Circles in the Woods CUUPS Wicca 101 instructors bring a diverse and varied level of experience and personal history -
Lord SunFire (Ollis) was born in New Orleans, but was raised in the Tampa Bay area since he was 5 years old. He spent his first fifteen years in the craft as a solitary until he became affiliated with the School of Wicca. In 1999, he earned his third degree with the Church and School of Wicca. The facilitator of Circles in the Woods CUUPS and Sage for Sacred Oaks Circle, Lord SunFire’s
passion is woodworking which started when he worked for the Department of Forestry. Walking among the trees, he admires the various twists and turns and shapes of their trucks and limbs. Sometimes a tree feels generous and allows him to gently
remove a limb so that it can be reincarnated into a lovely staff, walking stick, wand, or other sacred tool. Ollis has written, performed and led many public rituals at UUCT and other places.
Mary, aka, Lady StarPuma, grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and was raised with “natural” medicines, dream visions and ghost stories. After years of working as a solitary, in 1998 Lady StarPuma became a
Dedicant with TUUC (now Circles in the Woods CUUPS, Sacred Oaks Circle) and is now recognized as a third degree priestess. Currently, Lady StarPuma serves Sacred Oaks Circle as the a Crone and advisor; she is a founding member of Sacred Woods Coven. She has presented
workshops with Phoenix Festivals and for other pagan community groups. In addition, she has extensive experience in writing, performing, and leading public rituals.
Chris, or KnightsFire, grew up on the border of Iowa and Illinois on the Mississippi River, and started his affiliation with UUCT and CUUPs through Full Moon Celebration after moving to the Tampa Bay area. He studied Wicca before as a solitary, but started group work through Wicca 101. Chris earned both 1 st and 2nd-degrees with Sacred Oaks Circle. He has co-written and performed public rituals at Full Moon Celebrations. He is currently the scribe and herald for Circles in the Woods CUUPS.
Jamie, or Amayu, grew up in Iowa and Illinois near the Mississippi River, and started her affiliation with UUCT and Circles in the Woods CUUPS through Full Moon Celebration after moving to the Tampa Bay area. She came to Full
Moon Celebration to support Chris (her husband) and his path, but realized quickly that this was also her path. She is a 2nd-degree initiate and has written and performed private and public rituals at the Circles in the Woods CUUPS Full Moon Celebrations. She is a teacher by profession (mathematics), and has a passion for quilting and sewing as well as Wiccan Crafts. She is currently the treasurer for Circles in the Woods CUUPS.
Ruth or Auraine, also came from Illinois, and moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1995. She started with TUUC (now CUUPs) and has earned her first and second degrees with Sacred Woods Coven. Ruth has performed several public rituals at UUCT with Sacred Oaks Circle and Sacred Woods Coven. She has a special affinity for dragon work, and can crochet beautiful projects! She has been practicing the Craft for many years. She is currently the librarian for Circles in the Woods CUUPS, the Gatekeeper for Sacred Oaks Circle, an insightful tarot reader and a great Kitchen Witch!