~The Energy Vortexes~

What is a vortex? The Sonora Valley vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex.

Don't be surprised to find people doing meditation, yoga or performing other rituals at vortex sites. Please be respectful. There are several companies, individual guides and healing practitioners that offer vortex tours. But everyone is welcome to visit on their own. All vortex sites are easily accessible and maps and directions are available at the visitor center. Show up with an open mind and see what happens.

It is virtually guaranteed that you will leave feeling better than when you arrived. Your heart will be lighter, your smile will be wider and you will feel more energized. Because here's the wonderful secret: Vortexes are located at some of the most devastatingly scenic spots found among the towering red rock formations. Anytime you can get outside to walk in sunshine, breathing fresh clean air amid dazzling panoramas is a day well spent.

There is something going on with these. That much I'm sure of. It's not as rosy as presented, however. Sure, a lot of people do come away from the vortex sites feeling "energized," but there's a lot of weird things going on, too. They mess with technology in odd ways -- you can't get a clear cell signal, but sometimes phones receive "phantom calls" from beings they claim are spirits or ghosts. Vegetation in the area grow in funny corkscrews. And some of these "healing practitioners" seem to be conducting strange rites that don't have a damn thing to do with healing or meditation...it almost feels like a cult gathering.

Oh, and because these used to be Native American worship sites, the Marapai Tribe and the Sonora Valley town council have a long-running feud over access and land use. There have been a few ugly incidents between Marapai spiritualists and the Yuppie Yoga Brigade, which have lead to hospitalizations and even a couple murders in extreme cases. Something about the "energy" of the sites seems to make people anxious and less restrained, so it's not actually hard to start fights there.