earth, wind & magic: the triangle of mysticism
Driving through the soft, rolling hills, the remnants of a cool desert morning still clinging to the breeze, I’m struck by the familiarity of it all. It’s as if I’ve wandered into a scene from an old film—a 70s road trip movie, soundtracked by the lazy buzzing of love songs from the radio.
The warmth of the desert begins to seep into the car. The air is thick and rich as it sweeps through my hair. The road stretches ahead, seemingly endless, before it disappears into the horizon. There’s a certain magic in places like this.
This magic may be hard to define, but it’s easy to feel. The sun doesn’t just shine; it casts a golden glow that feels like you could reach out and catch it in your hands. The winds don’t just blow; they seem to whisper stories long forgotten. Stories passed down through generations. A certain depth of history, harder to grasp for anyone just passing by.
I’m following the Southwest Mystic Triangle, the so-called road to magic. This triangle connects three places of spiritual and mystical significance: Sedona, Taos and Santa Fe. Each magical in its own way but connected by one major component: their cultural heritage and spiritual energy draws travellers from all over the world, each looking for their own version of connection, healing and inspiration.
As I’m driving, the landscape begins to shift, subtly at first, then more dramatically. The red rocks of Sedona rise from the earth like statues, shaped and carved by time and wind. The air here feels different. It’s still thick and rich, but it’s also charged with an energy that’s almost electric. They say there are vortexes here, swirling centres of energy that draw people in, inviting them to pause, reflect and heal. And it’s easy to believe when you’re standing among the red rocks, everything cloaked in yellows and pinks.
They say Sedona isn’t just a place you visit; it’s a place that stays with you. People interested in New Age spirituality come here to find answers—and often themselves. They speak of a detectable sense of connection to the earth. A feeling that the land beneath their feet is alive with power. The streets are lined with crystal stores and artful market stands, offering everything from ancestral healings to meditation retreats. But it’s not the shops or the tourists that make this place special; it’s the way the light shifts as the sun sets, the way the silence settles over the endless land, holding its breath. Just like me.
My next stop is Taos in New Mexico, another stop along the mystic roads of the Southwest. The landscapes here may seem softer, the colors more muted, but the sense of history feels even stronger. The buildings seem to rise naturally from the earth, warm, rounded shapes that reflect the connection between the people and the land.
Walking through the small streets feels like stepping back in time. There’s a quiet power here. It doesn’t howl with the wind like other places; it’s tame but strong. Taos is a place where the past is lived. The town is home to Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest communities in the United States. The vibrancy of the community is a living, breathing expression of their faith and traditions. The mountains that surround the town, particularly the Sangre de Cristo range, hold spiritual significance. The El Nogal Trailhead, where the Taos vortex is said to be strongest, draws people seeking clarity and inspiration. People like me, looking for magic.
As I continue my journey, I find myself in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a city that is as much a cultural crossroads as a spiritual one. It’s a place where traditions come together, blending into something magical.
Santa Fe’s spiritual energy is tangible, especially in its historic sites. The thick walls of San Miguel Mission, one of the oldest churches in the United States, hold centuries of prayers and hopes. If you are looking for healing, this is the place to go. The city’s historic district, with its adobe buildings and narrow streets, feels like a journey back in time. Therapeutic traditions of the Native American, Hispanic and New Age communities are reflected in everything from Santa Fe’s architecture to its festivals.
As I leave the mystic roads of the Southwest, the sun casts long shadows across the desert floor. The road ahead is straight and empty. Promising. There is something intoxicating about these moments, the quiet hours spent driving through never-changing landscapes. Something magical.
Stephanie Puntigam
Name a country, and it’s a safe bet that Stephanie has lived there. Austria. South Africa. Belgium. America. Portugal. Insatiably curious, she can hardly sit still (or stay in one place) for long. Though she may drop it all at a moment’s notice to head off on the next adventure, we’re lucky to have this travel sage on board as an Editorial Assistant at gloobles. For Stephanie, travelling is rarely brief but always enriching. From snapping 35 mm film on breezy coastal road trips to twirling bucatini at intimate, twilit trattorias, Stephanie knows what’s up.
