The Truth About Ceremonial Cacao — How to Honor the Mayan Tradition

The Truth About Ceremonial Cacao — How to Honor the Mayan Tradition

What’s Happening Today With Cacao Gatherings

In recent years, more and more people in the West have been drinking ceremonial cacao in circles, meditations, or gatherings to open the heart and connect.
And that’s beautiful. Truly.

Sharing cacao with intention is a wonderful thing.
But here’s where confusion begins: many people call these experiences a cacao ceremony without understanding how sacred and specific that word is in Maya culture.

If you’ve searched for “how to prepare ceremonial cacao” or “Mayan cacao ceremony meaning”, you’ve probably seen countless guides online.
The challenge? Not all of them are accurate — and some leave out the Indigenous people who have cared for cacao for generations.

 

Where the Confusion Started

Much of the modern misunderstanding comes from a well-known figure in spiritual cacao spaces, often referred to as the Chocolate Shaman.
On his official website, he states:

“Although the plant and its seeds were revered for thousands of years by the peoples of Mesoamerica… no specific form of ceremony has survived. There is, therefore, no such thing as a 'traditional' Mayan Cacao Ceremony… Cacao Ceremonies as we know them today are a very new thing.”

This narrative has spread widely, appearing in workshops, blogs, and trainings.
But let’s be clear: this message is not true.
Cacao traditions never disappeared — they are still alive in Guatemala today.

 

The Truth: Cacao Traditions Are Still Alive

It’s true there is no single, standardized “Mayan Cacao Ceremony” written down step-by-step.
But that doesn’t mean the sacred use of cacao vanished.
These practices survived through love, prayer, and cultural resilience.

Cacao continues to be used in:

  • Catholic-aligned festivals with deep Indigenous meanings

  • Home rituals led by women during healing and life transitions

  • Fire ceremonies led by Ajq’ijab’ (Maya spiritual guides) who offer cacao to the fire

  • Oral teachings passed down in Q’eqchi’ and K’iche’ families

These are living traditions — full of wisdom, history, and spiritual depth.
When you choose to buy ceremonial cacao directly from Indigenous producers, you help protect and sustain these living practices.

The Sacred Meaning of Cacao in the Maya World

In Kaqchikel Maya culture, cacao is a sacred plant, connected to IxCacao, the goddess of abundance and feminine energy.

Cacao is used in ceremonies for:

  • Healing and protection

  • Planting and harvest blessings

  • Honoring the Earth

It is offered to the fire, spoken to with prayers, and treated as a living being with its own spirit.
If you want to experience this connection yourself, we invite you to try 100% pure Guatemalan ceremonial cacao — prepared as our grandmothers did.

Cacao Rituals in the Q’eqchi’ Region Today

In the Q’eqchi’ area of Cahabón, Guatemala — where part of our Maya Moon Cacao is grown — these traditions are alive and thriving.

Here, cacao is:

  • Prepared with spices like vanilla and achiote

  • Offered with songs, prayers, and gratitude

  • Seen as a sacred tree and spiritual ally

This is not just history.
It’s a living tradition you can support every time you choose direct trade ceremonial cacao blocks from communities like ours.

 

How to Honor Cacao Respectfully

If you love cacao and enjoy gathering with others to share it with intention, keep doing it!
But let’s honor the truth.

Instead of calling every gathering a ceremony, consider:

  • Cacao Ritual

  • Cacao Gathering

  • Heart-Opening Cacao Circle

Reserve the word ceremony for events guided by Maya elders and ceremonialists — practices that have survived for thousands of years.

If you’re just beginning your cacao journey, start by learning how to prepare ceremonial cacao at home and connect with its origins before leading group gatherings.

Why This Matters

This isn’t about shaming anyone — it’s about protecting something sacred.

Cacao is more than a drink.
It’s a bridge between cultures, a way to connect with the Earth, and a living link to ancient wisdom.
When we approach it with respect and truth, we honor not just the plant, but the people who have cared for it for generations.

Experience Authentic Ceremonial Cacao

At Maya Moon Cacao, we work directly with Indigenous women and families in Guatemala who continue these traditions today.
Our cacao is:

  • Fire-roasted and stone-ground in small batches

  • 100% pure, ceremonial-grade cacao

  • Ethically sourced through direct trade partnerships

→ Shop ceremonial cacao blocks now and join us in honoring cacao with the respect it deserves.

Learn More & Stay Connected

If you want to:

  • Understand the real history of ceremonial cacao

  • Support Indigenous women farmers

  • Learn traditional and modern ceremonial cacao recipes

… follow our journey, explore our blog, and join our mailing list.
Together, we can keep these traditions alive — sip by sip.

Matyox (Thank you in Kaqchikel Maya) for reading and honoring this sacred plant.

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