Millions of years ago, the land was under water. Oceans retreated and refilled the terrain many times before receding permanently to reveal the sandstone mesas that are still being sculpted by wind, rain, and erosion into the canyons and pinnacles you will see today.

Native peoples have inhabited this sacred land for centuries. Archaic rock paintings at the Palatki ruins show evidence of inhabitation as early as 3000-6000 years ago. Later drawings and dwellings at Honanki, Montezuma's Castle, and the V-Bar Ranch date back to 700 AD At different times members of the Sinagua, Hohokam, Yavapai, and Apache nations all called Sedona their home.

Modern Sedona history began in the late 1800s and early 1900s when settlers began to inhabit and farm the area. Carl Schnebly was one of these early inhabitants whose two-story house became one of the first hotels in the area. As more families joined the community Carl decided to establish a post office. When asked to submit names for the new town, he was dismayed to find that his first two suggestions, "Schnebly Station" and "Oak Creek Crossing" were too long for the cancellation stamps.

Carl's brother Ellsworth suggested that the post office be named for Carl's wife, Sedona, and thus this lovely town received its lovely name. Sedona was incorporated in 1988 and has become a mecca for world travelers on their way from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon as well as spiritual seekers who find peace in the serene beauty of the area.

The spiritually inclined like to visit several vortex locations scattered in and about town. A vortex is a concentration of swirling energy that reaches up to the heavens like a funnel. For those of you who are familiar with chakras, I think of a vortex as an earth-chakra -- a place where the heavenly energies filter down to us, or the earth energies are drawn upward. Vortexes can be powerful places for meditation or to get your own energy moving when you feel stuck.

Popular vortex spots are: Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, Boynton Canyon, and areas on Schnebly hill. If you are sensitive to energy, try hiking into one of these areas, closing your eyes and tuning in to the sensations you feel. I've noticed that Bell Rock energy really gets me moving and motivated to accomplish current projects in me life. Cathedral is a peaceful energy that can stimulate growth and insight. Airport Mesa gives me wild visions after sunset and charges me up, while Boynton Canyon is always a hike that restores me to balance. I haven't spent much time exploring on Schnebly. Try each of these and see what you feel for yourself!

No matter what you believe about vortexes, the sheer beauty of Sedona will energize and inspire you!