Journal
I Whispered an Intention Into a Cup of Cacao and Something in Me Shifted
A cacao ceremony is a guided ritual centered around drinking ceremonial-grade cacao, prepared with intention: part heart-centered ritual, part community, part inner journey. The practice is more available than you probably realize.
The cup is warm in your hands. The cacao smells like earth and chocolate and something older than language. The facilitator says, 'Take a moment with your cup. Whisper your intention into the cacao.' You feel a little silly. You whisper anyway.
And then, for many people, something happens. You might feel the heat move down through your chest. You might feel something soften. You might feel, for the first time in days (maybe weeks), actually here.
This is a cacao ceremony. And the practice is older, deeper, and more available than you probably realize.
What is a cacao ceremony?
A cacao ceremony is a guided ritual centered around drinking ceremonial-grade cacao: pure, unprocessed cacao from carefully sourced beans, traditionally from indigenous farms in Central and South America. Unlike commercial chocolate, ceremonial cacao is unsweetened, unprocessed, and prepared with intention.
The ceremony itself usually involves a circle, an opening invocation, the offering of cacao with an intention, music or meditation, and a closing integration. It's part heart-centered ritual, part community, part inner journey.
Why is cacao considered sacred?
Indigenous cultures have used cacao for thousands of years as a sacred substance: for ceremony and for connection to spirit. Many people who drink it in ceremony describe a soft, heart-opening, energetically lifted feeling.
What happens during a ceremony at Ecstatic Living Florida?
Our ceremonies at The Womb in Lake Worth Beach follow a gentle arc. You arrive, settle in, and join a circle of community members. A facilitator opens the space, often with sound, breath, and a simple invitation to set an intention if it feels right.
The cacao is prepared with care, sometimes with rose, cinnamon, or chili. As you drink, you're guided into a meditation, a movement practice, or sometimes simply held in silence. For many people, the heart opens slowly. You may feel emotional. You may feel deeply grounded. You may feel both at once.
We close with sharing: anyone who wants to speak can. Then community time, often with tea, sometimes with food. Nobody leaves without being seen.
Why do people say cacao opens the heart?
On an energetic level (and this is the part that's harder to explain but, for many people, easy to feel), cacao seems to soften the protective armor we carry. Many people describe it this way: the chest opens. Breath deepens. Tenderness becomes possible.
That may be why so many people find tears in cacao ceremony. People often say they aren't sad tears. They're tears of release, of recognition, of finally letting themselves be soft for an hour or two.
Is cacao ceremony safe?
Ceremonial cacao is not a psychedelic and does not alter perception. However, because it contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant, anyone on antidepressants (especially MAOIs), heart medication, or with sensitivity to caffeine should consult their doctor before participating. We always offer a smaller serving option, and you're never required to drink the full cup.
How do I prepare for my first cacao ceremony?
Eat lightly that day. Hydrate. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Bring an open mind and any intention you'd like to bring to your cup. You don't need to believe anything specific, and you don't need to understand ceremony intellectually to take part.
Most importantly: come willing to be present. That's the only real prerequisite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to share or speak during the ceremony?
Never. Sharing is always invited but never required. Many people sit in beautiful silence the whole time, and that's its own kind of ceremony.
What if I don't like the taste of cacao?
Ceremonial cacao tastes earthier and richer than commercial chocolate. It's not sweet. Most people grow to love the taste, but if it doesn't resonate, you can take small sips with intention rather than drinking the full cup.
How often does Ecstatic Living Florida host cacao ceremonies?
We host cacao ceremonies regularly at The Womb in Lake Worth Beach, often paired with sound baths, breathwork, or sacred circle gatherings. Check our events page for upcoming dates.
Can I bring a friend who has never done anything like this before?
Absolutely. Some of our most beautiful ceremonies have included first-timers who came along with a friend. The container is designed to be welcoming for anyone curious, regardless of experience.
Will I feel anything if I drink cacao at home?
You can absolutely brew ceremonial cacao at home, and many people do. But the ceremony (the community, the held space, the music, the facilitation) creates a depth of experience that's hard to replicate solo. Both have their place.
Vanessa Morales is the founder of Ecstatic Living Florida and has spent the last decade building spaces where people can come together in community. She lives in Lake Worth Beach with too many plants and just enough candles.