My journey with ceremonial cacao started back in 2018 during a visit to Mexico. My boyfriend reserved for us a “cacao ceremony” I had no idea what a magical evening it would turn out to be. That’s when I met my teachers Azul Anaité and Juan Pablo Ruiz.
Cacao was used by many Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans, Aztecs and Incans for ceremonial purposes, as currency and to increase connection with the divine.
The legend says that Quetzacoalt gave the seed to the humans and was vanished from the Earth realm for doing so, on his way out he spread the seeds that we enjoy today.
The Spanish conquistadors brought cacao to Europe in the 16th century after having encountered in Mesoamerica.
Used as plant medicine cacao works on the heart chakra to open it and allow emotions to come to the surface.
There are many active compounds in cacao, it contains theobromine which is a stimulant similar to caffeine. Also anandamide which It is a natural pleasure molecule. It can block stress hormones, contribute to the production of serotonin and relief fatigue.
Uses of Ceremonial Cacao
- Increasing your awareness and consciousness
- Promoting focus and creativity
- Aiding with Athletic performance
- Improving your meditation or yoga practice
What Happens During a Cacao Ceremony
A cacao ceremony isn’t like other plant medicine ceremonies, cacao is not exactly psychoactive and it quite safe.
Each ceremony is different, the cacao, the intention, participants and location can contribute to the outcome of the ceremony.
First we will open sacred space, set up an altar, do some grounding work and share a cup of cacao.
I usually facilitate a shamanic journey and a personalized divination session for the participants.
For my ceremonies I only use fresh ceremonial grade cacao from the criollo variety, it was grown in the region of Soconusco in Chiapas, Mexico.
The people who cultivate it have been caretakers of these seeds for generations.
Cacao is heart warming, ceremony participants experience a full range of emotions and realizations, tears, laughter.
We create a very safe and intimate space, we ask the spirit of cacao to guide us during the ceremony, to help us to open our hearts, speak our own unique truths, to assist us in healing our wounds and deepen our connection to our inner world.
Cacao helps us to feel connected to our selves and to divinity, to find common ground, to have realizations and make peace with ourselves and the world.
Contraindications:
If you experience any of the following:
- Are pregnant or breast-feeding
- Take 5-htp (5-Hydroxytryptophan) or are taking SSRI antidepressants
- Have any heart or kidney issues
- Experience anxiety or panic attacks
- Take St- John’s Wort
- Have any medical conditions
Cacao Ceremony Ideas:
- To improve mother – daughter communication
- For couples looking to reach common ground
- As team building activity for stressful office environments/remote teams
- For women circles