The cacao used in these ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form. Cacao beans or seeds come from the fruit of the cacao tree and have a distinctly bitter flavor. They’re also chock-full of nutrients, making cacao a superfood that has been used in ceremonies dating back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Today, the bitter bean has made its way from Latin America to many corners of the world for casual sipping and ceremonies alike. Moses Draper, the co-founder of Embue Cacao—a supplier of ceremonial cacao sourced from Guatemala—tells mbg that this is one thing that people often get wrong about cacao ceremonies. In reality, they don’t have an exact format and can look a number of different ways. “There are commonalities,” Draper notes, adding, “often people start out with the cacao, and there’s some kind of focused intentional starting point with consuming it.” From there, he says “there’s really a lot of possibilities. Common ones are ecstatic dance, yoga, meditation, inner processing, or more specific seasonal ceremonies.” Since their itineraries vary, it’s hard to know with certainty what to expect during a cacao ceremony. But I can tell you that both ceremonies I’ve attended started with intention setting and mindfully drinking the cacao. The first ceremony was all about dropping into your heart space and simply dancing to your heart’s content (for hours). The second was a bit more structured. We paired off with someone we didn’t know and were instructed to ask our partner personal, reflective questions. Then, we were guided through a meditation and breathwork practice, before the ceremony opened up into free-flowing music and dancing. If you’re attending a cacao ceremony for the first time, the facilitator should be able to answer any questions you have beforehand. The most important thing is to go in with an open mind. As for how it works, Draper explains that cacao contains a molecule called theobromine, which is “kind of like a sister molecule to caffeine.” Unlike caffeine, however, “its stimulating effects focus more on blood flow and the heart1 than on the nervous system, so people often experience [cacao] as a more grounded energy source than caffeine,” he says. I can attest to that: Sipping cacao was incredibly energizing but never made me jittery the way a cup of coffee might. On a more spiritual level, I felt a very loving and receptive energy when working with cacao. So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself placing your hand on your heart in a ceremony. (Think the Grinch when his heart grows a ton!) You could, for instance, incorporate cacao into your morning routine. Draper says that a small dose of around 1 ounce of cacao in hot water makes for a lovely, energizing tonic. “Take the time preparing it and sitting with it,” he says, “and maybe even do a short meditation or some journaling. That can be a great way to start the day.” You can also use it as an afternoon pick-me-up if you hit that 3 o’clock wall, to help you refocus and finish the day strong. But really, cacao can be used in tandem with any of your favorite spiritual practices, or as a practice in itself, to help you drop into your heart space and welcome in loving energy.
