As animals, we all have a connection with the energy of the Earth. At one point, we relied entirely on plants to support our bodies and nourish us; however, modern lifestyles have increasingly separated us from our natural state.

To guide our bodies, minds, and spirits back to our roots, we practice holding space and building relationships with various earth energies, and two of our favorites are cacao and therapeutic mushrooms.

In this post, we’ll discuss earth energy, the energetic and physical benefits of cacao and therapeutic mushrooms, and offer a recipe that helps us feel grounded and nurtured during the dark winter season.

What is the Energy of the Earth?

The Earth’s energy is rooted in its physical electromagnetic field. Since our planet’s liquid iron core is ever-turning, it creates electrical currents that make Earth inhabitable - protecting us from cosmic “weather.”

Nature also reflects the energy of the earth. The soil that nourishes plants and mushrooms, the trees that provide shelter for animals, the animals that graze on the land and return to the ground once their earthly time has passed. These are all examples of Earth energy’s diversity. Natural elements hold the energy of the earth within them and are the perfect tools to interact with when you want to feel grounded.

Moving with the Earth’s seasonal cycles, communing with nature frequently, and holding gratitude for our planet all bring us back to our connection with the source.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

“The Food of the Gods.” The cacao fruit has been considered sacred and highly revered since antiquity. Despite many controversial sources, it’s believed that the cacao tree was first domesticated by the Olmec peoples, who were native to the Gulf of Mexico from 1600-350 BCE. While the Olmecs were the first to cultivate this tree, cacao’s rich therapeutic and ritual use flourished in Aztec and Mayan cultures.

Cacao holds some of the most sacred and powerful earth energy. Not only has it been used ritualistically for thousands of years, but its potent therapeutic qualities nourish the mind, body, and soul. One of its most celebrated properties is its ability to strengthen the heart, which has a significant electromagnetic field of its own!

“The heart's electrical field is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electrical activity generated by the brain…and can be detected up to 3 feet away from the body”

It’s hard to ignore this fruit’s beautiful and influential earth energy. Ingesting the sweet, earthy, and bitter taste of cacao not only elevates our senses but also supports the heart, which constantly sends out electrical currents, connecting with the earth's electromagnetic energy.

Therapeutic Mushrooms

Another intricate example of earth energy is therapeutic mushrooms. Mushrooms have been around for hundreds of thousands of years and are a significant and essential part of life. Along with their ability to break down organic matter, mushrooms create a vast underground network called mycelium that supports plant and tree communication, among other things.

Therapeutic mushrooms also host various health-boosting benefits. The popular reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), or “mushroom of immortality,” has been used for centuries to encourage longevity and regulate the stress response - supporting steady energetic vibrations. The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is another powerhouse that boosts skin regeneration and improves elasticity. Both these mushrooms contain immune-regulating sugars as well!

Choosing to work with therapeutic mushrooms, like the Make and Mary Myco Magic | Dual Extracted Mushroom Tincture, reminds us to be grateful for the energy of the earth and all that comes from it, including ourselves.

To elevate our energy with the Earth, we love making warm sipping cacao with therapeutic mushrooms, nourishing, mineral-rich nettles, and the beautifully supportive herbs from Make & Mary’s Empress Tea blend.

Nettles host a wide variety of vital earth minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, all of which support numerous physiological processes in our bodies. The Empress Tea blend harnesses the energy of the earth through herbs like soothing chamomile, relaxing lavender, and refreshing peppermint, and complements the warm and sensational cacao flavors. Each sip sends us inward, grounding us through our senses and warming our internal fire during the dark season when the energy of the earth is deep underground.

MATERIALS

1 cup plant-based milk

2 tablespoons Make & Mary’s The Empress Tea loose-leaf blend

2 teaspoons dried nettles (Urtica dioica)

1.9 oz. chopped, dairy-free dark chocolate*

1 dropperful Myco Magic | Dual Extracted Mushroom Tincture

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

1 teaspoon maple syrup (or sweetener of choice to taste)

DIRECTIONS

• In a saucepan, heat the milk until hot but not simmering, and steep the Empress Tea and nettles for 20 to 30 minutes, covered. Strain the liquid from the herbs.
• Transfer liquid back to the saucepan and reheat over medium heat. Add the dark chocolate, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, and vigorously whisk until chocolate melts and cinnamon is combined well.
• Remove from heat and add sweetener and Make & Mary Myco Magic | Dual Extracted Mushroom Tincture.
• Pour into a mug, top with a sprinkling of cinnamon, and enjoy!

*It’s important to complete extensive research before purchasing dark chocolate to ensure cacao harvesting and production was ethical and sustainable. We like supporting like-minded brands like Vehicle Chocolate and Flor de Maria.

Creating a ritual around our sipping chocolate adds a little extra earthly energy. While you sip, hold gratitude for the ingredients’ source and draw awareness to how they make your mind, body, and soul feel. This practice helps us build a deeper relationship with the Earth and encourages us to touch base with our roots.