Cacao, food of the gods
“Coming from the forests of Central and South America, the cacao tree produces flowers and fruit all year-round.
The cacao beans were a highly prised produce, used as currency by the ancient Maya until the mid 19th century: this was the Maya gold.
It was used as a ceremonial food in decorated cacao vessels and the beans were given as offerings in censers.”
Extract from the book
Starmaya, Mayan Calendar Astrology
by Claudie Planche
Cacao Ceremony for the Heart
Today the Mayan Cacao Ceremony tradition is kept alive to promote spiritual healing in our modern times.
Prepared in a sacred ceremony, Ix Kakau or Mother Cacao is a heart opening medicine which connects us back to the energies of nature and the Earth. It enables us to deepen our consciousness and release emotional blockages. It can also enhance the individual creative expression in many uplifting and joyful ways.
The cacao we use is high grade ceremonial cacao. Harvested on the Pacific coast of Guatemala it comes from organic cacao plantations in the foothills of the volcanoes of Lake Atitlan and Tolimán. Its production from the cacao tree to your cup is taken care of with great respect for the environment.
In harmony with the Mayan Calendar
Each Cacao Ceremony is aligned to the particular energies of the day in the Tzolkin sacred Mayan Calendar which is used in astrology, divination and ceremonies.
The Yucatec Maya Books of Chilam Balam written in the 17th and 18th-centuries contain valuable knowledge on Mayan history, prophecy, religion, ritual, literature, the calendar, astronomy, and medicine. The Chilam Balam book of Kaua attributes the cacao tree to the Mayan Calendar day-sign Manik- Kiej in Quiché Maya. Like the black cacao beans it bears the colour of the West.
In the Tzolkin there are 20 signs and 13 numbers which combine to make the 260 days of this calendar. To calculate the day-sign in the traditional quiché maya count we convert the usual date with a Mayan Calendar decoder. This provides specific guidance and inspiration to focus our intention for the cacao ceremony.
Our colour decoder is offered free to our Events and workshops participants.
Next Mayan Cacao ceremony
with an Introduction to the Tzolkin Sacred Mayan Calendar
Sunday 22 June 2025
2pm to 5pm
facilitated by Claudie Planche
at Stargaia, Glastonbury
Participation: £33
includes a FREE Mayan Calendar decoder in the Guatemala Quiché Maya day-count
To book, contact us
