It is no secret that I’m a lady that loves coffee. I recently had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Ani Carla, The Coffee Mystic. You may remember my interview with her, if not, you can read it here. Not too long after that I subscribed to the free level of her Substack, which is where I read this love letter to coffee. Carla was kind enough to let me share it here. If you enjoy it, you’ll find a link to her Substack at the end of the article.
By Ani Carla
How you take your coffee should show how you are taking your life now. How we approach our daily rituals, even something as simple as a cup of coffee, can often reflect our broader approach to life. It’s a small window into our habits, preferences, and underlying philosophy. When coffee becomes a ritual, it’s consumed out of solemn ceremony rather than mere habit.
What triggered my deep reflection about this newfound realization was a viral video about a “spiritual coach” who claimed that drinking coffee blocks the spiritual channel. I chuckled to myself, thinking of Sufi Monks who have been drinking coffee, meditating, and dancing in alignment with the cosmic force for centuries. These spiritual masters incorporated coffee into their practices to enhance focus, stimulate creativity, and deepen their connection to the divine. As an ancestral coffee reading master, I use coffee as one of my greatest spiritual tools!
I understand that many people have their own religious beliefs about consuming caffeine, and I in no way intend to defame those choices. Coffee is an integral part of my own cultural, spiritual, and professional practice, and this perspective comes from my lived experience. I respect people of all faiths and walks of life. Please evaluate if this piece resonates with you before continuing. Some may not relate at all, and that’s okay. I’m not here to change minds, but to express mine freely. It’s important to remember that spirituality is a deeply personal journey.
Coffee Can Be a Catalyst for Spiritual and Physical Insight and Connection
Others may have sensitivities to coffee, and overindulgence in most things isn’t ideal. But let the coffee tell you where your body is at. Coffee can be medicine and a teacher. When sensitivities arise, it’s worth considering what message our bodies send us. Are we experiencing high-stress levels, or are there nutritional deficiencies or gut health issues? By paying attention to how our bodies respond to coffee, we can gain valuable insights into our overall well-being. If we’re experiencing negative side effects, it may be time to reduce our intake, address underlying health issues, or use coffee as a biofeedback tool to gauge our energy levels and stress response. Remember, coffee can be a powerful ally, but it’s essential to listen to our bodies and adjust our intake accordingly.
Take a breath and a moment to reflect on your personal relationship with coffee and what it says about your physical functioning. Are you drinking it out of habit, or are you truly attuned to your body’s needs? By approaching coffee with mindfulness and intention, you can harness its potential benefits while minimizing any negative side effects.
The way we consume coffee can significantly impact our overall well-being. It’s not just about the caffeine kick; it’s about the quality of the beans, the brewing process, and the mindful intention behind each sip.
How you drink your coffee matters. Where does it come from? Is it clean? What hands did it pass through? Did you bless it before it reached your lips? Is it highly mass-produced and full of mold? Is the soil sown from the pure of Earth? Are you loading it up with sugar, or are you adding natural sweetness, flavors, and spices? Are you drinking it on a full stomach or an empty stomach? Is it the first thing you do when you wake up? Why would you need to have coffee wake you up rather than embrace the full circadian rhythm our realm provides? Are the beans sourced sustainably and ethically? And did you consider the energetic implications that are held within the beans? Is it going down fast or slow?
By paying attention to these details, you can elevate your coffee experience and optimize its benefits. Remember, it’s not just about the caffeine; it’s about the overall impact on your body, mind, and spirit.
Coffee has been transformed into a mass-consumed commodity. Its journey from a ceremonial drink to a morning necessity reflects the broader shifts in global culture and economics. When cities expanded and urbanization took place, the workforce grew, and so did the advertising of coffee to get people excited about their labor and be cogs in the machine. Today, the global coffee industry is dominated by mass production and fast-paced consumption. The emphasis shifted toward individual consumption and productivity. Coffee became a tool to fuel the workforce, rather than a social lubricant.
Coffee was exploited by the West and it was never intended to be something you do when you wake up in the morning and rush. The expansion of globalization with an imperialistic mindset reached many countries around the world to adopt this through rigorous marketing campaigns and cheap terrible coffee. Originally, in most countries where coffee was widely celebrated for centuries, it was an event, and it still is within many cultures, such as my Armenian community, and the motherland of coffee: Ethiopia. When you get invited for coffee at my place, there’s a full table of fruits, nuts, and pastries, just like my mother’s house and ancestral homes before us. The coffee itself is a medium, so it’s not always about the coffee. It’s about the connection between the host and guests, the conversations between the walls, and the divination between the grinds.
Mainstream coffee shops have become ubiquitous, offering a quick fix for busy individuals, but lately, we’ve seen the rise of smaller and more chill gallery-like coffee shops that foster community and embrace the slower brew, art, culture, and music.
The reclamation of the original spirit of coffee is happening, with many shifting their perspective on which brands to support due to quality and ethics. Rather than rushing through a quick cup, we can slow down and savor the experience. By reconnecting with the cultural roots of coffee, we can transform our daily ritual into a mindful and meaningful experience.
Today, we can take pride in this ancient wisdom and reimagine our relationship with coffee. Instead of rushing through our mornings, we can pause, take a deep breath, and open up all our senses, even the sixth sense, to our coffee and soothe the soul. A coffee break can be a moment of tranquility, a time to reflect, meditate, practice gratitude, or simply enjoy the quiet.
By slowing down and appreciating the nuances of our coffee experience, we can unlock its true potential. Whether it’s the aroma, the taste, or the warmth, each sip can be a source of comfort and inspiration. So, let’s challenge the notion of coffee as a mere stimulant. Let’s embrace it as a catalyst for mindfulness, creativity, and healing.
A Magical Brew: The Healing Benefits of Coffee
Coffee is packed with antioxidants, including polyphenols, which can help protect brain cells from damage. Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Contrary to popular belief, moderate coffee consumption can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Coffee’s caffeine content can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of fatigue. We all know how coffee can increase metabolism, so I don’t need to get into detail there. Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Please note that the information provided here is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
When you add ingredients like cardamom, saffron, rosewater, and date syrup as I do in the special signature blend that I make at my in-person coffee reading ceremonies, retreats, sessions, and events, the coffee turns into an aphrodisiac and its completely elevated as it brews in a little Armenian copper pot where the copper also infuses more healing properties and a bit of magic. In Mexico, cinnamon is added to coffee with other spices, but the cinnamon itself is so good for the stomach and creates such a powerful elixir.
The leftover grinds can be used for a body scrub, put back into the Earth as a healthy compost, burned to ward off mosquitoes naturally, and the list goes on. So, the next time you reach for your cup of coffee, remember that it’s more than just a stimulant; it’s a potent potion with the power to heal and inspire.
Contrary to what many people will try to sell you, self-care and wellness to be practiced daily doesn’t require a lot of money or seeking what is “out there” but looking inward and at the simple rituals that already exist in your life such as having your cup of coffee can be extremely empowering.
This article originally appeared on The Coffee Mystic substack. Subscribe here!
About Ani Carla:
Ani Carla is an intuitive energy healer, coffee reading master, and a mystic and holistic mother. She weaves together the ancient wisdom of symbols, psychometry, and channeled messages to guide individuals on their journeys of self-discovery.
Inspired by her Armenian heritage, Ani carries on ancestral traditions, empowering others to connect with their greater purpose and foster personal growth and a deeper understanding of the soul.
A creative at heart, Ani Carla is the first practitioner to integrate sacred coffee reading divination ceremonies into retreats, healing events, and transformative circles. She gives back to her community by raising funds, building awareness around the culture of diaspora, genocide, and healing for future generations.
She writes about authenticity, deep thought and wisdom, intuition development, mystical exploration, sensory awakening and the transformative power of ancient practices bridged into this modern era to make it work.
You can find everything Ani Carla here: https://linktr.ee/ani.vibes
Do you enjoy The Magical Buffet? Considering supporting The Magical Buffet on Patreon! For only $5 a month you’ll receive monthly tarot/oracle forecasts, classes, and behind the scenes updates! https://www.patreon.com/magicalbuffet