{"id":166565,"date":"2020-10-26T07:58:14","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T07:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/cacao-ceremony\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T12:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T11:38:57","slug":"cacao-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-ie\/cacao-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Cacao Ceremony: Benefits and Ritual Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever been to a cacao ceremony? If not, it should definitely be on your bucket list! It\u2019s an experience you will never forget in your life, and one you may be compelled to do again and again. With all the curveballs life throws at you, it\u2019s sometimes hard to appreciate all the good things you do have. So, if you find yourself stuck and can\u2019t figure out your next move, maybe a mind-opening cacao ceremony is exactly what you need!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what exactly is a cacao ceremony?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a nutshell, a cacao ceremony celebrates the sacred healing powers of cacao. It allows you to reconnect with yourself and others. It promotes healing and creativity, mindfulness and joy, and a whole lot of positivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some ceremonies, people gather around in a circle, drink cacao and meditate together. Other ceremonies may be livelier and may involve some dancing, breathing exercises, or some other ritual to loosen up and invoke the spirit of cacao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, however, cacao ceremonies are an individual\u2019s journey to clarity and enlightenment, so they can better understand how to navigate the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who\u2019ve attended these ceremonies attest to the power of cacao. Many say it\u2019s helped them open their eyes and appreciate the things they have in life. For those who were struggling, the cacao was instrumental in helping them get back on their feet. It gave them the focus and motivation to finally take action and take control of their destiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How far does this go back?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ancient Olmec, Mayan, Aztec and other Mesoamerican cultures in Latin America considered cacao as sacred. The tree, the pods, the seeds \u2013 all these were prized and highly coveted by these ancient civilizations. And who can blame them? Cacao was THE superfood of their time, long before superfoods even became a thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centuries before the Europeans got their hands on cacao and turned it into the sweet chocolate treat we know today, the ancient Mesoamericans were using cacao for various rituals and ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cacao was considered \u201cfood for the gods\u201d and reserved for the elites and ruling classes of society. It was so valuable they even used it as currency to barter and trade with each other \u2013 this is why Spaniards branded cacao as \u201cseeds of gold\u201d!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the modern cacao ceremony is said to be different from how the ancient Mayans did it. No \u201ccacao ceremony handbook\u201d made it to modern times, if there ever was one written up. And that\u2019s okay. Because cacao ceremonies aren\u2019t about the past. It\u2019s all about bringing clarity and introspection and love into your life, so you can move forward and live life with gusto!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is cacao the same as cocoa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cocoa is NOT the same as cacao, even though both of them started from the seeds of the same tree, the Theobroma cacao<\/em>. In Greek, Theobroma literally means \u201cfood of the gods.\u201d Once you\u2019ve experienced your very first cacao ceremony, you\u2019ll understand why it is called as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cacao<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate, lightly roasted and ground down from the bean. It\u2019s extremely rich in nutrients like iron, protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and more. It\u2019s the true chocolate superfood, not cocoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of cacao as the original form of chocolate loved by the Mayans and the Aztecs. It\u2019s bitter and not at all the way you\u2019d envision real chocolate would taste like, especially if you grew up eating sugary milk chocolate bars. Real cacao is thick, rich, and did I say bitter? It\u2019s the exact opposite of your favorite chocolatey treats!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The taste will definitely take some getting used to. But once you\u2019ve tried pure cacao in a proper ceremony, you\u2019ll understand why it was so loved by ancient Mesoamericans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cocoa<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cocoa, on the other hand, is the adulterated version of cacao. It\u2019s highly processed and roasted at very high temperatures before being ground to powder form. During this process, the cocoa is stripped of its fat (from cocoa butter). It loses the bitter taste, but it also loses much of its nutritional value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to taste, I think most people will say cocoa tastes way better than cacao. But it\u2019s not a fair comparison at all. Most chocolate brands sold nowadays only contain 20\u201330% cocoa. The rest is sugar, milk, preservatives, and other ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone wondering if cocoa can be used in a cacao ceremony, the answer is no, obviously.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is commercial cacao powder okay for use in cacao ceremony?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cacao powder you see at the supermarket is still healthier than cocoa powder, but it\u2019s NOT the same quality as ceremonial cacao. Commercial cacao powder is stripped of the natural fat from cacao butter, so you will not get the same experience like with ceremonial cacao (more on this below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Does cacao have healing powers? What are its benefits?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If this is your first time hearing of \u2018cacao ceremony,\u2019 you\u2019re probably wondering WHY CACAO? What\u2019s so special about it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, cacao isn\u2019t just a healthy, nutritious drink. Here\u2019s a short list of its most important properties which truly makes it a powerful superfood (no wonder it\u2019s been popular for thousands of years)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theobromine<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This psychoactive ingredient is a powerful stimulant. It\u2019s similar to caffeine, but it won\u2019t make you jittery and nervous. Instead, theobromine<\/a> stimulates the cardiovascular system and makes you feel warm and euphoric, especially when taken at high, ceremonial doses (around 40g of pure cacao).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When theobromine takes effect, you\u2019ll feel alive and aware and connected with the world. It opens you up to an experience unlike any other, which is what truly makes a cacao ceremony special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anandamide<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also called the \u201cbliss chemical\u201d because it promotes, well, feelings of bliss and serenity. During the ceremony, you\u2019ll feel at peace with yourself. At this point, you stop being so hard on yourself, you learn to forgive and accept yourself for what you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, cacao contains serotonin, a.k.a. the body\u2019s happy chemical. It helps stabilize our mood and gives us a feeling of happiness. In addition, cacao also stimulates the body to produce more \u201cfeel good\u201d hormones, so expect positive emotions to be at an all-time high during cacao ceremonies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antioxidants<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cacao (not cocoa) is rich in flavonoids and has an extremely high antioxidant content. Antioxidants fight free radicals and reverse the damage these unstable atoms do to the body. Research has shown that raw chocolate or cacao has powerful anti-aging properties and can lower blood pressure and even improve overall heart health!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magnesium<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of foods contain this important nutrient, but raw cacao trumps them all. A hundred grams of cacao will give you 507mg of magnesium! The sad truth, however, is that most people are magnesium deficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not getting enough from cacao and your diet, consider supplementing with our MagEnhance Magnesium Complex<\/a><\/strong>. It contains 3 different types of magnesium \u2013 magnesium threonate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium taurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cacao is the richest source of plant-based iron (non-heme iron) in the world. You get 7.3mg of iron for every 100g of cacao!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinc<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinc is critical to our immune system. The more zinc you take in, the more your immune system is able to fight off invaders and protect your body from disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calcium<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per 100g, cacao has more calcium than 100ml of cow\u2019s milk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to do a cacao ceremony?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no hard and fast rule on how to do a cacao ceremony. You can join a group led by a facilitator or spiritual guide, or you can do it solo or with a partner. You can do it out in the open or in a dimly lit room with some background music on. But there are a few common elements that tie these different styles, rituals and traditions together that make it a true cacao ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1)   Prepare the ceremonial cacao<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To harness the full power of theobromine in cacao, you need to use ceremonial-grade organic cacao. It is the purest form of cacao with all the fat, flavor, and nutrients still intact. The texture is extremely rich and chocolatey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When choosing which ceremonial cacao to use, it\u2019s important to know its history. Ask about the farm where it came from, the people who work and live there, and their relationship with cacao. You may also want to check if it\u2019s fair-trade and shaman-blessed for a more authentic experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ceremonial cacao also comes in different flavors, textures, and notes. Just like there are different varieties of coffee beans, there are also different kinds of cacao beans. Feel free to experiment until you find the perfect brand for yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the ceremonial dose like?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, ceremonial cacao is extremely rich and thick, with a concentrated amount of nutrients and phytochemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The suggested dose is 42g of shaved cacao paste (about \u00bc cup). But if you\u2019re new, you may want to start with half the amount and see how you feel. Don\u2019t go beyond the recommended dose as you may experience nausea, headaches, and maybe even heart palpitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When does it take effect?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the dosage, it may take up to 30 minutes to feel the effects of ceremonial cacao. It will wear off in about 2-4 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"It\u2019s<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2)   Create an intention space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the second key to a proper cacao ceremony. You can drink the most potent ceremonial-grade cacao, but if you don\u2019t create a sacred intention space, you\u2019ll most likely gain nothing from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a group ceremony, the facilitator will ask the participants to state their name and what brought them to the ceremony. They\u2019ll ask what they are seeking for in their lives or what they can use more clarity on. This is what\u2019s known as \u2018setting the intention\u2019 in a cacao ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facilitator may also set an intention for the whole group. It varies, but hopefully, you get the idea of what a proper intention is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3)   Let the cacao do its magic!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next stage is to get people to loosen up. The methods used will vary from one facilitator or shaman to the next. But generally, most people will sing or dance or share their intentions and inner reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By this time, the cacao\u2019s healing powers will take hold and you\u2019ll begin to open up to yourself and to others. The clarity will set in and it will allow you to let go of past trauma and negative energies that surround you. You\u2019ll learn to be grateful for what you have, learn to be mindful of others, and be at peace with yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to do a personal cacao ceremony at home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can host your very own cacao ceremony at home. You can do it alone or host it for your friends who want to experience the magic of pure cacao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are infinite ways of doing the ceremony, most people stick to personal meditation, journaling, taking a walk along a nature path or the beach, new moon meditation, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Who<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who should and shouldn\u2019t join a cacao ceremony?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JOIN if you want to\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n