Sedona Stories
Sedona Stories
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
I recently returned from my first trip to Sedona, Arizona. The red rocks and the unique vortex energies were calling me - and so was the weather after a long winter in Montreal. Everyone in Sedona has a story. It is a newly settled place with an eclectic mix of people who gave up their old lives to move there. There was the sweet lady in the gem store who visited from New York and moved out shortly after, never to return home. She has been happily here for nine years. There was Maria - an Intuitive who works at the Crystal Vortex who couldn't deny the call a to move here as well. There was a young Quebecer there and made his living with his wife selling upscale jewellery in a store in the Uptown section who asked where I was from, then started to speak French to me. He moved to be with his girlfriend in Flagstaff, not far from there...and never left. There are a few family businesses that have been there for two generations, but for the most part people are new r he host of the bed and breakfast I stayed in had moved from Maui to be there. I scratched my head at that at first, but then she explained that all her kids were too far away and this was such an amazing home. I also felt right at home,
as if I'd lived here before.
I know it's the first of many visits.
Sedona was settled at the turn of the century by Carl Schebly. He established an eleven room truck stop and hotel for the people on the long journey between Flagstaff and Jerome. Eventually Schnebly thought this place should have its' own post office, so he set out to make it so. When asked what name to put on the town he gave Schnebly Station, and Oak Creek Crossing - both too long to fit on a postage stamp. So he named it after his wife, Sedona who ran the post office. Today that same truck stop is a gorgeous resort called, Los Abrigados.
Los Abrigados hosts an arts and crafts village to die for called Tlaquepaque. This was named for the man who built it after the most beautiful Mexican architecture in the villages he saw. It was built as an artist's community and the name literally means -" best of the best"- and it is. You would never guess it was only built in the 70's verses the 1800's.
The whole city is full of art. There is art and sculpture everywhere, embedded in the buildings and roads, show cased in front of every gallery, restaurant and hotel.
JD Challenger.
He is another interesting Sedona story. Originally a sculptor he was asked to paint portraits. He captures the Navajo so authentically you would never realize he is a white man. The impact and trust he has obviously gained with the Aboriginal people of this land is inspiring.
One other amazing thing you will notice about Sedona is the gem stones and jewellery! If you love these, you may have heart palpitations as I did. The area is known for its turquoise, copper and chrysocolla. There was a beautiful variety of work to be had. One type I liked most, and bought, is a technique called embroidery which sets very delicate small stones into a silver mandala style design. This style is from eh Hopi or Zuni tribe. In this area there is Navajo, Hopi and Zuni. To the North at the Grand canyon was the Hualapai - people of the tall pines - who own 108 miles of the Grand Canyon and operate the Skywalk, tours, helicopter rides, boat rides along the Colorado river, and a gift shop where I made sure to get sage and sweet-grass from them.
By far the main attraction though is the beauty of the red rocks and the energy vortexes they create. This was an ancient ocean, and the waters receded much like a whirlpool effect when you watch the water drain from our sink. The swirling water left this sandstone rock, filled with iron that give it it's redness, and with remnants of the swirling vortex energy. I first thought there would be people climbing these rocks every day, but it's not safe. The sandstone will break easily - although many try and they lose a few people a year from the attempt. There are hikes and trails though that can take you to the vortexes.
There are four main vortexes and they have all been measured as to whether they carry masculine, feminine, or balanced energy. I got to hike up to the Airport Mesa vortex - the high peak where everyone drives up every night to see the sunsets ( amazing!) and a masculine energy. While hiking I definitely felt the shift in my body. Areas of sensitivity dropped, or disappeared. Emotions and insights came to me faster as well.
I will be posting my YouTube video of the hike to this vortex soon!
There are many healers and Intuitives , shamans drawn to Sedona every year to meditate and heal with the special energy. I visited two mediums/ healers who were very authentic. Both helped me immensely in ways I have found hard to find here in Montreal.
Amidst all the beautiful shopping and jewellery I chose a piece by a man named Broken Arrow. I looked at everything for two days and his work stood out, but mainly it was the feeling I got when the vendor mentioned his name. I could feel the pain in the name. When I cam e to buy a pendant from another vendor I asked his story. I was right. He lost his parent before the age of five and was adopted by the Navajo people. He was taught silver smithing and made his own jewellery. He became a waiter in the town and people would buy the jewellery right off his body. He was about 17 when people kept telling him he should quit the restaurant work and go train fully to make jewellery...and he did. Each pendant has symbols for sacred feathers, water, protective shields and the sun. Each one unique. Now he is 76 and takes care of his wife who is struggling with Cancer - the jewellery is his therapy and his livelihood. Before I left on my trip, I got a message from my own guides to bring along a piece I made with crow feathers and gems. I at first thought it would go to someone in the Grand Canyon, but once I heard about Broken Arrow I knew it was for him. The owner of the jewellery shop have sent it to him for me, and I hope to hear back from him. And that is my Sedona story !
I have many other Sedona stories to tell. It was a transformational trip and spiritual experience that I hope to share with all of you. There were far too many guided messages, "coincidences " that happened while there, insights into my life and changes to my lifestyle that came effortlessly.
Hearing everyone's personal journey to leave one life behind, heal and be guided to live there inspired me greatly. So much so that I am organizing a Spiritual retreat this fall!
Traveling changes us for the better -
I hope you will join me in Sedona next time :)
For details about the retreat or to be put on the list please email me at:
