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Cacao plant medicine and cacao ceremonies have become more widely known over the last few years for obvious reasons.
In most countries, cacao is legal and therefore easy to import/export and sell, and because people don’t necessarily need a cacao ceremony guide (though a good guide will facilitate a very different experience) to benefit from this delightful plant medicine.
In the following, we will get into the traditional uses of cacao in ceremony, ingredients in cacao ceremony drink, where to buy ceremony-grade cacao, how to make your own and how to use cacao in ritual.
Cacao Spiritual Connection to the Gods
Though Cacao’s spiritual use in ceremony now spans many continents, chocolate scholars claim that its origins are in Mayan culture. That does not mean that the plant originates from Mesoamerica.
In fact, it may have originated in South America, but evidence of its use in ceremonial settings has been found predominantly in Mesoamerica.
To be completely transparent, there is still quite a bit of controversy around the origins and uses of cacao in Mesoamerica and South America.
It is theorized that ancient Mesoamericans, namely the Mayans, began growing and drinking cacao (“xocolatl”) more than 2,500 years ago. Drinks that included cacao as an ingredient (“chocolate drinks”) were an important part of daily life and rituals, but not to everyone.
Cacao was, in fact, a special commodity, and only wealthy members of society could access the “Food of the Gods”.
Many different recipes existed and, to this day, we don’t have a clear understanding of what these are, nor how their use differed in a ritual setting. What we do know has been extrapolated from ancient iconography and practices/beliefs passed down through generations.
Cacao Ceremony Drink Ingredients
As you might imagine, there are innumerable recipes for the cacao ceremony drink.
In its most basic form, cacao ceremony drink includes:
- 100% pure toasted cacao that has been ground into a powder
- Ají – chili peppers/cayenne pepper
- Cornmeal
- Water
The resulting cacao beverage is frothy and very bitter (not that no sugar is included!).
Other recipes include some or all of the following ingredients:
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Honey, panela, coco sugar, or agave syrup (some sweetness!)
- Cardamom
- Curcuma
- Sometimes pepper or ginger powder is also added.
Effects of cacao in ceremony
Cacao’s magical properties and active ingredients stimulate glands that are in charge of producing endorphins which, in turn, drastically affect our mood. This beverage was prepared to celebrate rituals of sacred sexuality and to treat trauma that often followed combat in warriors.
Among its active ingredients are: theobromine, dopamine and seratonin, substances which are powerful neurotransmitters that activate our sensorial capacity.
Where to Buy Cacao For Ceremony
In the US, you can buy cacao for ceremony through the following providers:
* Please note that you may be redirected to product different than those pictured below if these have been already been sold out*
In Europe, you can buy ceremonial cacao powder from the following providers:
* Please note that you may be redirected to product different than those pictured below if these have been already been sold out*
DIY Ceremonial Cacao Recipe
If you are planning to lead a cacao ceremony or prepare this medicine for yourself, it is always best to prepare it yourself. In this way, you can pray over, sing to and inbue the medicine with your intention and energy.
Here is a quick and easy ceremonial cacao recipe:
20 – 28 grams 100% pure ceremonial cacao paste
250 mL clean water nearly at boiling point
Theobroma cacao – Food of the gods
Cacao is a sacred, American plant and its properties go beyond that of the exquisite, tasty treat we know best.
In the pre-hispanic period, only the highest ranked chiefs had access to the cacao drink, a drink that had such great value that even its very seeds were used as currency. Its name means “food of the gods – fruit of fire”.
At Alma Healing Center, the cacao ritual is performed with the music of drums and with dance to access states of dynamic meditation.
THEOBROMA CACAO – Alimento de los Dioses
El cacao es una planta sagrada americana y sus propiedades van mas allá de una exquisita golosina.
En épocas prehispánicas solo los caciques mayores tenían acceso a esta bebida de un valor tan elevado que sus semillas también fueron utilizadas como moneda. Alimento de los dioses, el fruto del fuego es el significado de su nombre.
Sus propiedades mágicas y sus principios activos estimulan las glándulas encargadas de producir las endorfinas que regulan los estados de ánimo. Este alimento se preparaba para celebrar rituales de sexualidad sagrada y tratamiento de traumas post combate en los guerreros.
Entre sus principios activos están la teobromina, la dopamina y la serotonina sustancias que son poderosas neurotrasmisores que activan nuestra capacidad sensorial. El ritual se hace con música de tambores y danza para acceder a estados de meditación dinamica.
