What makes a sacred site sacred? For those of us brought up in any of the traditional western religions, the answer had to do with the veneration of certain historic locales over many generations. When we were children, we were told by those in religious authority that at such and such a place, this or that individual met with a vision, a personage, or entity whose origin was divine, hence, making that place sacred.

All living forms, including the human form, then, are manifested and actualized energy fields within a particularized dimension (or focus) which we perceive to be as physical. Recent advances in science as well as ancient metaphysical texts indicate and demonstrate that there are more subtler, non-physical bodies i.e. energy fields that surround and interpenetrate the physical body indicated by the categories of astral, etheric, mental , emotional, causal and ketheric
 bodies. Humans, animals, plants, as well as the Earth, moon and stars partake of these subtle energy fields. Kirlianphotography as well as the perceptions of psychics, intuitives and mediums have shown us that these energy fields and their auric emanations do indeed exist. These energy fields or auras surround and interpenetrate the human body and express themselves as great color, pattern and energy movement. Within the form of all organized consciousness, within the body of all sentient beings and within the physical body of all human beings, then, are conduits, pathways and connections between these physical and non-physical energy bodies. These connections are called energy vortices or chakras that spin at different speeds, connecting to different energy frequencies and therefore connecting to different dimensions. These chakras are connected by a complex web of paths or circuitry (energy meridians) that connect every part of the body to every other part as well as to every other subtle (non-physical) body. This energy grillwork of bio-electric and electro-magnetic circuitry and major/minor chakras creates the field upon which energy can move, grow and coalesce. These interdimensional connections between the subtle bodies vis a vis the chakras exist for the purpose of energy and information exchange as well as for co-ordinating the growth and development of the (soul) being inhabiting the body.

Just as there are connections or pathways between the different energy bodies within sentient form and just as there are connections maintained between the physical and non-physical dimensions through the chakra and meridian system, there are connections or pathways and chakras that are located on the body of our planet Earth-Gaia-Terra that connect it to other dimensions and frequencies as well. Such energy vortices or chakras are more commonly known as power centers or co-ordinate points and are all connected to and by an electro-magnetic grid system of "ley" lines. These power centers or energy sites are the Earth’s chakras. And it is around these points that both natural and man made sacred sites have come into being. Sedona, Arizona, Niagra Falls, NY, and the Grand Canyon are examples of natural power centers and sacred sites.  The pyramids of Giza in Egypt or in Tikal, Quatemala, the Henges in England, the Towers in Zimbabwe, Africa and the Native American burial mounds found throughout the United States are all examples of man made sites developed for spiritual practice and sacred ritual that were built upon powerful energy centers of the earth.

Sacred sites have always been created or honored as places of great power. Used for sacred ritual and prayer, for invocation and manifestation, they were aids to connecting to other dimensions, realms and planets and for literally aiding the projection of consciousness into other dimensions. Many sacred sites were created to serve a more earthly purpose, as well, to function as gigantic calendars, maps and calculating devices for the peoples of an ancient time. Art. Science and Magic have all been utilized and developed by the proper use of these sites.

These power centers or Earth chakras emanate certain kinds of energy that can be measure and categorized. It has been determined that there are three types of energy that coalesce around these sites…electric, magnetic and electro-agnetic. These energies are very strong and the frequencies are measurably greater than their surrounding locales. The power of these centers is literally palpable as well as measurable and one can easily sense the energy in varying degrees through right attunement, prayer or meditation.

It has been discovered that by attuning or meditating to the energies of a sacred site, one can connect and travel to other dimensions, contact other-dimensional beings, receive psychic impression from the past, present or future, connect to one’s past lives (alternate focuses), Higher Self, Spirit Guides or Guardian Angels. Generally speaking, attuning to the energies of a sacred site, triggers one’s expansion of awareness and confirms ones interconnectedness to other dimensions and realities ultimately connecting one to the whole. Indeed, it is one of the more profound experiences that we can have here on the earth and one comes away from such an experience utterly changed and profoundly moved.

Page Bryant, in her book, "Terravision," offers an excellent listing of sacred sites around the world and a more detailed but certainly not complete list for North America. Ms. Bryant also gives excellent advice on how to approach a sacred site ( with the proper attitude and etiquette.) It is necessary and proper to ask permission and then to state out loud one’s intention before proceeding to the site. One’s intention can be simply to experience the energies or for utilizing the energies for healing, balancing and energizing or for creating a greater contact with other dimensional beings and intelliegences. Once there, one should meditate briefly before entering a sacred site and again clarify ones purpose for entry. All sites are cared for by spiritual guardians and the sites in North America ("Turtle Island" to the indigenous peoples), are cared for by Native American spirits. So, while at the site, it is proper to give thanks to the guardian spirit by a ritual show of gratitude. Usually an offering of fragrant herbs or tobacco will be sufficient. When one leaves, the site should be in the same condition as one has entered it, untouched yet revered and honored.

There are many sacred sites right here in the Philadelphia area, more specifically within the Fairmount Park system. Such areas as the Belmont Plateau, the Art Museum area and the Wissahickon Park harbor sacred energies and sacred sites. The Wissahickon Creek and surrounding Valley Green are areas that were used by the earlier Native Americans for tribal meeting places, "look-out" posts, sacred ritual and for burial ceremonies.. This area is filled with power spots and there are a number of areas along the Wissahickon Creek that are highly charged energy centers or points. (I will let the reader discover them for him/herself.)

Another site that is close by is Council Rock in Lorimar Park right off the Pennypack Creek in Cheltenham Township. Council Rock is a huge rock formation that was also used as a meeting place by Native American s and is a lovely environment with very peaceful energy.

For more information, it is best to refer to one of the several excellent books out on the market that describe the sacred sites in great detail. The following are books about sites in North America:

Sacred Sites - A Guidebook to Sacred Centers and Mysterious Places
Edited by Frank Joseph
Terra Vision - by Page Bryant
Earth Memory - The Holistic Earth Mysteries Approach to Decoding Ancient Sacred Sites by Paul Deveraux. In closing, we would like to say to all of you in search of the sacred, to look into the heart of the mother, Mother Earth, for your sacred space. For there, within and upon her lands, will you find your spiritual home.

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