02/02/2026
Cacao ceremony and sound mediation
14th of February
Yangan school of arts
5pm to 6.30pm
What is a cacao ceremony?
A cacao ceremony is really an opportunity for people to come together in an intentional space and enjoy drinking ceremonial cacao whilst perhaps setting new intentions, sharing heart-felt insights, or being led through a meditation or visualisation of some kind.
Cacao ceremonies are certainly not new. People in south and central America, especially the Mayan and Aztec cultures, have been enjoying, initiating and sharing cacao ceremonies for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence of cacao’s use dates back to 3,900 years ago in Central America, and recent genetic evidence dates cacao’s use to 5,300 years ago in the Amazon.
Traditionally, these ceremonies were to help communities unite, share, connect and also seed positive intentions and manifestations for the coming natural cycles to help produce healthy crops and abundance in all forms. Above all though, cacao was also used for spiritual, medicinal and ceremonial purposes for inner awakening and creative guidance.
Cacao is very revered in these ancient cultures, even today. To this day, many cultures still utilise cacao ceremonially and more recently, this ancient knowledge and the practices have been carried to the western world especially in holistic, spiritual and wellness communities.
A cacao ceremony is a beautiful opportunity to connect with yourself on a deeper level and with those sharing the ceremony journey along side you. The cacao offers great insights, creativity and inspiration. It is also well known for its heart opening properties and also its mood-boosting effects, so it can be quite a lively and euphoric experience! Cacao ceremonies also offer an opportunity for deep healing, for introspection, goal setting, self love and transformation.
What is ceremonial cacao?
So now you have an idea of what a cacao ceremony is, what is ceremonial cacao? In ceremonies, it’s not your average ‘hot chocolate’ that is served! Ceremonial cacao refers to the highest quality, most pure, unheated, unprocessed part of the cacao bean. Ceremonial Cacao should come as paste – sometimes called Cacao liquor. This unrefined paste is made simply by grinding the Cacao Beans and stopping before the cacao butter and cacao powder separate.
The best Ceremonial Cacao comes from the heirloom Criollo bean – a native species of Cacao. Most importantly, it is organically and sustainably grown where local indigenous growers and communities are supported, ethically and generously.
This cacao doesn’t taste quite like the chocolate blocks you may be used to! It is quite rich and can be slightly bitter as it isn’t sweetened in any way.
What can you expect in a cacao ceremony?
All cacao ceremonies are going to be different depending on where you experience the ceremony and the particular facilitator. In our cacao ceremonies I will lead you through a relaxing meditation journey. Sitting in circle you will enjoy your ceremonial cacao and likely, you will start to feel the benefits- you may feel yourself dropping into your heart, you may feel positive inspiration coming to you, you may feel yourself in a place of reflection, healing or forgiveness. As you are led through the ceremony, different feelings, emotions and insights are likely to arise, all are welcome. You are then invited to let go of anything that you may like to let go of and set intentions for your ongoing journey from here. This can be an incredibly uplifting and powerful journey. You are always invited and welcome to share anything coming up for you, or you may simply like to be in your own space. Moving through a ceremony with other like-minded people.
New Moon.
Here is a brief, practical meaning of the New Moon:
• New Beginnings & Fresh Starts: It is considered the best time to set intentions, launch projects, or start new habits.
• Introspection & Quiet Power: The darkness of the New Moon invites a period of pause, reflection, and going inward to "rest and recuperate".
• Intentionality: It is a, popular time in wellness communities for journaling, setting intentions for the month, and clearing mental or emotional clutter.
• Manifestation Window: The days following the New Moon are considered a potent time to "plant seeds" or "visualise outcomes," with the goal of seeing them come to fruition by the time of the Full Moon.
Please feel free to private message about this event, I would love to have you come and sit with me and share in the experience. When we come together as a collective it raise the collectives energy.
Kind regards
Denise
