There is a profound medicine in coming home to yourself — to nourish your spirit, refuel your inner fire, and remember the essence of who you truly are. My traditional Mayan cacao ceremonies offer a sacred container for this deep remembrance and soul nourishment.

Rooted in ancient wisdom, I was honoured to receive from Mayan Elders in Guatemala these ceremonies honouring cacao as a powerful amplifier of sacred energy — a potent medicine to awaken your heart, fuel your intuition, and invite you to embody your fullest self.

The True Mayan Tradition: Cacao as Sacred Potentiator

In Guatemala, cacao is never used in isolation but as a vital enhancer woven into ceremony — a sacred medicine used to amplify the prayers, energy, and healing intentions carried by the community. It is not the focus of the ritual but a potentiator — a heart-opener that fuels the shamanic mind and allows deeper presence in the ceremonial space.

I was honoured to learn the traditional way of preparing and honouring cacao directly from Mayan Elders in Guatemala, who taught me the deep reverence with which this plant spirit must be approached — from the blessing of the cacao beans to the moment we bring the cup to our lips. Each step becomes part of the ceremony, an invitation to meet the sacred with awareness. Cacao is a facilitator of real magic: she potentises the energy we each bring with our presence, our prayers, our willingness to heal and transform.

🌍 An Ancient Lineage

While cacao is most often associated with Mesoamerican cultures such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, dating back 5,500 years, growing evidence suggests that its use as a spiritual plant ally stretches back much further.

In an episode of the Conversations with Cacao podcast, an archaeologist shared findings from sacred temple sites in northern Peru near the Ecuadorian border, where ceremonial vessels containing cacao residue were uncovered. These findings suggest cacao may have been used in ritual settings up to 8,000 years ago — far earlier than previously believed.

While this research is still emerging and not widely published, it invites us to reconsider cacao’s role not just as a cultural symbol but as a deeply ancient plant medicine, revered across time and territory for its ability to nourish the spirit and awaken consciousness.

The Science Behind Cacao’s Heart‑Opening Magic

While ceremonial cacao is deeply spiritual, it also carries robust scientific support. Here's how this sacred medicine works on a biochemical level:

Oxytocin — the "love hormone": Cacao stimulates the release of oxytocin, enhancing feelings of trust, connection, and emotional warmth.
Anandamide — the "bliss molecule": Cacao boosts levels of anandamide, our natural endocannabinoid, and even slows its breakdown, promoting calm, wellbeing, and a gentle euphoria
Serotonin & Dopamine — our happy hormones:
- With its tryptophan, cacao supports serotonin production, aiding mood balance and relaxation.
- It also contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which helps elevate dopamine and serotonin, triggering feelings of love, focus, and mental clarity.
Neuroprotective and heart‑healthy flavonoids:
Rich in epicatechin and other polyphenols, cacao enhances cerebral blood flow, protects neurons, and supports cardiovascular health.
Sustained energy without the crash:
Thanks to theobromine—a gentler, longer-lasting stimulant—cacao provides smooth, sustained alertness without the jitters of caffeine.

Why does this matter in our ceremonies

By opening the heart and stabilising the mind-brain chemistry, cacao allows participants to relax deeply, release tension, and reach the stillness where healing and remembrance can occur.

Personal note: After my very first cup of ceremonial cacao, I didn’t have a single negative thought for three whole weeks—an experience that convinced me of cacao’s profound power to recalibrate the mind and support lasting transformation.

The Power of Sound Healing: A Sacred Shamanic Integration

Sound healing is one of the oldest medicines known to humanity. For thousands of years, ancient cultures across the globe have used sacred sound to clear energy, open the heart, and transform consciousness. From the Tibetan and Burmese shamans crafting intricate singing bowls to indigenous communities using rattles, flutes, and gongs, sound has long been a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

In my ceremonies, I weave together these powerful traditions, creating a unique soundscape that blends authentic antique singing bowls crafted by Bon Shamans of Tibet and Burma with the blissfully resonant tones of symphonic gongs. This fusion of ancient and contemporary instruments produces rich, multidimensional vibrations that move through the body and spirit, facilitating deep release, alignment, and awakening.

I have trained extensively with master sound healers across multiple modalities, continually refining my skill and understanding. This deep training, combined with my shamanic intuition and heart-led guidance, enables me to host cacao ceremonies that are widely recognised as some of the most profound and transformative available.

During our cacao ceremony, the sound healing journey acts as a powerful amplifier for the cacao medicine, helping you integrate the heart-opening effects, release stuck energy, and access deeper layers of your true self.

Ceremony Aligned with Cosmic Wisdom

Each ceremony I hold is intentionally aligned with the natural rhythms of the cosmos, including:

The sacred Mayan Cholq’ij calendar
Lunar cycles, such as full moons and new moons
Astrological energies and planetary alignments

Our upcoming July 2025 Capricorn Full Moon Ceremony invites us to embody strength and maturity — to develop the inner tools needed to navigate life with clarity and grounded presence. With the heart-opening medicine of Mayan cacao and the vibrational healing of gong sound, this ceremony is a powerful invitation to come home to yourself.

What to Expect

Held in a small, intimate circle for deep connection and integration, each ceremony includes:

A warm, welcoming, and comfortable space with yoga mats, blankets, and pillows to settle deeply
Pure, traditionally brewed ceremonial cacao made as taught by the Guatemalan Elders
An immersive 1-hour shamanic gong and sound healing journey, designed to open, release, and realign your energy
Gentle guidance through every step — no previous experience required

Words from Those Who’ve Journeyed Here

“I attended Sorrell’s cacao ceremony in Margate on a whim, but it turned out to be perfect timing, just what I needed and one of the most nourishing and transformative experiences of my life. The cacao opened my heart in ways I didn’t expect, and the gong journey transported me into a deep, peaceful state where I felt connected to myself again. It’s hard to explain exactly, I felt more solid, less fragmented, yet lighter, and with a sense of clarity that stayed with me for weeks. Sorrell’s gentle guidance made me feel completely safe throughout.”

— Anna, Margate

“After a rough patch, I found Sorrell’s cacao ceremonies to be a real healing sanctuary. The mix of traditional Mayan cacao and her amazing gong and singing bowl sounds helped me reconnect with myself, remember my strength, and trust my inner voice. I liked how small and nurturing the group was — it made it easy to relax and take in the healing. I’m genuinely grateful for this medicine.”

— James, Canterbury

“Living in London can be hectic and draining, but on a retreat to Margate, I attended one of Sorrell’s cacao and gong ceremonies. The experience went beyond relaxation; it felt like a deep refuelling for my spirit. The ceremonial cacao tasted silky and divine, and I felt it gently open my heart to let in more love and light. The sound healing journey helped me to access a feeling of welcome stillness and gave me a chance to integrate a gentle yet significant emotional healing. I have returned to Margate many times just to attend Sorrell’s sessions, because Sorrell really is the best cacaoista and sound healer I have ever found! I like to come on mini Sorrell retreats, and most often I’ll book in for a 1:1 therapy session and a cacao ceremony. I always leave feeling more grounded and connected to my true self.”

— Sophie, London

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d been stuck in a cycle of obsessive thoughts over a past relationship, over seven years of carrying it, trying everything from counselling to therapy with very little shift. A friend convinced me to try Sorrell’s cacao ceremony. I was sceptical but open.

Something changed in that session. The cacao seemed to crack something open in me — not in a dramatic way, but like something heavy quietly lifted. When the sound journey started, I felt like my whole nervous system was being recalibrated. It was surreal — intense at times — but by the end, I felt more peace than I’ve had in years.

That was months ago. The obsessive thoughts are 99% gone. I’ve been back to several ceremonies since, not because I’m ‘broken’ but because it’s become part of how I take care of myself now. Better than any therapy I’ve tried, hands down.”

— Mark, Faversham

Is This Ceremony for You?

If you long to nourish your soul, refuel your inner fire, and remember your truest self, this ceremony is your invitation.

Whether you are new to ceremonial cacao or sound healing or experienced in either, you will be held in a safe, welcoming container to journey at your own pace.

Please reach out if you have health concerns or take medications, so I can support your healing safely.

🔔 Reserve Your Place for the July Full Moon Ceremony

🌕 July 2025 | Capricorn Full Moon Cacao & Gong Healing
🕕 Sunday | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Held in a small, intentionally intimate group setting

Step into a powerful, heart-opening ceremony where the sacred medicine of Mayan Cacao and the ancient vibrational force of gongs create a space for deep release, renewal, and remembrance. This is your invitation to come home — to your heart, your spirit, and your true self.

✨ Spaces are limited by design to honour depth and integration.
Secure your place now for this special Full Moon gathering.

Book Now

🌞 Can’t make this one?
Explore upcoming ceremonies throughout the summer and book your seat early — these events are intentionally small and always fill quickly.

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With deep gratitude and cacao blessings,

Sorrell, Plant Spirit Medicine Woman

Come Home to Your Heart: The Ancient Medicine of Cacao & Sound Healing