Sole to Soul Travels - Part 2 Cathedral Rock & The 7 Sacred Pools
Day two of our wild and crazy adventure began with a sunrise hike of Cathedral Rock - yet another powerful energy vortex.
As described in my previous entry, energy vortexes are powerful centres of the Earth where the volume and vibration of energetic charges unite in such a way that they can elicit profoundly powerful effects on the mind, body and soul. Sedona is world-renowned for its energy, and its vortexes are some of the most powerful on the planet.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence we had the experience we did the night prior. The energy at Cathedral is said to be one of the most powerful, and one which ignites reconnection - to self and others. Though powerful in force, Cathedral’s energy is also said to be incredibly soothing. It is one of the only vortexes with a predominantly feminine energy. This energy is unique, and just as beautiful and innately powerful as the divine feminine in us all. The energy here is said to have cleansing and clarifying benefits. If you allow yourself to be fully present to this energy, there is potential to release major blockages and to achieve greater states of oneness and serenity.
To experience Cathedral’s vortex energy in her greatest magnitude, it is said you must reach the energy centre by hiking to the Saddle. The hike is not overly lengthy, but you do gain elevation rather quickly, and some very mild scrambling is required. Some of the reviews made this hike out to be a lot more dangerous and daunting than it was, in my personal experience. Though, coming from being a Rocky Mountain hiker, I do think the comparison is rather stark. Regardless, if you do decide to venture to this incredible place, do wear some good footwear and be prepared to break a sweat.
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From starry night slumber, we rose at dawn
Before the sun, for her rising beauty we wished to gaze upon
Cool air filled our lungs, red rock all around
Feet felt as though they were one with the ground
Silence.
Nothing else seemed to exist.
Just us, the breeze, the first light of day
She spoke for us,
Not in words, but in energy;
An energy that will take your breath away.
Rays of golden light, almost frozen in time
Our path ignited as we began our climb
The ground glistened like shimmering gold
The energy here
How it radiates from land to soul
Upon the red rock saddle we stood in awe
This place, her beauty - no perceivable flaw
They call this a vortex, where energies unite
I call it the place, where my soul first took flight
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I really can’t say enough about this place.
Cathedral Rock, and Sedona in general.
This place is unique.
This place is special beyond measure.
There is magic here.
There is beauty that cannot be described in written or spoken word.
It has to be experienced.
If you ever get the opportunity, please give yourself and your beautiful soul the gift of visiting.
If you’re at all like me, you may just never want to leave.
I have no doubt in my mind I will be back here again very soon.
What this place ignited in my soul, I hope one day it may also enlighten in you.
From Cathedral, our day-two adventures took us to Soldier’s Pass - a hike that includes
’Devil’s Kitchen’ and the ‘7 Sacred Pools’ - quite a parallel, I know. I found myself evermore intrigued as to how such a sacred place had so many destinations with satanic references. Though, I do have to say, Devil’s Bridge (photos and description in previous entry), was truly a special place, and did not feel to have even the slightest hint of dark or demonic energy present. On the contrary, as I described in my last blog, the energy vortex I found to have a less-than-enlightening and very heavy effect was Chapel of the Holy Cross. Again, each of these centres will undoubtedly elicit different energetic effects for each individual who visits them, and thus need to be experienced for any personal perspective to be had. Devil’s Kitchen was certainly less awe-inspiring than Devil’s Bridge, though both felt exponentially more sacred and energetically uplifting to myself than did the Chapel. To each their own…
Devil’s Kitchen is, in fact, not a kitchen but a sinkhole, and an immense one at that. The crater spans about 150 x 90 feet and recedes about 50 feet deep into the ground. This spectacle was formed by the collapse of the limestone bedrock - an event that took place in the early 1800’s. The collapse was said to be heard for miles, and the dust left in its wake filled the sky like smoke from a fire (perhaps the foundation upon which it was named).
Carrying on from the sinkhole, we eagerly made our way to the ‘7 Sacred Pools’.
To be quite frank, I expected much more.
I would personally have renamed these the ‘7 Sacred Puddles’, as not only were they much less grandiose in size as anticipated, but they were filled with murky mud water which was not the least bit inviting if one were to have wished to go for a dip (not at all recommended). The way the pools are situated and aligned is indeed unique, but again, I had envisioned gazing upon seven crystal clear, sapphire blue pools, and had very much so hoped to bathe in their waters. Perhaps my expectations and interpretation of ‘sacred’ were a bit far-fetched, but if you do happen to add these to your destination list, be prepared for them to be somewhat underwhelming.
I may have been a bit salty over my unfulfilled desire to bathe in crystal waters, but I cannot deny that this hike still has a lot of beauty to offer, and the energy here is still powerful in its own way. The vegetation that grows here acts as a gorgeous contrast to the red rock. It never ceases to amaze me what can flourish amidst rock and rubble - a testament to how sometimes the most magnificent growth occurs in spite of less-than-favourable conditions. A powerful reminder from Mother Earth, that some of the most beautiful and unique beings bloom in harsh and trying environments.
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Perhaps, like the desert flower,
You’ve been battered by sun and planted in sand,
Not to inhibit your growth,
But as a testament to your ability to bloom,
No matter your circumstances
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