Sedona, Arizona, United States
A pile of rocks ceases to be a rock when somebody contemplates it with the idea of a cathedral in mind.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944), French author
This butte of towering red rock formations juts into the azure desert sky and stands upon one of the strongest energy vortexes on Earth, making it a favorite destination for New Age devotees. But the site has always been sacred to the Yavapai (Native Americans) who have occupied Sedona (Wipik) for centuries. According to legend, a couple who were deeply in love but arguing bitterly drew the attention of the Great Spirit, who chastised them for failing to appreciate the beauty of their union and the natural world around them. As a reminder to respect each other’s views, he turned them into back-to-back pillars of stone—known as Lovers Knoll, a smaller formation between the two large spires of Cathedral Rock.
Whether your path of spirituality resonates with New Age beliefs or you would like to venerate the holiness of nature with a meditation on love, visit Cathedral Rock, 110 miles from Phoenix.
Hike the steep trail to one of the saddles (viewing points) with your lover or a beloved friend. Meditate on opening your chakras (energy centers in your ethereal body) to receive Divine love and to transmit love back into the universe.
The energy of the vortex is thought to flow upward, which is believed to help connect with the Divine.