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There’s a common (mis)perception that cacao is simply chocolate, or a trendy superfood to throw into smoothies. But what if cacao is more than just a superfood? Keith, affectionately known as the Chocolate Shaman, used to refer to cacao as the “forgotten plant medicine”.
In ancient cultures, the modest cacao bean conveyed a much deeper spiritual significance - as a sacred plant used in ceremony. So perhaps it’s time we see cacao not just as something sweet, but as something sacred. What if cacao is actually a sacred plant teacher that’s been quietly waiting for us to remember? And does cacao hold power as an Entheogen – a plant capable of connecting us to the divine? Let’s explore cacao in its full potential, to see what makes it so special and why it belongs among the great spiritual allies of the Earth.
An entheogen is a plant or substance that facilitates a spiritual or mystical experience, supporting people's connection to the divine, their inner wisdom or expanded states of consciousness.
The word’s origin comes from Greek - entheos, meaning "full of the divine, or inspired", and genesthai, meaning "to bring forth". So, it signifies a plant which awakens the sacred or ‘god’ within.
Entheogens have been used in a ritualised context for thousands of years; their religious significance is well-established in modern anthropological evidence. Numerous historians and ethnobotanists believe that entheogens played a part in the development of world religions and formed the basis of countless spiritual traditions. Many ancient cultures and religions used psychotropic drugs to alter perception and instigate religious ecstasy. (1)
People often associate entheogens with psychedelic plants such as ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, San Pedro, and peyote. However, it’s time to add the wonderful cacao bean to the list!
As a spiritual gateway, cacao acts as an earthly elixir that gently and lovingly awakens the spirit within, unlike other entheogens that may take you on a cosmic roller coaster. The magic of cacao lies in its powerful yet subtle activation - not overwhelming the senses but attuning them.
This heart medicine contains active compounds like theobromine (a gentle cardiovascular stimulant), anandamide (known as the “bliss molecule”), phenylethylamine (linked to feelings of love and joy), and natural MAO inhibitors, which help prolong the effects of these mood-enhancing chemicals. Together, they soften emotional armour, uplift mood, and create a sense of embodied clarity.
In contrast to more intense, vision-inducing plant medicines, cacao enhances creativity without catapulting you into the cosmos. Instead, it grounds you in the wisdom of your own heart, calming the relentless busyness of the mind. As a gentle but potent ally, it can deepen meditation and lead to profound states of clarity, creativity, and connection.
Spiritually, cacao invites a deep heart opening, emotional release, and connection to the Earth and body. It’s a medicine of love and presence, which is why it has been used ceremonially for thousands of years. We like to think of it as a warm, wise elder leading with love never force, guiding you gently home to your own heart wisdom and inner knowing.
Yes, Cacao is psychoactive and it’s a stimulant, but in a grounded way - it’s not psychedelic! It will open your awareness without overwhelming it. Because there’s no overwhelming visions, intense ego deaths etc it’s a gentle, accessible entheogen. Making cacao perfect for people new to working with plant medicines. Yet another example of cacao’s role as bridging heaven and earth!
Cacao has a rich and sacred history, way beyond being the base of an eating chocolate! The ancient Maya and Aztec cultures used cacao in ceremony as far back as 1500 BCE, preparing it as their sacred drink for rituals, offerings, and rites of passage (2). Its botanical name, Theobroma cacao, we know means “food of the gods” - a title given by botanist Carl Linnaeus in the 1700s, acknowledging how Indigenous peoples revered the plant (3). Aztec mythology tells us cacao was gifted to humanity by the god Quetzalcoatl and was used in spiritual practices to open the heart and connect with the divine (4). It wasn’t just a drink - it was a medicine, a prayer, a sacred offering to gods, ancestors, and community members in sacred rituals. Sharing cacao created a communal bond and was considered an act of spiritual reciprocity. (5).
Not all cacao carries the spirit of ceremony, and not all of it should. Most commercial chocolate products are made from cacao that’s been highly processed, chemically treated, and stripped of its natural compounds. It may be pleasing to a sweet tooth but what about the depth, vitality, and sacred essence? Lost in over production.
Ceremonial-grade cacao is completely different, it holds presence. It’s grown with intention, in biodiverse ecosystems, harvested in rhythm with the land, and minimally processed to retain its full energetic and biochemical potency. Integrity matters! How the cacao is farmed, fermented, dried, and handled affects its ability to act as a true heart medicine. When cacao is separated (to take the butter out) diluted and overly processed it loses the “spirit” that once made it a revered entheogen. For cacao to truly open us, to the divine, the earth, and our own inner truth, it must be honoured from tree to bean to bar to sip.
For a deeper dive check our journal - What is Ceremonial Cacao?
We know that not all Cacao is created equal, and at Sacred Earth Medicine, we are passionately pledged to doing things differently. Some of the practices that set us apart include:
If you’re curious about working with cacao as a heart-opening, soul-guiding ally, here are a few tips to help you get the most from its entheogenic gifts:
Cacao responds beautifully to presence and intention. Create an altar burn some incense, light a candle, or simply clear a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Treat it as a ceremony, not just a beverage.
For a full ceremonial experience take approximately 45g of cacao, with water. But always listen to your body and start slow if you're new. (For a gentler daily dose 28g may be more appropriate). For further info check out our Cacao Dosage guidelines.
Before you drink, ask yourself: Why am I here today? Whether you're seeking clarity, healing, creativity, or simply connection, naming your intention invites cacao to support you in just the right way.
Cacao is a wise and loving teacher, so take time to listen to the Spirit of Cacao. When you quiet the noise, she’ll speak - in subtle nudges, feelings, imagery, or intuitive knowing. Treat her with reverence, and she’ll meet you there. Pair with breathwork, meditation, movement, or journaling - Cacao enhances awareness. It loves to weave with practices that bring you deeper into the body and heart. Gentle yoga, free writing, or guided meditation can open the portal even further.
The insights and heart openings don’t end with the last sip. Take time afterward to reflect and walk in nature. Integration grounds the magic and makes it real in your everyday life. Honour the whole experience.
If you want more ideas for rituals and ways to journey with this sacred plant medicine, head to the journals on our website. We’ve got plenty of soul-nourishing resources ready for you.
With its rich and diverse history, Cacao continues to captivate our hearts and inspire those desiring to deepen their connection to self and the beautiful world we live in. With the increasing popularity of cacao ceremonies globally, it’s clear that this sacred plant medicine offers up so much more than simply satiating our sweet tooth. When used with intention and reverence, it can indeed be a portal to elevate your mind, body and soul!
So, if you’re looking for Cacao that’s truly sacred, in name and practice, then look no further than our award-winning Sacred Earth Medicine Ceremonial Cacao!
At Sacred Earth Medicine, we honour cacao not just as a drink, but as a teacher. If you feel called to walk in respectful relationship with this medicine, we invite you to explore Sacred Earth Medicine Ceremonial Cacao - grown with love, shared in reverence, and offered as a bridge to your own inner knowing.
Here’s the perfect kit to get you started - our Starter's Pack Ritual Box.
“Gentle Heart Opening Guide. I used to struggle to sit & meditate. I used to scream in frustration because I couldn't get my mind to shut up. Not enjoyable or relaxing at all!! Since I discovered Ceremonial Cacao that has all changed. I look forward to & cherish my daily Cacao Ceremony. It helps me raise my vibration, gently focus and go deep into the depths of my heart when I meditate. I didn't know Meditation could be like this - I go on all sorts of journeys and download the most amazing insights. Ceremonial Cacao is such a gentle heart opener. Thank you for creating such a beautiful special product that helps make the world a better place.” - Jacinta Keeble Perth, AU
There’s been a lot of concerned murmuring in the wider chocolate industry of late, specifically around the high levels of heavy metals found within cacao (namely lead and cadmium). Our latest lab test results inside!
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Yule, the Winter Solstice, is a powerful time to journey in to the magic and mystery, to receive wisdom and guidance from beyond the veils. This guided meditation journey for Yule harnesses the stillness of the longest night, inviting you to take time for deep rest, reflection, and renewal.
What if cacao is actually a sacred plant teacher that’s been quietly waiting for us to remember? And does cacao hold power as an Entheogen – a plant capable of connecting us to the divine?
