Dear friends of Gaia,

A Woman's Day Retreat

As we enter into the Late Summer season of the year, we invite you to join us in a day long retreat for women at the beautiful Gaia Healing Center in Mt. Airy, MD.

Late summer is a distinct season when the abundant earth has provided a rich harvest and we begin to prepare for autumn and the coming winter. How is your harvest? Do you have enough or is your cupboard bare? Do you give, care take and nurture until there is none left for yourself, then harbor resentment? Or do you feel empty, not enough, unable to give anything to yourself or anyone else?

Sacred Cycles- Five Seasons of the Soul

We have walked through spring and summer and here we are in late summer. Nature is in constant motion, following cyclical patterns that describe the process of transformation. When the elements of nature are in balance, life is harmonious and flourishes. When this balance is upset, disharmony and disease result. Human beings cannot be separated from Nature; we are cosmos in miniature and propelled by the same forces. Each cycle of seasons brings with it a universe of distinct associations, gifts. Consciously entering the portal of each season gives us an opportunity to learn from Nature and align ourselves with her rhythms in a way that awakens, supports, nourishes. Listening to the wisdom teachings of each season, we are guided to better understand the natural changes that occur in our bodies, emotions, thoughts, relationships, diet and energy levels as we move through the various cycles of our own lives. Integrating these insights helps us make choices that reflect the harmony and balance of Nature and align ourselves with our deepest instincts and wisdom.

Women, can you integrate your life experience in a nourishing way that fulfills you? Does the food you eat nourish you or do you take in too much or too little? What is your relationship to your birth Mother, your own Center, and Mother Earth? Have you harvested enough so that you can make it through the Autumn and Winter? Come be with us for a day of exploring these issues through ritual, creative expression, stories, sharing and FOOD!
Send your contact information and $115 check by August 22 to:

Wellspring Healing Arts, 305 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Suite L-12, Towson, MD 21204.

Limited to 12 women. We will contact you with further details and directions.

For additional information call Mira 410-370-6764 or Dixie 410-323-0593.

Join us on the JOURNEY of Sacred Cycles!

Season Guides: "Mira" Mary E. Tessman, MA, LCPC and Dixie Mullineaux, LAc, MAc. Mira has guided women in discovering their innate wisdom for healing and awakening using creative expression, movement, guided meditation, sacred feminine ritual, clearing processes, and holistic psychotherapies since 1989. She invites you to explore the essence of your own true nature. Dixie has been guiding clients on their journeys for 25 years through cooking, massage and acupuncture. She invites you to come and share her passion and reverence for the sacred world of Nature.

Seasonal Cleanses for the Body Mind and Spirit

According to Elson Haas, “Fasting gives the body a much-needed break. Our bodies spend a tremendous amount of energy digesting and eliminating food we eat. Furthermore, since we typically eat more than we need and more than our bodies can get rid of, our organs and cells become congested and work less efficiently. As a result, our cardiovascular system can be clogged with excess fats: our liver can be stressed by the work of detoxifying the additional chemicals: our small and large intestines become inflamed and thus congested by mucus produced to cope with the inflammation: and our immune system can be bogged down from reacting to the many food allergens and foreign substances in our diet. In the end, this cycle of over consumption and congestion is responsible for many of the diseases that plague us: atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.”

When we fast, we reduce the amount of energy and attention our body needs to spend on digestion. We can then use the surplus energy to “clean house” and eliminate the toxins and waste materials that have built up throughout our system.

At Gaia, we provide supervision and guidance for four seasonal cleanses each year. Our cleanses are designed to help with the transition from the previous season to the coming one: to release and rejuvenate and regenerate in preparation for the coming season Each cleanse is focused on the dominant Chinese meridians of that season and the organ systems associated with those meridians.

We meet for orientation and to learn how to use the tools we will need before the cleanse starts. Then we meet again at the end to break the cleanse together and share some treasures from our journeys.

Fall Cleanse

This is an opportunity to release old toxins and prepare the body-mind-spirit for the Fall season. The focus of this Cleanse is the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. We will use herbs, special juices and other tools over a ten day period to help us release and renew. Meet for Orientation Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7:30-9:p.m. Fee $50

It is recommended that you lighten your schedule during this time period to allow for the greatest possible benefit from the cleanse.

Boys To Men: RITES OF PASSAGE ADVENTURE

This program for adolescent boys, 13-17, creates new paradigms for them as they move towards taking their place as men in today’s society.  Conscious mentoring provides support and guidance for this important transition.  Men interested in mentoring and boys who may be helped by this program are requested to contact Geoff Reed, Center Director: 240-675-6199 , BoysToMenGW@cs.com and visit the website: www.btmgw.org

Vets Journey Home

This is a powerful healing weekend for combat zone veterans and other who have experienced the traumas of war. You can get more information on the website: www.vetsjourneyhome.com. If you have a special place in your heart for veterans, are yourself a veteran or know a vet that could benefit from this workshop, please consider being on staff for this workshop. If you have questions about this program please call Gene at 301-829-2808 or email him: ottervision@mkp.org.

An important support role is attending the Public Graduation Ceremony held at 3 p.m. in the Centerspace at Gaia, on Sunday,October 25, 2009. This is an opportunity for the community to honor and welcome home the veterans who participated in the program. You don’t have to be a veteran to come to the graduation, in fact, it is important that representatives from all parts of the community be present to give these veterans the welcome home that truly honors their service and completes the warrior’s journey for them. All ages are welcome at the Graduation. Bring a treat to share at the reception afterwards. Come and really make a difference in a veteran’s life.

Note: There are still some openings for participants and staff. Anyone interested in participating, contact Gene McMahon at 301-829-1808 or ottervision@mkp.org or apply online: www.vetsjourneyhome.org

Day of the Dead Celebration

We invite you to a Day of the Dead Celebration on Sunday, November 1, starting at 3 p.m until 8 pm. The Day of the Dead is a time when we celebrate the memories of our loved ones who have passed on. We do this in the tradition of Mexico, with food, chocolate, candles, and music. We create a beautiful altar and everyone is invited to come with some food and pictures of their beloveds to put on the altar. We will have time to share our stories and honor the dead at this time when the veil between the worlds is thought to be the thinnest. There will be a break around 6 pm for a potluck supper. Children of all ages are most welcome. Costumes optional.

May you enjoy peace and love
Mitakuye oyasin,
We are all related

Gene McMahon M.Ac. and
Marianne Rothschild M.D.
Stewards of Gaia Healing Center

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