Cacao ceremonies – what are they?
This article was written by Kaitlin Colucci, Founder of the KC Nutrition Clinic.
Cacao ceremonies – what are they?
Cacao ceremonies is something I found this year and I can’t stop going back! Here is why…
What is a cacao ceremony?
In summary, a cacao ceremony involves drinking a cacao beverage to elevate the spiritual rituals being practiced for example a deep meditation, ecstatic dance, or journaling session.
Cacao is chocolate in its purest form and has a distinctly bitter flavour. It is packed full of nutrients such as flavanols, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper and selenium. During a cacao ceremony, the cacao is made into a warming drink which contains spiced tea, amongst other ingredients such as honey or maple syrup, spices such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and/or lavender or rose water.
The reason cacao is used in a ceremonial way is due to its heart-opening and mood-boosting properties. While cacao is most definitely stimulating, it’s not considered a psychedelic. It is legal to purchase and shouldn’t cause any adverse side effects (however for anyone on antidepressants or with a heart condition, please speak to your doctor/GP before trying it).
Cacao contains a molecule called theobromine, which is a similar molecule to caffeine. Unlike caffeine however, its stimulating effects focus more on blood flow and the heart, than on the nervous system, so people often experience cacao as a more grounded energy source than caffeine.
Because of the way the theobromine significantly increased blood flow, it’s easier to feel filled up with love, or open and connected to other people, or your higher self. Cacao can help you to focus, and with more blood flowing, there’s often more oxygenation happening in the body which can be very sensual.
Also, as cacao is so rich in polyphenols, which we know are good for our gut microbes, my theory is that it also plays a role with the gut-brain connection, although we need more research on that one!
What to expect during a cacao ceremony
I have attended three cacao ceremonies, each a little different from each other – but all three incredibly powerful! The first was a one hour introductory ceremony when I was at Glastonbury Festival this year and involved a deep meditation. The second was in fact at my friend’s apartment in London and lasted about three hours, involving dropping into the heart space, ecstatic dance, and a deep tantric meditation. And the third was in a meditation space which lasted around two hours and involved visualisations of our higher self with discussion and journaling afterwards. After each session I have gained so much clarity on a variety of aspects of my life.
If you’re attending a cacao ceremony for the first time, the facilitator should be able to answer any questions you have beforehand. However, the most important thing is to go in with an open mind.
Interested in trying one out? My dear friend is offering a ceremony in London next month (not at her apartment this time around!). Find out more here.