or heart.
When you meet people, you can feel the connection through their hearts. Perhaps inspiration will move you in new ways. Perhaps creativity comes to life in you in a way that you could not imagine. Can love finally take free movement, no longer blocked by surface drama. The quiet, peaceful power of your heart is given space to move in the world, creating his blessings for everyone you meet. Perhaps people will feel that something has changed in you, though they may never know what that is. The smell of your heart, its uniqueness, its rare quality, can flow in the world. Opening of the heart and connection through that heart, that’s what it’s all about in these sacred cacao ceremonies.
Being together is the real medicine
Being together as a family that's the real medicine. Singing, dancing and sharing is the biggest heart-medicine there is. Let the spirit of the cacao play its part as being the one who opens the window of your heart, then it's up to you to make the jump by joining hands. The magic of 'people coming together' always works in mysterious ways; spontaneous healings take place, being touched by the deepest joy and simplicity towards life.
Love is the healing power
There is a lot to say about 'healing', but we’ll keep it short. The feeling of love has actually become a human emotion or even a conditioning, maybe we think more about love, so we start to project these beliefs out in to the world. What does love actually mean to you? It could be pointing towards everything, because in a way everything is love. Everything you encounter, everyone you meet is merely an expression of the love you hold towards yourself, to keep you moving on the path, wherever your creation leads you. It's actually ALL good!
And, who's healing who? These questions are really only part of a lovely game called: "being human". The biggest healing could be found in the force of 'together'. Feeling joy, warmth, compassion, tenderness for one another, brings out a very powerful energy amongst a group of people. Seeing all those mirrors reflecting your beautiful self, it opens up the heart. This strong healing power is the secret ingredient for our magical cacao-potion.
We all seek to feel whole and connected again. The idea that we have to find something we think we’ve lost is nothing more than a big sacred magical humane hoax. Being in the sacred all-loving space of the cacao ceremony you could even begin to feel that there was nothing lost after all, nothing to find, it was always there, right under your nose, screaming at you: "look, I'm here, I've never left you!"
‘This love’ has never left you, because it’s who you really are,so embrace your true human nature.
Intimate cacao ceremonies
These smaller and more intimate cacao ceremonies are held with a group of no more than 25 people. We choose smaller locations to host these sessions. These more intimate ceremonies are ideal for a more personal approach, especially when the healings take place. In the middle of our circle we create a space for individual healings. You're free to participate in these moments by being present in the middle and all together we'll sing the most fitting song for your personal benefit in that moment. These moments gently evolve into people coming closer and melting into one big heart, being there for each other. Like in any other cacao ceremony by The White Arrow we offer a purification round with Maestro Tobacco and some tribal dancing. Everything we do is only accompanied by life music. An intimate ceremony or a big cacao event... it's a celebration of life, with lots of laughter, joy and letting go.
An intimate ceremony or a large cocoa event... it is always a celebration of life, with lots of laughter, joy and letting go. Our intimate cocoa ceremonies in Aartselaar, always take place under the guidance of the plant teacher 'The White Rose'
MEDICINA ROSA
During the intimate ceremonies at the location 'Aiyana' (Aartselaar), a hydrosol of the Rose is also used. This rose medicine is added to your Cacao or directly on the tongue if desired. This is to introduce even more softness and self-love into your body and mind. A renewing power of your vision like the Spring energy Nourishing for your heart. A bath of light. A true dance between light and dark. Universal love. Like the morning dawn, the energy of the rising sun. This vibration together with pure joy of life opens and has a balancing effect on your heart chakra. The Rose (and the Cacao) knows how to transfer the information from the plant deep into the cell level of the human being and thus brings its healing soothing nourishing power. (Energetically and spiritually it resonates with the heart vibration and emotional atmosphere on the energetic body) The plant water has a revitalizing effect on a physical, mental and emotional level. Meet the Spirit of the Rose and carry it with you. So she symbolizes love and pure joy of life. Live and experience everything from your heart.
HEARTBEAT CACAO dance events
Dancing is always a part of each ceremony (small or big) because the dancing spirit of cacao plays an important role in bringing movement in your body, mind, emotions, ... in your 'life. Movement through dance evoces the fire spirit in your body. Together with maestro tobacco you can easily let go of the dragons you no longer need. Heavy energies start to travel and are being pushed out by means of expressing yourself. The cacao is always present, reminding you to be gentle with yourself during this process. In our smaller ceremonies we prefer to play live music to work deeper with the energies that are present. Djembés, drums, rattles and flutes fill up the room with heart pounding beats, making it barely impossible not to move. (we invite you to bring your drum) In the Heartbeat dance party we work together with BENCHI
'Heartbeat' is a great medicine for letting go. A powerful anti-stress treatment. These 'heartbeat' dancing events will come regularly to you so you'll get the opportunity to transform your life by not letting your old habits repeat itself again. Just bring yourself to attend a 'Heartbeat' ceremony from time to time, and life will get more simple.
Further practical information and house rules:
The ceremony always starts punctually on the starting hour (come a half hour in advance)
It is forbidden to wear shoes in the hall
No other beverage except water is brought to this ceremony
Wear comfortable clothes (it can become warm in the room)
You can bring your own drum or rattle, but always consult with the DJ if it is appropriate to play drums. You may not use instruments from the altar.
Respect your own boundaries and space as well as those of the others.
Together we keep this temple 'clean'.
Stay with the group, we are one big family, so we stay together as a group.
If you wish to leave the session early, first look for one of the supervisors to make this clear, so we will not be looking for you.
This is not a regular dance party, it is and remains a profound ceremonial work, the question remains to go inside, feel your body, and learn to deal with what presents itself.
And do not forget: you are needed!
Personal Cacao ceremonies
More and more people ask us to bring the cacao experience to their home. We can hold an intimate ceremony in your house for you and your friends and/or family. To reconnect and to celebrate life together as you probably have never done before. If you’re interested, feel free to contact us. We need a minimum of 15 to 20 participators.
Festivals & gatherings
We’re always happy to attend these lovely World festivals, a great place to host a big cacao event. According to the needs of your organisation we can bring a crew of musicians and energy-workers to support us to give you a very large cacao experience with live music to fill the festival ground. In our own country we mostly work with a free contribution. You can contact us, we’ll be happy to listen to any suggestion.
Cacao Dorado
In addition to our Cacao ceremonies with the White Rose and the Heartbeat dance cacaos, the Cacao Dorado ceremonies were created in 2021. These ceremonies were initially only for the people who followed our annual trajectory. For them we created a follow-up trajectory 'El Camino Dorado' to continue on and to complete the transformation in the full development of their own talents.
We now also want to open the Cacao Dorado ceremonies to people who follow the Engagement Shift trajectory with us (6 months follow-up trajectory). This also gives the ex-Season's Shifters the opportunity to put their skills in healing and music at the service of the additional Engagement Shift participants. These ceremonies already require sufficient self-knowledge, strength and focus. During this Golden Cacao Ceremony you will discover yourself like never before, restore or perpetuate your place on earth and your connection with nature.