Pic of Kara?
Kara
Hi, I’m Kara, and my path started when I was sixteen and stumbled across my first book on Paganism. My family thought it was a teenage phase, but twenty five years later I am still walking the winding road that felt like home from the beginning. I spent many years identifying as eclectic and celebrating the holidays in my own quiet way, what I jokingly called being a lazy Pagan, until Freya made it clear that my quiet era was over and it was time to step into something more intentional. These days I work primarily with Norse deities and root myself in healing and energy work. I have been part of Spirit Haven for close to fifteen years and have served in many volunteer roles throughout that time. I am a Reiki Master and certified life coach with a focus on helping people process grief and find meaning in the experiences life hands them.
My mantra is simple. Things do not happen to us. They happen for us. Transformation gives weight and purpose to our stories, and to me Wayfinding Retreat is a way to give people the tools to discover what their own transformation looks like.
Outside the formal parts of my life, I am a proud feral aunt to three nieces and one nephew. When I am not holding space for someone’s healing, you can usually find me practicing self-care by watching sports. I also love reading and feeding people. Cooking is my love language, and fancy myself pretty good at it. I have a dark sense of humor, an endless appetite for learning, and a deep belief that the path reveals itself one brave step at a time. I look forward to navigating that path together.
-Kara
Lopsi
Hi, I’m Lopsi, and I’ve been Pagan for as long as I can remember—long before I knew what it even meant. While other kids were busy dressing baby dolls and Barbies, I was collecting feathers and sticks, and admiring my pet rocks (not much has changed).
I’m dedicated to Hekate and walk a Hekatean Path where I’m Torchbearer of the Sanctuary of Unveiled Labyrinths (SOUL). I joined a ceremonial coven called Amethyst Dragon back in 2010, and I am a High Priestess of Amtrad (American Tradition of the Goddess). I don’t have an Amtrad circle of my own, but I do still participate with my mother coven. I am also a student, mentor, and teacher assistant for The Magickal Circle School. My path is eclectic, weaving together Shamanism, Paganism, my Native American heritage, and anything else that sparks a bit of magick within. I have been attending Spirit Haven events since 2010 (before it was named Spirit Haven!).
I’m also a Reiki Master. I founded IGNITE Reiki Retreat, an annual Reiki retreat hosted at Spirit Haven each year, and I have taught Reiki classes and hosted Reiki shares across Texas since 2013.
Outside of the more “official” magick, I love books, sewing, and creating ritual attire (and the occasional practical bag or altar cloth). My life is adventurous: I have five children, seven grandchildren, two cats (a big black void and a very orange, very clueless one), two birds, and partridge in a pear tree (okay, maybe not that last bit).
I look forward to our adventure of learning, sharing, and laughter!
-Lopsi