How to Host a Cacao “Ceremony”: A Practical Guide that Respects Ancestral Cultures

First Things First: Understanding What You're Offering

Before we dive into the how-to, let's clarify what cacao ceremonies are and their origins.

The Indigenous Roots

Sharing the sacred cacao at ceremonies has ancient roots in Mesoamerican and South American indigenous cultures. For people like the Maya, Aztec, and Arhuaco, among other tribes, cacao has been used in spiritual rituals for thousands of years - marking life transitions, as medicinal therapy to heal certain emotional diseases, connecting with the divine, healing community wounds, and honoring the earth. Also, some ceremonies focus on celebrating the cacao fruit and give reverence to this plant medicine.

Cleansing at Puerto Vallarta Cacao Fiesta 2025.

Modern Adaptations

The “cacao ceremonies” we see in Western wellness spaces today are often somehow inspired by ancestral cacao ceremonies but adapted for our context, mixing various practices from various traditions. I invite practitioners to use a different term for “Cacao ceremony,” as, in my opinion, this term should be reserved for the original ones, which are much more complex, elaborated, and follow specific traditions that cannot be replicated. Drinking cacao mindfully is only one aspect of the whole spiritual experience that traditional, authentic cacao ceremonies facilitated by indigenous knowledge keepers.

The modern Cacao Circle/Ritual, which are the terms I prefer to use to refer to the contemporary “Cacao ceremony”, typically include:

• Creating sacred space
• Drinking ceremonial cacao with intention
• Meditation, breathwork, or gentle movement
• Community connection and sometimes sharing circles
• Music, sound healing, ecstatic dance

Cultural Respect is Everything!

Here's what matters most: Acknowledging the indigenous origins is an important aspect of every ceremony, showing respect and paying tribute to the roots of this ancestral tradition and medicine. Also, make sure you are not claiming to perform "authentic" indigenous ceremonies.

You're not an Arhuaco Mamo. You're not a Mayan priest, grandfather. You're a wellness professional offering a space where people can connect with themselves and each other through the medicine of cacao.

That's enough. That's beautiful. ❤️

 

What a Cacao Ceremony Looks Like

• Open your ceremony by acknowledging the Arhuaco people (or whichever indigenous community your cacao comes from)
• Share a bit about the origins and cultural significance
• Approach cacao with respect as a plant medicine, not just a trendy beverage
• Support ethical sourcing that benefits indigenous communities (like choosing IndiArts Collective 😊)

Why Cacao Creates Such Powerful Experiences

Understanding why cacao works helps you hold better ceremonies.

The Heart-Opening Effect

Cacao's primary compound, theobromine, increases blood flow and creates gentle vasodilation. This physiological effect:

• Creates literal warmth in the body (especially around the chest)
• Helps people feel safe being vulnerable
• Makes emotions more accessible
• Supports deeper connection with self and others

Focused Awareness

Unlike coffee's scattered energy, cacao provides sustained, focused alertness perfect for:

• Meditation and inner journey work
• Breathwork
• Creative expression
• Deep personal reflection

The Power of Ritual

Beyond the biochemistry, there's something profound about gathering in a circle, drinking something sacred together, and setting aside normal time for deep presence. The ritual itself creates transformation.

 

Planning Your First Cacao Circle

Clarify Your Intention

Before anything else, ask yourself:

What's my intention for this ceremony?

• Monthly community gathering?
• Special seasonal celebration (equinox, full moon)?
• Part of a longer workshop or retreat?
• Fundraiser for a cause?
• Personal practice deepening?

Your intention shapes everything that follows.

Choose Your Space

Look for spaces with:

• Comfortable temperature (cacao makes people warm, so good ventilation helps)
• Privacy and quiet
• Room for people to lie down or move gently
• Soft lighting options (dimmer switches, string lights, or candles)
• Easy bathroom access
• Space for an altar or sacred items

Start Small

Your first few ceremonies should be intimate. We recommend:

- 6-12 people maximum

• Why? You can give personal attention, learn to hold space with a manageable group, and build your confidence as a facilitator
• As you gain experience, you can scale up to larger gatherings

Timing and Duration

A typical cacao Circle runs 2-3 hours:

Sample Timeline:

• 30 min: Arrival, settling, introduction
• 20 min: Serving and drinking the cacao
• 60-90 min: Main ceremony (meditation, breathwork, music, whatever you're offering)
• 15-20 min: Integration sharing circle
• 15 min: Closing, socializing, sharing snacks (optional)

Time of Day:

Evening gatherings (7-9pm) work beautifully because people can go straight home afterward to rest and integrate. Morning gatherings (9-11am) are also lovely for starting the day with intention.

Avoid gatherings ending too late - cacao's energy can make sleep difficult if consumed after 8pm.

 

Preparing the Cacao: The Practical Details

How Much Cacao Per Person?

Ceremonial doses typically range from 25-42g of pure cacao paste per person:

- Light dose (25-28g): Gentle introduction, good for first-timers or morning sessions

- Standard dose (35-38g): Most common for ceremonies, creates clear heart-opening

- Strong dose (40-42g): Deep journey work for experienced participants

For planning: If you have 15 people and want to serve 35g each, you'll need approximately 525g of cacao paste (plus a bit extra for seconds).

Our Go-To Ceremonial Cacao Recipe

Per Person:

• 35g ceremonial cacao paste
• 200-250ml hot water, plant milk or a mixed of water and mylk (oat, almond, or coconut work beautifully)
• Optional: Make a tea infusion with ginger, cinnamon sticks and chaga mushroom and use this to dilute the cacao paste. Add a pinch of cayenne (stimulates circulation) and/or cinnamon (adds warmth and sweetness).
• Optional: touch of maple syrup or honey if people prefer sweeter (though we encourage trying it pure first!)

Preparation Steps:

1. Gently heat your liquid (tea, water or mylk of your choice) to 70-80°C (don't boil- high heat destroys cacao's beneficial compounds

2. Chop or grate your cacao into small pieces- with ours, you don’t need to do this; we have shaved it for your convenience. ;)

3. Stir it mindfully until smooth 

4. Add any spices you like

5. Taste and adjust - every batch is slightly different

6. Keep warm (not hot) in thermal carafes or on very low heat until serving time

Kitchen Pro Tips:

• Make cacao 30-45 minutes before the ceremony starts
• Use a high-powered blender for the smoothest texture
• Keep extra cacao prepared for larger bodies or those who want seconds

What Equipment You'll Need

For Preparation:

• Large pot or electric kettle
• If available Cacao wooden mixer. Otherwise, wooden spoon works and even easier, you can use a blender for a smoother texture (high-powered works best)
• Measuring scale (kitchen scale that measures grams)
• Thermal carafe or slow cooker on "warm" setting

For Serving:

• Enough mugs or cups for everyone (ceramic holds heat better than glass)
• Small tray or table for serving from

Creating Sacred Space

The physical space matters. Here's how to make it special:

Building an Altar

An altar anchors the ceremony's energy and gives people something to focus on. It doesn't need to be elaborate!

Simple Altar Ideas:

·       Items representing the four elements (feather for air, stone for earth, candle for fire, water bowl for water)

• Fresh flowers
• Candles (battery-operated are safer in some spaces)
• Crystals or stones
• Meaningful objects related to your intention
• Photos or images that inspire

Pro tip: Less is more. A cluttered altar is distracting.

Cleansing the Space

Many facilitators begin by energetically cleansing. Options include:

• Smoke (palo santo, sage, or sustainably sourced alternatives) - *always ask about sensitivities first! *
• Sound (bells, tingsha cymbals, singing bowls)
• Essential oil diffusion (again, check for sensitivities)
• Simply opening windows and inviting fresh air

Setting Up Seating

Circle arrangements work best:

• Everyone can see each other
• Energy flows equally
• Creates an inclusive, connected feeling

Provide for Comfort:

• Yoga mats and cushions
• Blankets (people often get cold during the journey phase, even though cacao creates warmth)
• Bolsters or blocks for back support
• Chairs for those who need them
• Journals and pens if you're including reflection time

 

Leading the Ceremony: Step by Step

Opening Circle (30 minutes)

1. Welcome and Logistics

Start practical:

• Where are the bathrooms?
• Please silence phones
• What we share here stays here (confidentiality agreement)
• How the next few hours will flow

2. Introduction to Cacao

Share briefly:

• Where this cacao comes from (the Arhuaco people, Sierra Nevada of Colombia)
• What makes it ceremonial-grade
• Physical effects they might notice

3. Safety Information

Be upfront about who should use caution or avoid cacao:

• Pregnant or nursing people (consult healthcare provider)
• Anyone on antidepressants (especially MAOIs)
• People with serious heart conditions or on heart medications
• Those very sensitive to caffeine (start with a smaller dose)

Always include a disclaimer asking participants to research interactions with their specific medications.

4. Setting Intentions

Invite participants to set personal intentions for the ceremony:

• "What brought you here tonight?"
• "What are you hoping to experience, release, or invite in?"
• Optional: brief sharing round (30 seconds each) or silent personal reflection

5. Dropping In

Lead a brief meditation to help everyone transition from their day into the ceremony space:

• A few deep breaths together
• Body scan or grounding practice
• Nothing long - 5-10 minutes

Serving the Cacao (20 minutes)

This is a sacred moment. Make it intentional.

1. Blessing the Cacao

Before serving, offer gratitude. This could sound like:

"We give thanks to the Arhuaco people of Colombia who grew this cacao with care and reverence. We honor the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - the Heart of the World. We thank the cacao plant for its medicine. May this cacao serve our highest good and the good of all beings."

Speak from your heart. Make it genuine.

2. Serving Each Person

Rather than people helping themselves, consider serving each person individually:

• Make eye contact
• Pour with intention
• Optional: brief personal blessing or simply "for your heart"
• This creates a moment of connection and honors the ritual

3. The Drinking Ritual

Once everyone has their cup:

"Hold your cup in both hands. Feel its warmth. Smell the rich earth of the cacao. Now, close your eyes and blow your intention into the cacao - infusing it with what you want to invite or release tonight."

"As we drink, let's do so in silence and presence. No talking. No phones. Just you and the cacao. Take your time - 8-12 minutes to drink mindfully, feeling each sip."

Put on gentle background music and hold space while everyone drinks.

Main Ceremony (60-90 minutes)

This is where your unique facilitation style shines. Here are options - choose what feels aligned with you:

Guided Meditation Options:

• Heart-centered meditation
• Inner child work
• Forgiveness practice
• Gratitude meditation
• Visualization journey

Breathwork Options:

• Simple belly breathing
• Box breathing (4 counts in, hold, 4 out, hold)
• Deeper breathwork if you're trained (transformational breath, holotropic, etc.)

Sound Journey:

• Live music (singing bowls, guitar, drums, flute)
• Curated playlist
• Mantra or chanting
• Binaural beats

Gentle Movement:

• Intuitive dance
• Slow flow yoga
• Qigong
• Ecstatic dance (if space and energy permits)

Creative Expression:

• Free-form drawing or painting
• Journaling prompts
• Voice exploration or toning

Silent Journey:

• Simply hold space for individual inner work
• This can be incredibly powerful
• Provide gentle ambient music

The Golden Rule: Less is more. Cacao does the work. Your job is to hold space, not fill every moment with activity.

Trust the medicine. Trust the silence. Trust your participants' inner wisdom.

Integration Circle (15-20 minutes)

After the journey, create space for sharing.

How to Facilitate:

"We're going to open space for sharing. This is completely optional - you can speak or simply listen. If you do share, speak from your heart about your experience. This isn't therapy or a place for advice-giving - just witnessing each other."

Ground Rules:

• Speak from "I" (share your experience, not others')
• No cross-talk or responding to others' shares
• Keep shares concise (2 minutes if group is large)
• What's shared here stays here

Your Role:

Hold space without fixing, advising, or interpreting. After each person shares, simply say "thank you" or bow in acknowledgment.

Some people won't want to share - that's perfect. Honor everyone's process.

Closing (15 minutes)

1. Gratitude Circle

Go around quickly and invite everyone to share one word of gratitude. Just one word. This creates a beautiful completion.

2. Grounding

Help people come back to their bodies:

• "Gently wiggle fingers and toes"
• "Feel your sit bones on the earth"
• "Take three deep breaths"
• "Open your eyes slowly"
• Gentle stretching if that feels good

3. Integration Guidance

Offer practical aftercare:

"For the rest of tonight, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. No alcohol or heavy substances. Drink lots of water. Journal if you feel called. Get good rest. Tomorrow, continue being kind to yourself - integration happens over days and weeks, not just tonight."

4. Community Time

Leave 15 minutes for informal connection. Some people will want to chat, others will want to leave quietly. Both are fine.

Have water and light snacks available (fruit, crackers, something grounding).

Handling Challenging Moments

Occasionally, someone may have an intense emotional release during ceremony. Here's how to support them:

Stay Calm

Your groundedness helps them feel safe.

Approach Gently

Move near them, perhaps place a hand on their shoulder (if appropriate and they're open to touch).

Reassure

"You're safe. This is okay. Breathe with me."

Give Space

Don't try to "fix" the experience or make it stop. Sometimes we need to feel things fully.

Provide Practical Support

Offer tissues, water, or fresh air if needed.

Follow Up Afterward

Check in with them before they leave. Make sure they feel okay to drive/get home safely.

Know Your Limits

You're a ceremony facilitator, not a therapist. If someone seems to need professional support, it's okay to say "I think it would be helpful for you to talk to a counselor about this."

After-Ceremony Effects to Share

Let participants know they might experience:

• Continued warmth and energy for 3-4 hours
• Difficulty sleeping if ceremony was too late
• Emotional sensitivity the next day (this is normal and temporary)
• Vivid dreams
• Increased thirst
• Continued insights over the following days

All of this is part of the medicine working.

Find Your Unique Style

There's no "right" way to hold ceremony. Over time, you'll discover your authentic approach as you see the response on your audience. Let your style emerge organically. Trust yourself.

Make It Regular

Monthly ceremonies build devoted community:

• New moon or full moon circles
• Seasonal ceremonies (equinoxes, solstices)
• Themed ceremonies (gratitude, release, manifestation, forgiveness)
• Special offerings (women's circles, men's groups, couples ceremonies)

Pricing Your Ceremonies

Consider:

• Cost of quality ceremonial cacao
• Venue costs (or if using your own space, what it's worth)
• Your time (preparation, facilitation, cleanup)
• Your training and expertise
• Local market rates

Most Canadian wellness practitioners charge $40-80 per person depending on location, duration, and what's included.

Accessibility Ideas:

• Sliding scale options
• Work-trade opportunities
• First-timer discounts
• Package deals for regular attendees
• Occasional free community offerings

Remember: Charging fairly for your work is not unspiritual. It allows you to keep offering this medicine sustainably.

Sourcing Quality Ceremonial Cacao

The quality of your cacao directly impacts ceremony experiences.

What to Look For:

• 100% pure cacao (absolutely no additives)
• Choose if possible Criollo cacao (superior type of ceremonial grade cacao)
• Top quality, Organic
• Fair trade or direct trade
• Indigenous partnerships
• Transparent origin story
• Traditional processing methods

Continuing Your Education

Deepen your practice by:

• Attending ceremonies facilitated by experienced practitioners
• Training with established cacao facilitators
• Regular personal practice with cacao
• Studying respectfully about indigenous traditions
• Connecting with other facilitators
• Staying humble and always learning

A Final Word: Lead from Your Heart

You don't need fancy credentials or years of training to hold a beautiful ceremony. You need:

• A genuine desire to serve
• Willingness to create safe space
• Respect for the medicine and its origins
• Your own practice and relationship with cacao
• Humility and continuing learning
• An open heart

The rest will unfold naturally.

Your community needs what you have to offer. The world needs more heart-centered gathering spaces. And the Arhuaco people need allies who will honor their medicine while supporting their communities.

You can do this. 💛

We believe in you, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

 

Why Indi Arts Collective?

(We might be a bit biased), but here's why we're a great choice:

✅ Direct partnership with Arhuaco communities - your purchase truly supports indigenous families in Colombia

✅ Consistent ceremonial-grade quality - reliable medicine for your ceremonies, offering organic, criollo cacao, indigenous grown in Colombia by the Arhuaco tribe  

✅ Wholesale pricing - makes offering ceremonies financially sustainable  

✅ Canadian business - easier logistics, faster and cheaper shipping 

✅ Transparent story - you can confidently share where your cacao comes from  

✅ Support when you need it - we're here to answer questions and help you succeed. 

We offer wholesale pricing for yoga instructors, wellness centers, and anyone regularly serving cacao. Reach out to learn more!

 

Get your Cacao from us today!

 

About Indi Arts Collective

We're a Colombian-Canadian mission-driven business empowering South American artisans and preserving indigenous traditions. Founded by Valentina in 2016, we believe that business can be a force for good - supporting communities, protecting traditions, and creating genuine connections across cultures.

When you choose IndiArts, you're joining a partnership with South American indigenous artisans rooted in respect, fairness, culture and heart. ❤️