Cacao Ceremony - What Is It, How to Do It at Home & Its Benefits

At Inika we love cacao. We think it’s one of the most magical superfoods there is. Cacao is wonderful for opening the heart and boosting mood. Across the globe the ancient practice of cacao ceremonies has gained more interest - and with good reason. So let’s explore what cacao ceremonies are, how to do one at home and what the benefits of cacao ceremonies are.

What is a cacao ceremony?

A cacao ceremony is a spiritual practice dating back to the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America. Today cacao ceremonies are practiced all over the world. The Mayans and Aztecs believed that cacao was discovered by the gods, and given to the people. That’s why cacao plays an important role in their ceremonies. It was used as an offering and played a role in sacrificial rituals. 

When attending a cacao ceremony you shouldn’t expect a regular cup of hot chocolate. The cacao used in cacao ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form. Therefore, it will be more bitter than the hot chocolate you remember from your childhood. This also means that the cacao is full of nutrients (hint, why cacao is a superfood).

Cacao ceremonies are all different. Some involve meditation or breathwork, some involve ecstatic dancing. Basically, no two cacao ceremonies are the same. However, oftentimes cacao ceremonies will involve some kind of intention setting and drinking the cacao mindfully and slowly.

How to do a cacao ceremony at home

If you are fortunate enough to travel to places like Bali or Costa Rica there will be an abundance of cacao ceremonies you can attend. Oftentimes places like yoga studios also arrange cacao ceremonies. However, you can also do a cacao ceremony from the comfort of your own home.

You will need to find cacao that you can use for cacao ceremonies. You can find blocks of cacao for ceremonies online. If you’re living in a big city you most likely will also be able to find it in health food stores. If you would like to do a cacao ceremony right now, and you cannot find any cacao, you can use our Chocolate Chakra Plantshake.

If you have some friends that would like to join you, invite them over. You can then form a sacred circle. But don’t worry, you can also do a cacao ceremony by yourself. We suggest that you sit on the floor, perhaps with some pillows. Light a few candles, and turn off the lights. Have a journal by your side. You then sip the cacao slowly and mindfully, while journaling and setting intentions. After drinking your cacao you might feel called to meditate. Listen to your intuition.

Benefits of a cacao ceremony

As mentioned, cacao is a superfood, full of nutrients. But there are many other benefits than simply the nutrients:

• It opens your heart. Oftentimes people feel a heart-opening sensation after drinking cacao. They feel more open and connected to other people.
• It boosts mood. Cacao is known for boosting mood, and you will overall feel happier when you sip cacao.
• It may help you focus. Cacao is stimulating (like coffee), which can help you focus.
• It’s good for your health. As mentioned, cacao is a superfood, making it amazing for your health. Cacao is rich in iron, calcium, antioxidants and many other minerals.

We hope that this post leaves you feeling inspired to either attend or do a cacao ceremony yourself. It is such a beautiful ritual. We especially love doing cacao ceremonies early in the morning or in the evening. There is something very special about the energy in the morning and evening, particularly when it’s dark, that works very well with spiritual practices like cacao ceremonies.

Love,

Inika Superfoods