Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that will connect you with the mystical world of cacao? Join us for an immersive Cacao Training experience, where you will delve into the rich history, healing properties, and ceremonial practices of this sacred medicine. Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or simply a chocolate lover, this training is designed to expand your knowledge and empower you to incorporate cacao into your daily life and rituals.
This immersive Cacao Facilitator Training is a transformative journey that will equip you with comprehensive knowledge, practical tools, and invaluable firsthand experience to confidently speak about cacao and hold yourself and others in deeply transformational sacred space. By emphasizing ceremonial practices as the cornerstone of your training, you will develop the ability to share cacao with others from a place of personal experience and authenticity, rooted in the heart rather than the mind.
I believe that true guidance comes from having undergone our own healing and transformation. Therefore, this course places equal importance on your own inner journey alongside the acquisition of information about the background, lineage, and science of cacao. Through this holistic approach, you will cultivate a deep understanding of the medicine’s messages as they manifest through the body, energy, emotions, and mind. You will also acquire techniques to skillfully navigate any challenges that may arise during the ceremonial experience, ensuring a safe and gentle space for profound exploration and growth.
By the end of this training, you will emerge as a confident and capable facilitator, equipped with the wisdom, compassion, and skill set to guide others through their own transformative journeys with cacao. You will embody the integration of personal experience, knowledge, and the art of holding sacred space, allowing you to create powerful and deeply meaningful experiences for yourself and those you serve. Prepare to embark on a profound path of self-discovery, healing, and becoming a facilitator of transformation in the lives of others.
How the Training Works
Each week you will receive an email with that weeks educational content – the content will be a blend of text, audio recordings, video and self-reflection questions.
You will have access to a group chat where you can ask questions, as well as access to me via email for the duration of the training.
In addition to this weekly content there will be zoom calls, where we will have space to meet as a group and be guided in an experiential learning experience as well as to sit in ceremony with cacao, and explore it’s different facets that are introduced in the weekly emails.
If you are not able to get to the emailed content before we meet for our group video calls, don’t worry you can still participate in the calls. Zoom calls will be recorded and available for replay. However it is highly recommended that you attend the calls live.
Themes and Dates for this 4 month training
Welcome
Preparation, Orientation, Personal Intention Setting & Welcoming Participants to Training Friday September 1st 10am PST/7pm UK Via Zoom Guided Experience
Unveiling the Origins & History of Cacao
Explore the fascinating history of cacao, tracing its roots back to ancient civilizations. Discover how cacao was revered by the Mayans and Aztecs and learn about the traditional Peruvian uses of cacao, where it has been an integral part of their culture for centuries. Friday September 15th 10am PST/7pm UK Via Zoom Guided Experience
Opening Ceremony
Holding Sacred Space for yourself; the ritual of sitting with cacao as a personal practice. – (time to be confirmed based on majority of group participants) During this opening ceremony you will have an opportunity to create a sacred space for yourself as you embark on a ritual of preparing and sitting with cacao allowing for deep self-connection, mindful consumption of cacao and nourishment. Saturday September 16th – Via Zoom 9am – 11am PST/5pm -7pm UK time Guided Experience & Cacao Ceremony
Nurturing Nature’s Gifts: Main Cacao Varieties, Cultivation and Bean Chemistry
Dive into the world of cacao bean varieties and explore the nuances of their flavours and characteristics. Gain a deeper understanding of the chemical components within cacao beans that contribute to their unique properties. Also learn the importance of responsibly sourced cacao. Friday Sept 22nd via zoom 10am -11:30am PST/7pm-8:30pm UK Cacao Ceremony
The Heart of Cacao (Two Parts)
Part 1 Health Benefits and Precautions
Uncover the extraordinary health benefits of cacao, from its rich antioxidant content to its mood-enhancing properties. We’ll also explore important health precautions and appropriate dosages to ensure you and ceremony participants fully and safely enjoy the benefits of this sacred medicine. During this module you will receive 6 different cacao recipes.
Part 2 Unlocking the Energetic Benefits of Cacao
Discover the energetic qualities of cacao and how it can support your spiritual journey. Explore its connection to the heart and heart chakra, and learn techniques to harness its transformative energy. Friday Oct 6th via zoom 10am-11:30am PST/7pm-8:30 UK Cacao Ceremony
From Ancient Traditions to Modern Expression: Cacao in Ceremony
Explore the modern expression of cacao and how it is used in transformative ceremonies. Gain insights into the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and learn how to approach cacao ceremonies with respect and reverence. Friday Oct 13th via zoom 10am-11:30am PST/7pm-8:30 UK Guided Experience
Mastering the Art of Cacao Ceremony Facilitation
Become a Skilled Practitioner: In this 5 part module we will cover best practices for holding sacred cacao ceremonies. You will be equip with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to step into the role of a guide, holding sacred space and guiding them through a powerful ceremony where they will explore their inner landscapes, connect with their hearts, and experience profound transformation. In this module you will also learn how to prepare cacao for a group settings and ensure a sacred experience for all participants. Topics we will cover in this module are: Creating Sacred Space, Ceremony Structure and Flow, Holding Space and Facilitation Skills, Integration and Aftercare, Ethics and Boundaries.
Nov 24th via zoom 10am-11:30am PST/7pm-8:30 UK Q&A
Designing Your Cacao Ceremony: Four Themes for Transformation
This module you will learn how to structure your own cacao ceremony around four key themes: intention setting, healing, gratitude, and connection. If you are a yoga teacher, or another type of holistic practitioner in this module you will also learn how to integrate cacao into these practices to create deeper sacred spaces that supports personal growth and transformation. This module includes a written assignment where you will submit your outline for your cacao ceremony. You will also have an opportunity to guide your fellow group participants in a cacao ceremony, dates on peer ceremonies to be determined.
Dec 1st via zoom 10am-11:30am PST/7pm-8:30 UK Guided Experience
Rituals for Everyday Life: Using Cacao in Daily Practice
After the completion of the above modules, as part of this training you are invited to journey for 30 days with Cacao to cultivate your experience with cacao and anchor your commitment to deepening your connection with cacao. During this 30 day practice you will be given practices to support you in Integrate the power of cacao into your daily rituals, amplifying the healing and transformative effects of cacao in your life.
Liz will be available by email and WhatsApp to answer questions during this 30day period. This self-study month of December is optional but highly recommended. For those participants that are interested in offering a Peer Cacao Ceremony they will be slotted during this 30 day period.
Investment for 4 months of training & support
I am offering this training at a sliding scale, I believe that healing should be accessible to all. Please self-identify and choose the amount that you can pay for this training based on your specific circumstance. Payment plans of up to 4 instalments are also available, Please email me liz@lizdiaz.ca to discuss. Please note pricing is in CAD.
$1085 SUPPORTER, supports those who are not able to pay regular pricing to access this program.
$885 SUSTAINABLE, helps make this work sustainable and ongoing.
$685 SUPPORTED, choose this option if your access to resources is limited and your economic situation limits your ability to access this program at higher tiers.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 CAD is required to secure your spot of this training, this deposit will be deducted from your training fee. This is a small group training and there are ONLY 6 spaces available. Payments can be made via e-transfer to liz@lizdiaz.ca, if you choose this option, please make sure to put your email in the notes, so that I can send you info on next steps. If you wish to pay via credit card please email me and I will send you a payment link.
Please note, cacao is not included in your training fees, but a list of both ceremonial grade and ethically sourced sustainable Cacao will be provided to you. Your cacao should be purchased as soon as you signup for the training to allow time for shipping to arrive in time for our first ceremony together on the 16th of September.
About your guide
I am a counsellor and social worker by trade and have been holding space for sacred ceremony for the last 13 years, in many different facets from, reiki master, crystal healing practitioner, yoga teacher, doula and women’s dance circle facilitator. In 2012 my journey with cacao started while living in Mexico. This medicine was instrumental in helping me access the whispers of my heart and receive guidance about my dharma and purpose. During my time in Mexico I was gifted with the wisdom of this medicine and given permission from my teachers to share this medicine with you. Over the years cacao has been an ongoing element in my community rituals and in my personal practice. My connection with cacao has deepened once more over the last two years that I have been living in the Sacred Valley of Peru and connecting to the variety of Cacao that is found in Peru, and all the magic that it brings. I look forward to sharing this journey with you, and supporting you in finding your own personal relationship with cacao.