Winter Solstice Sacred Circle
Join us as we come together to celebrate the Winter Solstice
- a natural energetic turning point -
connecting, sharing, and deepening our connection to Mother Earth and each other.
December 21, 2023 (Yule/Winter Solstice)
Circle held via Zoom @ 10am Central (US/Canada) - approx. 75 mins
(replay link available for registered participants & YR Studio Members)
- a natural energetic turning point -
connecting, sharing, and deepening our connection to Mother Earth and each other.
December 21, 2023 (Yule/Winter Solstice)
Circle held via Zoom @ 10am Central (US/Canada) - approx. 75 mins
(replay link available for registered participants & YR Studio Members)
Connect to the beautiful heart opening experience and shared community of sacred circle from the comfort of your own home. We begin our experience with gratitude and invocation - inviting the energy we seek to infuse our circle with as well as connecting to one another energetically as we open the circle and support each other. We invite the energy of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire and honor the four elements as they are experienced in the four cardinal directions and the four seasons.
Following our invocation and circle opening we will talk briefly about the season and the energy of this time of year and engage in some breath work, movement/dancing, and guided meditation to deepen our experience.
After our meditation, we will come together to journal and connect our experience to our intention moving forward. And we end our circle with sharing, connection, and supporting one another as we close our sacred circle and honor this season.
I invite you to drink cacao, herbal tea or whatever sacred drink you feel connected to.
Following our invocation and circle opening we will talk briefly about the season and the energy of this time of year and engage in some breath work, movement/dancing, and guided meditation to deepen our experience.
After our meditation, we will come together to journal and connect our experience to our intention moving forward. And we end our circle with sharing, connection, and supporting one another as we close our sacred circle and honor this season.
I invite you to drink cacao, herbal tea or whatever sacred drink you feel connected to.
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JOIN US FOR CIRCLE...
You will receive an email link with details for the circle 24-48 hours in advance (or upon payment) (does not include cacao). Replay link is available for registered participants. (Please check Spam folder, add theyogaranger@outlook.com to your Safe list, and reach out if you have NOT received a link 24 hours prior to the start of the event) * Cacao Circles are included in YR Online Studio membership. Interested in joining us? Click below for more information!
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How can cacao benefit you?
Physically
With 300-1200 individual constituents, cacao is one of the most complex plant substances on earth. Cacao is a superfood, packed with beneficial minerals - such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These minerals support heart health, calm and soothe the nervous system, and support healthy immunity and overall physical wellness. Cacao also contains theobromine which can lower blood pressure, dilate the coronary arteries, boost brain function, reduce inflammation and increase overall oxygenation throughout the body.
Mentally/Emotionally
Norepinephrine - Helps with energy, attention, and anxiety.
Serotonin - Stabilizes our mood, promotes feelings of wellbeing and satisfaction, and creates resistance to damaging stressors.
Dopamine - Gives feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
Anandamine - Sometimes called the "bliss molecule" it moderates pain, and is associated with the "runners high" effect.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) - Helps with attention, focus, alertness and improves mood.
History of Cacao
Cacao is native to the Amazon basin and thought to have been domesticated by the Olmecs (Mexico). More than 4,000 years ago, it was used by the Olmecs, Mayan, and Zapotecs in ritual ceremonies including birth, death, seasons, community celebration.
It is traditionally believed to be a sacred food for the body, mind, spirit and the heart. During a ceremony, many people feel a heightened sense of focus, energy, opening in the heart and connection to their inner guide and the community as a whole.
What is a sacred circle?
Sacred circle is a beautiful way to connect to ourselves, Mother Earth, and our community through ritual and shared experience. Sacred circle is a safe, welcoming, nonjudgmental space where we can connect to our hearts, heal together, support each other with our energy, and share connection with others. We come together to meditate, journal, dance, share, connect and explore. This is a beautiful, sacred space to explore your inner landscape with support and love. Sacred Circle is approximately 75 minutes in length.
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
For thousands of years, civilizations have celebrated and honored the Winter Solstice as a turning point in energy, time, and seasonal cycles. These turning points are periods where we can turn inward, reflect, become still, and deeply connect to the natural cycles within and without. Ancient civilizations celebrated these points in time by coming together in sacred circle to commune, share space, support one another and give thanks for the sun. We continue these celebrations to help us connect more intuitively to the natural turning of the wheel of time and to recenter ourselves energetically.
Physically
With 300-1200 individual constituents, cacao is one of the most complex plant substances on earth. Cacao is a superfood, packed with beneficial minerals - such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These minerals support heart health, calm and soothe the nervous system, and support healthy immunity and overall physical wellness. Cacao also contains theobromine which can lower blood pressure, dilate the coronary arteries, boost brain function, reduce inflammation and increase overall oxygenation throughout the body.
Mentally/Emotionally
Norepinephrine - Helps with energy, attention, and anxiety.
Serotonin - Stabilizes our mood, promotes feelings of wellbeing and satisfaction, and creates resistance to damaging stressors.
Dopamine - Gives feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
Anandamine - Sometimes called the "bliss molecule" it moderates pain, and is associated with the "runners high" effect.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) - Helps with attention, focus, alertness and improves mood.
History of Cacao
Cacao is native to the Amazon basin and thought to have been domesticated by the Olmecs (Mexico). More than 4,000 years ago, it was used by the Olmecs, Mayan, and Zapotecs in ritual ceremonies including birth, death, seasons, community celebration.
It is traditionally believed to be a sacred food for the body, mind, spirit and the heart. During a ceremony, many people feel a heightened sense of focus, energy, opening in the heart and connection to their inner guide and the community as a whole.
What is a sacred circle?
Sacred circle is a beautiful way to connect to ourselves, Mother Earth, and our community through ritual and shared experience. Sacred circle is a safe, welcoming, nonjudgmental space where we can connect to our hearts, heal together, support each other with our energy, and share connection with others. We come together to meditate, journal, dance, share, connect and explore. This is a beautiful, sacred space to explore your inner landscape with support and love. Sacred Circle is approximately 75 minutes in length.
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
For thousands of years, civilizations have celebrated and honored the Winter Solstice as a turning point in energy, time, and seasonal cycles. These turning points are periods where we can turn inward, reflect, become still, and deeply connect to the natural cycles within and without. Ancient civilizations celebrated these points in time by coming together in sacred circle to commune, share space, support one another and give thanks for the sun. We continue these celebrations to help us connect more intuitively to the natural turning of the wheel of time and to recenter ourselves energetically.
How to Make Ceremonial Cacao
For one person - Heat water or nut milk (almond, cashew, hazelnut, oat, or coconut) to 170 degrees. Try not to boil the water or nut milk (use a temperature gauge or if you are using a hot water kettle, boil then leave for 3-5 minutes to allow it to come down in temperature or add some cold water to reduce heat).
Select your cacao dosage with intention. Each person responds differently to cacao so it is often better to start off with a smaller amount and experiment from there.
Everyday dose 2-5 discs (5-10 grams) 1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk
Ceremonial dose 8-12 discs (10-30 grams) 1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk
Add spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, cardamom, and/or sweeteners such as monk fruit, honey, sucanat, or maple syrup to taste.
You can also place discs into chai tea or another tea using 1-4 discs to dilute (I do this often as my body responds quite strongly to cacao). Please always follow your heart and body when choosing your dosage each time.
To make it super creamy, you can use a frother, blender or hand blender to blend until light and frothy. Pour into a cup - something special with meaning and keep your eyes open for mugs or cups that are ceremonial only to deepen your connection to the cacao.
Sacred Circle - Setting Your Intention
Allow your senses to explore the space you are in and the tea/cacao before you take your first sip - connecting to your sense of smell, touch and sight. Bringing the cup to your lips, breathe gratitude for this beautiful cup of tea/cacao; breathe gratitude to the earth for providing this nutritious and delicious medicine for the spirit; and set your intention.
For one person - Heat water or nut milk (almond, cashew, hazelnut, oat, or coconut) to 170 degrees. Try not to boil the water or nut milk (use a temperature gauge or if you are using a hot water kettle, boil then leave for 3-5 minutes to allow it to come down in temperature or add some cold water to reduce heat).
Select your cacao dosage with intention. Each person responds differently to cacao so it is often better to start off with a smaller amount and experiment from there.
Everyday dose 2-5 discs (5-10 grams) 1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk
Ceremonial dose 8-12 discs (10-30 grams) 1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk
Add spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, cardamom, and/or sweeteners such as monk fruit, honey, sucanat, or maple syrup to taste.
You can also place discs into chai tea or another tea using 1-4 discs to dilute (I do this often as my body responds quite strongly to cacao). Please always follow your heart and body when choosing your dosage each time.
To make it super creamy, you can use a frother, blender or hand blender to blend until light and frothy. Pour into a cup - something special with meaning and keep your eyes open for mugs or cups that are ceremonial only to deepen your connection to the cacao.
Sacred Circle - Setting Your Intention
Allow your senses to explore the space you are in and the tea/cacao before you take your first sip - connecting to your sense of smell, touch and sight. Bringing the cup to your lips, breathe gratitude for this beautiful cup of tea/cacao; breathe gratitude to the earth for providing this nutritious and delicious medicine for the spirit; and set your intention.
Let me be filled with peace and understanding.
Allow me to connect to myself on a deeper level to heal and restore.
Open my heart and let it be filled with compassion and acceptance.
Allow me to connect to myself on a deeper level to heal and restore.
Open my heart and let it be filled with compassion and acceptance.
© 2023 All rights reserved by Aprille Walker/The Yoga Ranger Studio
