Online Course FAQs

Q: I’ve never done an online course before, how should I prepare?

A: We know new things can be a little intimidating, yet trust us when we say it's quite easy to receive cacao information and experiences online!

Whether you are watching the recording or joining us live, we recommend setting up your space beforehand to optimize your ability to be present.

Set the space

• Ideally, you can be in a private space and dedicate this time to self-study. You can create a nourishing space with pillows, candles, and other meaningful items, or keep it simple. We recommend having a dedicated notebook & pen for your work with cacao. Also water, tea or maybe even some cacao to sip on during class can be nice.
• Since this will be via your laptop or phone, you will want to make sure your devices are charged or that you have a charging cord and outlet nearby. You can prop your computer or phone up in a chair or with books to allow for easeful watching and typing without hurting your neck or back. You may also want headphones.

Q: When do the courses start? Can I start anytime?

Yes, you can start as soon as you purchase the course. The videos are recorded and once you sign up you receive access via email to our private online community where all of the course information is laid out for you. You will also have direct access to the Firefly team through our course platform.

Q: I’ve never done an online course before... what's it like?

A: We decided to use an online format so we can connect with you via your smartphone or computer, no matter where you are in the world.

You can imagine it like FaceTime or Skype video chat, but with your video and audio off. Or, you will be watching a recording of us presenting to you, webinar style. Essentially, it's like connecting with your teachers in the comfort of your own home!

Q: What is the time commitment required each week?

A: Each module is broken into either two or three 60-minute classes. We recommend planning for three hours for the two-part courses and 4 hours for the three part courses including prep and integration time.

Q: Where does this content come from? Is there a specific lineage that you have studied with?

A: We believe that cacao ritual is the art of engaging in sacred relationship with the cacao plant. In the Western context, this is a relatively new phenomenon, as people seek a deeper relationship with cacao beyond that which the “candy” chocolate industry offers. Cacao is an incredible guide for re-connecting people to their own ritual practices, as we believe that ritual is natural to all humans, and fundamental to our ability to survive and thrive in right relationship with the earth, the elements, and each other.

We do not claim any relationship between the modern cacao rituals we offer and ancient or indigenous practices of cacao ceremony. Rather, we seek inspiration by looking to:

• Our ancestors' practices of ceremony and ritual
• Ancient and modern indigenous world views and understandings of medicinal plants
• Our present day connection to the ecosystems that we live in and are a part of
• Embodied traditions of yoga, breathwork, song and dance

Sena and Jonas together developed the concept of cacao stewardship as a way to create informed cacao lovers with a grounded understanding of the history and present day context of how cacao impacts indigenous communities. The cacao stewardship framework is the result of frequent personal study with cacao for over seven years, on the ground visits with cacao farmers and cooperatives, and anti-oppression work studying decolonization, cultural appropriation and social justice initiatives.

Q: I live in a country outside of the U.S. and the class time doesn't work for me. Is there a different class time that I could join?

A: We hear you! You will receive the recorded version of the class via email so you can watch at a time that is convenient for you, and re-watch as many times as you'd like.

Q: I’m brand new to cacao… is this course right for me?

A: Yes! We recommend starting with Course 1: Cacao and Holistic Health. This course is a foundational overview of working with ceremonial cacao focusing on the physical & wellness aspects. From there you can move into course #2, and so on, or you can jump around to the topics which interest you most.

Even if you have a strong connection with cacao, each of these courses is unique, and provides an in-depth perspective that you won't find anywhere else. We include footage from our stays with the cacao farming communities in Belize, Guatemala and Tanzania, insights from making our cacao discs from the beans in our chocolate factory, and stories from our personal rituals. This course sets the stage for empowering cacao stewards that have a well-rounded and cohesive understanding of how ceremonial cacao impacts us personally and collectively.

Q: Does this course cover how to facilitate group cacao ceremonies?

A: We focus on specifics around space holding, and cacao ceremony in Course #5: Facilitating Cacao Offerings.

Honestly, we recommend taking all of our courses if you are planning on sharing cacao with your communities, as the more accurate information you have, and the more connection you have to cacao, the more potent and clear your offerings will be.

Q: I want to take all of the courses together! Is that possible?

A: Yes! You can sign up for the comprehensive course here. Each course is a part of a comprehensive cacao curriculum that we developed, so this was actually designed as a complete course in itself before we broke it down into a more modular format.

Q: Do I have to drink cacao to be a part of the course?

A: While it’s not required to drink cacao during our courses, drinking cacao regularly throughout the course will help you to deepen your relationship with cacao.

Q: Do I get a certificate upon completion of this course?

A: We are not offering this as a certification program, because sharing cacao is a heart calling that only you can hear and know. Our intention for this course is to share best practices and learn from each other to raise the bar in the quality of cacao ceremonies and healing experiences people have all over the world. We (Jonas & Sena) won’t be evaluating you or judging the quality of your offerings and we envision this more as a council space for sharing and learning from each other.

Q: How did you arrive at the course price?

A: The course price is the result of personal inquiry & heart-based evaluation of our values. We honor the energy we put in to organize, facilitate, and create the resources for this course. In looking at other online extended learning classes, we feel this offering is a really good value for those wanting to deepen their connections and offerings with cacao. We are distilling years of knowledge into these courses, and a fair monetary exchange for our energy input supports us in our personal well-being and our ability to run our company with sustainable ethical sourcing at the forefront of our values.

One of our company’s primary reasons for existing is the positive social impact we can create through our products. As an independent small business with no outside investors, cash flow is a significant challenge, and the money coming from this course will directly enable us to buy more cacao from the farmers that we work with. Buying more cacao from them has a direct social impact on the farmers’ livelihoods and their communities. It also has a direct positive impact on the local ecosystems as the cacao we purchase is organic and sustainably farmed supporting thriving rainforest habitat. We will soon be releasing our Social Impact Report which offers full transparency into the industry leading prices we offer and the environmental benefit we offer.

Q: I changed my mind! Can I cancel my registration after signing up?

A: In order to keep costs down and make our courses accessible we've minimized the admin efforts needed to run it. Meaning that when you sign up you will automagically receive the course recordings in your email as soon as they are available. Because of this, we aren't allowing cancellations after purchase. We believe in the quality of our content and encourage you to sign up only when you feel 100% clear on your commitment.