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In Celebration of
The Chocolate Shaman
July 30, 1948 – January 14, 2024
Keith Wilson, founder of Keith’s Cacao and the world's beloved Chocolate Shaman, peacefully drew his last breath in the early hours of January 14, 2024.
Heeding the call of the Cacao Spirit, Keith took on the mission of re-introducing the plant medicine of Ceremonial Cacao to a world that mainly had forgotten about it—becoming the catalyst for the global movement we see today.
We are forever grateful and honored to carry his legacy forward.
This man, this wizard did more than touch my life. He was my mentor, my friend, my deepest invitation to knowing the Self. I miss his presence already but feel him everywhere as well. I am deeply moved and saddened to share the news of his passing at the same time I rejoice and celebrate this amazing aspect of love that had no qualms with being who you needed him to be in order to face your own Self, your divine nature. I love you wizard man. More than words can convey. Rest and play in your unique divine way.
Quién eres tú, me preguntó el abuelo Keith, y yo no sabía la respuesta. Cierra los ojos, ve adentro, deja que la sonrisa de tu corazón te encuentre, deja que el niño que fuiste venga a visitarte, me dijo, y mi vida cambió. Él me ofreció, ese día, el amor que yo no sabía cómo ofrecerme. Me mostró cómo encontrar ese amor en mí mismo. Me recordó que no necesitaba ser perfecto antes de amarme y que el mayor servicio que podía prestar a este mundo era dejar de esconderme y ser quien realmente era.
El abuelo fue mi maestro y mi amigo. Fue mi jefe durante los dos últimos años. Me enseñó sobre el Cacao y la vida.
No siempre pude devolverle el mismo amor que él me daba. No siempre pude entenderlo. Aún así, nunca dejó de estar ahí para ayudarme, para guiarme. Quizá esa fue su manera de enseñarme que, aún en las situaciones más difíciles, no tenemos que congelar nuestro amor. Que la mayor traición que podemos hacernos es dejar de lado nuestra voluntad de amar.
Sé que sigues ahí, abuelo. Que has estado escuchándome y que el humo del copal te ha estado llevando mis mensajes.
Pero voy a extrañar tu manera de decir mi nombre, con la “r” que se te enredaba en la lengua. Voy a extrañar cada lunes cuando me preguntabas qué clase de locura estaba a punto de desatarse en el taller de Cacao. Voy a extrañar sentarme en tu porche. Voy a extrañar cenar contigo en cualquier restaurante de San Marcos y escuchar otra vez tus historias de cuando explorabas cuevas.
Hasta siempre, abuelo Keith.
Keith Wilson has passed on. It’s surreal, a world without him here in physical at magical Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Keith is the catalyst for today’s ever-expanding, earth-shifting Ceremonial Cacao Movement. If you’ve had a cup of cacao or been to a cacao ceremony, it’s because of Keith.
To know Keith was the ultimate experience of being seen. It felt like he knew me better than anyone! Maybe everyone feels that way because that’s the healer he was. He saw the true soul behind the fear. Saw the best and the highest potential in everyone.
I wouldn’t be the same artist or person if I hadn’t met Keith but of course my path was leading to him no matter what. It was inevitable and perfect timing when I found Keith. It coincided with massive changes and realizations. Because I was ready, my teacher appeared.
The greatest honor to have known him and spent time with him. My friend, my guide, my role model, one of my favorite people ever. A humble, silly wizard, a Bodhi sattva, a powerful intuitive healer. Actual Dumbledore. I’ve been crying so hard, as Keith would say, “my brains pouring out my nose” but in the sadness I can feel him giggling in joy all around me! Saying HAVE MORE FUN!
I knew him 5 years but it feels like lifetimes. Until 2019 I had a Keith shaped place carved out in my heart, saved for him. The most generous, excited example of unconditional love I’ve witnessed. When Keith arrived in my life he showed me so much about myself I didn’t understand yet. No one had too much darkness for him to handle. He taught people to be more of themselves. 10-15 hour long ceremonies, no break, he sat with whoever wanted his help. The best mentor, teacher, therapist you could dream of.…not to mention the story teller this adventurer was!
In memory of my teacher brother and good friend... Thanks for your life bringing more magic to the life of your loved one and students... Eternal love and gratitude
Thank you Keith for being such a loving and guiding light for many of us around the world. For introducing me to the magic and spirit of cacao. So very grateful to have met you and Barbara on the porch.
Took my cacao to the beach this morning, thinking about Keith and how he connected me to the magic all around, to life talking to us, sending us signs and confirmations. The sounds in ceremony becoming punctuation to profound moments. I went to write a K in the sand and when I looked down there was one already there. The wizard is with us, the magic is with us.
Paula Gibson
Chapter 9 of Alla Polsky's Lost & Found: A Memoir & Compass For Anyone In Search Of More Love, Happiness & Meaningis dedicated entirely to Keith Wilson and Keith's Cacao. A great capture of what it was like to sit in ceremony on Keith's porch.
