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What is a Cacao Ceremony?
A cacao ceremony is a ritual that originates from the ancient cultures of Central and South America, where cacao has been revered as a sacred plant for thousands of years. In this spiritual gathering, cacao is a sacrament or sacred object, similar in function to psychedelics. During a cacao ceremony or cacao ritual, pure, unprocessed cacao is consumed to achieve a deep, meditative state and connect with the inner self and the community. These ceremonies are often accompanied by music, singing, dancing, and meditation, and are intended to open the mind, heal the heart, and create a sense of unity and connection.
The Connection to Psychedelics
Does that last sentence sound familiar? That’s because, for example, ayahuasca ceremonies have a similar approach. But while ayahuasca actually contains DMT, which causes intense hallucinations, this does not happen in a cacao ceremony.
Both the cacao ceremony and the ayahuasca ceremony are ancient spiritual practices originating from the indigenous cultures of Central and South America. Both ceremonies use powerful plant medicines to promote profound inner journeys and healing. They share the common goal of helping participants connect with their inner selves, release emotional blockages, and gain spiritual insights. Both rituals are often led by shamans or ceremonial leaders who sing traditional songs, play music, and provide guidance during the experience. Both cacao and ayahuasca are considered sacred plants that require respect and reverence, and their use is accompanied by rituals and intentions that nourish the mind, body, and soul. The focus on community, connection, and introspection makes these ceremonies valuable tools for personal growth and spiritual development.
Of course, the cacao ceremony and the ayahuasca ceremony are also different. While cacao is a mild plant medicine primarily known for its heart-opening properties and promoting a sense of well-being and connection, ayahuasca is a powerful psychedelic brew that can cause an intensely profound and sometimes challenging inner journey. Ayahuasca ceremonies are often longer and can provoke strong physical and emotional cleansing processes, including visions, introspection, and sometimes even vomiting, which is seen as a form of spiritual cleansing.
You don’t have to worry about that with ceremonial cacao. The effects of cacao are subtle and gentle, making it an accessible option for people new to spiritual rituals.
Cacao as a MAO Inhibitor with Psychedelics
This does not mean that cacao has no place in combination with psychedelics. Cacao acts as a natural MAO inhibitor (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), which means it slows the breakdown of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. This makes cacao particularly interesting in combination with psychedelics like psilocybin from mushrooms or magic truffles. Due to the MAO-inhibiting properties of cacao, the effects of psychedelics can be enhanced and prolonged, making the experience more intense and deeper. This makes cacao ceremonies in combination with psychedelics a powerful way to gain spiritual and therapeutic insights. But this step is really a bridge too far for the beginning psychonaut. It requires knowledge and experience with both substances before you should combine them.
Why Ceremonial Cacao?
Cacao contains several powerful substances, such as theobromine, which is a mild stimulant and improves blood circulation, and anandamide, also known as the "bliss molecule," which can cause a feeling of euphoria. Ceremonial cacao is often organic and comes from small farms where it is grown with care and respect.
Nibs, Beans, Paste, etc.
Ceremonial cacao comes in various forms, such as cacao nibs, beans, and paste. Cacao nibs are small pieces of broken cacao beans that have an intense chocolate flavor and are often used in raw desserts and snacks. Cacao beans are the whole seeds of the cacao plant and are usually roasted and peeled before being processed into cacao and chocolate products. Cacao paste, also known as cacao mass, is made from ground cacao beans and forms the basis for many cacao products. All these forms of cacao can be used in cacao ceremonies, depending on the preference and tradition of the ceremonial leader.
Pure Cacao, not to be confused with Pure Chocolate!
It is important to emphasize that pure, ceremonial cacao is not the same as commercial chocolate. While chocolate often contains sugar, milk, and other additives such as emulsifiers and stabilizers, ceremonial cacao is pure and unprocessed. This means it retains all the original nutrients and spiritual properties of the cacao bean. Commercial chocolate is often heavily processed, causing many of the beneficial substances to be lost.
For an authentic cacao ceremony, it is essential to use pure, ceremonial cacao, which provides the profound physical, mental, and spiritual benefits associated with this sacred plant.
Buying Ceremonial Cacao
You can easily buy supplies for your own cacao ceremony online these days. We hope that after reading this text, you understand that ceremonial cacao has a place in the online smartshop. At Dutch-Headshop, we love providing accurate information and see the similarities between psychedelics and cacao. But we also do not overlook the rise of cacao ceremonies in Europe and the MAO-inhibiting properties of cacao. With us, you can buy brands like Kakaw and Sacra Cacao, which prioritize the importance of the ceremony.
Conducting a Cacao Ceremony
The ceremony usually begins with an introduction about the origin and spiritual significance of cacao. This is followed by drinking the cacao drink, which is often prepared with water, spices, and natural sweeteners.
Recipe for Ceremonial Cacao
For one person, you need about 30-40 grams of cacao. Melt the cacao in a small pot with about 200 ml of hot water or plant-based milk, stirring until it becomes a smooth, thick drink. Add spices like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or cardamom for extra flavor and healing properties. Sweeten if desired with a natural sweetener such as honey or agave syrup. Drink the cacao slowly, paying attention to each sip, and feel the warmth and energy of the cacao spread throughout your body.
Activities
After drinking the cacao, the ceremonial leader guides the participants through various rituals, such as breathing exercises, meditation, singing, and dancing, to enhance the healing properties of cacao and allow for a profound inner journey.