Sitting with Sacred Cacao

Cacao is having her renaissance lately, and for very good reason.

You’ve probably seen it suggested as a non-jittery replacement for your morning coffee, or used as an ingredient in one of those healthier-for-you morning or night beverages that will provide some expansion without the negative effects that come along with alcohol or other wind down substances.

I first tried cacao about 5 years ago after hearing one of my favorite podcasters (wish I remembered who specifically to shout out) mention making the switch from coffee as a healthier caffeine alternative.

I bought the powder from my local co-op and prepared it with hot water and cinnamon, and let me tell you- it was gross. It also made me WAY MORE JITTERY than my typical latte.

Turns out, I was doing it wrong.

I was not using ceremonial grade cacao from a trusted source, and I wasn’t preparing it with the intention and care that makes a difference in how it is consumed.

The powders that you find in your favorite health food store are great for other purposes like baking, but if you plan to consume it in a ceremonial context or as your daily elixir, it’s just not going to provide all of the full bodied benefits you’ll get from the unadulterated flakes or a full block that you shave down yourself.

I experienced my first cacao ceremony last year in Colorado as a “conscious pre-game” for a concert hosted by my sweet friends, Kait & Hannah of Conscious Together. I experienced the magic and comfort provided by mama cacao that night and made beautiful connections with everyone else sitting in the circle. It was a powerful evening and shifted the course of my life. Since then, I’ve been sitting with mama cacao as often as possible, and I took an online course to learn more about how to facilitate ceremonies after I couldn’t stop preparing it for all of my friends and family.

Beyond A Caffeine Replacement

So why do we refer to it as “sitting with” cacao instead of just drinking it? And why is it called plant medicine if it’s just a cup of essentially untouched chocolate?

The essence of cacao is often experienced as a nurturing and comforting feminine spirit tenderly referred to as Mama Cacao or Mother Cacao. Similarly, you may have heard Ayahuasca referred to as Grandmother, as this sacred plant medicine and others are often experienced with a helping presence to guide you through your journey with her.

Cacao has been consumed by indigenous cultures and revered as a powerful plant medicine dating all the way back to the Olmecs, one of the earliest recorded civilizations. The Mayans referred to as Theobroma or “food of the gods” and believed it to be a bridge to the divine. The Aztecs, Olmecs, and Mayans all used it in daily rituals and consumed it as an essential ceremonial practice for weddings, funerals, and religious gatherings.

So what does it do?

Cacao is known as a “heart opener”. It is known to produce emotional releases and often makes people feel more connected to themselves, others, and the divine.

What’s happening on a biological level is the release of “happy chemicals” like serotonin and anandamide to provide a feeling of wellbeing, love, and joy for the consumer. It also contains theobromine; a cousin to caffeine that provides stimulating and euphoric effects.

Cacao is referred to as plant medicine because when used in ceremonial settings with the addition of meditation, affirmations, and intentions, it is known to provide deep healing for emotional wounds and fosters a sense of love and appreciation from the connection with the heart chakra.

If you want to try sitting with cacao, I recommend getting it from a trusted source. I have a hard time finding it available in person, so I order mine from Conscious Together. They’ll ship you the Nicaraguan Cacao flakes and will also send instructions for how to prepare it. I also love Keith’s Cacao. Keith Wilson is considered the Chocolate Shaman and is credited with spreading the word of cacao’s benefits in America. You can order directly from his site, here.

How I Meet with Mama Cacao

I’ve added cacao to my daily meditation practice, and in the last year since I’ve been sitting with her, this practice has actually transformed into more of a devotional practice. I’m always big on expressing gratitude, but with the addition of Mama Cacao’s essence, I now feel so much more connected to myself and the Divine, which is something I had a hard time with before due to spiritual rebellion caused by my strict Christian upbringing.

I won’t get into all the details of my devotional rituals here, but if you’re curious about adding cacao into your morning practice, I recommend preparing it in a clean space with intention and love, and serving it in a special mug for cacao or just one that feels special to you. I put on a devotional playlist of music I love that moves me or connects me with spirit, and when it’s finished I sit down in my meditation space and set my intention for my time.

If I’m anxious about something I use this as an opportunity to ask for guidance or to surrender my fear. I’ll also say a little prayer to bless the cacao and infuse my love into it. I’ll then continue on with the rest of my practice, sometimes journaling as if I were writing to her directly. This has expanded my mornings and my spiritual connection more than I can even describe in words!

If you’re interested in trying cacao or have questions about the benefits and effects, feel free to reach out! I plan to host some cacao ceremonies in my local area so stay on the lookout for upcoming dates. I’d love to have you join us! :)

Photo credit: Wild Muse Media