" Brothers, there are many paths to know Great Spirit. A worthy warrior must find that way. For me that path is to go alone to the mountain and be silent. And then let Great Spirit see that you are worthy, then he will show you the true purpose of the two-legged. It is our way of the vision quest, it is the good way of our Grandfathers."
-Chief Sogoyewapha - Seneca Nation

Shaman's Dome is perhaps the least 'known' vortex in Sedona. It is isolated in a magnificent, rolling valley of the Red Rock National Forest, just south of Sedona. It is a perfect dome of rose sandstone quartz, soaring 750 feet above base. A powerful cave, known as Shaman's Cave, is carved into its upper portion. Known to indigenous holy men for centuries, it is an inter-dimensional portal, a stargate.

Shaman's Cave is a protected site. Local legends claim it is used by Starseed, extraterrestrials that taught and lived among the Indians. It is the most pristine, if not the most powerful, energy portal in the Sedona vortex.

In December 2001, I had the wonderful opportunity to do a five-day vision quest in the magnificent energy of Shaman's Dome. It was my third.

Vision Quest

My efficacious drive to complete a series of vision quest had initiated in 1997 in Alberta, Canada. I had walked into a tea shoppe that offered psychic readings and decided to indulge. The reader was quite gifted and told me that there was a Native American standing beside me, and he wanted me to do a vision quest. I was intrigued, but took no immediate action. I soon began to have monthly dreams in which the Native American Elder appeared, and repeated the message. It promptly became a compulsion, and I searched for a facilitator. I found an able one in Adam Yellowbird. Although not a Native American (in this life), Yellowbird had lived a number of years on a Lakota reservation and become a devout follower of the sacred Redpath. A Lakota Elder had taken him under his wing, and led him through four years of vision quests and sundance ceremonies. Finding Yellowbird was no accident. Although much younger than I, Yellowbird was wise beyond his years, and truly an old soul. His gentle humility and dedicated consecration to his life mission galvanized me.

I had quested under his tutelage the past two years, annually in the third week of December. The first year in Arizona, the second in Mexico on a Yaquii reservation. Although I had not had a vision in my first two quests, I had found something very compelling and worthwhile upon completing each of these fasting prayer quest. The five days of solitude had allowed me to deeply review my self and afforded the opportunity to cleanse, think deeply, prioritize and pray. The quests gave me invaluable space to consider my life. Yet it had not been easy. Facing the self never is. After the first quest I was invited to complete a series of four, one per year, which is the Indigenous modality. Before and after each quest, Yellowbird ceremonially conducted a purification sweatlodge for me. Each day he sang prayer songs and saged the circle of my 444 prayer ties. After each quest I felt peace, I felt honored and whole. I sensed a deep shift, and was vigorously compelled from within to continue.

And now was my third year. And it was a test. 2001 was the coldest December that the 4300' elevation of the high planes of Sedona had had in a decade.

I actually began my fasting the day before the quest, as I prepared each of the 444 traditional prayer ties. Cutting squares of cloth in the four directions sacred colors, putting a sacrament of tobacco in each cloth, twisting it, holding it up to Spirit and saying a prayer, and then tying it onto a hemp weave chord. The old way, the sacred way. Yellowbird was a stickler to tradition, and he insured it was followed to the tee. I found the lengthy task daunting and cumbersome at first. Later I understood the disciplined purpose of the tedipus preparation.

Yellowbird told me we would quest this year, 2001, in a remote and very sacred place, and that unlike the previous two years, he would not be camping nearby. It was time for me to be truly alone. I would not have the comfort of seeing his campfire at night 200 meters away. He would visit daily, but stay in Cornville. There he would have a ceremonial fire burning for me every hour and day of my quest.

On day three Yellowbird brought a Native American Elder , from the Apache Nation, to my quest site. His name now eludes me, but he appeared to be in his seventies, yet quite spry and energetic. He acknowledged me, and walked silently around the perimeter while Yellowbird spoke to me. After a half hour, he came to me and kneeled at the entry of my prayer circle. He placed some herbs on the alter rock. He broke the silence by saying he was surprised that Yellowbird didn't have me questing ontop of the Dome. Another few minutes passed , and he pointed to an area beyond the Dome and asked if I had seen any unusual lights in that area at night. I told him that I had not seen any, because the nights were so cold that I burrowed myself in the sleeping bag and blankets.

"I grew up in the land a few miles over there", he said. "You should look for red lights at night, the ancient Grandfathers are still there".

He continued, " Look for mountain lions, there are a still quite few of them around here in the National Forest. They are powerful medicine."

I told him I would, as I grew quite fascinated by this quiet Elder. I wanted to engage him in further conversation. I enjoyed his presence, and was hoping he and Yellowbird would stay for a while longer before the long night of solitude set in. I asked him what the Grandfathers were like when he was a child. What teachings they had taught. He didn't answer immediately. He paused, and I feared for a moment I had taken a liberty in asking him of such things on our first meeting.

After a prolonged silence, he replied," It was a different time then, and we learned a different way, a good way. It's not like that now. I spent a lot of time in this place, and it's a very sacred land, lots of good spirits lived here. People don't care about this anymore. Young people leave beer cans in the cave now days. The ancient ones don't like that".

A few minutes passed, and Yellowbird walked to his truck. The Elder remained kneeling. I took another chance and asked him if he had known any shape- shifters.

He replied slowly, "Yes, when I was a boy, there was a Star Child that lived among us and taught us."

I was enthralled. I asked if he meant a person from another planet.

"Yes, from Star Nation," he answered. "Came in and left through that cave ( he pointed to the Dome) and lived with us off and on from the time of my Grandfather's grandfather. Sometimes he was a man, and sometimes he became a woman, sometimes he became an eagle and sometimes a mountain lion."

Yellowbird walked back, and the Elder stood up, and said, " Look for those lights", and walked to the truck. Yellowbird saged my circle, sang a prayer song of vision, and said it was time to go. I told Yellowbird what the Elder had shared. He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips.

"Maybe its coyote medicine", he said smiling, "And maybe not. I'll take you up to the Dome and Cave tomorrow. Smoke your prayer pipe", he said, "And ask for that vision".

He stepped on the sideboard and eased into the drivers seat, started the motor, and then they drove away. I watched the old truck heave and groan down the red clay road until it finally disappeared in the distance. I felt quite alone. The sun began to set, and the temperature dropped. I contemplated what the Elder had said, and wondered if it was true.

As the dark set in, I began to feel tired and hungry, and I wondered in despair what I was doing here, sleeping on the ground at my age. I wondered what my colleagues would think in the engineering firm where I worked. I laughed to myself, I knew the answer to that. Some way to spend a vacation week !

The third day always seemed the most difficult in my vision quests. It was the half way mark, the hump day. The mid point where the discomfort seemed greatest and the doubts hardest. The fourth and fifth day were much easier in some respects. Something shifted the last 2 days, the hunger seemed to leave, and a altered state of clarity emerged. Interesting that.

Tyb's Journal: Vision Quest- Day Four

The night was long and cold. I tossed and turned and couldn't find comfort. I finally slept, but fitfully.

I woke at dawn from an endless night, feeling glad the long cold night was over. Sleeping on the ground is hard enough without freezing temperatures, and this December night had dropped to 18 degrees F and blanketed the ground and my artic bag with snow. I brushed the snow off my sleeping bag and blankets , and lay on my side, peering eastward to watch the sunrise in the east. I rubbed my eyes and gazed at the amazing Sedona landscape of the Red Rock National Forest. The orange ball of the sun rose over the distant hills. After a few minutes I sat up to allow the first rays of the sun to warm my face. I cloaked my blankets over my shoulders and wrapped my arms around my knees, huddling for warmth.

Vision of Red Feather

Entering my fifth day without food, I noted a shift in my being. The 'light-headed' aspect that made my body feel weak, had progressed to a different level that allowed for an extraordinary state of dream-like thought. I closed my eyes and drifted easily into a theta state of semi sleep.

Then it happened.

With eyes closed, I transposed into a radiant dimension in which I seemed to be floating above my body and observed myself sitting on the sleeping bag. And from that detached field , I saw a regal looking Native American suddenly appear and kneel beside me on one knee. He tapped my shoulder and I shifted back into the dream self. I turned to look at him. He was dressed in traditional buckskins. His face was bronzed and his raven black hair was tied back and adorned with a small red feather in the back. I knew instantly his name was Red Feather. I sensed a great wisdom and integrity in him and felt humbled by his presence. At his side was a huge mountain lion. The feline was sleek and magnificent, and emanated strength. I was in awe of her presence!

Red Feather tapped my chest with his hand and pointed to Shaman's Dome, and I knew he was telling me to go there. I then felt a rush of great energy and suddenly jolted out of my vision. I opened my eyes, and to my amazement, Red Feather and the lion were still there. My first thought was, "Oh my God, I'm having a vision !"

Red Feather seemed to know my thoughts, and his wizened face opened in a wide smile. He stood up and motioned me to follow him. He turned and took a step toward Shaman's Dome, and then disappeared.

Both excited and uncertain of what had just occurred, I sat and stared at the Dome. I felt energized and euphoric. I gathered my strength and stood up, still lightheaded. Immediately I felt dizzy as little starburst exploded all around my field of vision, a result of the sudden physical exertion and five days without food. I balanced my stance and evaluated the walk and dip and climb in front of me. I wondered if I should chance it alone. It was a steep hike, and ice was everywhere. Perhaps I should wait for Yellowbird. Red Feather suddenly reappeared and motioned for me to follow. He would help me, guide me up Dome.

I smiled in disbelief. The light-headedness was gone. Energy was pulsing through me as my numb fingers fumbled to tie the laces of my hiking boots. With appropriate ceremony, I opened the prayer-tie circle and left, not waiting for Yellowbird. I headed for the dome without him.

Shaman's Dome

I really don't know how I got to the top so easily. I crunched through frozen grass and snow, down a steep arroyo and up an icy switchback trail, the last 150 feet of which was darn close to a technical climb. When I reached the top, the morning colors were dancing. It was like a peyote dream with little crystal explosions popping all around, and I had to sit down. Though winded, I felt remarkably aware and euphoric.

An icy wind whipped across the top of the dome, but I was well wrapped, and the sun was warming. I felt a sense of joyous well-being. I was totally in the NOW of this lucid moment. The adrenaline energy returned, and I scampered over the summit of the dome. I saw four distinct energy springs, small electrical (out-flowing) vortexes, spiraling purple light. As I sat right on top of one, the vital earth current flowed upward through me. With legs gangling over the edge, I shifted until I fit comfortably in a small dip near a ledge. It offered a perfect back support, and I closed my eyes. The feeling was delicious - completely alive, so in spirit, so melded into the dome.

With eyes closed, I faced the beaming sun, and everything appeared red through my closed lids. Geometric patterns danced in my head in a vibrant kaleidoscope of color, and I drifted into vision.

Then Red Feather took my hand, and suddenly I was alongside an enormous red hawk and we flew effortlessly over the valley. I was seeing the valley below in real time. We left the National Forest and I saw below houses and cars, including Yellowbirds truck entering the turn off from highway 89.

The visionary experience was so vivid, so real, yet through the experience I was cognizant that this was a lucid dream. The rare joy of flying in that brisk, icy air was exquisite. Even now, I wonder if I was actually out-of-body. The flying sensation lasted for ten minutes or so, and then the vision ended, and I was back on Shamans Dome.

A noise. I opened my eyes to see Yellowbird's green truck whining up the steep rocky track. He stopped at vision quest site, and I viewed him exit his truck a quarter mile below me. He seemed to know what was happening, and took out his drum and began singing a vision song in Lakota. His voice became a chorus of many voices and it echoed through the valley. When he finished I stood and waved, then called to him. He saw me, and I motioned for him to climb up the Dome.

Thirty minutes later he arrived, and I shared my vision and spoke of the energy fountains. We built stone cairns denoting the spirals' locations. We connected the four to Ayers Rock, where he had been earlier in the year, and then to Machu Picchu, Enchanted Rock and Mount Shasta ... places I had been.

We then made the precarious walk along the outer dome rim to the 'CAVE.'

Shaman's Cave was everything I anticipated and more, much more. The symmetry was beautiful. The cave featured an arched, semicircular entrance and a colonnaded buttress on the eastern side, with a stunning 360-degree circular window. Not a cave in the traditional sense, it is a sandstone erosion overhang, 40 feet deep, 70 feet long and 25 feet high, with the back carved into sandstone. It had a stone alter, with floors and walls of wind-polished quartz.

As we walked into the magical entrance, I felt an immediate energy shift. My eyes were first drawn to a pictograph on the cave wall. I walked forty feet to the back wall and saw, with a wave of validation, that it was the face of a lion! The lioness of my vision!

Inter-dimensional Portal

A condensed energy sphere pulsated inside, just below the pictograph. A lateral portal flowed through an amazing circular window. Electromagnetic ley energy was focused inside the center aperture of the cave, like the fulcrum point of an hourglass. Three separate lines of energy met at the center, and the entire cave held an inter-dimensional portal, which can be opened with the appropriate intent.

Yellowbird and I did a pipe ceremony and circled with white sage. He sang a vision song of the Lakota tradition, made offerings, and we positioned for prayer and meditation. Despite a cold gusting wind and temperatures in the 40s, the cave felt warm. After 90 minutes, in symbolic ritual I felt compelled to pass in and out of the magical circular window in the 18-inch thick sandstone walls of the cave. The window itself was amazing, facing easterly directly onto an electromagnetic vortex called the 'Seven Chimneys.' The window is a rebirth portal, the womb of the Goddess. After my last passing through the window, I knew my quest was complete Two hours later, we knew it was time to leave. I knew I would return.

Quest: Day Five

During another cold but beautiful night, I watched billions of stars in the clear night for an hour, as the occasional meteor streaked across the black velvet fabric of sky. My sleep was embellished with dreams.

On the final day Yellowbird came to close the quest circle in the traditional way. He came with a symbolic gift. Despite snow on the grounds and fluffy snow blowing in from the west on gray clouds, a rattlesnake had come out of hibernation and slithered under his truck tires, just 100 meters from my vision quest site. He could not avoid running over it. He recognized the symbol and gift. The snake represents transition, and he presented the rattles to me, wrapped in cloth cured in sage and cedar, at the Sweat Lodge ceremony that evening, the ceremony to ritually end the vision quest.

Closing Remarks

I continued the following June with my fourth vision quest, and was blessed with several lucid dreams, and a vision; a gift of intent, perseverance, growth and ceremony. I have continued to do ceremonial fast and prayer-dance once each year. Each has been profound, each has been humbly treasured. But my first vision at Shamans Dome opened a window of knowledge that I will forever remember with special reverence and gratitude.