The Cacao Ceremony
understanding cacao
What is cacao? Cacao is the raw form of modern day chocolate. It is commonly seen in chocolate products as “cacao mass” or “cacao liquor”. Cacao has been used in this form for thousands of years as a plant medicine. It supports heart-opening experiences for inner healing. It supports heart opening experiences for inner healing. In addition, participants may also feel a better spiritual connection and creative expression. The end result may be an overall sense of being in relationship to oneself.
Raw cacao contains a high amount of theobromine. This compound acts as a stimulant that can increase the heart rate and open blood vessels. Theobromine can create gentle feelings of euphoria in the human body, too. Does this explain why so many of us humans seem to adore chocolate?
the cacao ceremony
The cacao ceremony comes in all shapes and sizes. Cacao was often offered as part of a larger ceremony taking place for a variety of reasons. For example, they could include sacred fires, chanting, dancing, truth speaking, praying, meditating, fasting and other such practices of connection to the Mother Earth.
Heal Yoga is now offering cacao ceremonies with Dominic. You’re invited to sit together in a sacred circle and share in the gift that cacao, a plant medicine, has to offer. Dominic was first introduced to ceremonial cacao while living at InanItah, an intentional community on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua. He began training under Audrey Warren to practice rituals of the heart, facilitated by the sacred plant medicine of cacao. He has also studied the sacred Mayan calendar and cacao plant medicine with Tata Walter, a Kaqchikel man from Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
To prepare for your cacao ceremony, please wear comfortable clothing. You will be moving, sitting, and lying down. Bring a water bottle, blanket, cushion to sit on, journal, and yourself, exactly as you are. If it feels right for you, eat lightly on the day leading up to the ceremony. You may also feel like refraining from alcohol, meat, dairy, or caffeine for 24 hours before the ceremony. If you are taking anti-depressants or have any heart issues, please let Dominic know prior to the cacao ceremony. He will accommodate you by adjusting the dose.
