If you get lost There are a few ways to orient yourself on your way to Sedona, population 9,790. First, look for the giant rock formations jutting out of the desert floor, surreal reds and oranges towering above the lush green vegetation. Are they framed by a sky blue enough to tickle even the dullest imagination? Yep, you did.
Well, look no further than the New Age Disneyland. Sedona is a city of psychics, tarot readers, Reiki healers and crystal dealers. Retailers like Mystical Bazaar, Crystal Magic and the General Center for the New Age cater to a very specific type of tourist, attracted by the area’s so-called metaphysical and spiritual assets.
Native Americans have considered this area sacred for centuries. This is the homeland of the Yavapai Apache people, who hold their annual spring ceremonies in Boynton Valley. The site is of great spiritual importance, as they believe it is where the Great Spirit Mother gave birth to humanity.
And according to these truth seekers, Sedona is one of the hottest spiritual energy spots in the world. It swirls, vibrates, and creates a portal of attraction that elevates consciousness. The energy is so strong that overwhelming, The juniper trees are twisted and bent.
Sedona Today The term began to emerge in 1980 when a psychic named Paige Bryant named four of the most popular meditation spots—Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon—as “vortexes,” putting into words a concept that, grammar aside, people were just beginning to become familiar with.
Between these four landscape poles, spiritual vibrations vibrated more violently. People noticed a tingling on their skin when they were close to a perceived energy source. At this confluence, where thoughts and feelings were amplified, it was easier to escape into higher consciousness (apparently all of Sedona is one big amplifier – don’t visit when you’re in a bad mood). Bryant described the vortex places as electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic; others say “female or male,” “positive or negative.”
“I want to take this thing from woo-woo to wah-wah.”
Scientifically speaking, these vortexes have no actual measured magnetic force or energy, but it’s not like some psychic just made up what they felt. After all, research shows that just being outdoors has major immune-boosting and mood-altering benefits, making you more mentally alert and focused.
Pete Sanders is an MIT biochemistry graduate who aims to marry spirituality and science through his Free Soul Psychic Education Program: “I want to take this from mystical to amazing,” he explains (not the first time he’s said this, of course).
For Sanders, the therapeutic benefits of whirlpools are directly related to Sedona’s natural environment: its high altitude, deep canyons, low population density and miles of blue sky all combine to create the perfect environment for relaxing and stimulating the brain.
Colour is crucial, and Sedona stands out. Sanders says the green of the plants speaks to the subconscious of growth, renewal and hope. As for the red-orange, he points to Uluru in Australia, a giant rock formation of similar hues that is thought to have spiritual significance. “Red-orange is caffeine for the higher mind,” Sanders says.
There’s still something a little odd about Sanders. Like many in Sedona, he uses the words “updrafts” or “inflows” to describe the vortexes. Updraft locations tend to be at high elevations — mountains, plateaus, pyramidal formations — and in places like Bell Rock and Airport Mesa, a panoramic visual of your surroundings helps you orient yourself in space. According to Sanders, updraft locations “encourage reflection in cases where soaring to a higher vantage point is desired.”
Conversely, flow points are found closer to the earth, in valleys, canyons and caves, and are conducive to introspection and meditation. Sanders favors the stream at Los Abrigados Resort and Spa, where he hosts weekly whirlpool-themed seminars. He also created a “Go With the Flow” meditation and stress reduction maze that’s open to the public. Look for the walkway between the tennis and basketball courts. Parking is near the mini-golf course out back.
So what about the twisted juniper tree? Some think it’s bending toward an energy vortex, but this tree appears to be a victim of the terrain’s dramatic topography. “If you’re in an area where the wind currents are stronger — mountains, canyons, mountains adjacent to canyons — trees tend to twist a little more than they normally would,” says Sanders.
The twisted trees are unique The benefits of whirlpools in a particular landscape aren’t limited to special locations. Looking at whirlpools in terms of rising and falling means you don’t have to go to Sedona. Find a place, high or low, natural or manmade. But if manmade, try to choose a place rich in natural materials. Concrete is also important. In Manhattan, for example, Sanders suggests going to the Empire State Building. To get the most out of your location, try meditating wherever you are.
“Everyone experiences a whirlpool differently,” says Mike Koopsen, who leads a Thursday-morning “Hike and Whirlpool” experience at L’Auberge de Sedona Resort. He recommends sitting quietly, breathing deeply, visualizing something meaningful or relaxing, and, above all, opening your mind to the experience.
What if nothing happens?
“Relax and be inspired by the incredible beauty of this region.”
Where to experience the vortex in Sedona
Sedona is home to hundreds of whirlpools. Below are four major whirlpools for beginners, plus a few lesser-known locations recommended by experts.
Airport Mesa
Its proximity to the city center and expansive views of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Chimney Rock, and Coffee Pot Rock make the Airport Mesa upflow one of the busiest vortexes, meaning you probably won’t have it all to yourself. But it does offer some breathtaking panoramic views, especially at sunrise and sunset (dawn is best to avoid the crowds). There are some twisted juniper trees, and visitors have claimed to have seen mysterious orbs of color. In the realm of more explainable phenomena, the stars get so bright at night they appear so close you could touch them.
Bell Rock
One of the most famous rock formations in the area, Bell Rock is shaped just like a giant bell (or, some say, like an alien spaceship). It’s thought to be a site of upwelling currents, and many report a tingling sensation on exposed skin. It’s easily accessible from the road, and you’ll feel the strongest vibrations on the north side. A full loop around the site is about 1.8 miles. There is a clearly marked route to climb, but you can also improvise. Whether you feel the tingling sensation or not, you’ll be treated to one of the most beautiful views in the American Southwest.
Cathedral Rock
This is the only one of Sedona’s four major vortexes where energy “flows in,” encouraging slow reflection. The short 1.2 mile round trip hike is suitable for beginners, but can be challenging at times with rock climbing and elevation changes. Climb to the top. At 4,900 feet in elevation, this hike is definitely worth it for the views. Stop at the “pillars” along the way for some picturesque photos. The vortex itself is at a point called “Red Rock Crossing” where Oak Creek flows past Cathedral Rock.
Boynton Canyon
Boynton Canyon, a box-shaped canyon, is sacred to the Yavapai Apache tribe. It is also considered the most sacred of the four great vortexes. Also known as the Kachina Woman Vortex Site, it is a site of both inflow and outflow, with the canyon providing the inflow and the ridges and peaks providing the outflow. It stretches for 2.5 miles and is accessed by a gentle, dog-friendly trail. Energy is said to pulse throughout the crimson cliffs and towering foothills.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
It’s a striking and unusual sight – a rectangular concrete chapel set into natural red rock. The Chapel of the Holy Cross was inspired by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who was visiting the Empire State Building when she saw an apparition of a cross inside the building. Inspired by this apparition, the chapel was built by architects Richard Hine and August K. Strotz at a cost of $300,000.
Overlooking Sedona, this church was officially dedicated in 1957. Although it is a Christian monument, it is believed to be filled with vortex energy. Either way, it is a miraculous site that is worth visiting.
Schnebly Hill
Koopsen recommends Schnebly Hill as a spectacular lookout point that’s literally off the beaten path. You’ll need a high-clearance off-road vehicle to reach the top, but once you’re there, you’ll be at one of the highest plateaus in Sedona. The vortex is said to be purifying and cleansing; meditate here if you want to clear away obstacles and negative patterns.
Eagle’s Nest
As an alternative to the crowded Airport Mesa Vortex, Sanders recommends Eagle’s Nest in nearby Red Rock State Park, a 2.4-mile loop that offers the same 360-degree panoramas without the crowds, noise or parking issues.
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