The Magic of Vortices: Rebirthing Myself in Sedona
What if you could make any birthday a soul upgrade?
I turned 50 this year, a big milestone for many reasons. My middle child left for college and I’m getting closer to an empty nest. Nothing feels the same, and I’ve felt more overwhelmed and scattered than usual. And incidentally, on the cusp of something bigger.
There is a lot in the media right now about the role estrogen plays in making women adaptable to society and everybody else’s needs. As mine has lessened, I find I have no patience for anything or anyone. It has definitely liberated me in more ways than I can count, and I’m really starting to feel like I have access to more of myself, beyond everybody else’s expectations.
So I decided to mark my 50th passage by going somewhere I had never been. My intuition had been nudging me towards Sedona. I had even put it on my 2025 Vision Board.
Traveling somewhere new for my birthday has been my thing for years. My mother is an astrologer and would print out my yearly chart based on whether I was in my home city or somewhere else. The “somewhere else” usually signaled a better year. So the habit stuck: I travel every year for a rebirth.
If you’ve read any of my previous blogs, you probably know that every one of my initiatory journeys begins with some degree of difficulty, which I attribute to being born with my umbilical cord around my neck.
Getting to Sedona mirrored that pattern: our initial flight was gravely delayed, and our connection was canceled on the tarmac just as we were about to take off. We returned to the gate and slept on the airport floor. I surrendered again and again. Maybe I wasn’t ready for Sedona. Maybe the Universe wanted me to stay in Asheville, where we have our own share of portals. And then I let go. I vowed that if the flight was canceled again, we would not go to Sedona at all.
At the crack of dawn, our flight finally departed, allowing us to land in Phoenix in the morning instead of the middle of the night. The delay was totally worth it, because the drive into Sedona was breathtaking: I was so grateful we got to see it in daylight.
The energy in Arizona is so different from ours in North Carolina. It’s hard to describe: dynamic, no-nonsense, rich and velvety. My husband and I were in total awe as we drove toward this otherworldly landscape. We stayed at the Amara Resort and Spa surrounded by the most gorgeous red rock formations. Unbelievable to think they were once underwater millions of years ago.
Discovering Sedona
Sedona is known as a major New Age destination because of its vortices. Most people have heard of five main ones: Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. But there are many other attractions to visit. The tiny town center is full of crystal shops, tarot readers, and other mystical delights. So if that’s your jam, you know where to go.
Making new friends
In my mind, the ideal route was to start with the big Feminine vortex, Cathedral Rock, then do the big Masculine vortex, Bell Rock, and finish with the others however we could. But we couldn’t find any parking, so we ended up at the Holy Cross vortex instead. The view was breathtaking, and the energy was potent, though I didn’t personally resonate with the huge Jesus statue dominating the chapel. It was interesting to me that my main portal of entrance to the area was a Catholic chapel. (I was raised Catholic.)
We attempted the Airport Mesa vortex three times before we succeeded. You can access it directly if you’re lucky enough to find parking, or you can park above and hike down. The energy and the view were spectacular. You can just sit there and look for miles.
The next day, we hiked the main Masculine vortex, Bell Rock. I climbed as far as I could before dizziness set in. But the view, both humbling and glorious, was worth it. And the energy? Indescribable. It wasn’t crowded, so I could really enjoy the experience.
That afternoon, we visited a lesser-known vortex near Sugarloaf Trail with Sedona Mystical Tours (sedonamysticaltours.com). Our wonderful guide, Victoria, told us Sedona isn’t just five vortices: it’s one huge vortex with many different access points. She shared the area’s rich history and its attraction for seekers across centuries.
We walked until we reached a beautiful overlook toward Devil’s Kitchen and Coffee Pot Rock formations. There, she guided us through a deep meditation. I reconnected with indigenous ancestors who protect the land and initiated me: I walked straight into a huge fire, encircled by dancers and chants, and it didn’t burn, instead consuming me from head to toe until I emerged as a really bright light being.
The next morning, we drove to the Palatki and Honanki Heritage Sites. These are cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people, ancestors of the Hopi, between 1150 and 1350 CE. The sites also feature rock art, including pictographs, some dating as far back as the Paleo Period (11,000–9,000 BC) and the Archaic Period (9,000 BC to AD 600).
Palatki Heritage Site
That afternoon, we returned to Cathedral Rock. It was busier than a highway, with lots of people climbing up and down. I didn’t make it to the top, dizzy again, but I sat about halfway up, watching people pass. The climb felt like an initiation in itself. And even without reaching the summit, I felt like I received what I came for.
As with anything energetic, you don’t know how a place will impact you until you’re there and even then, it takes time to integrate. I had no expectations, except for the one prayer I’ve held for over three years: to heal the dizziness. But It seems the dizziness still has more to teach me as that prayer was not granted.
What I gained from Sedona
A fresh perspective on what to do next (I was still in the process of buying a company and having MAJOR doubts)
Reinvigorated energy fields: I felt buzzing and alive all the time I was there and carried that home with me.
A stronger reconnection to my Starseed origins and Sirius
A deep sense of peace
A form of deep healing I can’t explain: something like a system reset and inner expansion that gives me access to more of who I am
From the "From Sirius With Love' Oracle Deck
"Historically, vortices have been energetic places that carry the frequency of star systems. These sacred sites were created by starseeds to help them tap into that particular star system, charge themselves up, and achieve a cosmic level-up.
Earth can be a challenging place for starseeds, which is why we established vortices as resources and communication portals to connect with loved ones back home. Many sacred places are built on vortices for this very reason. They exist everywhere on Gaia: on every continent, in every country, and across various landscapes. Not all of them are exclusive to us; some are shared portals with other stars and constellations. A vortex is a place of power where a significant amount of energy gathers. It can be found in religious settings or in nature.
You are being called to a local vortex for clearing and upgrading. If you cannot visit one in person, create your own vortex at home using the symbol, and invite the Star Beings to activate it. Remember to offer a donation as a gesture of gratitude to Gaia and the Star Beings for their generosity. Trust that your soul will guide you to the specific vortices it needs at this time, often bringing a deep sense of homecoming."
If you’re called to a special destination, maybe your soul needs a cosmic upgrade or maybe it’s time to create a vortex right where you are. You can use the symbol above from the deck to build one at home.
Also: Sedona gets very hot and crowded. Make sure to check when it’s scorpion and snake season before planning your trip.
Find out about the ‘From Sirius With Love’ Oracle Deck here and start working with vortex energy from wherever you are.