Cacao & Cacao Ceremonies

Article written by Mai Copsoe
Lifestyle mentor, embodiment guide, breathing facilitator, women's mentor.

What is it good for and what is it about?

A few years ago, cacao ceremonies began to take place in big cities like LA, London and Sydney, as well as more spiritually oriented places like Koh Phangan, Ibiza and Bali. In recent years, the trend has also hit Denmark, and has now become more mainstream. But what are these ceremonies really about, and what is ceremonial cacao good for? Read on and find out if a cacao ceremony could be a nourishing experience for you.

The experience of a cacao ceremony

I close my eyes and let myself drift along. Of the music. Of the body that gently guides me moment by moment. Of my heart that suddenly more intensely lets me know how it feels. There is silence, and yet movement. Inner images and memories slide past the inside of my eyelids. Small experiences that I had forgotten. In response, I feel the tears coming. I let them flow and slowly insights and wisdom about the situations that I had forgotten land. The ceremony continues. I feel peace, relief, joy. Just feeling - without thinking or understanding why I feel the way I do. Then the anger comes - completely unprovoked. Apparently. I feel the energy flowing out through my arms and legs. My jaws clenching. It feels like I'm ready to explode, but I surrender to the sensations and curiosity. Inviting the sensations and emotions inside, and suddenly the intense sensations disappear. Then I'm at peace. Understanding nothing, but just feeling. Just is. The music makes me feel held. It continues like a journey through my own inner landscape for the next few hours. Then I am guided back to the room, feeling the ground and the earth beneath me. Feeling my heart beat.

The experience of a cacao ceremony is individual - and you will never experience two cacao ceremonies the same. It is partly in the word ceremony, as it is a form of artistic expression that interacts with and unfolds in the present moment. In cacao ceremonies, an intention is typically set to begin, and then the space will be created for you to feel yourself on a deeper level, while connecting with your own inner wisdom and intuition.

Why drink ceremonial cacao?

Cacao has long been revered for both its nutritional and spiritual powers. The physical properties of cacao are well documented, including being one of the highest dietary sources of antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and cell damage from free radicals. It is also rich in magnesium, iron, fiber, and mood-boosting elements such as phenylethylamine and anandamide, which can promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Therefore, ceremonial cacao can also be a good thing to drink outside of a ceremony.

When it comes to spiritual effects, cacao is considered to have heart-opening qualities and the ability to create calm and grounding. Each cacao ceremony is designed to place you in a positive, uplifting state where you can open yourself to connect more deeply with yourself and others, and embrace spiritual intentions. Cacao is a powerful ally that can help facilitate self-development, inner growth, healing, and connection. That’s what the ceremonies are all about.

The history of the cacao ceremony?

Although it has only (relatively) found its way into our modern Western world more recently, cacao ceremonies are certainly not new. In fact, cacao and its ceremonies have their roots and beginnings in the heart of the Mayan civilization, in what we now know as Mesoamerica. The Mayans farmed and revered cacao for almost three thousand years. They considered it the 'food of the gods' and what began as a natural plant evolved into a valuable commodity in their civilization. They valued the bean as both a flavorful indulgence and a powerful symbol of wealth and abundance.

Setting up a cacao ceremony

There are endless ways to create and perform a cacao ceremony - both as a solo practice and in a group setting. However, it always involves consuming ceremonial cacao in some form of ritual setting - and often in some form of meditative state. Cacao is a teacher who effectively helps us connect with our hearts, nurture our relationships and live life guided by a clear vision. It is an experience that blends the physical with the spiritual. Therefore, the setting is always of a special nature, allowing space for connection with oneself and one's heart.

Here are a few examples.

There are cacao ceremonies that involve ecstatic dancing, which is a form of free dance with unrestrained movements. Here, participants can express themselves physically without any special choreography and without being judged by other dancers. You can dance quietly or wildly, do stretches or even meditate on the floor. Everything is allowed and possible.

There are also cacao ceremonies that include sound healing, which is sound therapy where instruments, tones and sonic vibrations are used to create balance, calm and harmony in the body. It involves specific types of frequencies that promote deep rest, a rebalancing of the nervous system and emotional release, so that we reduce our stress and can relax better.

Cacao ceremonies with yin yoga are another option. Here you work on creating more space physically, emotionally and mentally. While holding physical yoga poses for longer periods of time, you work on your connective tissue so that it can release waste products and attract fluid and increase flexibility to your body. It can be uncomfortable and confronting, but it creates space and room for you to feel yourself and better listen to your inner wisdom. With cacao you can make the experience deeper, and it can help you be more open to the knowledge that comes to you.

Ceremonial cacao is a raw cacao experience

When we talk about cacao ceremonies, we are not talking about the hot cocoa served with whipped cream on a snowy day. Rather than being sweet and easy to drink, ceremonial cacao is often bitter and intense. The cacao that is drunk for ceremonies is created from a single ingredient, namely the cacao bean - with nothing added or removed. In this way, the ceremonial cacao is created from the highest quality cacao that is pure and unprocessed. It is minimally processed and during the preparation of ceremonial cacao, the drink is not heated to boiling temperatures. It is often only sweetened with other spices or fruit juices. This ensures that you, as a participant in a cacao ceremony, can create a direct connection to cacao and its wisdom.

Would you like to join the cacao ceremony? Then click on to our event 🤍

Winter nourishment with reflection, Yin yoga & Cacao ceremony February 6

" My mission is to support individuals and groups on their journey towards optimal health, well-being and inner balance through holistic tools and guidance.

I have found that when people start focusing on their own health and well-being, they are more likely to lead their lives with greater awareness. This often leads to increased effectiveness at work and more ease in their lives overall – even in highly stressful environments with high performance pressure.
and many responsibilities. " - Mai Copsoe