V is for Vortex: Find Your Special Place
By
Rock formation, photo by Niamh Savani
Have you ever been somewhere and felt a definite “vibe” or energy in the place? Cultures all over the world have recognized that certain places seem to resonate with a special energy. They are often called sacred sites and are places where the veil between the physical and spiritual world is very thin. Just being in such an energy field can raise your consciousness. Sacred sites can be places of great natural beauty, locations where miracles occurred, important historical or legendary sites, or man-made structures such as the pyramids.
“The silence of landscape conceals vast presence. Place is not simply location. A place is a profound individuality. Its surface texture of grass and stone is blessed by rain, wind and light. With complete attention landscape celebrates the liturgy of the seasons, giving itself unreservedly to the passion of the goddess”. ~ John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
The natural, untamed landscape of a place is usually full of energy. Growing up in Ireland I was very aware of the importance of landscape and a sense of place. In school and at home we learned all the Celtic legends which were often connected with a certain place in the country. Irish literature and Gaelic poetry often refers to the island itself as a feminine form such as Roisin Dubh. School field trips to places such as Newgrange and the Hill of Tara, and family summer vacations throughout the countryside also helped to reinforce in my being the importance of a sense of place and a love for Mother Nature.
Vortex Energy
“Certain areas on earth are more sacred than others, some on account of their situation, others because of their sparkling waters, and others because of the association or habitation of saintly people”. ~ Mahabharata Anusanana
Some locations are described as being an energy vortex. This means that the energy in these areas is especially strong and powerful and can help alter your vibratory frequency. Generally a vortex is a natural phenomenon and can be either predominantly masculine, feminine, or a combination of both energies. They can also be either positive and raise your frequency, or negative and lower your vibration. I’m lucky that I live in the beautiful Southwest and close enough to Sedona, one of the most famous vortex sites in the world. It really is a place of astounding natural beauty, and there is definitely a good “vibe” in the area. Ancient people were more in tune with the natural world, and many of these sacred sites were used as ceremonial centers, thus increasing the positive frequency even more.
Conversely, some places in the world contain more negative energy. When I visited the Auschwitz concentration camp a few years ago, there definitely was an unpleasant, depressing, thick, heavy feeling in the air. If a lot of negative events have happened in some location it negatively impacts the surrounding area. So, trust the feelings you get from certain places and try to spend as much time as possible in a positive environment.
Close to Home
“Is more travel really going to bring me any closer to revelatory contact with divinity?” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray Love
It is wonderful to be able to make a special pilgrimage to some famous sacred site, and at certain times in our lives this is a necessity. It helps us step away from our usual circumstances and experience new things and hopefully nurtures our soul growth. However think how nice it would be to find your own special place near your home. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to go somewhere local and totally relax, rejuvenate, and energize yourself when needed?
You may be thinking, I’m not lucky enough to live near an energy site like Sedona! I believe that with a little investigation and a sense of adventure, you can find your own special place. Or maybe even find a few special places! They don’t all have to be places of natural wonder – maybe a cozy, local coffee house could be one of your special places. You will know you have found one of your special spots because it will just feel “right”. My home is my sanctuary, but apart from that I have a few special places nearby that I can visit if I feel the need to relax and re-energize myself.
There is a beautiful riparian preserve near my home and I love to go there to walk and connect with nature. It is such a picturesque place that you can’t help but feel good when you go there. In the preserve there are plenty of trails, a hummingbird and butterfly garden, a little stream, a playground, ramadas, and a decent sized lake where you always see people fishing. On the higher levels you can see plenty of mountains in the distance, and it’s not unusual to see small wildlife such as rabbits, and of course birds and birdwatchers are always quite plentiful.
Find Your Special Place
“I never saw a moor, I never saw the sea; Yet know I how the heather looks, And what a wave must be. I never spoke with God, Nor visited in Heaven; Yet certain am I of the spot, As if a chart were given”. ~ Emily Dickinson
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
The first weekend of January, my husband had the entire weekend off work. Saturday was a lazy, cozy day, so we planned to go somewhere on Sunday. Instead of just going to the movies and lunch, I wanted to start the New Year off on a different note. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do so I decided to sleep on it. I literally awoke the next morning with the idea to go visit the Bryce Thompson Arboretum.
Someone had mentioned it in a conversation earlier that week and I had quickly forgotten about it. However when I awoke that Sunday morning it was the first thing that popped into my head and I knew that is where I wanted to go. After a leisurely breakfast, I made some sandwiches and a packed some other goodies in the cooler and we headed off to the park. The drive was approximately one hour but within that short space of time we were pretty much in the middle of the desert.
It was such a beautiful bright, crisp day – the kind where you really feel alive when you are outdoors. We spent the day wandering around the garden and I just fell in love with the place. My favorite things in the arboretum were the aromatic herb garden, the rose garden, amazing rock formations, great trails, the labyrinth, the creek, and the eucalyptus forest. There was such a variety of things to do like hiking different trails, walking in the labyrinth, learning about the medicinal uses of herbs in the Curandero garden, looking around green houses, viewing an art exhibit, and of course we browsed in the gift shop.
Rock formation, photo by Niamh Savani
I’ve never heard the arboretum being described as a vortex site, but I could definitely feel a strong, positive feminine energy there. Many of the rock formations themselves reminded me of female forms and I just loved the peace and tranquility, not to mention the beautiful aromas in the herb garden. Just walking or hiking in the garden, enjoying all the different sounds and smells of nature and being totally present was a form of meditation in itself. I have found a really special place close to my home and I will definitely visit again, especially with the change of seasons.
Artists and Sacred Sites
“Here, on the river’s verge, I could be busy for months without changing my place, simply leaning a little more to right or left”. ~ Paul Cezanne
Artists are naturally drawn to sacred sites because the natural beauty of the surrounding area is very inspirational and encourages the creative process. For example, Sedona is well known as an artist’s colony and spiritual center. Many artists travel or move to new locations when they are stuck in their lives. Think of Gaugin escaping to Tahiti or Van Gogh producing his best work in the South of France. The writer Thoreau only had to escape to the local nearby woods to contemplate life and art and write some great literature. Emily Dickinson rarely left her home and garden, yet she was a poetic genius. Monet created his own paradise in his garden at Giverny which inspired some of his greatest Impressionist art, including his water lily series.
The beauty and colors of the landscape, along with the energy of a vortex site or sacred spot will be a great inspiration for your creative journey. You may have the desire to visit some far off location, but why not also find that special place close to home that you can visit again and again to find your center and re-energize yourself and your creativity!
Can you sense the energy and vibration of a place?
Have you found your special place close to home? If not, are you willing to look?
Where in the world would you really like to visit and what culture intrigues you?
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