Ritual Cacao Cacaoista® Practitioner Training Terms and Conditions
Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions apply to the Cacaoista® Practitioner Training hosted by Rebekah Shaman, trading as Rebekah Shaman and Living Shamanically, and/or Ritual Cacao Ltd where applicable.
Rebekah Shaman’s administrative office is located at:
90A Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0EG
Throughout these Terms & Conditions:
“We”, “us” and “our” refer to Rebekah Shaman, Living Shamanically and/or Ritual Cacao Ltd, depending on the booking provider.
“You” and “your” refer to the person named in the booking.
By submitting a booking form, paying a deposit, signing a scholarship agreement, or attending the training, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
All communication must be made by email to:
Proof of receipt of any communication requires written acknowledgement from us.
1. The Training
The Ritual Cacao Cacaoista® Practitioner Training is a professional and experiential training for people wishing to deepen their relationship with cacao and learn how to hold cacao ceremonies with greater confidence, integrity and responsibility.
The training may include ceremony, practical facilitation exercises, group sharing, shamanic practice, personal reflection, teachings, partner work, embodiment, silence, emotional process and time in nature.
This is not a medical, psychiatric, psychological or therapeutic training. It does not qualify you as a doctor, therapist, counsellor, psychologist, nutritionist, medical herbalist or mental health professional.
2. What Is Included
Unless otherwise specified in writing, your booking includes:
Accommodation for the stated training dates.
Meals and soft drinks as specified in the itinerary or participant information pack.
All scheduled training sessions, ceremonies, teachings, practices and group activities.
Training materials provided during the course.
Assessment, feedback and consideration for certification, where applicable.
Any inclusions not clearly stated in writing should not be assumed.
3. What Is Not Included
The following are not included unless specifically agreed in writing:
International or domestic flights.
Travel to and from the venue.
Transfers outside any group arrangements.
Travel insurance.
Medical insurance.
Visas or travel documents.
Optional excursions or additional activities.
Personal expenses, including laundry, snacks, personal supplies or additional accommodation.
Staff gratuities.
Medical, psychological, therapeutic or emergency support costs.
If you arrive or depart outside any agreed group arrangements, additional transfer fees may apply.
4. Booking and Payment
A £750 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
The deposit amount will be confirmed at the time of booking and may vary depending on the room type, package, scholarship place or payment arrangement.
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the training begins, unless a different payment schedule has been agreed in writing.
If payment is not received by the due date, and no prior written agreement has been made, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain the deposit.
Bookings made within 30 days of the training start date must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Payments for the Cacaoista® Practitioner Training are initially made via our website. Where a deposit payment option is selected, the remaining balance will be payable via direct bank transfer, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Invoices for all remaining payments will be issued by Ritual Cacao and must be paid by the dates specified on the invoice.
Your place is not confirmed until your deposit or agreed first payment has been received.
5. Payment Plans
Payment plans may be offered and are subject to a non-refundable £60 administration fee.
Where a payment plan has been agreed, you are responsible for making each payment by the agreed date.
If you miss a payment, we reserve the right to pause or cancel your place unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed in writing.
Payment plans are offered in good faith and do not remove your responsibility to pay the full agreed balance.
If you cancel your place after entering into a payment plan, the cancellation policy below still applies.
6. Supporting Scholarships
Where a Supporting Scholarship has been awarded, the scholarship amount will be deducted from the full training fee.
The remaining balance must be paid according to the payment schedule agreed in your scholarship agreement.
Scholarships are offered in good faith to support access to the training. They are not cash alternatives, prizes, discounts, vouchers, or marketing incentives.
A scholarship cannot be transferred, sold, exchanged, refunded or applied to another person without our written consent.
Receiving a scholarship does not guarantee certification.
7. Cancellation by You
All cancellations must be made in writing by email.
Proof of cancellation requires written acknowledgement from us.
The following cancellation terms apply unless otherwise agreed in writing:
Deposits are non-refundable.
If you cancel 90 days or more before the training begins, you may receive a refund of payments made, minus the non-refundable deposit and any unrecoverable costs already incurred.
If you cancel less than 90 days before the training begins, no refund is guaranteed.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the training begins, no refund will be issued.
No refunds will be given for late arrival, early departure, missed sessions, non-participation, unused accommodation, unused meals, unused ceremonies or unused portions of the training.
Because our trainings have limited capacity and involve advance commitments to venues, facilitators, suppliers and accommodation providers, we strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including cancellation cover.
8. Cancellation or Postponement by Us
We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the training if necessary, including but not limited to illness, facilitator emergency, venue issues, insufficient participant numbers, travel disruption, government restrictions, force majeure, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
If we cancel the training because minimum participant numbers are not met, all training payments received from you, including deposits, will be refunded in full.
If we postpone the training, we will offer you the option to transfer your place to the new dates where possible.
Refund of payments made to us releases us from any further liability.
We are not responsible for any additional costs incurred by you, including flights, visas, travel, insurance, accommodation outside the training dates, medical costs, lost income, childcare, equipment or other personal expenses.
9. Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations where such failure is caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
This may include, but is not limited to:
War or terrorism.
Natural disasters.
Extreme weather.
Fire, flood or environmental disruption.
Epidemics or pandemics.
Government restrictions.
Border closures.
Transport disruption.
Industrial action.
Venue closure.
Illness, injury or emergency affecting key facilitators.
In such circumstances, refunds are not guaranteed unless we are able to recover funds from suppliers.
10. Travel and Medical Insurance
You are required to obtain adequate travel and medical insurance for the full duration of the training.
Your policy should cover:
Medical treatment.
Emergency care.
Repatriation.
Personal accident.
Loss of luggage, money or personal belongings.
Cancellation.
Travel delays.
Missed flights or connections.
Overseas legal expenses where relevant.
You are responsible for checking that your insurance covers the location, activities and nature of the training.
We are not responsible for any loss arising from your failure to obtain appropriate insurance.
11. Passports, Visas and Travel Documents
You are responsible for ensuring that your passport, visa, travel documents and entry requirements are valid and up to date.
We are not responsible if you are unable to attend the training because of passport, visa, travel, border, vaccination, insurance or documentation issues.
No refund will be given in such circumstances.
12. Health, Fitness and Suitability
You are responsible for ensuring that you are physically, mentally and emotionally fit to participate in the training.
You must disclose any relevant medical conditions, mental health history, medications, allergies, injuries, dietary requirements, substance use, pregnancy, trauma history or other factors that may affect your safety or participation.
You must provide this information honestly and in full at the time of booking and notify us of any changes before the training begins.
The training may involve physical exertion, emotional processing, ceremonial work, group sharing, silence, nature-based activities, remote locations, limited medical facilities and intense personal reflection.
We may request further information or medical clearance where appropriate.
We reserve the right to refuse your participation before or during the training if we believe, in our reasonable opinion, that the training is not suitable for you at this time or that your participation may place you, the facilitators, the group or the venue at risk.
No refund is guaranteed where participation is refused or ended due to undisclosed health information, unsafe behaviour, intoxication, disruptive conduct or failure to follow reasonable guidance.
13. Participation and Informed Consent
By booking and attending the training, you acknowledge and agree that:
Your participation is entirely voluntary.
You understand that the training may involve intense physical, emotional, psychological, energetic or spiritual experiences.
You understand that personal process may continue after the training ends.
You accept full personal responsibility for your decision to participate.
You confirm that you have disclosed any medical conditions, mental health history, medications, substance use or other relevant information that may affect your safety.
You confirm that you are not currently experiencing any medical or psychiatric condition that would make participation unsafe.
You understand that shamanic, ceremonial and spiritual practices are not regulated medical treatments.
You understand that participation does not constitute medical, psychiatric, psychological or therapeutic care.
You understand that we do not diagnose, treat or cure any medical or psychological condition.
Participation is not a substitute for professional healthcare.
14. Personal Responsibility
By attending the training, you accept full responsibility for your own wellbeing, choices, participation and integration.
You are responsible for listening to your body, communicating your needs, respecting your limits and seeking support where needed.
You agree not to participate in any activity that feels unsafe for you.
You understand that facilitators may offer guidance, support and structure, but they are not responsible for your personal decisions, reactions or outcomes.
15. Assumption of Risk
You acknowledge that participation involves inherent risks.
These may include, but are not limited to:
Physical discomfort or injury.
Emotional distress.
Psychological discomfort.
Fatigue.
Allergic reaction.
Illness.
Travel-related risks.
Environmental risks.
Limited or delayed access to medical care.
Group dynamics.
Unexpected personal process during or after the training.
You voluntarily assume full responsibility for these risks.
16. Cacao and Dietary Considerations
The training involves the use of ceremonial-grade cacao.
You are responsible for informing us of any allergies, sensitivities, medical conditions, medication use or dietary restrictions that may affect your ability to consume cacao safely.
Cacao may not be suitable for everyone, including people taking certain medications or people with certain heart, blood pressure, pregnancy-related, psychiatric or medical conditions.
If you are taking high doses of SSRIs please consult with your doctor before consuming. Cacao releases serotonin, so it works as a mild antidepressant. SSRIs release serotonin chemically, while cacao releases serotonin naturally, which can lead to serotonin syndrome.
You are responsible for seeking medical advice before attending if you are unsure whether cacao is suitable for you.
You are never required to consume cacao and may choose not to drink cacao at any point.
17. Conduct
You agree to behave respectfully towards the facilitators, participants, venue staff, the land, the accommodation, the group container and the training process.
You agree not to behave in a way that is abusive, discriminatory, unsafe, intoxicated, disruptive, aggressive, sexually inappropriate, harmful or disrespectful.
You agree to follow reasonable instructions relating to safety, ceremony, group process, venue rules and training structure.
We reserve the right to remove any participant whose behaviour is unsafe, disruptive or detrimental to the group.
No refund will be provided in such cases.
18. Alcohol, Drugs and Medication
Alcohol and recreational drugs are not permitted during the training.
You must inform us of any prescribed medication or relevant substance use that may affect your safety, participation or interaction with cacao.
You must not stop, change or reduce prescribed medication in order to attend the training without the guidance of a qualified medical professional.
We reserve the right to refuse participation if we believe substance use, withdrawal, medication changes or intoxication may create a safety concern.
19. Certification
Attendance at the Cacaoista® Practitioner Training does not automatically guarantee certification.
Certification is dependent on full attendance, participation, completion of required elements and our assessment of your readiness, understanding, conduct, integrity and ability to hold cacao ceremonies safely and responsibly.
We reserve the right to withhold certification where there are concerns around safety, ethics, boundaries, conduct, readiness, emotional maturity, understanding or suitability to facilitate.
If certification is not granted immediately, we may offer feedback and further steps for you to complete before certification is reconsidered.
Our decision around certification is final.
20. Scope of Practice
The training is intended to support you to hold cacao ceremonies and deepen your relationship with cacao, ceremony and facilitation.
It does not authorise you to diagnose, treat, cure or advise on medical, psychiatric, psychological or nutritional conditions.
You are responsible for working within your own legal, ethical, professional and insurance boundaries after the training.
You are also responsible for understanding the laws, regulations and professional requirements in your own country, region or area of practice.
21. Intellectual Property
All materials, teachings, manuals, recordings, frameworks, exercises, practices, written content and training structures provided during the Cacaoista® Practitioner Training remain the intellectual property of Rebekah Shaman, Living Shamanically and/or Ritual Cacao Ltd unless otherwise stated.
You may use the teachings to support your own personal practice and professional development.
You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, sell, teach, record, adapt or share training materials without prior written consent.
You may not use the Cacaoista® name, Ritual Cacao name, Rebekah Shaman name, training structure, manuals or materials in a way that suggests you are authorised to train others in the Cacaoista® method unless this has been separately agreed in writing.
22. Confidentiality
We respect participant confidentiality and will treat your personal information with care.
You also agree to respect the confidentiality of all other participants.
Personal stories, emotional processes, health information, spiritual experiences, trauma disclosures, ceremony experiences and group sharings must not be shared outside the training without explicit consent.
This confidentiality agreement continues after the training ends.
Confidentiality may be broken where required by law or where there is a serious concern about risk of harm to you or another person.
23. Photography, Filming and Testimonials
We may take photographs or videos during the training only with consent.
You are not required to be photographed, filmed or recorded.
You are not required to provide a testimonial, social media post, review or public endorsement.
Any testimonial, image, video or feedback you provide is voluntary and will only be used with your consent.
You must not photograph, film, record or share images of other participants without their explicit consent.
24. Personal Belongings
You are responsible for your own belongings during the training.
We are not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal possessions, money, jewellery, devices, documents or luggage unless caused by our proven negligence.
You are advised to keep valuables secure and to ensure your travel insurance covers personal belongings.
25. Venue Rules
You agree to respect the rules, boundaries and requirements of the venue.
This may include rules around quiet hours, fire safety, waste, water use, land access, shared spaces, animals, alcohol, smoking, food, shoes, towels, bedding, electricity, phone use or internet access.
You are responsible for any damage caused by you to the venue, accommodation, land, equipment or property.
26. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages arising from participation in the training.
Liability for personal injury or loss shall only arise where directly caused by our proven negligence.
Where liability applies, our total liability shall not exceed the total amount paid by you for the training.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence where such exclusion would be unlawful under English law.
27. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rebekah Shaman, Living Shamanically, Ritual Cacao Ltd, facilitators, assistants and representatives from any claims, legal actions, losses, costs or expenses arising from:
Your voluntary participation in the training.
Your failure to disclose relevant medical, psychological or personal information.
Your failure to obtain appropriate insurance.
Your breach of these Terms & Conditions.
Your breach of the law of the land.
Your conduct during the training.
Your actions after the training in your own practice or professional work.
28. Changes to the Itinerary
We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the training schedule, session order, facilitators, activities, timings, food arrangements or itinerary where needed.
This may happen due to weather, group needs, facilitator judgement, venue requirements, safety concerns, travel disruption or other practical considerations.
Such changes do not entitle you to a refund.
29. Complaints
If you have a concern during the training, you agree to raise it with us as soon as reasonably possible so that we have an opportunity to respond.
If you wish to make a formal complaint after the training, this must be made in writing by email within 14 days of the training ending.
We will respond as soon as reasonably possible.
30. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by English law.
The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes.
31. Agreement
By submitting your booking form, paying your deposit, signing a scholarship agreement, or attending the training, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
You also confirm that all information you provide to us is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.