Cacao Ceremonies: What and Why?

My first ever cacao ceremony I attended was a handful of years ago, was paired with breath-work, and I absolutely loved it. We spent some time with the cacao, sipping and thoughtfully embracing the present moment. Following the ceremony we entered into some guided breath-work, which I found to be very interesting. By this point in my life I had been exposed to and practiced meditation, mindfulness and other techniques that allow one to fully be in the present moment. There was something about the cacao that day, though, that had me hooked. From then on, it became a part of my monthly routine to hold my own ceremonies at home. It became a way for me to spend time with myself, being more in tune with my inner guidance, and connecting with myself and what I believe to be my higher power. 

I began to share with friends and loved ones this routine, whether it be chatting to them the things I would discover during these ceremonies, or having them join in on the experience once in a while. I began playing with the idea of holding these ceremonies for groups, just as the teachers in that first one I attended did. Along the way, I’ve learned about the heart-openings qualities of cacao, the small amount of theobromine in it that heightens ones’ awareness.

Fast-forward and here we are, holding cacao ceremonies not only for myself and the occasional friend, but with anyone willing to join in. Many times I pair the ceremony with a guided mediation, other times we’ve paired it with sound healing, yoga, the list goes on... I’m grateful to be able to bring this sacred time and space to others.

For me, it’s all about being present, being open, taking pleasure in the cacao and opening your heart and soul to the inner guidance that follows when we take the time to just be. And to do that together in a group makes it feel that much more powerful. We have the opportunity to have that time to ourselves and to share it with others. Cacao is considered plant medicine for a reason. You may or may not connect with it, either way is okay. Although, if you find yourself drawn to it, I encourage you to give it a chance to play a role in your journey to self-discovery, connection to your inner guidance and self-care.