A beginner's guide for working with ceremonial cacao for healing and manifestation

Tap into the magic of this incredible plant ally

Ceremonial cacao has been used for thousands of years by ancient indigenous communities for healing, spiritual reconnection and even deriving higher insights. In ancient times, we had a strong connection with our plant medicines - and understood them as spirits. We derived powerful healing and shifts by the conscious and ritualistic work with spiritual plant medicines, above and beyond the regular medicinal supplements which is the most common thing we know today.

Now, cacao was worshipped by the Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs. The spirit of the cacao plant is known as Cacaocito, and this is a joyous and uplifting spirit.

Why is cacao so magical and healing? Well, it opens and heals the heart chakra. It is excellent for catalysing visions and hence for manifestation. It boosts mood, uplifts your energy and provides multiple health benefits along with the spiritual potency of integrating cacao into your daily or weekly routine.

Ceremonial cacao versus regular cacao

The first thing we need to understand is that the vast majority of cacao (and definitely chocolate) on the market does not have indigenous genetics. It is genetically modified or hybridised. Now, the genetics of an organism are it’s intelligence - and the original intelligence of the cacao plant is millions of years old, just like our earth! So, for the spiritual connection and experience to be strong you need ceremonial grade cacao.

The indigenous strain is known as Cacao Criollo, and cacao is indigenous to the Mesoamerican region (Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador and such regions). Ceremonial cacao is also made in the traditional native way, without any artificial additions or processing. It is made by the indigenous people in a ritualistic way. It hard to find sustainable, ethical and authentic ceremonial grade cacao - and my own link will be shared here below for you to read more about this for yourself.

Moving onto how YOU can work with ceremonial grade cacao as a beginner, and how this beautiful plant can benefit you on an emotional, mental and spiritual level!

Preparing your ceremonial cacao!

The first thing to do is to get your block of ceremonial cacao (sources given at the end) and chop it up into fine pieces. Measure it out into grams: 10-20 grams is a standard dose and 30-40 grams is a higher ceremonial dose. You can adjust according to what feels best for you through experimentation. It’s not recommended to take full ceremonial dosages more than 3 times a week, though it’s fine to take standard amounts of cacao on a regular basis and also as a health supplement.

The second thing is to mix your cacao with other spices for flavour and healing properties! Did you know there’s a whole ancient science behind spices too?

Some items I like to add to my cacao include: turmeric, cinnamon for flavour, vanilla for sweetness and flavour, sometimes coconut oil for texture, honey for sweetness, Himalayan pink salt, a tiny amount of Shilajit for energy and internal cleansing (another article coming on that), adaptogenic fungi like Reishi or Lion’s Mane - and other floral herbs like roses (self-love) or lavender (relaxation).

Next, you want to warm your cacao with the desired amount of water on a stove. I like to have mine fairly thick and take half a cup of water. I also add in my spices whilst it’s warming but don’t let it get too boiling as that may ruin the drinking experience.

For an even more smoother experience, you can also blend everything together first in a little water and then warm it. In indigenous traditions, may they even let it sit and drink it cold so it’s all according to your own preferences.

Once that’s done, pour the ceremonial cacao into your favourite mug and take a few moments to connect with your preparation. You can simply sit outside or sit in your own sacred space, holding it in between your hands and thanking the spirit of the Cacao (Cacaocito), Mother Earth, and I always invoke Shree Dhanvantari who is the Hindu deity of plant medicines. It’s really important to take a good minute or two to tune into the present and just be, before consuming your sacred cacao.

Along with this, you can make some intentions for what you are seeking to heal or manifest. It could as simple as inviting more joy into your life. Or healing your heart, connecting to your own self-love, manifesting your visions etc. You can speak your intention out loud or internally and then slowly sip your cacao.

Once you’re done, you can either flow into your normal activities or into a spiritual practice, as per how you want to use the energy. With a larger ceremonial dose, however, it’s recommended to take a good hour to be present with the experience and not rushing into worldly activities. Keep space for meditation, for writing, for connecting to your sacred space, nature, and receiving the insights from the spirit of the cacao medicine. Proper cacao ceremonies are conducted in various locations and also tend to involve an element of music.

Cacao is highly joyful and energetic healing plant, which is why there has been such a popularity of combining cacao ceremonies with kirtan sessions and ecstatic dance session in the new age spiritual community. Now let’s take a look at some simple practices you are start with, for healing and manifesting with your cacao!

Practices to explore with cacao

Now, there are so many things you are explore with cacao as this plant medicine really supports inner healing work and visionary creative work too. Here are a few simple ideas. More practices will be shared in my online community workshops and circles.

Practice 1: Future Self Visualisation

Cacao really helps you connect with your visions. Taking some moments in presence, just to observe your breathing, is great to anchor back inside. One way to work with the spirit of the cacao plant is to visualise your future self or the things you want to manifest. Visualise in as much detail as possible, what it is you are seeking to manifest. For example, your dream house, or your ideal life partner. Visualisation helps you override the logical mind and come into the vibrational resonance of what you are seeking to attract. Visualise and offer thanks, release the vision with trust into the universe and make positive affirmations about your life at present.

Alternatively, you can also write down a detailed description of what you are looking to create, describe your ideal life, your ideal daily routine etc. and work with the feelings of already having achieved what you want. The more you practice visualisation, the easier it gets because these are our inherent abilities. Cacao helps open up those channels.

Practice 2: Heart Healing Visualisation

As mentioned, Cacao is a heart opening medicine. Visualise a gentle pink healing light filling up your heart region and feel this light spread to all areas of your body. Feel this healing light energise and purify each one of your cells, direct the energy to parts that need it the most. You can also visualise a green light, which is also the colour of the Anahata chakra, and also a white light for spiritual protection. Spend time exploring your visualisation and see how it organically unfolds for you. This is a good time to do any other sort of healing practices like chanting.

Practice 3: Movement

Cacao connects you to Mother Earth, and the rhythm of our natural world. This is why cacao blends so well with music, and why cacao ceremonies with kirtan have become so popular. You can work with the energy of cacao for healing by incorporating free flow movement. There are types of indigenous music and also New Age music that help to enhance the cacao energy and experience. Some artists include Liquid Bloom, who creates shamanic electronic music, Symbolico, Poranqui and various artists of these genres. If you play an instrument or are engaged in some form of creative learning, cacao also supports these energies in an uplifting way.

For details of my own healing circles and spiritual workshops in India, please stay updated on my Instagram page! I am also hosting a cacao and guided meditation circle this December near Bangalore. I will also be doing an online workshop on manifestation + crystal healing in November. DM me for details.

There’s much more to be written on this, but most important is your own connection with the plant which develops over time and your internal exploration.

The best ceremonial cacao source

I have teamed up with Soul Lift Cacao, who are one of the best sources of ceremonial grade cacao from Guatemala and work with the native Guatemalan families who produce their cacao using the traditional and natural methods. All of their cacao is non-GMO and contains no added chemicals or modifications. I absolutely love their cacao and I make mine first thing in the morning.

Soul Lift Cacao have many different varieties, you can browse their produce here and use my discount code KAMYA5 for 5% off your order! They ship globally, including to India. Click this link to visit their website. Explore their website to read more about the magic of ceremonial cacao, and I hope this adds value to your life :)

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