Tree Of Life: Mosaic
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Spiritual Art Expression
Spiritual Art Expression
"I Am Beauty"
Self-portrait: "I Am Joy"
Buddha: "I Am Love. I am Peace."
"Om Shanti"
"Child's Pose"
Monday, July 6, 2020
Art and Healing with Horses. Animal-assisted Therapy. EcoArts. EcoTherapy.
Art and Healing with Horses.
Horse Assisted Therapy
I had a friend in Arizona, Sarah Charuk, from Desert Awakenings that I helped facilitate fulfilling her dream of helping others heal through work with her beautiful horses and art! She had a Manifesting Your Passion with Horses! workshop a few years back.
Sarah with Graycie and TEWA
While I lived in Arizona, I participated in Equine-assisted therapy with Terra Schadd at Hunkapi Farms. The experience working with horses changed my life. Not only did I conquer my fear of being close to horses and riding, but I learned first-hand the art of healing trauma through equine assisted therapy!
Animal-assisted therapy.
EcoArts.
“Ecological Art or ‘Eco Art’ is a contemporary form of environmental art created by artists who are concerned about local and global environmental situations.“ -- Eluxe Magazine
EcoTherapy.
Friday, July 3, 2020
Resume: Mental Health Counselor and Expressive Arts Therapist Resume
GAIL GIUNTA, MA in Mental Health Counseling with Expressive Arts Therapy
c: 917.670.8852 e: gailgiunta@gmail.com Astoria, NY 11106
Professional Summary: A former educator of grades K-8; and currently an artist; community arts organizer; and Licensed Mental Health Counselor; who has extensive experience working with diverse groups in various public and private schools; private and agency-based mental health counseling clinical settings. A creative talent, with Expressive Arts therapy training; Trauma Training; and interest in pursuing EMDR and DBT training. A clinician who can bring a variety of evidence-based practices and innovative artistic perspectives, techniques and approaches to a therapeutic healing environment.
Education: MA in Counseling with Expressive Arts Concentration
MA in Education
BFA in Visual and Theatre Arts
Counselor and Expressive Arts therapist clinical Internship Experience:
Completed 1200 Clinical hours: Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Phoenix, Arizona. Canino Psychotherapy, Brooklyn, NY. April 2019-Present. TalkNYC Psychotherapy October 2020 to Present
· Conducted and Developed intakes, suicide prevention assessments, safety checks, home visits, and psychosocial assessment. Assessed and implemented treatment goals.
· Facilitated group and individual therapy with children, adolescents, adults, and families in an outpatient clinic; in-home setting; private practice office; and tele-health.
· Attended crisis intervention and de-escalating procedures training; ACES and trauma training; and expressive arts trainings.
· Completed progress notes via Profiler software and Google Drive documents; maintained in-depth communication with site coordinator and peer consultations; record keeping for monthly billing; utilization of Square app for billing; and participated in weekly individual and group supervision;
· Co-Facilitated adolescent groups in leadership/social skills; and anger management.
Supervisor to new clinicians obtaining their limited permit.
Other Professional Experience:
Third Grade Teacher, GESD #40, Glendale, AZ July 2018-December 2018.
Second Grade Teacher, AAEM, PLC Schools, AZ July 2017-May 2018.
Art Educator, Creighton School District, Phoenix, Arizona July 2015 – 2017.
Art Educator, BASIS Phoenix Central, AZ July 2014-June 2015.
First Grade Teacher, Paideia Academy, AZ July 2013-2014.
Teacher, Cartwright School District, Phoenix, AZ 2002-2004/2011-2013
Certifications: New York Mental Health Counselor License. Arizona State Teacher’s Certificate and AZ Fingerprint Clearance.
CEUs/Certificate of Completion: Trauma Training; AZ Trauma Institute. IEATA Conference 2018. NY Expressive Arts Summit, 2018 and 2019. Meditation trauma training 2020. Mental Health Trainings 2021. Yoga-informed Trauma Training, 2022.
National/State Exams: AZ Art Educator K-8; NCE; and NCMHCE.
Professional Leadership and Membership:
AMHCA and NYMHCA 2018-2020. NYMHCA-Metro, VP and Treasurer, 2019-2020
APA, American Psychological Association, 2017-Present;
ACA, American Counselors Association, 2017-Present;
IEATA, International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, 2017-Present.
Community Service: CAMP: Community Arts Mural Project, Founded and Created by Gail Giunta, 2019. Murals: Buchanan Day Camp; Mt. Carmel Society; Town of Cortlandt Recreation Youth Center.
Education and Training
See References Page
Letter of Recommendation 1
Reference 1:
July 1, 2020
Hello!
This letter is to celebrate the vibrant artistic spirit that lives in Gail Giunta!
Having just moved to town – Gail jumped head first into the design and creation of a unique community mural. She spent hours and hours creating an outline on an enormous fabric; a beautiful tree of life design.
She arrived at Mt. Carmel Kids Day celebration last spring with absolutely everything she needed to guide youngsters into painting a piece of the mural. What looked like organized chaos turned into a most outstanding artistic creation!
Gail took the fabric home to add finishing touches, and what The Mt. Carmel Society has today is a glorious and unique banner of beauty that hangs in tribute to the celebration of ART and COMMUNITY! It really is quite spectacular.
That’s what Gail did – because that is who she is: Art in Motion! Color can’t help but pour out of her and lovingly splash on all in her midst leaving them forever more beautiful having been touched by a gifted an giving creature.
Wishing you wonderful endeavors,
Kacey
Kacey Morabito Grean
Mt. Carmel Kids
The Market at Mt. Carmel
The Pantry at Mt. Carmel
914 – 323 - 8343
Letter of Recommendation 3
Letter of Recommendation 3:
Canino LCSW Psychotherapy
___________________________________________
147 Front Street Rm 212
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Ph. 917.543.1011
Ph. 917.543.1011
Fax. 718.852.6921
July 2, 2020
Re: Letter of Reference for Gail Giunta
Dear Hiring Professional:
Gail Giunta began as a Mental Health Counselor Intern at my private group practice in April 2019, and completed her internship in May 2020. Ms. Giunta will begin working in my practice as a Mental Health Counselor, as a Limited Permit holder, starting on July 6, 2020.
Ms. Giunta worked with individual children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
I highly recommend Gail as an MHC-LP as she is reliable, dependable, conscientious to her clients’ needs and goes the extra mile to help her clients.
Ms. Giunta s a team player, and attends group supervision and collaborates with colleagues well. She also brings her creative talents in the arts, and offers Expressive Arts Therapy to clients of all ages when appropriate.
Ms. Giunta would be an asset to any organization or private practice.
Please feel free to contact me if needed.
Sincerely,
Canino Psychotherapy PC
Mike Canino Lcsw-r
P: 917.543.1011
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Writing Sample: The Incubation and ReBirth of Spring
This is a sample of writing from a previous Blog post from 5 years ago.
I've been in deep contemplation and inward incubation these last few months of Spring which really have been the epitome of RE-BIRTH for me personally. The beginning of this year, I set intentions to make a lot of internal changes of who I am (who I thought I was), who I want to be, how I want to show up as a woman, and what I need to let go of and release in order to be the fullest of my Being.
The last 3 months of last year, and the first 3 months of this year, I immersed myself in taking classes at my spiritual center Creative Living Fellowship. By the end of March, I reached a plateau. I was on spiritual overload (Danielle LaPorte's article)
During this 6 month time period, meant a lot of inner soul-searching, purging and transmutation of sorts. Every level of my Human-ness was being challenged to really let go and release things such as old habits and behaviors; old-patterns and conditioning; and people, places and things (including my own egoic mind/pain body); that have been holding me back for far too long. This concept of the egoic mind/pain body come from the teachings of Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now book. I"m currently in a book study which my friend Rev. Sandi Daly is hosting. She does amazing work helping people in all areas of life, however, her passion is help victims of domestic violence transform.
If you, like me, have been going through or want to go through a personal transformation with a desire to Know and Be and Live with more Awareness of Who you really are; I'd like to share some of the ways I am learning to tune-in and Anchor in the New and the Now....
Creative Passions, Pursuits and Programs
The last few years, I have been really focusing on the things that I used to love to do and bring them back into my life, while finding out Who and What I am and what else do I want to create in my life now. Last year, I acted for the first time in way too long of a time.
This year, I was asked to a part of my friend Roman Orona's film project #iamHUMAN. I was very touched that Roman asked me, and during the process it became very clear that his creative endeavor which was to demonstrate how we are all Human and all have our "humanness" in common while still being unique, was a completely healing and transformative experience for me. I was able to deeply contemplate Who I Am? Who I was....Who I strive to be.....by stating my inner truths, by being seen and heard....and releasing my fears of being judged in the process of this project's public distribution.
Spring and Self-Renewal
I've been in deep contemplation and inward incubation these last few months of Spring which really have been the epitome of RE-BIRTH for me personally. The beginning of this year, I set intentions to make a lot of internal changes of who I am (who I thought I was), who I want to be, how I want to show up as a woman, and what I need to let go of and release in order to be the fullest of my Being.
The last 3 months of last year, and the first 3 months of this year, I immersed myself in taking classes at my spiritual center Creative Living Fellowship. By the end of March, I reached a plateau. I was on spiritual overload (Danielle LaPorte's article)
During this 6 month time period, meant a lot of inner soul-searching, purging and transmutation of sorts. Every level of my Human-ness was being challenged to really let go and release things such as old habits and behaviors; old-patterns and conditioning; and people, places and things (including my own egoic mind/pain body); that have been holding me back for far too long. This concept of the egoic mind/pain body come from the teachings of Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now book. I"m currently in a book study which my friend Rev. Sandi Daly is hosting. She does amazing work helping people in all areas of life, however, her passion is help victims of domestic violence transform.
If you, like me, have been going through or want to go through a personal transformation with a desire to Know and Be and Live with more Awareness of Who you really are; I'd like to share some of the ways I am learning to tune-in and Anchor in the New and the Now....
Creative Passions, Pursuits and Programs
The last few years, I have been really focusing on the things that I used to love to do and bring them back into my life, while finding out Who and What I am and what else do I want to create in my life now. Last year, I acted for the first time in way too long of a time.
This year, I was asked to a part of my friend Roman Orona's film project #iamHUMAN. I was very touched that Roman asked me, and during the process it became very clear that his creative endeavor which was to demonstrate how we are all Human and all have our "humanness" in common while still being unique, was a completely healing and transformative experience for me. I was able to deeply contemplate Who I Am? Who I was....Who I strive to be.....by stating my inner truths, by being seen and heard....and releasing my fears of being judged in the process of this project's public distribution.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Writing Sample: Moon Musings...
This is a sample of writing from a previous Blog:
Moon Musings....
I wanted to share some recent teachings, tools and traditions that have influenced and inspired me over the years, which I attempt to implement into my self-care practice whenever I can and remember, revolving around the New and Full Moon cycles. The New Moon cycle is the time of the month to go within. It is a time of inner introspection, a time to plant and nurture new seeds of intentions and/or change, reset and recharge. (The Full Moon is the cycle to celebrate the fruition of the things you set in motion during the New Moon.)
My Personal Awareness of the Moon Influences
I started following the moon cycles more closely, years ago when I wandered into a beautiful shop in Flagstaff, Arizona where a We'Moon date book caught my attention. I was looking for a way to better follow my own personal moon cycle. I was drawn to the artwork and the spiritual content of the We'Moon date book which I purchased. The daily inspirations of poems, spiritual wisdom and art work along with the moon cycle pictures helped me to tap back into not only my own body's inner wisdom but I tapped back into creating more of my own art.
As we all know the power of the Moon is very much connected to our bodies in many ways. The two most significant ways my awareness of Moon cycles and my own body's wisdom come to me are in the forms of the Elements: Water and Air (specifically as breath and sound).
The Element of Water and the Moon
As we all know we are mostly made up of water. I recently learned about the Water Prayer Practice. This practice creates an awareness in us that the Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo says, "water is medicine and the elements are aspects of consciousness flowing through all beings and that our thoughts and prayers may guide the elements towards balance and harmony."
The moon influences the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, just as it influences the water within our own bodies. Our emotions are very fluid as well, and the symbolic ebb and flow of the ocean, therefore the influence of the moon becomes very strong in us during the Full Moon cycle for example.
We are all affected by the energies of the moon. We experience a full range and variety of emotions in any given moment. For women especially we are connected to the moon cycle more intensely during our flow. A wonderful resource for women on balancing one's cycle, emotions and hormones that I have found helpful is the work of Jing Jin, "Chief Harmony Officer" at Cycle Harmony.
A personal water ritual that I love to do to release stress, drain away any negativity, relax sore muscles and connect to the energy of the ocean is to take a bath with Epsom salt. Some people do this once a month as a cleansing. I find that I need to do it more frequently to help relieve muscle tension that I seem to experience often. Besides who doesn't enjoy taking a luxurious bath! It feels indulgent and it is one of the special acts of self-care that I've learned to treat myself to. I personally love adding essential oils to my bath as well.
The Element of Air and the Moon
What I learned about the element of air recently is phenomenal! The chemical element of Argon is a magical concept that requires an article all in itself. Basically, I learned that Argon atoms are present in every breath we take, there are trillions of molecules present in every breath. Argon is inert, therefore, it does not change its form when we inhale it into our lungs, where it does not get absorbed into our system. It remains unchanged and when we exhale those unchanged atoms float through the air, all across the globe and those same Argon atoms we breathed in, gets breathed in by someone else! This truly blew me away, that we are scientifically exchanging air molecules with everyone all around the world in every moment. This solidified to me the concept of all of us being "all one".
I recommend Intentional Breathing to clients to help reduce stress and anxiety. Breathwork can be another modality to explore. I found healthy benefits of Breathwork along with Meditative Mandala to be a very zen experience.
Intentional Drumming with the Moon
When I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2011, I wanted to find a drum circle here that I could be a part of. Whenever I move to a new city, that is the first thing I do. Look for a drum (or drum and dance) circle. It is an instant way to connect in to a community that I know I would most likely resonate with. I have always been drawn to the primal rhythms of the drum, that resembles the sound of our own heartbeat. The first drum circle I found in Phoenix, was hosted through The Fusion Foundation.
There are many different kinds of drum circles such as intentional drumming, Shamanic drumming, West Africa drum and dance, and native-medicine drumming. The reasons I am drawn to drum, especially during the New and Full Moon cycles, are more an influential calling of my Soul to come home. Meaning when I drum, and/or dance, I'm immediately anchored to the core of Mother Earth, the eternal heartbeat of the rhythm of life. I find myself drawn to my inner Self, my Heart and Soul! The rhythms bring me into a trance-like state that alleviates stress, calms my nervous system and opens my Heart to feel joy and love; while uplifting my Soul and raise my conscious vibration.
Now, I am living back in New York, in the city and up in the Hudson Valley. I follow the moon, it's cycles, wherever I am. I find when we choose to live in tune with the natural rhythms of nature, we are more in tune to the inner workings of our life, hopefully, helping us to maintain better equilibrium with our mind, body, soul...and heart!
Moon Musings....
I wanted to share some recent teachings, tools and traditions that have influenced and inspired me over the years, which I attempt to implement into my self-care practice whenever I can and remember, revolving around the New and Full Moon cycles. The New Moon cycle is the time of the month to go within. It is a time of inner introspection, a time to plant and nurture new seeds of intentions and/or change, reset and recharge. (The Full Moon is the cycle to celebrate the fruition of the things you set in motion during the New Moon.)
My Personal Awareness of the Moon Influences
I started following the moon cycles more closely, years ago when I wandered into a beautiful shop in Flagstaff, Arizona where a We'Moon date book caught my attention. I was looking for a way to better follow my own personal moon cycle. I was drawn to the artwork and the spiritual content of the We'Moon date book which I purchased. The daily inspirations of poems, spiritual wisdom and art work along with the moon cycle pictures helped me to tap back into not only my own body's inner wisdom but I tapped back into creating more of my own art.
The Element of Water and the Moon
As we all know we are mostly made up of water. I recently learned about the Water Prayer Practice. This practice creates an awareness in us that the Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo says, "water is medicine and the elements are aspects of consciousness flowing through all beings and that our thoughts and prayers may guide the elements towards balance and harmony."
The moon influences the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, just as it influences the water within our own bodies. Our emotions are very fluid as well, and the symbolic ebb and flow of the ocean, therefore the influence of the moon becomes very strong in us during the Full Moon cycle for example.
We are all affected by the energies of the moon. We experience a full range and variety of emotions in any given moment. For women especially we are connected to the moon cycle more intensely during our flow. A wonderful resource for women on balancing one's cycle, emotions and hormones that I have found helpful is the work of Jing Jin, "Chief Harmony Officer" at Cycle Harmony.
A personal water ritual that I love to do to release stress, drain away any negativity, relax sore muscles and connect to the energy of the ocean is to take a bath with Epsom salt. Some people do this once a month as a cleansing. I find that I need to do it more frequently to help relieve muscle tension that I seem to experience often. Besides who doesn't enjoy taking a luxurious bath! It feels indulgent and it is one of the special acts of self-care that I've learned to treat myself to. I personally love adding essential oils to my bath as well.
The Element of Air and the Moon
What I learned about the element of air recently is phenomenal! The chemical element of Argon is a magical concept that requires an article all in itself. Basically, I learned that Argon atoms are present in every breath we take, there are trillions of molecules present in every breath. Argon is inert, therefore, it does not change its form when we inhale it into our lungs, where it does not get absorbed into our system. It remains unchanged and when we exhale those unchanged atoms float through the air, all across the globe and those same Argon atoms we breathed in, gets breathed in by someone else! This truly blew me away, that we are scientifically exchanging air molecules with everyone all around the world in every moment. This solidified to me the concept of all of us being "all one".
I recommend Intentional Breathing to clients to help reduce stress and anxiety. Breathwork can be another modality to explore. I found healthy benefits of Breathwork along with Meditative Mandala to be a very zen experience.
Intentional Drumming with the Moon
When I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2011, I wanted to find a drum circle here that I could be a part of. Whenever I move to a new city, that is the first thing I do. Look for a drum (or drum and dance) circle. It is an instant way to connect in to a community that I know I would most likely resonate with. I have always been drawn to the primal rhythms of the drum, that resembles the sound of our own heartbeat. The first drum circle I found in Phoenix, was hosted through The Fusion Foundation.
There are many different kinds of drum circles such as intentional drumming, Shamanic drumming, West Africa drum and dance, and native-medicine drumming. The reasons I am drawn to drum, especially during the New and Full Moon cycles, are more an influential calling of my Soul to come home. Meaning when I drum, and/or dance, I'm immediately anchored to the core of Mother Earth, the eternal heartbeat of the rhythm of life. I find myself drawn to my inner Self, my Heart and Soul! The rhythms bring me into a trance-like state that alleviates stress, calms my nervous system and opens my Heart to feel joy and love; while uplifting my Soul and raise my conscious vibration.
Now, I am living back in New York, in the city and up in the Hudson Valley. I follow the moon, it's cycles, wherever I am. I find when we choose to live in tune with the natural rhythms of nature, we are more in tune to the inner workings of our life, hopefully, helping us to maintain better equilibrium with our mind, body, soul...and heart!
Writing Sample: A Magical Chemical Element: Argon
This is a sample of writing from a previous Blog:
Argon is the chemical element of atomic number 18, an inert gaseous element of the noble gas group. Argon is the most common noble gas, making up nearly one percent of the earth's atmosphere.
Argon is in the blue color of Neon signs!
I compiled this information to read and share at a Drum Circle a few weeks ago as I was asked to facilitate one round of the Four Directions and Four Elements intentional drumming. The theme was the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. I was given Air. We were to connect the topic of the Four Elements in how we are all related. All beings interconnected on the web of life. As I contemplated what I wanted to share about the Element-Air, I recalled what I had recently read, and I can't recall which book it was in, either in Sophie's World or some other...I'll have to look up and post it!
This is what I shared at the Drum Circle:
Argon is the chemical element of atomic number 18, an inert gaseous element of the noble gas group. Argon is the most common noble gas, making up nearly one percent of the earth's atmosphere.
I compiled this information to read and share at a Drum Circle a few weeks ago as I was asked to facilitate one round of the Four Directions and Four Elements intentional drumming. The theme was the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. I was given Air. We were to connect the topic of the Four Elements in how we are all related. All beings interconnected on the web of life. As I contemplated what I wanted to share about the Element-Air, I recalled what I had recently read, and I can't recall which book it was in, either in Sophie's World or some other...I'll have to look up and post it!
This is what I shared at the Drum Circle:
Air, is the breath of life, without Air, or oxygen, we know all living things wouldn't exist. It is our responsibility to decide how to use the power of this element. How can we harness the power of the element of Air.
To understand the power and magic of Air and its influence on all living creatures, it is wonderful to know about the element of a gas in Air, that is called Argon.
What I learned about Argon from Healing Mankind and The Green Interview:
Argon remains stable at
high and low temperatures maintaining a seemingly impossible half life of 1.25
billion years; meaning each argon atom remains present in the atmosphere for
approximately 2.5 billion years. That's about half the age of earth.
Astronomer Harlow Shapley calculated that Breathing Argon when you
exhale will have spread across the country within a week, and within one year
the same argon atoms you exhale will have traveled around the entire earth,
some of them making their way back to you, maybe as few as 15, to be breathed
again. Shapley says that your next breath will contain 400,00 Argon atoms
that perhaps Ghandi breathed during his
long life; or Argon atoms from conversations at the Last Supper; or from
Shakespeare's recitations (healing mankind).
Argon is the 3rd most
common gas in the earth's atmosphere and is shared between Everyone...all
living beings, past, present and future.
Argon is an inert gas
meaning it combines with nothing nor does it react with anything else. It makes
up 1% of the Earth's atmosphere equaling 60 trillion tons. You personally
introduce this substance into your body, then deliver it out into the
atmosphere, passing it on for everyone else to have their turn. This perpetual
cycle of communicating with every living thing is an even exchange. When I pass
my breath on out to the universe, some other being inhales the same breath with
the same Argon atoms into their lungs, and they inhale it, and exhale and pass
it along again. And on it goes again and again.
One could say we are
sharing our very own breaths of life with each other all across the world. There
are estimated hundreds of trillions of argon atoms in a SINGLE BREATH. Argon is
not absorbed into the lungs, nor does it break down. Instead... all living
things inhale it and exhale it and is passed on in the atmosphere unchanged. The
gas Argon maintains a constant interaction between everyone past and present.
This means we are breathing Argon from the first breath of every newborn
creature and the last breath of every being that passes on. Can you imagine the
list of endless beings from the animal kingdom; dinosaurs, birds, bees, whales,
hummingbirds, eagles and so on.....and the human race who have breathed through
Argon, heroes and villains alike. Jesus, Buddha, Mother Theresa, JFK, MLK,
Aristotle, Di Vinci, Einstein , may I add.....Prince! Make your own list. You
literally inhale/exhale your ancestors. This
may be another way for you to realize your connection to the brightest and best
who ever lived, and an ongoing connection to family and friends; animals; and
winged-beings. But also, perhaps ponder the next time someone is annoying you
and you are thinking...." I"m glad I don't have to live with them"....,
you might exercise a little patience, compassion and empathy, knowing that by
intimately sharing your Breath with Argon atoms with them....not only in that
moment but probably later on too (healing mankind).
As we go into this drumming round, with
the element of Air in the West.... allow yourself to become more acutely aware
of your connection to the Power of Air as you connect with your deep inner
breath.... breathe deeply, and as you inhale and exhale... feel, see, sense,
and touch inwardly..... all the lives of all living things that have come
before you, will come after you, and are here now. Imagine all the trillion of
Argon atoms that have passed between yourself and all of life.....let your inner
breath release you....to your own personal interconnectedness of all of life.....
past, present and future...with your ancestors and all living things...... We
are all One. We are all One Breath and we Breathe and play to the sound of the drum.
Writing Sample: Happy May Day!
This is a sample of writing from a previous Blog:
May 1st....a significant day of the month of May or Maia which the word comes from the root that gives us words like "majesty", "magic" and "might". It also gives us "maid" as the feminine name for humanity as a whole. May or Maia represents the reconnection of the Divine Feminine or Gaia, Earth Mother....
May Day celebrations of dancing around the May pole is part of the celebration of the crowning of the May Day Queen...a representation that our world was once more a matriarchal society. May Day is the celebration of the "resurrection" of the Mother Earth, Gaia, Divine Feminine energy.
There are many names for Mother or feminine energy from all cultures from so many countries around the World which have their own specific meanings of this day. Check out May Day Around the World Beltaneis the most commonly known from the Gaelic tradition (Beltane).
May 1st is right in between the Spring Equinox in March; and the Summer Solstice in June. "Solstices, equinoxes and seasonal midways called cross quarters were vital to ancient people for regulating their calendars and knowing when to plant, when to harvest, when to stay, when to move. (Seasons)
Guided Meditation to Ground/Root to Earth Mother/Maia
A wonderful guided meditation that I found helps me to connect with the Divine Feminine, Earth Mother, May Day/Maia energy is this "rooting" or "anchoring" divine mother guided meditation by Jumana Sophia Changing Mother Grounding Practice
May 1st....a significant day of the month of May or Maia which the word comes from the root that gives us words like "majesty", "magic" and "might". It also gives us "maid" as the feminine name for humanity as a whole. May or Maia represents the reconnection of the Divine Feminine or Gaia, Earth Mother....
May Day celebrations of dancing around the May pole is part of the celebration of the crowning of the May Day Queen...a representation that our world was once more a matriarchal society. May Day is the celebration of the "resurrection" of the Mother Earth, Gaia, Divine Feminine energy.
The Maypole Dance is a dance in celebration of Her (divine feminine or mother) enthronement, and also of its effect on ourselves (maid). Each of us is connected to Her. Each of us is the terminal point of a stream that has its source in Her; a thread that leads back to the absolute Center of all being - the center of Mother Earth. (Mother Earth May Day)
There are many names for Mother or feminine energy from all cultures from so many countries around the World which have their own specific meanings of this day. Check out May Day Around the World Beltaneis the most commonly known from the Gaelic tradition (Beltane).
May 1st is right in between the Spring Equinox in March; and the Summer Solstice in June. "Solstices, equinoxes and seasonal midways called cross quarters were vital to ancient people for regulating their calendars and knowing when to plant, when to harvest, when to stay, when to move. (Seasons)
Guided Meditation to Ground/Root to Earth Mother/Maia
A wonderful guided meditation that I found helps me to connect with the Divine Feminine, Earth Mother, May Day/Maia energy is this "rooting" or "anchoring" divine mother guided meditation by Jumana Sophia Changing Mother Grounding Practice
CAMP: Community Arts Mural Project, Mt. Carmel Society Kids Day
CAMP: Community Arts Mural Project
Mt. Carmel Society's Kids' Day
Hi, I'm Gail Giunta, a native New Yorker, city-girl, after returning from living in the desert of Phoenix, Arizona, for 7 years, I moved to the Hudson Valley of NY for the first time and was so inspired by the beauty of the Hudson River and all the beautiful little towns along the river. I decided to connect with the local surrounding communities by founding a new creative endeavor for some Summer fun! Therefore, one lazy June day, I dreamed up "CAMP: Community Arts Mural Project." I never created a mural in my life; however, I had new-found ambition to get to know the local communities I was now living amongst. Through a friend, I met Kacey Morabito, who not only runs the Mt. Carmel Society's Food Pantry; and the Feast of Mt. Carmel, but is also a famous radio personality at 100.7 WHUD. Kacey also runs the Shine On podcast Sunday mornings on WHUD (visit Kacey to learn more) amongst other wonderful programs in the quaint town of Verplanck and beyond!
Completed Mural
The concept of CAMP is to bring people together by working on painting a mural that represents something about a specific community. For the Mt. Carmel Society's Kids' Day, I came up with the idea of creating a spin-off of Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life (Klimt's Tree of Life). I chose the Tree of Life for Kids' Day because a tree represents a life giving, nurturing force of nature, which children can take shelter and grow under its care. Trees give us so much: oxygen to breathe; food to eat; shelter; and roots that grow deep and are sturdy. These concepts are similar to what I learned Mt. Carmel Society provides to its members, community and the public.
CAMP at Mt. Carmel! (Mt. Carmel Society's First Kids' Day, June 2019) We not only had 2 art tables for the community to participate in: 1. A mural painting; and 2. A Free Arts table; but in addition, CAMP facilitated a Community Drum Circle! According to what the community had to share, for many in this small town, it was their first experience of a drum circle! Children and their families painted and created; and drummed, alongside each other with community members, creating new friends and getting to know neighbors while building enriching relationships through artistic expression.
Mt. Carmel Society's Kids' Day, Tree of Life Mural
CAMP's Community Drum Circle
Drumming in community helps to promote community building, while fostering appreciating for self-expression! No musical instrument experience is necessary to drum, shake, rattle and roll in these circles! Music brings people together naturally. Drumming is known to be therapeutic with many healthy benefits such as reducing stress and anxiety as well as lifting up one's mood and energy (Drumming Benefits). Gail Giunta and Lynn Rocha, led community drum circles in Phoenix, Arizona with The Fusion Foundation. They brought their love of Drumming with groups to the small community of Verplanck, NY.
For more information on CAMP: Community Mural Arts Project, for private bookings, or your organization's specific events or theme for an engaging group experience, Please contact Founder Gail Giunta at giunta.gail@gmail.com.
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