Sacred Plant Medicine of Cacao
How Cacao Works with the Body
Cacao is rich in theobromine, a gentle heart stimulant that increases blood flow and creates a sense of warmth and opening in the chest. It also contains:
Magnesium for relaxation and nervous system support
Anandamide (the "bliss molecule") which promotes feelings of joy and wellbeing
Phenethylamine (PEA) which enhances focus and mood
Antioxidants that support overall vitality
When consumed ceremonially—with intention, in community, and in proper dosage—cacao acts as a heart-opener, allowing us to access emotions, release what no longer serves, and deepen our connection to ourselves and others.
Cacao in Ceremony
In ceremonial space, cacao becomes a guide. She is gentle yet powerful, inviting us to:
Soften the barriers around our hearts
Process emotions with compassion
Connect more deeply to our intuition and inner wisdom
Experience gratitude as a full-body practice
Feel held by the community and the Earth
Each person's relationship with cacao is unique. For some, she brings clarity. For others, tears of release. For many, she simply creates space—a pause where we can breathe, feel, and remember our wholeness.
What is a ceremonial Cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is pure, minimally processed cacao used in sacred ritual for thousands of years by indigenous cultures throughout Central and South America. Unlike the chocolate we know today, ceremonial cacao contains no added sugar, dairy, or fillers—it is the whole bean, stone-ground into a paste that preserves all of its natural compounds and heart-opening properties.
Walk with the Heart Medicine
For over 4.5 years, I have sat daily with cacao, allowing this sacred plant medicine to guide me deeper into the landscape of my own heart. Through ceremonies with facilitators from diverse lineages and continued partnership with a farm in Chiapas, Mexico, I've come to understand cacao as more than a drink—it is a doorway to gratitude, connection, and the unconditional love of Mother Earth.
My primary teacher, based in Mexico City, has witnessed firsthand how this medicine is grown and produced with reverence and care. The cacao I serve comes from ethical sources, given with respect and abundance so that it may touch hearts and widen our communities. This medicine, known as the "Food of the Gods," is meant to bring us together—to practice gratitude with a full heart and to remember what it means to be held by the Earth..
Cacao Offerings
-
Monthly Gratitude Ceremonies
When: Saturday or Sunday, 1-3pm
Where: Wild Roots Medicine (on the creek) in Silverton, Oregon
Outdoor circles will be offered when the weather warmsJoin our monthly gathering as we come together in community to share ceremonial cacao and practice gratitude. These circles are an invitation to slow down, open your heart, and remember what it means to be nourished—by the medicine, by each other, and by the Earth beneath us.
Each circle includes:
Opening with intention and grounding
Honoring the sacred plant medicine of cacao
Expressing gratitude
Guided meditation or somatic movement
Time for silent reflection or journaling
Optional sharing circle
Closing ceremony
All are welcome, whether you're new to cacao or have sat with this medicine before. Come as you are.
Investment: Sliding scale $30 / $50 / $80
Please choose what feels aligned with your resources. No one turned away for lack of funds. -
Personal 1-on-1 Ceremonies
Duration: 2 hours
Includes: 20-minute preparation call
Location: I come to you (Portland and surrounding areas; willing to travel up to 1.5 hours from Silverton)Sometimes we need deeper support. A 1-on-1 ceremony creates sacred space for you to work with cacao in a way that honors exactly where you are—whether you're calling something in, releasing something that's been weighing on your heart, or simply needing to reconnect with yourself.
We'll begin with a preparation call to discuss what's present for you, what you're holding, and what you're hoping to invite through this ceremony. On the day of our ceremony, I bring everything needed—cacao, sacred items, and a compassionate, grounded presence.
These sessions are for:
Deep emotional processing and release
Transitions and thresholds in life
Grief, loss, or heartbreak
Reconnecting with your inner wisdom
Creating space to feel and be held
Calling in clarity, courage, or new beginnings
Investment: Sliding scale $90 / $120 / $150
Willing to discuss trades and payment plans. Please don't let money be a barrier to receiving support.Travel note: For distances beyond 1.5 hours, a small travel fee may apply
-
Create Your Own Circle/Ceremony
Group size: 6+ people
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Your chosen space (I bring ceremony to you)Gather your people—friends, family, coworkers, soul sisters, or chosen community—and I will facilitate a ceremony designed specifically for your group. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, honoring a transition, navigating grief together, or simply craving deeper connection, cacao ceremony creates a container for hearts to open and authentic sharing to unfold.
I bring all supplies including:
Ceremonial cacao for all participants
Cups and serving materials
Altar items and sacred objects
Seating for 4 people (cushions/backjacks; additional participants welcome to bring their own or use what's available in your space)
Ceremonies can be tailored for:
Birthdays and celebrations
Rites of passage
Grief circles
Women's/men's circles
Team building and workplace wellness
Family healing
Seasonal gatherings
Investment: $50-60 per person or $350-400 flat rate (for groups of 6-8)
For groups traveling beyond 1.5 hours, a small travel fee applies
Ready to Sit with Cacao?
Whether you're joining a monthly circle, booking a personal ceremony, or gathering your community for a custom experience, I'm honored to hold space for you.
Cacao teaches us that gratitude is not just a practice—it's a way of being. It's a remembering that we are held, we are loved, and we are never alone.
Contact me to learn more or book your ceremony:
This work is offered on a sliding scale and with flexibility because I believe heart medicine should be accessible to all who need it. If you're feeling called but concerned about cost, please reach out.
-Sarah-
“The cacao ceremony was a heart-opening experience, connecting me deeply to myself and to others. The warmth and richness of the cacao, paired with the beautiful, guided meditation, made the whole journey unforgettable. It was a soulful awakening, filled with love and presence.”
Amy L.