Opening your heart thru the magic of a cacao ceremony
Imagine a simple and heart-filling moment, a time just for you where you feel complete with gratitude and love.
This is why I adore holding cacao ceremonies at all my retreats.
When we create a sacred space with ceremonial cacao and a heartfelt intention, possibilities open up, and we can enjoy an even more beautiful breathwork session.
Today, I’ll share this beautiful practice with you, a recipe to try at home, and especially how to fully enjoy this "food of the gods"...
A Brief History of Ceremonial Cacao
First, did you know that cacao has been used for over 5,000 years by ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs?
For them, cacao is a divine gift, offered by the gods to enrich the most sacred moments of their lives: celebrating harvests, honoring funerals, and even preparing warriors before battles.
Why? Because they already knew that cacao has a powerful stimulating effect on the blood and heart.
Cacao contains a precious substance: theobromine, known to gently yet effectively stimulate the cardiovascular system.
Unlike the caffeine in coffee, it provides a subtle and lasting alertness, ideal for promoting heart opening, gratitude, and authentic presence in life.
By the way, for language geeks like me, theobromine means "food of the gods," as "theo" means "god" and "broma" means "food." Thus, even scientists, in naming this substance, preserved this beautiful idea of a "gift from the gods."
So... What's the Difference Between Chocolate and Cacao?
Cacao and chocolate come from the same place: cacao beans.
The big difference is that chocolate comes from cocoa powder, which is cacao processed at very high temperatures (eliminating many of cacao's benefits, including its antioxidants and other vitamins).
And, of course, the chocolate we find in stores contains added sugar and dairy products.
The Benefits of Cacao
When we take the time to pause, with a cup of hot cacao in hand and a sincere intention in the heart, we can truly experience several benefits:
Heart Opening: emotional relaxation, love, joy, and gratitude.
Deep Connection: authenticity and harmony with others.
Inspiration & Creativity: stimulated imagination and new perspectives.
Overall Well-being: feeling of relaxation, natural smile, deep happiness.
See all the benefits of cacao here on the site where I buy my ceremonial cacao.
Finding Your Intention: A Little Writing Activity
When we have a ceremony, we spend time beforehand clarifying our “why” as a clear intention is essential to fully enjoy a cacao ceremony. As we do at retreats, here are some sentences you can complete to better define yours:
"If I listened more to my heart, I ___"
"I really appreciate taking the time to ___"
"If I knew I were going to die tomorrow, I ___"
"An intention that could do me a world of good would be ___"
Write down what comes to you spontaneously, without judgment or overthinking. Then often, we refine our intention by sharing it with a partner.
The Power of A Circle
In my cacao ceremonies, we share our intentions in circle and they might be something like this:
“My intention for this ceremony is to open my heart more fully to love,” or “I’d like to explore and better understand my emotions,” or even “I want to quiet my inner critic and be gentler with myself.”
Listen to what resonates within you and let your feelings guide you! Sharing these intentions with the group strengthens your experience and creates a sense of community and support.
Preparing Your Ceremonial Cacao: The Recipe
Here's a simple recipe I use guide you:
Ingredients:
25-40 grams of ceremonial cacao (preferably organic and ethically sourced and here’s where I get mine)
½ to 1 date (to sweeten naturally). I love big Medjool dates because they blend well and taste AMAZING.
¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional, adds flavor and anti-inflammatory benefits) and other spices
Around 200 ml filtered water
Preparation:
Put all dry ingredients in a blender.
Heat filtered water to about 150°C (hot but not boiling), then pour into the blender.
Blend until creamy and frothy with lots of tiny bubbles. The secret to great cacao is LOTS of bubbles—super airy!
Pour into a cup and enjoy! Several of my friends swapped their morning coffee for cacao, and honestly, I often do the same. :)
Creating A Sacred Space
What makes the ceremony sacred is us—our intention and presence in this special moment.
That's why, at the last retreat, I took the time to handcraft ceramic cups, adding even more meaning to this experience.
When the moment comes to drink the cacao, we remain in noble silence and take time to:
Hold your cup with both hands. Feel the warmth, reconnect with your initial intention, trust your intuition.
Smell the cacao. Imagine this scent intensifying your feelings and intuition.
Sip slowly. Let each sip open your heart and deepen your connection with yourself.
Enjoying cacao this way helps us enter a meditative state where our mind settles and our heart naturally opens.
Integrating the Experience
After your ceremony, consider journaling about your experience:
How did you feel during the ceremony?
Did any insights or emotions surface?
How might you carry this experience into your daily life?
By integrating these reflections, you deepen your connection to the practice and to yourself.
Join Us for the Next Cacao Ceremony
You’re welcome to join us at our next cacao ceremony at this summer’s retreat. It's a beautiful opportunity to connect with others and explore this heart-opening experience in a supportive community.
