CEREMONIAL CACAO, PSYCHEDELICS, NEUROCHEMISTRY & SHAMANIC RITUALS IN PERU

The ancient temple of Chavin de Huantar in Peru was the epicentre of shamanic initiation for the Americas from 1200-400 BC. During these intense spiritual experiences prospective priests would be subjected to days of sensory experiences whilst consuming brews of ceremonial cacao mixed with psychedelic plants like San Pedro. We explore the science behind ceremonial cacao and its application to spiritual awakening and substantiate its use in the ancient traditions. Taking you on a journey through the cosmovision of cacao in Peru and the how it was seen and used by various tribes we discuss its evolution and the challenges we face to incorporate this master plant into modern day ceremonies.

With research funded in New Zealand by Callaghan Innovations, the Seleno Health cacao research program now biochemically maps cacao from the Amazon and understands the key classes of bio-actives responsible for different sensory and therapeutic applications. Crafting specialised cacao for specialised applications. Come and learn about their exciting research, understand ceremonial cacao and the concepts of “awakening” associated with it. And learn about how we can use cacao in ceremony with reverence to its 5000 year old lineage.

Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm Thursday 28th July

Pre-sales $15 (earlybird - limited numbers)

Pre-sales $25 (regular)

Door sales $30 (if not sold out)

Includes a warm cup of Uturunku ceremonial cacao

Presenters:

Dr Corin Storkey (PhD – Med Chem) has over 15 years of academic and research experience, specialising in medicinal antioxidant chemistry, oxidative diseases, cellular protection and health. He has previously struggled with and overcome chronic fatigue syndrome and promotes an integrative and holistic approach to managing chronic health conditions. He currently leads the New Zealand based Maca and cacao research program that studies Andean and Amazonian plant medicines and their bioactives.

Sally Huapaya is a native Peruvian of Andean descent, with a Bachelor in engineering and ancestral knowledge of traditional Peruvian medicinal plants and Andean cosmovision. She has a passion to bring the sacred plant knowledge of her people to the world and promoting respect and acknowledgement to the indigenous farmers and communities that produce them. Through her combination of industry experience, cultural and ancestral knowledge she has created a range of authentic and high-vibrational maca and ceremonial cacao products under her brand - Seleno Health with her kiwi husband Corin Storkey and also provides training to facilitators and healers who want to better connect to both plants.