Venezuela is going through the worst catastrophe of its history. There were two consecutive Earthquakes on the 24th of June: 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude that has left more than 50,000 missing people to this date, buried under the rubble and around 10,000 injured and displaced from their homes. Most people affected are from La Guaira region, who have lost everything, and whilst they are doing everything to survive, we need to help them to cover basic needs in this very vulnerable moment.

The regime's cruelty is showing no mercy, even in a crisis like this. They are doing nothing to help people whilst survivors are trying to find their loved ones under the rubble with their bare hands. Rescue brigades are coming from all around the world to help and the regime are stopping access to the brigades and some humanitarian aid coming from abroad. They're closing all airports and areal access to the country. It's a situation that breaks our hearts and fills us with rage and despair as Venezuelans on the exile watch this injustice without being able to be there helping.

Alongside that, there has been reports of children being kidnapped for child trafficking. Absolute horror and expression of the darkness coming to the surface in this horrible hours.

As a Venezuelan, I feel compelled to bring my grain of sand by offering what I do best: to hold space for the community through plant medicine, songs and prayers. I am offering this Cacao Ceremony with the intention to create a space for prayers and collective songs to raise the collective frequency, as well as sending all the money from the ceremony to direct family members that have been affected by the Earthquakes, as well as friends from Fundacion Bateristas de Venezuela, which is a Venezuelan Organization that promotes the research, teachings and performance of music through percussion. They are actively taking donations and buying all the basic supplies needed for survivors.
You can check their IG: @bateristasvzla

About Theobroma Cacao (food of the Gods, Cacao Tree):

On a physical level, Theobroma Cacao is a powerful ancestral food that provides longevity, it is full of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants that help to protect the body and neutralise free radicals that can cause any damage to the cells. Polyphenols also help reduce blood sugar levels, improve heart health and digestion, reduce inflammation, boost brain function and reduce cancer risk.  The main alkaloid compound of Cacao is Theobromine, which acts as a mild stimulant in the body with a slower release into the blood stream than caffeine. Cacao is a rich source of magnesium, increases concentration levels and cognition, improves energy levels and mood due to its serotonin release, and acts as a natural aphrodisiac. 

On a spiritual level, Theobroma Cacao helps us to connect with our heart centre, Nature, and enhances our creative expression. The Spirit of Cacao is a keeper of sacred wisdom that connects us with our intuition and the divine feminine energy; source of power in the emotional body. She holds the vibrations and healing energy of unconditional love, kindness and joy. She holds space for the inner child with very gentle, tender and loving grand-mother energy.  When taken in communion with others, it enhances connection, heart opening, communication and peace. 

In this ceremony, we will connect with the spirit of Cacao, sing collective songs and prayers for Venezuela and practice somatic movement and release with live medicine music sung by Yhonet Garcia.

About your facilitator:
Yhonet Garcia is a Venezuelan Musician based in Bristol with more than ten years experience working in education and facilitating the arts for wellbeing. She shares her ancestral wisdom from South America by channelling light codes through singing, movement and art that have been proving to be beneficial for energetic clearing and purification of the mind and soul. The songs she channels are soothing, heart opening and very healing. 

She also works offering shamanic energetic clearing through the sacred chants and holding space with her music in plant medicine ceremonies. She does group and 1-1 creative coaching.  She has a regular practice of sitting with ceremonial Cacao to connect with her inner love and creative expression. Her devotion for this plant has led her to strengthen a very powerful relationship with the Spirit of Cacao that is guiding her to combine her creative gifts with facilitating Cacao Activations for those who would like to discover this plant, develop their existing connection and to discover and empower their creative voice.You can find out more about Yhonet's journey and offerings on her website www.creativejourney.art , her YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@yhonetgarcia?si=8IkDCOCeRcISqx4v and IG: @yhonetsolradiante and @creative.journeyuk

Preparation for the ceremony:

* Please refrain from eating any food at least two-three hours before the ceremony starts. Eat a light breakfast and make your last meal at 1pm to avoid lethargy and feelings of inflammation. Eat lightly. Cacao is a sacred and powerful food that needs space in the stomach to be processed and digested. It’s as a way to honour the Spirit of Cacao so we can connect with her in a more profound way, and allow her to get into our hearts without the energy being focused in our stomachs by digesting previous foods.
* Please avoid any caffeine intake the day you are going to receive Cacao. Cacao doesn't work well with caffeine as the mix can accelerate the heart rate to unpleasant levels. Theobromine increases blood flow, which can develop a headache.\ * It is recommended to avoid consuming high doses of ceremonial Cacao during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, you can consume it in very small doses occasionally, as it can enhance the connection between mother and baby. Please send me an email to communicate any needs in this regard as I will be preparing a standard dose of 40grs per person and I can make smaller doses as requested.\ * Please avoid consuming Cacao if you are on high doses of antidepressants as the Cacao releases serotonin and this can potentially lead to serotonin syndrome. If you still want to be part of the experience I can offer you herbal tea as a replacement. The energy of Cacao will still guide you on the Creative Journey just by being in her presence.\ * It is advisable not to consume Cacao if you have a serious heart condition. If you have a less serious heart condition you can take a smaller dose though you will do so at your own risk. Please email me to inform me of any needs regarding this.\ * Please arrive from 2.45pm so you can slowly settle into the space, greet other participants and start promptly at 3 pm.\ * Bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. It is important to drink water often before, during and after the ceremony as Cacao is a diuretic drink, which can cause dehydration. \ * Bring a journal and a pen to write and reflect about your process.\ * Bring your favourite mug to drink your Cacao.\ * Bring any instruments you would like to play with when we do collective sound.

Thank you for trusting me as your creative guide for this beautiful heart-opening experience. Thank you for supporting the people of Venezuela. They need us now more than ever. Thank you!

I am excited to be sharing this Creative Journey with you.

With love, Yhonet