Linden "Cacao" Ceremony
Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, Tilia tomentosa For thousands of years the linden stood at the centre of spiritual and village life across the continent, though it meant different things to different peoples. For the Slavs and Balts, it was the tree of fertility and life, with women often leaving offerings in the hope of bearing children. For the Germanic tribes, it was the tree of truth and justice, with the belief that no one could lie underneath its branches. In the Ukrainian and Polish languages, traces of its reverence still survive as the names for the month of July, lypen and lipiec, for when the linden flowers. We will explore this in the format of the cacao ceremony, a relatively recent and somewhat esoteric ritual that borrows from Mayan spiritual practice and honours the sacred cacao tree. In place of cacao, we will prepare a drink made from the roasted nuts of the linden, spiced with local native plants. At this event, we will be honouring one of Europe's very own sacred tree. And in doing so, we ask how we might find a place in our modern lives for rituals rooted in local symbols and landscapes. Where: Das Provisorium, Sihlquai 340, 8005 Zürich. When: Tuesday, 27 October 2026. Doors open at 18:30, and the ceremony runs from 19:00 to 21:00. Please arrive at least ten minutes before the start of the ceremony. What to expect: The ceremony will be conducted in English and will take place outside (weather permitting), so please dress warmly. Please be aware that the drink served during the ceremony contains tree nuts. Price: Donations only (suggested 15.- CHF) For any questions, please reach us at mokuponadinnerclub@gmail.com.
