Sedona, Arizona is known for its beautiful red rock monuments and its New Age appeal. The Bell Rock incorporates both. A vortex, said to radiate positive energy, is located on its left flank. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Sedona, Arizona bills itself as the capital of the New Age Movement, and maybe it is. Certainly everything we have come to identify with New Age thinking can be found here— from alternative medicine to goddess worship. You can buy dream catchers, crystals, wands, and statues of deities such as Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god. There are fortune tellers, psychics, and tarot card readers. I am sure you can discover your future in your palm, have an astrological chart prepared, and confirm whatever messages you’ve received by throwing the runes. Or possibly you need to sit down with a shaman. Certainly you can find a quiet and beautiful spot to meditate.
Vortexes are central to the New Age belief system in Sedona. Four major ones are found in and around the town. These sites are said to radiate subtle energy that flows up from the earth in a spiral path and helps people along on whatever spiritual journey they have chosen for themselves. Locals describe the vortexes as masculine, feminine or some combination of both in the energy they release.
Tens of thousands of tourists visit these sites annually. The vortexes are even said to attract aliens, who do UFO flyovers. An army of tour group operators is prepared to take visitors to the vortexes, or you can go on your own. That’s what Peggy and I decided to do when we visited Sedona in November. We visited three, one next to the airport, one in Boynton Canyon, and the Bell Tower, shown above.
Did we feel the power vibrating through our bodies? Did we experience spiritual enlightenment? Well, no… sigh. I expect a little more work is required to reach Nirvana. But the beauty of the sites was definitely inspirational. What more could we ask for? A UFO or two, perhaps…
Tens of thousands of people visit the vortexes of Sedona annually. The Chamber of Commerce gives out maps of where to find them. This one is next to the airport.
Peggy stands on top of the vortex. Sedona lies below, hemmed in by Red Rocks.
Peggy catches a photo of me in my one minute quest to feel the energy while sitting on the vortex rock. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
The vortex in Boynton Canyon is located near this rock.
I could almost feel the vortex’s energy given this impressive rock.
Another perspective. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
When Peggy and I were hiking into Boynton Canyon with our friends Ken and Leslie Lake, a man stopped Leslie and Peggy and gave them each a heart carved out of stone. It was a very New Age kind of thing.
NEXT BLOG: A sunset over Sedona.
Ugh…
But such lovely photos and beautiful smiles.
So, Bruce, I take it that you are not going to have an astrological chart done anytime soon. 🙂 –Curt
I expect a little more work is required to reach Nirvana. XD XD XD
Really? Darn. You know us Americans though, Timi. Always wanting instant gratification. 🙂 –Curt
Never mind the power, feel that fresh air! Beautiful place and stunning colours.
Suspect you are right on that one, AC. Laughing. –Curt
That would be my reason to go…Such lovely places and the experience isn’t a TV sitting kind of nothing…It makes you feel alive!
That it does, LaDonna. –Curt
I can almost feel the vortex here, thousands of miles away.
🙂 I am sure you could find one out near Alice Springs, Gerard. –Curt
The scenery is stunning. A very interesting place, isn’t it.
Yes it is. The whole area is fascinating when you think of the geology, Native American history, western history, New Age focus and the beauty. And the Grand Canyon is only 2 hours away. 🙂 –Curt
I feel cheated because a Park Ranger directed me to that exact overlook by the airport, and told me only that it was a great view. I stood on that same spot with no idea it was a vortex. Just think of all the transformation I could have had, if I had known to open up my chakras or untwist the yin and yang and all that. Oh well, next time. Beautiful photos, and what lovely hearts. ❤
You didn’t feel the vibes, Crystal? 🙂 My next blog is on the sunset from the airport overlook. Not shabby. –Curt
Curt – these photos are awesome! Sedona is one place that has kept popping up on our radar! We really need to get over there some day soon!
You’d love it. Lots more photos coming soon. 🙂 –Curt
Love the pic of you. It might be my favorite so far. (But ya gotta give it more than a minute to feel it. Thought you were more patient than that.)
There were sunset photos to take, D. 🙂 Enlightenment can’t get in the ways of a photographer and his photos. (grin) Glad you liked the photo. –Curt
Lovely place and pictures….
Thanks Lumar, It is definitely beautiful.
Hmmm…do things roll up hill, like in the Oregon vortex? hehe…who do they attribute the identification of these vortexi too?
I suspect the uphill bit is more etherial than corporeal, Howard. (grin) As for for who determined where they are, good question. It’s all about ley lines and where they intersect as I recall form earlier visits. Now who determines that? The questions go on… 🙂 Curt
Nothing like finding a vortex of good old American capitalism right there in the middle of all that spirituality. I’ve got a few nice crystals from Arkansas, and I keep telling a friend I’m going to tote them out to Sedona and get them charged up. Who knows what would happen?
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place. Is there ever a time it isn’t overrun with pilgrims?
Last question: I doubt it but maybe in the summer when it decides to get hot.
On crystals, I once had a business partnership I was working out with the ex-wife of the owner of Mayflower moving company. We had gone to LA to meet with some potential sponsors (friends of hers). We were up in a skyscraper restaurant discussing business when they broke out the crystals to determine whether the business would succeed. I have a fairly open mind, but… 🙂
Curt
I absolutely love Sedona! It’s one of the most magical places on me and my dummy, Jill Gatsby has been there several times! Right where you’re sitting, Curt!
It’s easy to love, isn’t it Jill. So much beauty. But then I am a sucker for the South West just about anywhere. –Curt
Sedona looks beautiful! You can’t be too disappointed at not encountering an alien. Of course, you never know. Maybe you did… 🙂
Ha, I like it. 🙂
Simply wonderful…I adore Arizona along with N.M. I can get lost and dream of long ago in desert life. Great post Curt!~
Thanks, Slingshot. The blog after the next will include some long ago… including Native American rock art. 🙂 –Curt
Lovely shapes and colours. I think I’d be happier without any spiritual powers exerting any power over my body.
Me too. 🙂 But a lot of the stuff has value. Certainly some of the alternative medicine, yoga, qigong, meditation, etc. –Curt