What is cacao and cacao ceremony?

🜃 What is Cacao?

Known as the 'Medicine of the Gods' by Mesoamericans, Ceremonial Grade Cacao is 100% pure and made from whole Cacao beans with no additives and little to no processing. All the original minerals, compounds, nutritional elements and fats are retained.  

It has been ritualistically used in Mesoamerican culture for thousands of years before the commercialisation of chocolate began. It is important to honour this tradition in ceremonial space with gratitude and acknowledgement and buy ceremonial Cacao from trusted fair-trade suppliers who support and safeguard indigenous farmers and their land.

🜃 What makes ceremonial grade Cacao different to cocoa?

Pure Cacao is 100% Cacao-bean paste with no additives. It has a slightly bitter aftertaste, but can be blended with natural ingredients such as maple syrup for added sweetness and spiced with cayenne pepper, turmeric and chilli.

Unlike commercial chocolate, ceremonial grade Cacao is minimally processed and contains a much higher quantity of beneficial and mood-elevating compounds. If you are familiar with the comforting and satisfying sensation of eating chocolate, imagine enjoying it in its pure form.

🜃 Is Cacao a drug?

Not to be confused with mind-altering psychedelic or psycho-active drugs, Cacao is a safe consciousness-lifting plant-medicine, which can be enjoyed as a daily drink and is better experienced when prepared with intention.

🜃 How will I feel?

We all have different experiences, from a gentle sense of calm to visuals and the ‘bliss’ feeling. It is always best to arrive with an open heart and mind, letting go of expectations and outcomes. This allows for a more authentic and interesting experience.

Cacao is packed full of beneficial minerals and mood-enhancing properties including, theobromine, tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylethylamine and serotonin. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a healthy mental state and create a general sense of well-being in your life.

Cacao is naturally free of sugar, so when consumed it generates a potent heart-warming sensation around the body without experiencing the peaks and dips with sugar.

Whether you are new or familiar with Cacao, it is best enjoyed intentionally with an open heart and mind.

🜃 Cacao in ceremony

A Cacao ceremony can be enjoyed individually or in a group gathering. It is an opportunity to carve out time to tend to our needs, emotional, spiritual or otherwise. All our experiences differ, but it is possible to gain an expansive and elevated state when undertaken with commitment and intention.

In ceremonial space, it is common to pair Cacao with meditation and other practices such as yoga, music, movement and dancing. The benefits of Cacao are enhanced with movement, sound vibrations and mindful practices.

🜃 How do you work?

Each trained Cacao practitioner is different. I like to pair Ceremonial Cacao with meditation, visualisation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), breath-work, mindfulness, somatic body awareness techniques, journaling, creative exercises, music and intention-setting. I find this combination creates a fulfilling and multi-faceted experience which taps into different conscious-levels.

My aim is to help you prioritise your well-being, so you can live more consciously, with a greater awareness of your mind, body and heart connection. Clients who work with me are seeking an alternative approach to traditional talking therapy, because I treat the whole-being, not just the symptoms.

If you are curious about attending a Cacao circle or ceremony, I offer private in-person public cacao circles, private group bookings, one-to-one sessions and transformational mentoring.

Why not book a free discovery call to find out about holding your own bespoke experience.

🜃 Ceremonial ideas 

Cacao stimulates creativity supporting us to set new goals and intentions and let go of what no longer serves us. Cacao ceremonies are an opportunity to tap into nature, honour this ancient plant medicine and sacred tradition and feel more connected to ourselves, our purpose and each other.

Cacao can be used for any occasion and is particularly potent when paired with intention setting and mediation. Here are some suggestions for your own Cacao Ceremony:

Rituals and blessings, lunar phases, birthdays, engagement, bridal, anniversaries, personal and professional landmarks. Or perhaps you or a loved one is going through a transitional phase. The Rising Space can provide a safe and healing environment to support those attending. 

Sign up to the newsletter (bottom of the page) to hear about events and offerings.

Please ensure you source Cacao from an organic and trusted supplier who supports indigenous farmers and their land. I recommend, Forever Cacao. Click on this link to receive 5% off any order. Discount applies automatically at the checkout.