Lock-Down, what a peculiar state we find ourselves in?
The year of outward possibility and excitement has turned instead to one of inward exploration and contemplation.
I for one knew this was going to be a year of big change and quantum leaps of growth but little did I know it was going to happen with the threat of pandemic and physical lock-down. What a beautiful equaliser and reminder than we are all equal and connected this little virus has become.
As our SA government has kindly granted us 21 days (the perfect amount to make or break a habit) I would like to invite you to join me daily at 12pm local SA time for a channeled meditation, these will be happening live on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/giselabean/ from today to the 16th of April.
My aim with this is to be of service during this time, to assist in guiding you inside while we can't go outside and to remind those that feel alone that you are not, you are a Divine Sovereign Being and can never be alone.
This is the time to connect and listen to your souls calling, we are all being given a beautiful opportunity to allow all that is not for our own nor the highest good of all to fall away at this time. Take this opportunity to figure out what that may be for you and to commit to bravely stepping onto your soul path when this is over.

In Alchemy
Isa Ka Ra - Gisela

After a life long fascination with and calling to the Goddess & Divine Feminine energy, as well as a fascination and study of the body’s energy centres I began in 2015 to actively work with and explore the concept of these centres and their ability to assist us in healing and in connecting deeper with the Goddess & Divine Feminine energy within. This started in my practice and determination to heal myself and better understand what the underlying causes of both physical and emotional issues I experienced were; being diagnosed with Bi-polar, PTSD and borderline personality disorder in my early teens, as well as struggling with various forms of addiction, I wanted to know how I could approach these issues and heal without the use of allopathic medicine and mainstream psychology. To take my healing and spiritual growth into my own hands and honour my true self and soul calling. Which through this and accompanying holistic practices is what I did and continue to do; this process also assisted me in understanding the root causes of most of the issues I had come up against in my life and how to heal and understand my core wounding in order to prevent and stop the further repetition of patterns and behaviours that were not in service or aligned with my highest good. ​

As a modern society we have forgotten the value of gathering in ceremony, in a manner where all participants are viewed as equal and valuable contributors to the whole. In a manner that allows for a safe space to feel, learn, experience, express and grow. We’ve forgotten what it truly means to be held in a safe space, without judgment or the need to conform to any preset. A space in which we are safely held to explore both the internal and external realms.
 
Creating this space is my intention with an Alchemy Cacao Ceremony, with the aid of the Sacred Plant Medicine that is Cacao the container in which we are held is created. Mama Cacao when called wraps her arms around us and take us on a journey into our hearts so that we my shed the layers of mis-truths that have been wrapped around our being to begin to reconnect with our essence and the fundamental sovereign nature of our souls.
 
Ceremony is held in various different formats and with varying components depending on the themes and topics being explored, but will always consist of the opening of sacred space to create the container in which we will work and then generally an introduction to the theme, an introduction and calling of Mama Cacao, consumption of the Cacao, a meditation or some form of practice and then a voluntary opportunity to share and discuss your experience. Finally the sacred space will be again closed and the medicine thanked.
 
As an energetic intuitive and channel these aspects are often part of my ceremonies and there might be times when I will be channeling a non-physical presence that wishes to add to the space, this is done through my allowance of this channel and is always done in a safe and respectful way to those present.
 
Although ceremonies are fun and often lighthearted this is a Divine, Powerful and Sacred medicine and practice and should not be entered into without that understanding. 

The benefits I’ve personally experienced are enumerable so let me rather stick to the facts and you can explore the benefits for yourself. There is a reason that Cacao has been used as a sacred plant medicine for thousands of years so let’s pull the curtain back slightly on Mama Cacao’s secrets and see what’s actually going on in those magical beans.

Please note all information is based on raw organic ceremonial grade Cacao which is the only Cacao that will ever be used in my ceremonies.

• Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is commonly known as the “feel-good” chemical and Cacao naturally aids the body in Serotonin production. Serotonin is required to combat stress and improve mood by promoting feelings of comfort, contentment, happiness, relaxation and well-being.
• Phenethylamine (PEA): Better known as the “love chemical” for its association with the giddiness we experience when falling in love. When ingested PEA encourages the body to release endorphins. PEA signals the body to produce a sensation of focus and mental acuity all while elevating mood, speeding up metabolism and boosting memory.
• Anandamide: In Sanskrit, ananda means “bliss” adding the “bliss chemical” into Cacao. This neurotransmitter found in Cacao will not leave you in a mind altered state but does produce a feeling of euphoria, interestingly Cacao and the human brain are the only two places that this chemical occurs naturally.
• Theobromine: the name derives from the Greek words for god (theo) and food (brosi), attributing the name food of the gods to Cacao. The benefits of this chemical include increased blood flow and oxygenation to the brain in addition to long-term antioxidant properties.
• Magnesium: Every cell in your body contains this mineral and requires it to function, unfortunately due to modern farming and food production we are generally as a society deficient in magnesium. Magnesium assists in calming nerves, increasing energy, relieving muscle pain, proper digestion and a whole long list more.
• Antioxidants: Cacao contains 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. It has an ORAC score of 98000 per 100g to blueberries 2400 - ORAC score measure the ability of antioxidants to absorb free radicals that come from pollution and toxins in our environment.
• Iron: Highest plant based source of Iron known to man with a general 7.3mg per 100g.
• Calcium: Cacao beats cows milk on the calcium scale at 160mg per 100g vs 125mg per 100g in milk.

Cacao and the Heart: Cacao’s positive impact on the heart can be found not only on an emotional or spiritual level, but also physically. Studies have shown that regularly consuming cacao is good for the physical health of your heart and can reduce your chances of suffering from heart disease. In particular, cacao can improve the functioning of blood vessels, reduce insulin resistance, reduce blood pressure and reduce both LDL and HDL cholesterol. These findings were confirmed in a study by The American Medical Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found that cacao has statistically significant effects on the above risk factors for heart disease. The reasons for this are still being investigated, but it’s thought that the high concentrations of flavanols and antioxidants found in raw cacao are the cause.
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Spiritual and Emotional benefits: Ancient Indigenous cultures within Central and South America have understood for thousands of years that plant medicines come with the highest form of intelligence, an intelligence that when consumed can communicate with us directly. Mama Cacao works by assisting us in releasing old narratives and patterns that no longer serve us or which are operating beneath our awareness in the subconscious. By sitting in Ceremony with Cacao we may experience profound emotional release and healing, as Cacao is the foremost Spirit medicine for the heart, encouraging love, understanding and forgiveness to penetrate our being at ever deepening levels. Furthermore Mama Cacao connects us with unknown aspects of ourselves and re-establishes a profound awareness and respect for the gifts and magic of the natural world that we are a part of.