Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Esotouric to launch spiritual history bus tour

Explore Fascinating Historic Spiritual Sites with Maja, the White Witch of L.A.

WHAT: Esotouric, L.A.'s most eclectic tour company, launches new spiritual history bus adventure, MAJA'S MYSTERIES: RAPTURE AND RELEASE

WHEN: Saturday March 20, 11am-3pm

WHERE: Tour departs from Clifton's Cafeteria at 7th & Broadway in downtown LA

COST: $62/person

MORE: Tour host Maja D'Aoust's popular lecture series, long hosted by the Philosophical Research Society, moves to Beachwood Canyon's Besant Lodge starting 3/14 (Maja's Magic School - Second Sundays @ 6 for Sorcery)

INFO: http://www.esotouric.com, 323-223-2767

For much of the last century, Southern California called to the world's spiritual rebels and outcasts as a place where they could practice their particular faiths, attract fellow acolytes, and thrive without governmental or social pressure. In this atmosphere of acceptance and sunshine, the American Pentecostal movement was born, as was the New Age.

Many of these early spiritual groups survive, and quietly continue to utilize their historic worship spaces throughout Los Angeles.

On Saturday, March 20, a select crew of urban explorers will join Esotouric and the White Witch of Los Angeles, Maja D'Aoust (pronounced MAH-ja da-OO), popular lecturer at the Philosophical Research Society and author of "TheSecret Source," for MAJA'S MYSTERIES: RAPTURE AND RELEASE. This second tour in her series of local exploration is metaphysical journey into history, faith and salvation in the Southland, with in-depth visits to some of the city's most compelling and seldom-seen spiritual sites.

Departing from Downtown's landmark Clifton's Cafeteria, a fanciful 1930s dining environment that looks like a redwood forest, the half-day trip on a comfortable coach class bus includes guided tours of four fascinating spiritual sites of similar vintage. At each site, Maja will introduce passengers to members of the faith, lead a tour of worship space, and put the group's history and beliefs into context in the histories of religion and Los Angeles. The tour's subtext is the contradictory paths to salvation offered by different belief systems: the eastern idea of Karma contrasted with the western concept of Grace.

Stops on the tour include: THE AETHERIUS SOCIETY, a center for cosmic consciousness and healing founded in 1955 by UFO contactee Dr. George King, dedicated to promoting peace on earth and beyond. KROTONA APARTMENTS, a former Theosophical retreat founded in 1914, where guests will have a rare opportunity to visit the beautiful central courtyard pond and view the Rosicrucian window of this now-private residence. SISTER AIMEE SEMPLE MCPHERSON'S PARSONAGE, the beautifully restored private home and museum to the life of the influential and charismatic founder of the Foursquare Church on the edge of Echo Park. THE VEDANTA SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, founded in 1930 to bring sacred Hindu philosophy to the West, where guests will be given a presentation on the Society's history and programming, and browse in its fine gift shop.

The tour then returns to Clifton's, where passengers can mingle, snack on retro dessert selections or an early supper, and discuss their experiences on the outskirts of faith.

Join us on the MAJA'S MYSTERIES tour for a one-of-a-kind adventure through the looking glass, and beyond. And get a preview of Maja's spiritual scholarship on Sunday, March 14 when she moves her popular esoteric lecture series from the Philosophical Research Society to the Besant Lodge in Beachwood Canyon, for MAJA'S MAGIC SCHOOL - Second Sundays @ 6 for Sorcery. The topic of the debut lecture is "Synchronicity, Magical Encounters & Carl Jung's Web of Connected Consciousness." Tickets are $5, and more info is at
http://www.godismyboyfriend.com

Upcoming Esotouric bus tour and special event schedule (guest tours starred)
Sat Feb 20 - Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles: The New Chinatowns
Sun Feb 21 - Joan Renner lecture "How the 'Bob' Changed History" (American Cinematheque)
Sat Feb 27 - Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles: The Lowdown on Downtown-The Secret History of LA
Sat March 6 - Hotel Horrors & Main Street Vice crime bus tour
Sat March 13 - Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles*
Sat March 20 - Maja's Mysteries: Rapture & Release (debut)
Sat March 27 - Raymond Chandler's Bay City*
Sat April 3 ­ Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits' L.A.*
Sat April 10 ­ John Buntin's L.A. Noir
Sat April 24 ­ Haunts of a Dirty Old Man: Charles Bukowski's L.A.
Sat May 1 - Pasadena Confidential crime bus tour with Crimebo the Clown
Sat May 8 - Blood & Dumplings crime bus tour
Sat May 15 - The Real Black Dahlia crime bus tour
Sat May 22 - The Birth of Noir: James M. Cain's So. Cal Nightmare

For more info on Esotouric, visit
http://www.esotouric.com

For Maja's Mysteries info, visit
http://www.esotouric.com/maja2

For Maja D'Aoust info, visit
http://godismyboyfriend.com/

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