Chieftain Branwen: High Priestess of Warrior Bardic Wisdoms
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Dagda and Morrighan

Through the window of a car, under the light of a wandering star - Branwen spent her childhood watching the sometimes slow, sometimes dramatic change in landscape of the country. Being a child of a Marine, she grew up in a ever changing world of different people, places and ideas. This cross pollination of experiences and her father's living example of honor, loyalty and resilience would be the foundation of her beliefs for years to come.

Influenced at an early age from the modern military society of U.S. bases, it seemed natural to be drawn into the fantasy and history of ancient warrior cultures. Quickly did the Arthurian Legend imprint itself on her soul. From childhood through the teenage years, she kept one eye observing her surroundings and one eye firmly planted in myth, legend and history. After a series of trial and errors in the various Christian religions (ranging from United Pentecostal to Catholicism) she stopped trying to find that elusive feeling of purpose and sanctity in the modern world. She just started living and believing as she always wanted to, the Celtic way.

Books were her first teachers, from the dry academia of archaeological findings, to the somewhat obtuse myth structures and re-tellings, and a healthy dose of intuition , did she forge her spiritual path. Two years ago she was drawn to the group whose name said it all "Come As You Are", it was there she found her community, her place as a priestess, and her voice.

Adoni Dagaz Greywolf: High Priest of Mystery and Transformation
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Odin and Nyx

Greywolf has always been a "seeker on the path" - even when he was not quite sure what it was he was seeking or that there was an actual path to follow. He always had a deep interest in the supernatural and the unknown, with a deep feeling that the world was actually a lot larger than everyone around him thought. From an early age he would save up his nickels and dimes to secretly buy little paperback books on ESP, astrology and magic, even buying his first Tarot deck while in the 5th grade and trying to give readings in the school lunch room.

A lot of years were spent as the "odd kid" and the outsider - always knowing that somehow he was meant for more in this world and that there was something important that he was supposed to share. He never stopped looking or learning, even when he was not aware of it. When he did start actively pursuing a Pagan Spirituality, he was led to the first meeting of what was to become CAYA Coven's Brotherhood of the Moon, a group for which he now acts as priest coordinator. His work with CAYA Coven has been one of the greatest joys in his life.

Greywolf has lived with ghosts, heard the secret whispers of trees and the gentle singing of stones - he has also felt the harsh words of rejection, the deep pangs of the loss of so many of his tribe and listened to the whispers of solitude, but found the deep inner strength to overcome these things and many other obstacles to his survival. He considers his biggest work in this world to help others find their own strengths, to connect to their own inner divine source and to accept, trust and nurture their own innate magic.

Drezdany Wildlife: Priestess of Wild Places and Creatures
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Odin, Skadhi and the Spirit of Walpurga

Born on the cusp of Pisces and Aquarius, I always felt torn between reason and intuition. A very gifted father made me dive into Astrology, Dowsing, and Tarot from my early teens on – but I remained an Atheist, never being able to find that one path.

I left my native Germany for the U.S. in 1991, where I studied music, culminating in a B.A. in Ethnomusicology. This study suddenly brought me back to spirituality - my main instruments had become the haunting Native American Flutes, and singing in an equally haunting Balkan Women’s Choir. I researched and learned about Native American ways for over 10 years in S. California, before moving to the Bay Area in 2005. When I was introduced to CAYA rituals in 2007, my spiritual journey had found a home. I began studying Shamanism at the same time. Also now regularly attending the local Asatru group since late 2008, I focus much on the ancient Germanic path.

My main divination tools are the Dolphin Cards and Runes; I often work with Crystals, and like to engage in spells most when outdoors. Singing and writing songs, making dreamcatchers and jewelry, sewing, digital photography, reading, hiking, camping, supporting animal and wildlife organizations, are my passions. Being outdoors, in nature, experiencing our beautiful planet and its creatures, is when I feel most blessed and closest to the Divine.

Hummingbird Rainbow: High Priestess of Sacred Dance
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Oya, Ka'ne, Xochiquetzal and Hekate

“Dance is the Movement of The Universe, Concentrated in an individual”
-Isadora Duncan

Dance in itself is sacred, the ability to be filled with the joy of movement is a blessing. It is Love, Peace, Joy, Heartache and Divine Inebriation in every dance. Hummingbird enjoys celebration through sacred dance and ritual, and the invocation of the senses. The blessings of transformation are felt in every step. She is delighted to have found a place with CAYA Coven as a Wildflower High Priestess and feels blessed to have a safe place to express her love of the divine with others. CAYA coven seemed to sprout up at the perfect time, just as a shift in the wind had come. Hummingbird saw the opportunity to form a lasting and meaningful bond in the arms of her coven family.

Hummingbird is one of the founding High Priestesses of CAYA South Bay. Working close and personal on the full moons and Sabbats with her sister High Priestesses. As she is a priestess, she is also a mother to a vibrant young man and she is enjoying the Mother aspect of her life right now.

Hummingbird is a Stitch Witch and has helped others on their path within the creative process. She owns her own home based business From The Fig Tree, where she creates magical clothing, jewelry and oils with the desired intent of the person for whom she makes it.

Captain Jack of Bears: High Priest of Mindful Will
Ordained March 2009
Dedicated to Heimdall, Baldur, Frigga and Ganesh

A self-styled Monk, Pirate, and Existential Mechanic; Jack of Bears is a Sun Child of the Southwest, a Many-Mothered Son of the Seas, a Defiant Delver in Dreams, an Animal Speaker, a Mighty Nurturer, and a Ferocious Guardian of the Fringe. Jack hails from a veritable Rainbow of Bear Tribes, and is a Determined Devotee of the Little Gods and all Spirits Wild and Fae. He listens to the Wind, and heeds it's Counsel. Prone to Acts of Chimerical Chivalry, Jack is a Dueling Dualist of the Divine, a Warrior in the Battle for Clarity and Understanding, with a Knack for the Abstruse.

Co-founder of the Brotherhood of the Moon and Tribal High Priest of the Green Men, Jack of Bears enjoys exploring his Boy-Man-Elder-hood in the company of his fellows and the Horned Man.

"As a lifelong Priest, I believe religion is simply a tool that we use to achieve spirituality, and life an intimate dance woven between readers and tellers of tales. The truths we all seek are old as the Earth, and as plain to see. The work that remains us is bringing our selves into joyous alignment with our dreams, the world, and all the life therein. We're all born equal, all given the same gift to do with what we may: Life."

Mistress Ladybug: High Priestess of Colors
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Papa Legba, Yemaya and Diana

After many years of solitary practice as an eclectic witch, Ladybug found CAYA Coven through a Google search and has been a lover of this community ever since. Ladybug sees religion as a form of collective creative expression which elevates the individual while knitting a group of people together, and not as a hard and fast universal “truth.” She is very proud of CAYA’s unique ability to foster the divinity within each person while forming a fun, lovely and ever-evolving tradition of Earth-based spirituality. Ladybug draws inspiration from Wicca, Yoruba traditions, Zen Buddhism, Tantric traditions, Native American shamanism and was once an Evangelical Christian years and years ago. To her, it is more important that a person be happy and healthy while connected to a supportive community and the natural world rather than be staunchly bound to a set of human-made rules. As a priestess of the Wildflower tradition and a high priestess of the Amazon Dianic tradition, Ladybug works within the collective as the coordinator of the Amazon sabbats, helps teach Wildflower Skills Workshops and feels called to priestess various rites of passage, like weddings, coming of age ceremonies and funerals.

Ladybug enjoys painting, photography, drawing, yoga, belly dancing, bhangra dancing, burlesque culture, reading, writing racy fiction stories, gardening, lucid dreaming and loves animals. She practices Reiki, vermiculture and is slowly learning herbalism. She lives in Emeryville with her newborn son, husband, three cats, fish, worms and a multitude of houseplants and, at certain times of the year, is blessed to live with her two stepsons. Ladybug is currently 100% absorbed in loving motherhood.

Lady Maia Mermaid: High Priestess of the Sacred Hearth
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Aphrodite, Frigga and the spirit of Mermaids

Maia Mermaid is a hearth priestess, teacher and mentor. She believes that our homes are sacred spaces, and should be treated as such.

She is dedicated to Aphrodite and Frigga, and works with several of the orisha, mainly Yemaya. She beads, knits, studies herbalism, and plays with her cats in her spare time.

La Strega Manea Trinacria: High Priestess of Wild Magic
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Diana, Inanna, Dionysus and Aphrodite

"I am one of the hidden children of the Goddess. From generation unto generation has the knowledge been passed and the Old Ways been kept by those who kindle the flame."(a quote from The Veglia in Hereditary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi). La Strega Manea Trinacria is ordained as both a Wildflower High Priestess and an Amazon Dianic High Priestess for Come As You Are Coven. Manea is one of the co-founding High Priestess of CAYA Coven South Bay, and is deeply involved with their Grove of Artemis and co-ed Sabbats as well as continuing her work with the Amazon Tradition Sabbats.

Manea feels that the Deities that chose her for dedication in these traditions best represent who she really is. For her Amazon work she is dedicated to the Goddess Diana, a strong, independent Italian goddess of ancient roots but with a strong hold on the present. Manea's very open mind and big polyamorous heart founded CAYA's PaganAmory study group and the Goddess Aphrodite leads her in the work. She is also dedicated to the Goddess Inanna and the God Dionysus for her Wildflower Work. They are the combination of Wild Magick and civilized priestesshood. The Queen of Heaven and Earth with the ability to get down and party!

Outside of CAYA, Manea comes from a family lineage of Witchcraft and has been officially preistessing with her family coven La Strega Famiglia for over 10 years. She is very active in both the Pagan and Burning Man communities and is currently the Treasurer for the Silicon Village Burning Man camp. In her mundane life she works in banking and has been with the same company since 1995.

Basically she's a Pagan Poly Kinky Witchy Burner Banker ... a big bundle of Wild Magick cleverly disguised as "professional" in the muggle world.

Pixie: Priestess of Mirth and Reverence
Ordained: March 2009
Dedicated to Apse Mate - the "Aspen Mother"

Pixie has always been connected to nature and the natural world, having been raised on a farm outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, tucked in the Snake River valley between the Grand Tetons, the Sleeping Indian, and the Gros Ventre Mountains. Most of her childhood was spent in the outdoors with her mother or grandfather and she could frequently be found up a tree, in a pond or creek, or worming through thickets of raspberry bushes looking for ripe, low hanging fruit. She also helped out in the family guest cabin business, meeting fascinating people from around the world. They helped her see her beloved home with constantly fresh eyes, instilling a greater love and appreciation for all the blessings around her. She has always had a close tie to the Aspen and loves to sit quietly listening to their whispers.

Owl has long been her family's totem and she also has a special fondness for the majestic Moose (who may not be able to climb trees, but can swim very well). A long time believer in Fairies and the deep sacredness of natural places, Pixie is still attempting to adjust to living in a city even after nearly three years in the Bay Area. She longs for the quiet electric energy of her native mountains and yearns for big thunderstorms with lightning, raging blizzards, and other such real weather. But for now she has found a home with CAYA, a community to which she is deeply devoted and serves as an organizer, herder, warrior, and bringer of joy.

She also loves to garden, cook, go on adventures, try new foods, seek out shiny things, read, and spend quality time with fuzzy beings of many sorts.

Lady Rowan Nightshade: High Priestess of Esoterica
Ordained March 2009
Dedicated to Eris, Arianrhod, the Selkie, the Greenman and Corra

The night is bleak, the landscape hushed, still cloaked in fortune secret.
The time is still, spins fast away. If you catch it, you won't keep it.
She sees beyond the clicks and whirs. She hears beyond the light and dim.
She won't abide the temporal quakes. She won't atone her whim

Queen of Cats, she
Queen of Plants, she
Queen of Spinning, Swirling Cosmos, she
Distaff grasping star-crowned Maiden, Elder of a woad-dyed hand
Sister who sets the world in motion, Lady who walks at twilight’s sand,
Mother who guides the multiverse, Mystery clothed in seal skin cape

Earthen Daughter whispers creation
to the darkened terrascape.
Seeing first another's beauty,
Hearing first another's voice,

Gently guiding flashing passion
While at play she needs no toys.
Like the door that slowly creaks
Like the tree that softly speaks
The spectral shadow silent, wreaks havoc

Moon-glowing brow forth-arches fierce
Eye in shadow viewing
She whose breath can bless or curse
whose song is power brewing

Where she walks, discordance trails, as cloud enshrouded peak

Who she loves ne’er stays alone, her courage buoys the meek
On bleakest night, she sees the shades of darkness that she'll rule.
For towering high above the plains, she’s fair and never cruel
Ever present, watching o'er
Tribe and clan and child
In living dreams, the witches tree.
Serene, but never mild