Maja to host Vernal Equinox events in LA

March Gets Metaphysical in L.A. as LAVA and Esotouric collaborate with White Witch Maja

WHAT: Maja D'Aoust, The White Witch of LA, hosts a series of Vernal Equinox springtime events including free vintage astrology-themed LAVA filmscreening (3/6), the debut of her new lecture series (3/14) and a new Esotouric bus adventure (3/20).

GENERAL INFO: http://esotouric.com/maja2, 323-223-2767

The Vernal Equinox (first day of Spring) has long been a major holiday in the Southland, appealing to practitioners of the many offbeat faiths that thrive here. And in March one of Los Angeles' most fascinating spiritual historians and modern cult figures, the lovely and brainy MAJA D'AOUST (pronounced MAH-ja da-OO), THE WHITE WITCH OF L.A. pulls back her veil to host a series of intriguing and transformative Springtime events.

The excitement begins on SATURDAY, MARCH 6, with a FREE SCREENING of the rarely-seen astrological thriller WHEN WERE YOU BORN (1938), which examines the validity and effectiveness of Astrology for psychological profiling and to provide forensic evidence of crime.

The film was directed by William C. McGann and stars Anna May Wong, Lola Lane, James Stephenson and a young Clayton "Lone Ranger" Moore. Also featured, the legendary Los Feliz-based esoteric scholar, Manly P. Hall, founder of the Philosophical Research Society where Maja serves as Librarian. Maja will introduce the film and Hall's extraordinary collection of astrological charts of celebrity death dates, and lead a discussion of the film's themes and their relevance to Theosophy founder Madame Blavatsky's work. The event is presented by The United Lodge of Theosophy in association with LAVA ­ The Los Angeles Visionaries Association.

Details: FREE, screening 7-9pm, United Lodge ofT heosophy, 245 West 33rd Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, phone: 213-748-7244, http://lavatransforms.org/whenwereyouborn

On SUNDAY, MARCH 14, Maja D'Aoust's popular esoteric lecture series finds a new home and a new name. Long hosted at the Philosophical Research Society,where it was a weekend must for much of the neo-psychedelic Silverlake music scene, the Second Sunday series moves to the historic Besant Lodge in Beachwood Canyon. The debut talk at MAJA'S MAGIC SCHOOL is "Synchronicity, Magical Encounters & Carl Jung's Web of Connected Consciousness."

Details: $5 per person, 6pm-8pm, Besant Lodge, 2560 N. Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90068, http://godismyboyfriend.com

Then on SATURDAY, MARCH 20 (the actual Vernal Equinox) comes the debut excursion of the new Esotouric bus adventure MAJA'S MYSTERIES: RAPTURE AND RELEASE, a metaphysical journey into history, faith and salvation, within-depth visits to some of L.A.'s most compelling and mysterious spiritual sites. At each stop, 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 L.A.

Stops 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.

Details: $62 per person, tour 11am-3pm, departs from Clifton's Cafeteria, 648 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90014, info 323-223-2767,http://esotouric.com/maja2

So make your March more metaphysical when Maja D'Aoust takes you through the looking glass, and beyond, with her free screening, provocative lecture, and a stunning bus adventure through the secret paths of California faith.

Upcoming Esotouric bus tour and special event schedule:
Sat March 6 - Hotel Horrors & Main Street Vice crime bus tour
Sat March 6 - FREE film screening When Were You Born (1938), Theosophy Hall
Sat March 13 - Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles
Sun March 14 - Maja's Magic School Lecture
Sat March 20 - Maja's Mysteries: Rapture & Release (debut)
Sat March 27 - Raymond Chandler's Bay City
Sun March 28 - LAVA Sunday Salon gathering at Clifton's Cafeteria
Sun March 28 - FREE tour The Flâneur & The City (info at www.lavatransforms.org)
Sat April 3 ­ Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits' L.A.
Thurs April 8 - John Fante Square designation
Sat April 10 ­ John Buntin's L.A. Noir
Sat April 17 - John Fante's Dreams from Bunker Hill
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

Maja D'Aoust is a proud member of LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association.
http://www.lavatransforms.org

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

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

For free screening info visit
http://lavatransforms.org/whenwereyouborn