Read This If You Share Cacao
Or love cacao ceremonies and want to make a change!
Yesterday I held an in-person workshop in Glastonbury. I taught the basics on what to consider when serving cacao in community from your personal why to the logistics of how to measure, prepare and serve cacao for small or large groups (and why not to use oat milk).
There is so much more from checking in with participants prior to your event to make sure they don’t take antidepressants or are pregnant in the first trimester but it’s too much to cover in 2hrs, so I compiled a list with free resources from my Substack (blog archive) which I share with you here. You also find a link to my masterclass recording further down if you already know the basics but need specific guidance on effects, contraindications and cacao in pregnancy and beyond.
First of all I am stunned by how many people serve cacao in a sacred setting without knowing the sources and even use cacao powder or supermarket quality “raw cacao paste” - it happens so much more than you would think!
Please do ask your facilitator if you are unsure as it is not the same as ceremonial grade and will simply not give you any effects nor establish a connection beyond the one you already have with yourself (so why do it).
Cacao is a whole field of study and expertise in itself and not just a nice treat to enhance an offering. Of course it does that when you serve quality ceremonial grade cacao but if you don’t, then please don’t call it cacao in communities where they expect a honoured traditional drink. Call it chocolate or be integral with knowing that some people truly honour and respect the real Spirit of Cacao and not just its exploited forms of capitalism and colonialism.
As part of a spiritual community it is our integral responsibility to uphold reciprocity with land, people and spirit and ground our intentions and prayers into real tangible actions !
It takes years to master a craft and if you want to train with me (for wholesale cacao as well) or take part in one of my Dietas (Cacao Immersions over two weeks) get in touch.
Here is an example of research and foundational cacao knowledge every cacao practitioner and ceremonialist should know about:
Here you can ready all about the difference of cacao and cocoa as well as the various quality and sources of ceremonial grade cacao:
Here you can read about some of the profound longterm effects and transformations that ceremonial cacao can help you with:
And here are some basic infos on how to store cacao, what it means to have minimally processed cacao and preparation instructions with various kitchen tools from a simple spoon to camping gear:
As my mentor and the wizard behind ceremonial grade cacao, Keith Wilson, always said: Cacao wants to be shared! This means cacao as in ceremonial cacao and not poor quality one that exploits land and people hence why I believe it is more important that we raise awareness about her origin, quality and amazingness than not sharing cacao at all. Keep going, you are needed! More about Keith’s teachings here:
Should you consider professionally sharing cacao (and monetising it), it is important you learn and practice, practice, practice. Not just about cacao but also about the effect it can have on people and how to guide them through their profound experiences!
Read the book „The Secret Life of Chocolate“, research the internet, talk to people, learning by doing - whatever it is but don’t just think it’s another quick thing to add. Ceremonial Grade Cacao is a medicine in the right hands and deserves to be treated as such, start by exploring it for yourself to hear cacaos whispers and let her guide you!
All of my students get the most relevant information from The Secret Life of Chocolate, so no need to get it if you are already training with me. But it is valuable nonetheless, I consider it the bible of cacao. Should you find it too expensive I ask you to sincerely question your integrity in sharing a plant you are not willing to invest time, energy and money into before monetising its use. You wouldn’t want a surgeon to operate you without having studied about the human body either.
It takes years to master a craft and if you want to train with me (for wholesale cacao as well) or take part in one of my Dietas (Cacao Immersions over two weeks) get in touch.
CACAO MASTERCLASS FOR FACILITATORS
In this Class I cover (available in english and german):
Cacao Connection & Gratitude
Integral Practices and Reflection for Accountability
My personal Intention about sharing ceremonial cacao
CEREMONY VS. CIRCLE how to honour sacred space and discern it from other cacao offerings
Essential skills for holding sacred space
Supporting participants in their processes
Physical effects during and after cacao
Cacao dosage during pregnancy
Want to try the difference and experience the magic of cacao yourself?
Save 5% on EVERY ORDER and additional 10% when you by 5 blocks or more with the code KAKAOZAUBER19DE21 at keithscacao.com
Love your passion and fierce protectiveness for Cacao… exactly why I am so glad that I invested in your training. Thank you xxxx
I must admit I use cacao and oat milk together for my daily drinks rather than water. I'm wondering now what oat milk isn't recommended. I don't remember that from my training.