What is a cacao ceremony, exactly?
So what is a cacao ceremony? At heart, it is a deliberate moment with a warm cup of cacao. What sets it apart from hot chocolate is not only what is in the cup, but mostly how you drink it. You drink slowly and with attention, and you set an intention: a question, a wish, or something you want to make more room for.
Then comes a stretch of quiet. That might be a guided meditation, sound, a moment to write, or simply sitting. The cacao itself is mild. The setting, the stillness and the intention together shape how it feels. That is why many people say a cacao ceremony is more about attention than about the cacao.
And what is it not? It is not a party and not a performance. You do not need to feel anything, and nothing needs to happen. Whatever comes is welcome. Whatever does not come is fine too.
Where does the cacao ceremony come from?
Cacao has been used in Central America for centuries. Cultures such as the Olmec, Maya and Aztec drank cacao at rituals and at important moments in life, and treated it as something precious, sometimes as food of the gods. The cacao ceremony you come across in the Netherlands today is partly inspired by those traditions and partly a modern form, with meditation and sound.
It is fair to say so plainly: a ceremony in Amsterdam is not a copy of an ancient ritual. It is a calm, guided moment that respects where cacao comes from and fits the way people live now.
What is ceremonial cacao, and how is it different from chocolate?
Ceremonial cacao is pure cacao paste: the roasted and ground cacao bean, with no sugar, milk powder or other additives. You melt a portion into warm water or plant milk. Regular chocolate and hot chocolate contain far less cacao and often a lot of sugar.
Cacao naturally contains theobromine, a substance related to caffeine. People describe the effect as soft and warm rather than wired. That is a description, not a promise: some people notice more than others, and your body, your day and the setting all play a part.
- Pure cacao paste, no sugar or milk powder
- Drunk slowly, with an intention
- Followed by silence, meditation or sound
- You stay clear-headed and in charge
What does a cacao ceremony at Stars Frequencies look like?
At Stars Frequencies, a cacao ceremony starts with arriving and settling into the room. You drink the cacao slowly and set your intention. Then there is a guided meditation, and you lie down or sit while Rosa plays crystal singing bowls and the gong. Afterwards there is time to share and talk, so you are not sent straight back out onto the street.
Rosa guides the ceremony herself and stays in the room the whole time. There are different formats, including the Women's Cacao & Sound Ceremony and a private session. Curious about the sound side? Read what sound healing is.
“It was a pleasant, relaxed experience. I already knew sound healing, but not a cacao ceremony. The sounds in this session were really lovely, and together with the cacao they helped me relax completely.”
Can you do a cacao ceremony at home?
Yes. You need pure ceremonial cacao, warm water or plant milk, and a quiet moment when nobody needs anything from you. Drink slowly, set an intention, and then take half an hour to an hour of quiet. How to turn it into a ritual step by step is covered in the article on a cacao ceremony at home.
How is a cacao ceremony different from a truffle ceremony?
A cacao ceremony is gentle and accessible: you stay clear-headed and your perception does not change. A truffle ceremony goes deeper. Your experience shifts more strongly, the day lasts about 7 hours, and it is preceded by a free 30-minute intro call with screening, including questions about your health and medication.
Stars Frequencies guides truffle ceremonies in Amsterdam, in a small group of up to 8 people (€295 per person) or privately (€495). Meditation and sound healing are a fixed part of every truffle ceremony, just as with cacao. About half of the participants are doing it for the first time. No experience needed.
Some people start with cacao because they want to feel what it is like to turn their attention inward without their mind losing the lead. That makes sense if you are used to keeping an eye on everything. The Stars Frequencies view: letting go is not a condition. It is a result. Cacao and a truffle ceremony are different things: read about the truffle ceremony in Amsterdam to see what that day looks like.
Is a cacao ceremony safe?
For most people, ceremonial cacao is well tolerated. Take care with serious heart conditions, MAO inhibitors or certain antidepressants, and during pregnancy. Rosa asks about this beforehand. If in doubt, check with your doctor first. There is more in the article is a cacao ceremony safe.
A ceremony is not a substitute for medical or psychological help. Read more about safety