GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL L.A.

A tour through the ethereal side of Los Angeles.

Auman’s book takes readers on a free-wheeling tour of New Age and other spiritual sites in and around LA, which some people consider to be a center of spirit energy. The book also features landmarks of traditional religions, such as the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, and sacred monuments of Native American peoples. Auman, a fine storyteller, will engage readers with her accounts of historical events, urban legends, and longtime mysteries—among them, the monthlong disappearance of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the Foursquare Church. The guide also includes a smattering of homes and haunts of the famous, including those of the late bestselling author Carlos Castaneda. The author takes occasional detours to places with only tangential ties to spiritualism, including restaurants, bookstores, and an apartment building, but most have an otherworldly air to them, such as the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga, a vegan-friendly gourmet restaurant and shop. A few others, such as Canter’s Deli, seem to have been included only because they are popular with celebrities, which seems digressive. Still, some sites are so far off the beaten path they may even surprise longtime Angelenos, and all feature detailed descriptions with often stunning photographs, some full-page. Many of the latter show majestic, architecturally interesting churches, missions, and temples with blooming gardens. The startling Templo Santa Muerte, for instance, features a mural of an oversized hooded skeleton head surrounded by candles and celestial images. Auman often shows respect for the belief systems she mentions, but a few chapter titles, such as “Spirituality in a Speedo,” seem less reverent. Overall, the author’s deep knowledge of LA’s spiritual landscape and you-are-there writing style make this an engaging and informative read.

Travelers, spiritualists, and historians will likely enjoy this LA survey.