At the heart of our sacred mission stand the radiant souls who have answered the call to serve—our Guardians and Blue Stars - initiated members. These devoted individuals embody the light, love, and living wisdom of our path, offering their presence in service to the Divine and to the unfolding of our spiritual family.

Each Guardian is a pillar of strength, humility, and compassion—upholding the sacred container of our church with grace and devotion. Our Blue Stars have walked through ceremony, initiation, and deep inner work to align themselves with the celestial purpose of this church. Their commitment is not only a service to the community but a testament to the beauty of a heart fully awakened in faith.

We are proud beyond words to share with you the shining beings who hold this temple with such care. They are healers, protectors, teachers, and fellow seekers, each bringing their unique medicine and spirit into our shared mission of healing, awakening, and sacred remembrance.

Initiated Members - Blue Stars

Ana Maria Manrique-Lopez

I grew up traveling the world with my family—never rooted in one place, never held by the constancy of childhood friends. My family became my foundation. Those years were filled with freedom, rebellion, and the testing of limits. I sought approval, believing love had to be earned. Over time—and through pain—I came to understand: true worthiness arises from within.

I once equated femininity with fragility and powerlessness, rejecting it entirely. My mother, with love, tried to teach me the traditional ways—cooking, sewing, keeping a home—but I felt called to build, to achieve, to do everything on my own. I followed the path of worldly success, chasing attachments and accomplishments.

Then, my son was born. Through his eyes, I rediscovered wonder. He taught me presence—how to be, not just do. Together, we watched clouds drift, cared for butterflies and frogs, and planted flowers. It was quiet magic, and it changed me. Slowly, I began to awaken—to feel myself becoming one with all life.

When midlife arrived, so did the call to go inward. I let go of distractions and chose to live through my heart. That journey led me to Celestial Heart. Here, I found not just a community, but a soul family. This path is my Divine Mission—one of love, transformation, and sacred service.

Celestial Heart is not just a church—it’s a way of life. Through this community, I have found peace, acceptance, and deep belonging. As I look ahead, I walk with trust, surrounded by God, the Angels, my family, and this radiant circle of sisters. Together, we are healing, rising, and creating a new world.

Billy Uicker

I am a businessman, entrepreneur, and a student of self, life, and thought. Three years ago, I began a journey of healing and self-discovery. I woke up one morning and could no longer live this illusion, a victim of my own avoidance, ignorance, habits, behaviors, addictions, and reactions. Wearing a mask. Being who I thought I was supposed to be, who I had to be, who I was programmed to be.

I could no longer hide from myself or run from a lifetime of guilt, fear, shame, and so much sadness. My heart had been closed, broken from a lifetime of living, by the words and actions of myself and others, and the promises I failed to keep to myself.

I was fortunate enough along my healing journey to be introduced to Celestial Heart, to Kai and Jade, and to Ayahuasca, the sacred sacrament that opened my heart. It helped me uncover the truth of who I am, beneath the conditioning, beneath the pain. Celestial Heart taught me to live with meaning, purpose, presence, and gratitude. My heart is open. I am conscious. I am aligned. I know who I am. And for the first time in my life, I am truly alive.

Everything has changed. My relationships, with myself, others, and the world, have moved beyond the surface into what truly matters, love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. It’s dedication. It’s devotion. It’s me. It’s you. It’s us.

I am more grateful than I know how to express, grateful for me, for this opportunity, for life, and for Celestial Heart.

Claire Cattaneo

Celestial heart is my home. It has been home since the second I held my first cup of Ayahuasca. I remember early in my journey, feeling guilty and confused and asking my mom, “Is it ok that we are doing this and no one else is?” meaning how is it fair that we get to experience this and not many others do? Why doesn't everyone want to experience this life-changing medicine? I remember feeling confused, sad, and guilty, and feeling like the most amazing thing in the world is waiting in plain sight for all of us to just step forward and drink. As I am further into my journey of sitting with Ayahuasca and deep integration with the core teaching of Celestial Heart, I now see why this is a path not many follow. It is a journey of devotion, courage, faith, willingness, surrender, humility and selflessness, self-love and compassion, and patience. It comes with as much challenge as it does love and beauty. It illuminates all of the things we are scared to look at, all of our shadows, all of the things we are too scared to admit, and all of the things we have hidden so well from ourselves. And at the same time, Ayahuasca and Celestial Heart teach us how to love ourselves, how to alchemize these challenges, and see the beauty in all things. How to clear the path for ourselves, from ourselves. How to stop getting in our own way. How to feel deeply and love unconditionally. How to trust ourselves, speak our truth, and purify our hearts. This is what Mother Ayahuasca offers us, and what Celestial Heart teaches us all that is asked for in return is for us to want it. Celestial Heart is a place where all is welcome - our shadows and smallness, our light and willingness. It is a sanctuary that is rooted in faith and love and offers immense growth to anyone who seeks it.

Elinson Ventura

My name is Elinson Ventura. Being in loving service to our brothers and sisters—and to the archetypal energies we work with in Celestial Heart—brings me great joy. That is why, in addition to being a student, I also serve as a guardian. I believe we are eternal students and teachers of the Mystery. This is a truth I have come to understand more deeply during my time within the loving community of Celestial Heart.

Celestial Heart has played a crucial role in my journey of awakening and evolution. The teachings and unique gifts of each member have had a profound impact on my life, serving as a roadmap for continuous self-discovery. During my time here, I have grown, evolved, and come to know myself on a deeper level. Celestial Heart is a place that inspires growth and encourages us to fall more deeply in love with ourselves—and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Outside of Celestial Heart, I serve as a Self-Mastery and Self-Empowerment guide, as well as a practicing Medium. I find great fulfillment in assisting individuals on their path of awakening and in helping elevate their lives and souls into a more unified consciousness. I offer guidance and new perspectives to those in need. My focus is to bring spiritual understanding to those seeking to navigate the energetic realms with greater awareness. I help individuals unlock their highest potential, unleash their sacred creativity, and embody their most authentic selves.
I do this by teaching others how to master and alchemize their own energy and deepen their intuition—integrating spirituality with modern science. I also work with sacred plant and ancestral medicines to expand consciousness and support others in aligning with their truest essence.

Evalyn Cortez

Hello new friends! My name is Evalyn and I have been involved with Celestial Heart for the better part of 9 years. Celestial Heart has become a home and school for me over these past years, providing incredible opportunities for learning and service. I am an avid believer that our integration of these experiences with the sacrament is crucial to our personal, emotional, and spiritual growth - sometimes even more so than the work we do directly in ceremony. This was my main inspiration to expand on this and pursue my own certification in plant medicine integration. I’ve learned over the years that our spiritual and integrative practices best serve us when they are grounded in practicality and dovetail meaningfully into our lives and help give direction to our growth.

Outside of Celestial Heart my passion lies with helping others - especially our queer siblings - integrate their own experiences with plant medicines. We should all have the opportunity to live our lives as colorfully and freely as we choose!

Geoff Eido

Geoff Eido is an Artist focusing on music, comedy, and podcasting. His podcast, LUNACY, has featured guests such as Brent Pella, Marya Stark, and Charles Eisenstein, as well as our very own Kai Karrel. LUNACY is a Luminary Podcast that serves to "discern the sacred from the insane and admit that, whether we like it or not, we are all profoundly affected by the cycles of the moon."

Geoff Eido Music is Transformative Folk-Rock, incorporating codes of wisdom, self-reflection, love, and freedom into poetry and heart-opening melodies that expand and inform.

Regarding Celestial Heart: “What can I say about CH? I have gotten so much out of my participation there. I went there to quit smoking cigarettes four years ago. That totally worked as intended. I haven’t been a smoker since. I also prioritized, and continue to prioritize Health and Well-Being. I drink way less. I use cannabis way less, and have cultivated a sacred relationship with that plant. I listen better, feel and follow my intuition much more, and have an increasingly better relationship with my wife. Who incidentally, probably wouldn’t be my wife without doing this work with Grandmother Ayahuasca. We also had Kai marry us, which was awesome. The community at CH is delightful. I have so many close friends that I can count on there. It is a highly developed band of self-motivated healers intent on living their best lives. The space is safe and protected. The ceremonies are beautiful. Kai’s teachings are great. Ayahuasca is a very personal journey, and the benefits and lessons are truly up to the participant. This is a safe space to go down that path if you are called. I haven’t found anywhere else like it. I am a Blue Star here, and a big fan. No doubt this work has made me a better man, or rather, helped me remember the man I truly am.”

Jenni Rierson

Hello New Friends!
Thank you for being here. I’m Jenni, and I’ve been with Celestial Heart for almost five years. I have the honor of being in service as a Guardian & Blue Star within our amazing church. I found Celestial Heart in the oddest of ways and didn’t know then the transformation, impact, or importance it would have on my life that first ceremony. Working with our sacrament, Ayahuasca, has opened up so much in me, there’s really no words to express until you’ve experienced her yourself. Celestial Heart is where I come to grow, learn, heal, and be in service. Kai and Jade have created a wonderful community to facilitate all of that! Outside of Celestial Heart, I’m also a certified practitioner in many different healing modalities (Sound Healing, Breathwork, Meditation, Somatics, Parts Work, Human Design). I use this combination of resources to help people regulate their nervous systems so that they can be the author of their own healing story! I especially love working with the neurodivergent community. Our bodies and brains work differently and I think it’s important to have someone guiding you that fully understands our extra gifts & challenges.

If you ever need to find me outside of work or Celestial Heart, I’m probably with my husband, kids, or in my garden, or in my kitchen working on something yummy for my passion project bakery, Green Gypsy Crumb & Cauldron.

LeeAnn Mallorie

Hi! I’m LeeAnn Mallorie. I see myself as a visionary leader, teacher, mentor and healer with a fierce blade and a big heart. I’m the founder of Guts & Grace, an embodied leadership mystery school focused on helping professional women reclaim their intuition, voice, and body’s wisdom, for the sake of making an innovative contribution at work. During the week I spend my time coaching execs and facilitating virtual masterminds. My weekends are spent hosting retreats around the globe and supporting the current of Celestial Heart as a Guardian and Blue Star member.

While I began my personal path with Ayahuasca and mediumship about ten years ago, I was initiated into the mysteries of embodiment, movement and elemental alchemy in my teens. More recently, I built my skills through my former work at the Strozzi Institute School of Embodied Leadership, through black belt level Nia Technique instruction, and as part of the and Dancing Freedom international teaching team.

For me, partnering with Ayahuasca is akin to taking the slow boat and the lightening path of transformation. The lightening path, because she shines a bright light on my blind spots, shaving off years of potential self-delusion – putting me immediately in relationship with what matters most to face right now. But also the slow boat, because in that same way, she ups my level of honesty, integrity and humility as I walk the path of personal development… making it impossible to pull a spiritual bypass or fake my own growth. As we say in one of our hymns about the brilliance of truth, “those who suffer proudly are those who refuse to work.” And work we do. And it is one of the most joyful parts of being alive.

Maya Reynolds

I am Maya Reynolds, founder and designer of CLADE, a Los Angeles-based fashion brand known for an artisanal approach to sustainable, high-end streetwear. Blending sculptural form with timeless quality and a bold edge, I draw from historical fashion and ethnic textiles to create expressive garments made from rich, natural materials.

Each piece begins in my studio, where I personally sketch and drape silhouettes by hand. Working closely with a trusted team, I refine every design prior to producing small batch runs locally in Los Angeles. My commitment to originality, conscious manufacturing, and enduring craftsmanship lies at the heart of my work.

Fashion is more than a profession—it is a spiritual practice and vocation. My work is guided by integrity and the desire to serve my heart, my clients, and the world through conscious and intentional design. My driving force is to create garments that uplift and inspire—pieces that add meaning and empower those who wear them to fully embody their truest selves.

This intention—to live and create from a place of authenticity—found resonance in the Celestial Heart community and the teachings of Kai Karrel. The discovery of this healing temple has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. The ceremonies have opened my path to spirituality and direct connection with divinity. Celestial Heart has been a space of solace and elevation. This sacred work supported me through one of the darkest periods of my life, offering a space to grieve, to heal, and to remember who I truly am. Celestial Heart continues to be a deep well of wisdom and devotion. It is with humility and joy that I serve this community as a guardian and Blue Star participant.

Guardians

Aryeh Lebowitz

My name is Aryeh Lebowitz, and I am grateful to be a part of Celestial Heart Church. I am in my early 40s, married to my incredible partner Shahar, and for a living, I design and install full home power systems with solar panels and batteries that allow people to achieve energy independence on and off the grid.

I have been with Celestial Heart for a couple of years. I first heard of Celestial Heart from a close friend, and I signed up for my first ceremony. I was very nervous about what I would experience but I felt a calling to sit with the sacrament and I knew I was ready to make a real change in my life. In ceremony I discovered my own beauty, the beauty of life and of all creation. I found a place where I have a strong support system which allows me to go inward; to face the things I fear with acceptance, love and compassion, recognize my patterns that hold me back from being all I can be and insights on how I can live a better, happier and more grateful life.

To me, Celestial Heart is where I go to work on myself in a container where I am safe and held, from a place of love, compassion, joy and gratitude. The most beautiful thing to me in Celestial Heart is that everything is designed to support each person’s own journey. The journey to find my own beauty, power, meaning and path in this life. There is no “right” way other than following my own heart. I have grown so much in this journey, I find that all aspects of my life have been enriched, my marriage, my business but most importantly my experience of life is more joyful and meaningful.

Chelsea Chandler

I am a native to Arizona and work in the healthcare field, specifically in mental health spaces. I also offer sound healing meditations through a company I created called Smiling Soul Sanctuary. I have the honor of being a mom, preparing picnics, riding bikes, and going on adventures with my son. We love to bake, paint, fish, and collect crystals. I enjoy traveling and immersing myself in other cultures around the world. Finding a cozy coffee shop to read, write, or listen to music is a favorite. I am deeply fond of studying and practicing spiritual development and how I can consciously create the world around me, through me.

Celestial Heart is a home for my spiritual growth, connection to community, and my heart’s mission. It is a mirror of the beauty I wish to create within my own community and a place I can be vulnerable with myself and others. It is where I learn what it means to be of service and understand the truth and power of unconditional love. I’m grateful for the opportunity to care for this community and all that visit this space of healing, transformation, and surrender to all that is. I am so happy you’re here.

Jennifer Ozuna

Hello, my name is Jennifer. I am a mother of 3 (2 girls & 1 boy) & I have been with Celestial Heart for 3 years and have been in service as a Guardian for the past year. The sacrament of Ayahuasca has absolutely been life-changing. I am honored to be able to participate with the sacredness that she brings to my life and this community.

Every step that led me to this path was challenging and profound. I have learned so much about myself and continue to do so. I have been learning to help others on their healing journey as I have been helped by others in Celestial Heart. We can all grow and heal in harmony and have an impact on all of humanity.

I would like to express my gratitude to my mentor/teacher Jade and Kai for all of their devotion, love, and support that they give me and all of us here in Celestial Heart.

Laura Urgelles

Hi! My name is Laura, and I feel deeply grateful and honored to serve as a Guardian—and for the past two years, as a Lead Guardian—for Celestial Heart. In this role, I am committed to offer grounded presence and heart-centered support to the ceremonial container and everyone in it, holding space with clarity, compassion, and integrity.

I first felt the call to sit with Grandmother Ayahuasca in 2020, and I feel fortunate that my search led me to Celestial Heart. The profound work I experienced on that first journey made me want to come back and explore more of myself. This sacred medicine has been a powerful mirror, helping me meet myself with more honesty, compassion, and love.

Since then, this church has been a pivotal space for my healing, evolution, and reconnection to my Cuban roots through the work with Umbandaime. It continues to be a living, breathing field of study, devotion, and inspiration that I feel proud to call home. This path always points me back to myself: to the power within, to personal responsibility, to innocence, compassion, creativity, and the knowing that all true healing begins in the heart and the cultivation of self-love. I’m continually reminded that the real work is always within, and that the greatest teachers point us inward. For this, I hold deep respect and gratitude for my teacher and padrinho Kai Karrel and my madrinha Jade Osborne.

Outside of ceremony, I’m an artist, yoga teacher, ceremonialist, practicing medium, and guide for those walking the path of transformation. My healing work bridges the spiritual and the embodied, and it’s deeply influenced by Celestial Heart’s annual Shamanic Training. I also offer Plant Medicine Integration Coaching and am a graduate of VITAL: Integrative Psychedelic Studies’ 12-month program, through Psychedelics Today. As a Psychedelic-Informed Practitioner, I offer support with Preparation, Harm Reduction, and Integration with care, presence, and deep trust in each person’s innate ability to heal.

Tyler Plude

I wasn't very good at school, both socially and academically, until college (though I never did quite figure out the social part). Ever since I graduated, I’ve missed the feeling that was sometimes present in the classroom — those rare moments and relationships that taught you what it’s like to learn, to be a friend, to feel the impact of an inspiring teacher or mentor, or to experience the pride that comes from putting your heart into something and having it recognized.

Celestial Heart is the only community I’ve found in my adult life that scratches this particular itch of mine — the longing to be a lifelong student, to see progress on my goals, witness the growth of people I care about, belly laugh more often, and trust myself more deeply.

It is a place that fosters my ability to self express, and as a consequence of more genuine self expression I am able to respond more than react, think more clearly regarding what I choose to consume, bring my work into alignment with my passion, recognize the whisper of my heart, and feel the gratitude and pride for who I was, who I am, and who I am evolving into.

Sara Donen

I didn’t grow up going to church or feeling connected to “God” in any traditional sense. The closest thing I knew to the divine was a deep, unshakable connection to the Earth. After a traumatic loss, I found myself searching for something more—something bigger than what I had known.

That search led me to an unexpected awakening. I began hearing a voice and feeling a presence that guided me gently but persistently. Years of research and inner work eventually brought me to my first ayahuasca ceremony. Many ceremonies later, I felt called to understand more deeply what I had been experiencing—and that calling led me to the Church of the Celestial Heart.

From the moment I arrived, I knew I was home.

This community has truly transformed me. I’ve learned powerful tools for spiritual hygiene, self-love, and care—practices that have made me a better wife, a more present mother, and a more grounded human being. I thrive on learning, and the wisdom shared by Kai and the Celestial Heart family has been nothing short of life-changing.

Through this path, I’ve come to understand the true meaning of the word gratitude.

Shahar Lebowitz

My name is Shahar, and I am deeply honored to be part of the Celestial Heart community. I’m married to my best friend and partner, Aryeh, and I’m a textile artist. Through my creations, I hope to offer each recipient the feeling that they are as unique and special as the piece I’ve made for them.

Celestial Heart is the community I have always been looking for and wanted to be part of. A place to hold and be held by people with huge hearts that are committed to bringing love and light to the world by doing the self-work of becoming the best versions of themselves.

Through witnessing others come to do the work with an open heart and vulnerability, seeing them in their ultimate beauty, and holding the knowing that I belong, I was able to open myself up to the idea that I too have the same qualities within me. Step by step, in ceremonies and between ceremonies, I am reclaiming parts of myself that I have shoved in the back drawers of my soul and start stepping out of my shell with more peace within me.

That allowed me to step into the privilege of being a guardian- learning how to be in service and give back to others, in our wonderful community and outside of it. I am forever grateful for the good eyes, the loving souls and the warm hugs that welcomed me into Celestial Heart. For teaching me the power of compassion, trust and faith.

Susanna Song

Before I came to Celestial Heart, I was someone else entirely—a costume designer on A24’s Minari, a film that won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance, later receiving a Golden Globe and multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. As the film soared, internally, I began to crumble. I turned to self-help books and therapy, but I still didn’t know who I was—until Mother Aya found me.
That was the beginning of my spiritual awakening. I prayed for a community that could help me integrate the profound experiences I had in ceremony—and the Universe led me to Celestial Hearts.

Who am I now?
I am a proud mother, a loving wife, and a compassionate daughter. An artist, a Reiki practitioner, a Hapé server—a seeker driven by a hunger for heavenly knowledge. I discover divine jewels in every tradition I encounter and weave them into the vast tapestry of my life and my family’s.

A daughter of Oxum, the orixá of sweet waters, and Ogum, the orixá of iron, war, and technology, I live in constant balance between the two—fluid yet grounded, flowing but never rusting.

Through the teachings from Kai, our Padrinho, I have become a reverent explorer of many spiritual traditions. I have become a Syncretist. I practice Kundalini yoga and chant Tibetan mantras. My background is Korean American, born and raised Christian. However, in May 2025, I recited the Shahada and embraced the path of Sufism.

It is an honor to be a Guardian for CH, to walk this spiritual journey with my brothers and sisters—open-hearted, in service, and forever in submission to the guidance of the Divine.