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LaidOPEN PodcastAuthor: Charna Cassell
Welcome to the LaidOPEN Podcast hosted by Charna Cassell. Charna is a Trauma-Trained Psychotherapist and Sexuality Coach with over 20 years of experience. Every day, Charna helps clients heal from trauma and access more bodily joy, emotional regulation, vitality, and hope. Now she's bringing her expertise to podcasting with interviews from post-trauma thrivers who share creative resources to support living an authentic, passionate, mindful existence. Together they explore how to have a more pleasure-filled, peaceful life while reducing self-sabotaging behaviors and gaining control over reactive behaviors. Charna's mission is to help people like you understand the impact of trauma on their nervous system and therefore their relationships with an emphasis on ways to heal. In every episode, Charna explores how to build our physical and emotional capacity to be with all that moves through us and around us to ultimately feel more liberated on the other side. Join our community as we embark on this transformative journey by reaccessing our connection to aliveness. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Relationships, Sexuality, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep. 116 Mayan Astrology, Cacao, and the Relief of Finally Understanding Yourself with Christine Olivia Hernandez
Episode 116
Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, I sit down with Mayan astrologer, cacao ceremonialist, and author Christine Olivia Hernandez to talk about ritual, gratitude, discernment, and how to live in alignment with your natural rhythm. Christine shares how Mayan astrology and the Sacred Calendar can help you understand who you are and how your energy is meant to move, rather than forcing yourself into systems that lead to burnout and self doubt. We explore gratitude as an embodied, devotional practice, not a bypass, and how daily ritual can support nervous system regulation during uncertain times. We also have an honest conversation about the abuse of power and sexual energy in spiritual and ceremonial spaces, and why discernment is essential when working with teachers, rituals, and plant medicines. Christine talks about ceremonial cacao as a heart opening ally when sourced and used with integrity. The episode includes an exploration of Mayan astrology, elements, the Tree of Life, ancestral memory, and how challenges often reveal our deepest strengths. We close with a guided practice to support grounding and inner connection. ✨ Use code MAGIC for 10% off ceremonial cacao and all purchases at Cacao Magick Shop. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and special episode announcement 00:26 Meet Christine Olivia Hernandez 02:30 Daily practices and the power of gratitude 03:59 Maltiox and gratitude as a lived exchange 06:25 Navigating personal and collective challenges with gratitude 09:17 Grounding, protection, and energetic hygiene rituals 12:29 The healing power of ceremonial cacao and why sourcing matters 20:25 Understanding the Mayan Sacred Calendar and sacred time 24:28 The abuse of power and sexual energy in spiritual spaces 30:41 Navigating ceremony and teachers with discernment 31:16 Learning through hardship, devotion, and gratitude 32:57 Mayan astrology, elements, and energetic makeup 33:55 Exploring the Tree of Life and inherent strengths 37:28 Stability, astrology, and building a life that fits 41:29 Past lives, synchronicities, and ancestral memory 49:35 Guided practice for grounding and inner connection 53:07 Closing thoughts, resources, and next steps
