Everyone who knows me or has joined me for cacao yoga in the barn knows that I love ceremonial cacao. I mean LOVE.
Cacao has been a part of my daily life since I discovered this ancient plant medicine in 2021, and it has changed my life—and maybe my baby’s birth weight (but that’s a story for another time).
I was first introduced to ceremonial cacao through the DayLuna podcast, created by the amazing women from whom I took my Human Design training. I was immediately fascinated by this ancient plant medicine.
What Is Ceremonial Cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is not just liquid chocolate. It comes from ancient cacao varieties like Criollo or Chuncho, which are naturally grown in regions like Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia.
What makes this cacao special is the way it is treated with respect and minimal processing. This creates a nutrient-rich plant medicine that has been used for thousands of years, originally in traditional cacao ceremonies. Traces of cacao cultivation date back as far as 4,000 BCE.
Out of respect for these cultures and the rich tradition associated with ceremonial cacao, I call my journeys "cacao meditations" instead of "cacao ceremonies."
The Cacao I Use
I’ve tested many ceremonial cacaos on the market and found a favorite that I return to again and again: "Signature Blend" from flykakao.com. I usually mix it with a pinch of rose powder from Anima Mundi and enjoy it as is. If you prefer to create your own blend with additions like cordyceps, lion’s mane, or cayenne pepper, I recommend "Pure," which is 100% cacao.
Health Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao is packed with powerful bioactive compounds, including:
Theobromine: Provides a gentle, sustained energy boost without the crash often associated with coffee.
Happiness hormones: Serotonin, dopamine, and PEA, which promote joy and emotional balance.
Magnesium: Reduces stress, supports good sleep, and strengthens the nervous system.
Flavonoids: Powerful antioxidants that protect cells, enhance heart health, and improve cognitive function.
All of this makes cacao a plant medicine that supports your body, mind, and spirit.
When you drink ceremonial cacao with intention and combine it with meditation, yoga, art, dance, or another practice you love, you may feel the activation of different chakras (energy centers) in your body and a deeper connection to your intuition and inner voice.
I also enjoy practicing "heart-brain coherence" alongside the use of cacao, which I will guide you through below.
How to Prepare Ceremonial Cacao
The most important thing to remember when preparing cacao is not to use boiling water—it can reduce the nutrients. Here are a few methods to prepare it:
For One Person (or Larger Portions):
Equipment: Small thermos and electric frother.
Boil water and let it cool slightly.
Measure out cacao (and any additions) into the thermos.
Pour the warm water into the thermos and use the frother to mix until creamy.
Set an intention, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
Benefits:
Creamy, smooth consistency.
Keeps warm in the thermos if you don’t drink it immediately.
For 2+ People:
Equipment: Pot and whisk.
Measure water and cacao (plus optional additions) into the pot.
Heat gently while whisking until the mixture is creamy.
Pour into cups or thermoses and serve.
Benefits:
Great for larger groups.
Allows you to infuse cacao with a shared intention during preparation., og basert på kvaliteten til termosen kan den tilberedes lang tid i forveien.
Summary: The most important part of making cacao is setting an intention, infusing it with energy, or asking for a desired outcome. My key advice for those new to energy work is simply to set the intention and trust that it will be fulfilled, with gratitude. Just like in meditation, where you repeatedly bring your focus back to your breath despite wandering thoughts, it’s normal for your mind to drift. Each time you return your attention to your breath, you “achieve meditation.” The same applies to setting an intention: every time you can hold it and return to it with focus, along with a feeling of “this will come to be,” you “achieve your intention.
How to Hold Your Own Cacao Meditation
Preparation:
Choose your activity: sitting meditation, yoga, dance, art, journaling, or singing.
Set an intention: Hold your cacao cup, smell it, and invite the spirit of cacao to join your journey.
During the Meditation:
Sip slowly and engage all your senses. Observe how the cacao feels in your body and mind.
Activate heart-brain coherence by focusing on your heart and breathing deeply.
Focus on your heart/heart center. Imagine your awareness shifting from your head to your heart.
Extend the length of your breath, visualizing yourself breathing in and out through your heart. Perhaps count to five on both the inhale and exhale.
Activate a "heart feeling," such as gratitude (for something specific or general), compassion, care, unconditional love, or another emotion that resonates with your heart.
Bring your focus back to the steps above whenever you catch yourself lost in thought, or return directly to the active feeling and the sense that the electromagnetic field around your heart is being amplified.
Ask cacao to help you stay in this energy and allow the positive effects of this state to flow through your body.
When the Cup Is Empty:Thank the cacao and invite its energy to stay with you. Cacao can support you for 4–5 hours after drinking.
Ceremonial cacao is more than a drink—it’s an experience. Whether you use it for meditation, creativity, or simply a moment of peace, it can bring you closer to yourself.
What’s your experience with cacao meditation?Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your cacao journey. Thank you for joining me!
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