In recent years, the ceremonial cacao movement has sparked curiosity and discussion, inviting people to explore its deeper meanings and cultural significance. Once revered by Mesoamerican civilizations for its sacred role in rituals and daily life, cacao has found new expressions in the modern world, where it is cherished for fostering connection, introspection, and healing. From communal ceremonies to personal rituals, ceremonial cacao invites participants to experience its grounding, heart-opening qualities in diverse and meaningful ways. However, as its popularity grows, so do questions about its origins, uses, and the integrity of how it is shared.... So we ask the question to ourselves...
How can we honor the ancestral roots of cacao while embracing its modern role?
What does it mean to maintain integrity in the ceremonial cacao movement?
How can cacao foster connection and healing without losing cultural significance?
How do we prevent ceremonial cacao from becoming just another marketing scheme?
Why is the price of ceremonial cacao higher, and what does it reflect?
This book is being created to honor and explore the diverse perspectives cacao offers, bridging ancestral traditions with contemporary practices. Our goal is not to define ceremonial cacao in rigid terms but to celebrate its adaptability and richness as a cultural, spiritual, and ecological resource. By presenting stories, insights, and wisdom from those who cultivate, work with, and share cacao, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for its complexity. Maintaining integrity and respect for cacao’s roots is essential, and this book seeks to create a space for learning, reflection, and dialogue while ensuring the legacy of cacao is upheld in its most authentic form. It is a call to approach this plant with reverence and curiosity, embracing its potential to connect us with ourselves, each other, and the natural world.
The journey of this book began in November 2024 with extensive travels throughout Guatemala, conducting over 50 interviews with cacao growers, ceremonialists, community leaders, and artisans. These conversations illuminated the unique and profound relationships people have with cacao, revealing stories that are now beginning to link and expand into a broader narrative. In March and April 2025, we will return to Guatemala for our final trip, where we aim to deepen our understanding and weave the final pieces of this story together. Our target goal is to release this book in the fall, and we are thrilled to share the beauty, depth, and wisdom that have emerged through this process.
Honoring Tradition and Wisdom: For centuries, cacao has been an integral part of many Mesoamerican cultures, holding deep spiritual and cultural value. These practices reflect a sacred bond with cacao, one that reveals its role as both a revered plant and a catalyst for connection. By gathering narratives from a wide range of voices, we aim to celebrate the depth of these traditions and the individuals who continue to preserve and carry them forward, inviting a richer understanding of cacao’s multifaceted significance.
Understanding the Full Impact of Cacao: As the global demand for cacao continues to rise, it’s vital to consider its impact on the environment and the communities that grow it. By elevating the voices of those closest to cacao—farmers, healers, ceremonialists, activists, and community leaders—we gain a more profound insight into both the rewards and challenges cacao faces in the modern world. This knowledge will guide more sustainable practices that respect the land and honor the people whose livelihoods depend on this sacred plant.
Exploring Cacao’s Role in Personal and Collective Healing: Cacao offers more than just nourishment for the body; it serves as a powerful ally in emotional, spiritual, and psychological development. Many have undergone transformative experiences through cacao ceremonies, and by sharing these stories, we can help others understand the profound healing potential this plant holds, both for the individual and the collective.
The Collective Story of Cacao: Cacao is a thread that weaves us together, a spirit that fosters unity and connection. It transcends borders and cultures, reminding us of our shared humanity. The stories within this book reflect cacao’s incredible ability to heal, unite, and expand consciousness. Each story serves as a form of medicine, offering guidance, support, or inspiration for those involved in cacao’s cultivation, processing, or spiritual use.
Recipes to Enjoy: The book will also feature favorite cacao recipes shared by those interviewed, giving readers a chance to bring their love for cacao into their own lives.
Respect in All Forms: Ceremonial cacao represents respect for the earth through organic and sustainable cultivation, as well as respect for humanity by honoring the traditions and communities that nurture it.
Rooted in Intention: The heart of ceremonial cacao lies in the intention it carries, creating opportunities for reflection, healing, and connection with oneself, others, and the natural world.
Deep Significance in Many Lives: For countless people, cacao is more than a plant—it’s a source of spiritual, emotional, and cultural nourishment, deeply woven into daily practices and ceremonies.
Beyond a Box, Embracing Perspectives: Ceremonial cacao cannot be confined to one definition. Its power lies in being understood through diverse perspectives, fostering a broader appreciation for its many layers of meaning.