Ceremonial Cacao
Cacao …the heart opener of ceremony and coherence
As the season turns and cooler weather invites us to slow down, a warm cup of cacao becomes more than a comfort, it becomes a companion. Often used in ceremony any time of year, cacao is known for its ability to gently open the heart and restore a sense of inner coherence.
In this post, I share my base recipe with some beautiful variations I choose from, featuring adaptogenic mushrooms and spices to support both body and spirit. Whether you’re sipping in stillness or sharing in circle, may this blend nourish you deeply.
Ceremonial-Style Cacao Recipe
Ingredients (1–2 servings):
20–30g pure (ceremonial-grade) cacao (I get the paste from Real Raw Foods, Naramata)
1 cup hot water (not boiling—around 70–80°C / 160–175°F)
Optional: 1/4 cup plant milk for creaminess
Pinch of sea salt (enhances the depth and bioavailability)
Optional natural sweetener: 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey or coconut sugar) - more or less to taste
Method:
Heat the water (not to boiling) and melt the cacao slowly, whisking or blending until melted and smooth.
Add the salt and any of the optional elements below depending on your intention.
Breathe into the cup. Set an intention, even if simple: “To soften,” “To open,” “To be present.”
Optional Allies & Additions:
Each of these can be added during the blending phase. Choose one or a combination to align with your inner or outer season.
🍄 Mushroom Allies (**see more detail on mushrooms below)
NOTE: Mushrooms available locally through Real Raw Foods, Naramata OR Freshpickmushrooms.com
Reishi: deep calm, heart coherence, grief processing
Lion’s Mane: clarity, memory, nervous system support
Chaga: immune resilience, cellular health
Cordyceps: energy without overstimulation, endurance
Turkey Tail: immune boost, mycelial bridge
→ Tip: use extracts or powdered blends; 1/2 tsp is usually sufficient.
🔥 Spice Activators
Cinnamon: grounding, blood sugar balance, digestive warmth
Cayenne or chili powder or flakes: activates circulation and fire element; good for transmutation or stamina rituals (use sparingly)
Cardamom: softens digestive fire, clears emotional residue
🌸 Additional Enhancers
Rose powder or petals: opens the emotional body, softens grief
Maca: stamina, hormonal balance, root energy
Ashwagandha: nervous system support, inner strength
Blue lotus (infused or tincture): dream opening, subtle vision work
Suggested Use:
Drink slowly, ideally in silence or ceremony, allowing 20–30 minutes of stillness or reflection afterward.
Let the cacao speak. It often brings visions, memories, or insight through the body first.
**More information on the potential benefits of mushrooms:
🍄 Turkey Tail
Energetic Profile:
Immunomodulation: supports immune system balance rather than overstimulation
Gut harmony: promotes microbial diversity and gut resilience
Anti-inflammatory: calms systemic imbalances subtly but effectively
Symbolic Resonance:
Often found growing on decaying wood, Turkey Tail helps “digest the past”
Acts as a mycelial bridge between generations, linking ancestral memory with present healing
Useful in rituals focused on lineage clearing, immune recalibration, and remembrance work
🍄 Reishi
Energetic Profile:
Nervous system regulation: calms stress, supports sleep, and harmonizes adrenal rhythms
Heart support: known to gently regulate blood pressure and emotional balance
Liver detoxification: helps process emotional and physical toxins
Symbolic Resonance:
Known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”, Reishi supports spiritual expansion
Carries a signature of inner stillness and soul anchoring
Supports ceremonial work involving dreaming, boundary restoration, or grief release
🍄 Lion’s Mane
Energetic Profile:
Neuroregenerative: stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF), promoting brain health
Cognitive enhancer: improves memory, clarity, and mental resilience
Gut-brain axis support: supports emotional processing through digestive health
Symbolic Resonance:
Acts as a nerve-threader, reconnecting frayed energetic pathways
Especially powerful for those healing from mental fog, trauma, or spiritual disconnection
Aligns with ceremonies of remembrance, clarity, and reconnection
🍄 Chaga
Energetic Profile:
Antioxidant-rich: one of the most potent natural sources of immune support
Adaptogenic: strengthens resilience under physical and emotional stress
Cellular repair: supports regeneration and hormonal balance
Symbolic Resonance:
Known as the “Black Gold” of the forest, Chaga stabilizes from deep root to crown
Draws power from shadow, strength through challenge
Perfect for ceremonies focused on recovery, grounding, or strength renewal
🌿 Ashwagandha
Energetic Profile:
Adaptogenic support – helps the body adapt to stress by balancing cortisol and adrenal rhythms
Nervous system soother – calms anxiety, supports deeper sleep, and nurtures emotional resilience
Endocrine tonic – subtly supports thyroid and reproductive health, especially during times of fatigue or transition
Symbolic Resonance:
Known as “strength of the stallion” in Ayurveda, Ashwagandha brings grounded vitality
Not a stimulant, but a rooted replenisher—restoring energy by calming rather than pushing
Supports rituals of renewal, boundary repair, and resilience-building, especially for those feeling overextended or energetically thin
In cacao or warm tonics, Ashwagandha adds a subtle earthiness and deep, slow medicine, perfect for transitions, seasonal shifts, or moments where strength must be reclaimed without force.
🌶️ Chili / Cayenne
Heat Bringer & Energy Mover
Stimulates metabolism, increases circulation, and amplifies the effects of cacao.
Energetically, it awakens the solar fire, adding courage to the heart and momentum to the moment.
🌰 Cinnamon
Blood Harmonizer & Comfort Keeper
Regulates blood sugar, enhances warmth, and deepens digestive ease.
Carries the signature of sweetness-with-strength—a scent of ancient temples and hearths alike.
⚠️ As always, any dietary changes and influences are deeply individual. If you have any health conditions, take medications, or have sensitivities, it's important to consult the medical or other health professional who is guiding you, and most importantly, tune into your own intuition before making changes. These are products I find useful in the ways indicated above but each person is unique.