Honouring the Wisdom Keepers Ritual
August 9th marks Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honour the original wisdom keepers of this Earth. It is a tribute to the Indigenous ancestors and elders who have safeguarded sacred knowledge, traditions, and the Earth for generations, often in the face of adversity.
This day honours the ancestral lineage of cacao and reminds us of who is behind what we consume. In this ritual we will reflect on where cacao comes from, creating a bridge between what we consume, and who are the people behind it.
This ritual honours the farmers and growers that have kept ceremonial-grade cacao sacred and pure throughout millennia, and how we can continue to honour the Cacao Spirit in our own lives.
In many traditions, cacao itself is revered as a plant teacher, gifted by the Earth and tended by Indigenous peoples for millennia.
As we sit in ceremony, we acknowledge the profound wisdom and guidance these communities have offered, and continue to offer to the world.
Before the Ritual: Prepare with Intention
Before you sit in ceremony, take time to reflect on how cacao has supported you on your journey.
Maybe cacao has softened your heart in difficult times, helped you hear your truth more clearly, or stayed grounded when every life felt chaotic.
Or perhaps it’s been a gentle support that has helped calm your stress and anxiety, given you clarity and guidance, opened your heart, or awakened parts of you that had been dormant.
Cacao is not just a product, it’s a teacher, an ally, and a living intelligence that has supported human health and wellbeing for thousands of years.
The Ritual:
1. Preparation of the Cacao
As you prepare your cacao, do so with mindfulness and gratitude. Let this be a sacred act, so take your time, and make it a sacred act.
While heating the spring water and blending your cacao, reflect on the journey this plant has taken, from seed to cup, and the Indigenous hands that have cultivated it with care for generations.
You might speak words of thanks, or play gentle music to create a peaceful atmosphere.
As the cacao melts, acknowledge the Indigenous people who have honoured this sacred plant in ceremony for thousands of years.
2. Create Sacred Space
Set up your space with intention, perhaps include symbols, fabrics, or images that honour Earth, any photographs that may call you, grandparents for example, or a deity you connect with. Light a candle, burn some incense or sage/palo santo if that is part of your practice.
Hold your cacao in your hands and take a few minutes to set your intention: To honour the wisdom keepers that have kept cacao sacred and give thanks to the Cacao Spirit that has supported you on your journey.
3. Invocation & Gratitude
Offer gratitude to the Earth, to the ancestors, to the cacao, and to the wisdom keepers across time. You might speak aloud:
“I offer my deepest gratitude to the original stewards of cacao, the Maya, the Olmec, the Aztec, and all indigenous peoples who have preserved this sacred plant for so many generations. May I honour their wisdom and walk in the right relationship with this medicine. May I listen deeply to the messages the Cacao Spirit has for me, and carry her wisdom with respect.”
4. Drink & Listen
Drink your cacao slowly and intentionally.
Ask yourself: What wisdom am I ready to receive today?
Take time in silence, journaling, or meditation to listen for insight. Let the Spirit of Cacao open your heart to receive her guidance, wisdom and clarity.
5. Closing Prayer or Song
Close your ritual with a prayer, song, or simple words of thanks. Acknowledge your role in helping to carry this wisdom forward with the utmost respect.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy this ritual! And if you want to get inspired…