Cacao Ritual

What is a cacao ritual or ceremony?

A cacao ceremony is really an opportunity for people to come together in an intentional space and enjoy drinking ceremonial cacao whilst perhaps setting new intentions, sharing heart-felt insights, or being led through a meditation or visualisation of some kind.

It has the potential to be a guide and gateway to help each one of us embrace the compass and depth of our heart as a starting point for profound healing and remembrance.

Therefore, the cacao ritual turns into unconditional love and a safe space for people to connect with each other in new ways, as well as an opportunity to reconnect with ancient parts of ourselves that remember the simple power of gathering together in community.

A safe, nourishing environment for you to connect with yourself, the spirit of cacao, and other people in deeper ways than one can usually access when by yourself.

What happens during a cacao ceremony?

The facilitator will guide the group through various exercises and experiences based on the intentions of the event. Some examples of guided experiences are: guided meditations, sound journeys, dance and movement practices, and partner exercises.

The general arc of a ceremony is there is an opening and setting the intention of the ceremony, pouring and passing of the cacao, breathwork, meditation, sound journey, dance, music…a shared group experience, and then a closing where you give thanks, and acknowledge what the group created during that time.

What are the benefits of a cacao ceremony?

Cacao ceremonies are helpful for getting clarity, setting intentions, and doing healing work & inner-processing. Being in a sacred space helps you get out of your normal frame of mind, allowing you to experience new insights & perspectives. Depending on the intention of the ceremony they can also be wonderful places to connect with people in a safe, open-hearted environment. Sharing cacao brings us into the same energetic frequency. This often results in deeper more intimate connection with ourselves and each other.

When multiple people share cacao together, we have a shared experience of mood elevation, increased vitality, enhanced intuition and empathy, and a more open, present heart.

History of cacao ceremonies

Cacao ceremonies are certainly not new. People in south and central America, especially the Mayan and Aztec cultures, have been enjoying, initiating and sharing cacao ceremonies for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence of cacao’s use dates back to 3,900 years ago in Central America, and recent genetic evidence dates cacao’s use to 5,300 years ago in the Amazon.

At our retreats

We incorporate the cacao ritual into our retreats because it brings people together with shared purpose, it creates a safe space for people to share and to heal. To experience group connection which elevates all to a higher state of consciousness. We invite our participants to join this celebratory ritual, but participation is optional and one can stay as long as one likes.