I recently took a short weekend trip to Sedona with a girlfriend. I found Sedona to be a truly magical place. It is known for it’s stunning scenery and it has more greenery than most desert-places I’ve travelled, but it’s biggest draw is it’s collection of vortexes. A vortex is a special spot on the earth where there is a natural swirling center of energy, similar to a chakra in the human body. Vortexes (or vortices) are found at sacred sites throughout the world – the Great Pyramid in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, Bali, Stonehenge, etc. The four best known Sedona vortexes are found at Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon—each radiating its own particular energy. Some are thought to produce energy flowing upward while at others the energy spirals downward, entering the earth.

We visited the vortex at Boynton Canyon, where we encountered 3 deer along our path, and then began to hear a flute-like music drifting toward us. At the very top of the vortex, we met Robert, who was playing the flute we heard and he instructed us on how to safely climb to the top. We joined him and he gifted us hearts carved from the Red Rocks that he charged with Reiki-energy and love. He then spoke about how all the sacred masters and teachers all converge on one thing: LOVE. His message and his gift, the energy of the vortex, and the scenery were all so beautiful it brought me to tears. I could feel the vibration of love being amplified in my body.

We did several hikes including: Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, and West Fork, but there are dozens more. Each hike was stunning and totally unique. My advice for Sedona would be to GO WITH THE FLOW, as this place brings you to the right place at the right time with the right people. It is filled with spiritual healers and we enjoyed an eye-opening Shamanic Journey during our time here with a woman named Deva (something we booked ahead of time). However, leave space for opportunity! One such opportunity took us to a full-moon drum circle at the base of Cathedral Rock on Halloween, something I could’ve never planned. Like I said, go with the flow. Trust Sedona to be your guide.

Two things I would plan on as non-negotiables for your trip: Mariposa & Mystical Bazaar. Mariposa is a Latin-inspired grill and the food is worth every penny, but the view is worth a million more. I have never dined any place so breath-taking and I’ve worked at other Forbes Top 100 Restaurants with views. The view looks directly out onto the Red Rocks, and even after days of seeing them from different angles, I was blown-away. Make sure you arrive before sunset for the view though. Sedona doesn’t light residential streets and has some strict rules about light pollution, so once the sun sets the red rocks dissolve into darkness. On the upside, you can see the stars and milky way clearly at night in Sedona!

While there are dozens of crystal shops, Mystical Bazaar, was our favorite. We kept re-visiting it for crystals, jewelry, oracle cards, readings, etc. Of all the shops, this one, in my humble opinion is the best. Regardless of whether you heed any of my tips or not, you are destined to have a magical, spiritual experience here. Happy travels friends!

Sedona

Have Micro. Will Travel.

It’s All Good in Sellwood