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About & the Benefits of CACAO🤎 

all the yummy goodness of this wondrous organic Cacao

Ceremonial cacao from Northern Peru is deeply rooted in ancient traditions, tracing back to indigenous cultures that revered cacao as a sacred plant used for spiritual, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes. The heirloom cacao variety grown in this region is known for its unique genetic lineage, often referred to as "criollo", a prized and rare strain. These cacao beans are cherished for their rich flavour profile and higher concentration of beneficial compounds, such as theobromine and antioxidants, making them ideal for ceremonial use.

In indigenous communities, cacao is considered a plant medicine that opens the heart, fosters connection, and enhances meditative and introspective states. Ceremonies traditionally involve drinking cacao to induce a calm yet heightened awareness, guiding participants into a deeper connection with themselves and the spiritual realm. This practice continues today in many wellness circles, with cacao ceremonies offering a space for emotional healing, personal reflection, and community bonding.​

The farming and harvesting process of ceremonial cacao in Northern Peru is a careful and respectful tradition. Heirloom cacao trees are often grown in biodiverse, shade-grown environments, surrounded by other native plants. Farmers hand-harvest the pods when they are fully ripe, and the beans are fermented naturally to develop their complex flavors. After fermentation, the beans are dried under the sun before being minimally processed into cacao paste, retaining the purity and potency necessary for ceremonial use. This method preserves the cacao’s energetic properties, honoring the spirit of the plant in alignment with ancient traditions.

Benefits

Cacao offers a range of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and iron, cacao provides vital nutrients that support overall health. The high levels of flavonoids in cacao improve blood flow, support heart health, and can help lower blood pressure. Magnesium, a key component of cacao, is essential for muscle relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting nervous system function. Unlike processed chocolate, ceremonial-grade cacao retains its natural nutrients, making it a powerful superfood for both body and mind.

Beyond its physical benefits, cacao is renowned for its ability to open the heart and enhance emotional well-being. It contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant that increases energy without the jittery side effects of caffeine.

 

Theobromine also promotes a sense of euphoria and relaxation, releasing "feel-good" chemicals like serotonin and anandamide, often called the "bliss molecule." This heart-opening quality makes cacao a perfect companion for meditation, ceremony, and personal reflection, helping to dissolve emotional blockages, foster deeper self-connection, and cultivate a sense of peace and joy. Whether used in ceremonial spaces or as a mindful daily ritual, cacao offers nourishment for both the body and spirit.

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Ixkawkaw |  Ixcacao

Cocoa Woman | Goddess of Chocolate 

Ixcacao (pronounced "Ish-ka-KOW") is the ancient Mayan Goddess of Cacao, revered as the deity of fertility, abundance, and chocolate.

 

Her origins trace back to the early civilisations of Central and South America, particularly within Mayan and Aztec cultures, where cacao was considered a sacred gift from the gods. As the Goddess of Cacao, Ixcacao played a vital role in agricultural and fertility rituals, embodying the nurturing aspects of the Earth and its capacity to provide sustenance and abundance.

In the Mayan worldview, cacao was more than a crop; it was considered sacred and was central to spiritual life. Ixcacao was believed to be the guardian of this "food of the gods," overseeing the growth of cacao trees and the harvest of their precious beans.

 

She was often depicted as a benevolent goddess, providing not only physical nourishment through cacao but also emotional and spiritual healing. Cacao was used in rituals to honour her, whether to ensure a bountiful harvest, enhance fertility, or facilitate deep communal and individual healing.

The legend of Ixcacao also extends to her role in the balance of wealth and prosperity. As the goddess who nurtures the cacao, a commodity highly valued in ancient times (even used as currency), she was associated with abundance and the sharing of resources.

 

The preparation and consumption of cacao in ritual offerings were ways to connect with Ixcacao’s energy, invoking her blessings for prosperity and balance in both the physical and spiritual realms.

In modern cacao ceremonies, Ixcacao is often invoked to honor her legacy and the ancient connection between cacao and spiritual awakening.

 

Participants acknowledge her as the original keeper of cacao, calling upon her energy to open the heart and deepen one’s connection to the earth and spirit, just as the Mayans did centuries ago.

Quetzalcoatl

the god of wind, air, and learning

The God of Wind, Air & Learning

Quetzalcoatl, known as the Feathered Serpent, is one of the most important deities in Mesoamerican mythology, particularly among the Aztec, Toltec, and Maya civilisations. His name comes from the Nahuatl language: "quetzal", meaning a precious green feather, and "coatl", meaning serpent. Quetzalcoatl is often depicted as a serpent adorned with vibrant feathers, symbolising the merging of earth (the serpent) and sky (the feathers), representing both the physical and spiritual realms.

Quetzalcoatl was considered the god of wind, air, and learning, as well as the patron of priests and the creator of humanity. He was believed to have played a vital role in the creation myth, where he descended to the underworld to retrieve the bones of previous generations, using them to form new life with his own blood, giving birth to humankind.

In addition to being associated with creation, Quetzalcoatl was also a bringer of knowledge, culture, and civilisation. He was credited with introducing agriculture, the calendar, and writing, making him a revered deity among the people.

 

The god is also closely tied to cacao; legend holds that Quetzalcoatl gifted cacao to humanity as a sacred offering, teaching people how to cultivate and use it as a heart-opening and nourishing plant.​

 

Quetzalcoatl’s legacy as a wise, benevolent, and transformative god has endured for centuries, embodying the balance between the earthly and divine, the physical and spiritual. His image as the Feathered Serpent continues to be a powerful symbol of regeneration, wisdom, and the interconnectedness of all things.

The God of Wind, Air & Learning
Cacao Ceremony

Recipes Hot & Cold Cacao

Serving Suggestions:

If you are new to Cacao start with 10-15g in a 250 ml cup

 

If you are a cacao lover and daily drinker like myself then you may enjoy 20-25g

 

For ceremonial purposes 40-45g will make you feel the rhythms of this sacred plant

Weigh your desired amount of Cacao

choose your plant based milk

(I love almond, but Coconut is very common and popular to use)

 

Using a saucepan heat your milk 200-250ml (I do half milk half water)

 To suit your personal desired taste add:

cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon

cayenne pepper a pinch (it's hot🌶️) 

Celtic sea salt 1/4 teaspoon

a splash of maple syrup

you can add things such as cardamon, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, I love all of these, play with different ideas and find your favourite 

You can use Monk Fruit sugar as an alternate sweetener (i did  this for a bit but went back to maple syrup 😉 )

Once the liquid is heated add the Cacao stir in, then USE a stick blender to Juuujshh!

This is KEY it will blend it all in and make it smooth and creamy!

Set Your Intention & Enjoy!

To Make Cold Cacao

 

Make a hot cacao and put into glass jars and refrigerate 😉 

I literally make it exactly the same if you want it cold immediately, I would suggest making it hot still, but then add ice and blend

OR

Melt your cacao over heat and then add to blender with cold ingredients 

Dance & Celebrate 

experience the heart opening power of this Sacred Plant

Cacao Heart Opener

In ceremony, cacao is often consumed with the intention of connecting to one’s heart space, allowing the drinker to feel more centred and present.

 

Its soothing, yet energising properties help to quiet the mind and release emotional blockages, creating a sense of unity and openness.

 

This makes cacao not only a perfect companion for meditation and healing but also for moments of joyful celebration.

In the context of a celebratory ceremony, cacao can become the heart of the experience, uniting the group in shared intention and heightened energy.

As the cacao flows through you, it naturally inspires movement, making it an ideal drink for ceremonies where dancing is encouraged.

With hearts open and spirits lifted, participants can celebrate life, love, and community, moving freely to the rhythm of the music, guided by the energy of cacao.

 

Dancing with cacao heightens the joy of the moment, creating a deep sense of connection with yourself and those around you.

It becomes a celebration not only of movement but of the freedom and love that cacao helps us to access. Whether in silent introspection or in a space of vibrant movement, cacao invites us to embrace life fully, with an open heart and a grounded spirit.

Dance With Cacao

Sacred Ceremony

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Honouring the Four Directions & the Goddess Within

Opening the Sacred Space:

Welcome, dear ones, to this sacred cacao ceremony. As we gather in this circle, we honour the spirit of cacao, the medicine of the heart, and the sacredness of this moment. Before we begin, let us call in the four directions to guide and protect our ceremony, and honour the land beneath us and the land from which this sacred cacao has come.

​Calling in the Four Directions:

To the East,

we honour the element of Air, the place of new beginnings, clarity, and inspiration. We invite the energy of sunrise, of fresh perspectives, and the winds of change to guide us on our journey. May we breathe deeply into this moment and allow the medicine to open our minds, bringing in new possibilities and visions.

To the South,

we honour the element of Fire, the place of passion, transformation, and action. We invite the warmth of the sun and the fire in our hearts to burn brightly. May the cacao stir within us the courage to release what no longer serves and awaken the love and joy that fuels our spirit.

Cacao Ceremony

To the West,

we honour the element of Water, the place of emotions, intuition, and reflection. We invite the energy of the setting sun, the ebb and flow of water, to guide us through the depths of our hearts. May this sacred medicine help us flow with ease, connect with our inner wisdom, and embrace our emotional truths.

To the North,

we honour the element of Earth, the place of stability, grounding, and wisdom. We invite the strength of the mountains, the ancestors, and the ancient wisdom of the earth. We give thanks to the land beneath us, the land of this sacred space, and to the fertile earth where the cacao was grown. We honor the hands that nurtured, harvested, and prepared this sacred plant medicine, and invite their blessings into this circle.

Setting an Intention:

Now, before we drink the cacao, I invite each of you to take a moment to connect with your heart. As you hold your cup of cacao, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Feel the warmth of the cacao in your hands and the energy of the plant medicine you are about to receive.

In this space, ask yourself, "What is my intention for today?" What do you wish to invite into your life? What does your heart long to express, release, or manifest? Allow this intention to rise gently from within you, without force, knowing that whatever arises is perfect.

Hold this intention in your heart as we prepare to drink.

Cacao Ceremony

Honouring the Land and Cacao:

We now take a moment to honour the spirit of the cacao plant, the ancient wisdom she carries, and the land where she was grown. The sacred land of Northern Peru has nurtured these heirloom beans with the care and love of the earth. We send our deepest gratitude to the farmers and their ancestors, to the hands that harvested this cacao, and to the spirit of the land that sustains all life.

As we drink, may we remember that this cacao is not just a drink, but a living medicine. A gift from Mother Earth, passed down through generations, to open our hearts and guide us into deeper connection with ourselves, with each other, and with the divine.

The Ceremony – Allowing the Medicine to Move Through You:

Now, I invite you to slowly drink your cacao, sip by sip, letting the warmth and richness of the cacao move through you. As you drink, feel the medicine begin to activate within you. Cacao is a heart-opening medicine, and with each sip, it gently encourages us to soften, to open, and to surrender to the wisdom of our hearts.

Feel how the cacao enters your body, nourishing your soul, grounding you in the present moment. Let it awaken your inner fire, the fire that brings joy, love, and transformation. With each breath, allow the energy of cacao to flow, dissolving tension and resistance, and creating space for deep connection.

This is the time to connect with your inner self, to allow the Goddess within you to rise. She is the keeper of your intuition, your compassion, your strength. As you continue to breathe into this space, feel her presence, your divine feminine energy, awakening with every beat of your heart. Know that you are supported, that you are powerful, and that you are enough just as you are.

The cacao guides us to listen to our hearts, to trust our inner knowing, and to recognise that we are all interconnected. As you sit in this space, allow yourself to feel that deeper connection – to yourself, to the people in this circle, and to the Earth beneath you. This is your time to receive, to listen, and to simply be.

Closing the Ceremony:

As the cacao continues to work its magic, gently begin to return your awareness to the space around you. Feel the love and energy of the circle, knowing that you have shared something sacred and profound with those here.

We close this ceremony by thanking the four directions, the spirits of the land, and the sacred cacao for their guidance, protection, and healing. May the heart-opening energy of cacao continue to ripple through your life, nurturing your connection to yourself and the world around you. 

Take this love, this light, and this deep connection with you as you go forward. And may the Goddess within you always guide you.

Cacao Ceremony

Feel free to use or adapt this ceremony to make it your own.

There are countless ways to weave your unique energy, intentions, and vision into the sacred space you create. When holding space for a cacao ceremony, it’s important to remember the deep reverence this plant medicine deserves. Honour the lands from which it comes, the ancestors who have carried its wisdom through time, and the hands that have lovingly planted, harvested, and prepared this sacred gift.

Cacao is a powerful heart-opening medicine, and the ceremony you lead should reflect that deep connection. Whether you choose to call in the four directions, set intentions, or invoke the Goddess within, always approach the ceremony with gratitude and respect.

Let the energy of cacao guide you, trust in the wisdom it offers, and hold space for your participants to experience their own personal and spiritual journeys.

This is a time to honour the earth, the spirit of cacao, and the divine within each of us.

Love 

Melanie

🤎 

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