Exploring the Dark Goddess Tour

April 2012

Come with Taaj to New Orleans, America’s most haunted city, and get acquainted with your dark side. While some deny their dark side and try to keep it hidden, we all are a blend of light and dark, masculine and feminine, yin and yang. That which we call “dark” is good to know because it helps us to understand death, regeneration, and transformation. It helps to put us in touch with another aspect of our power. When you become acquainted with your dark side, you lose fear of it and can use it effectively.

The tour is a blend of the magic, legends, and pure hedonistic pleasure. New Orleans isn’t called “The Big Easy” for nothing! Enjoy world famous Creole and Cajun food, live music (or be a part of the entertainment and busk on Jackson Square!), while exploring the dark history of the French Quarter.

What’s Included:

• 3 star hotel accommodations in the French Quarter
• touring as listed
• transfers to and from the airport
• in the New Orleans tradition, lagniappe
• a fun pass for you to spend a day doing what you like that’s not included
• lots of free time to explore and get your gamble, busk, or drink on. Laissez le bon tempes roulez! (Let the good times roll)

Our long weekend starts with a group meet up in the hotel lobby where we will get an orientation to the city. From there we walk to Mulates for a welcome dinner (not included). Come hungry because the Cajun fare is absolutely unbelievable. A trip to New Orleans is pure hedonism, starting with the food. Come prepared to gain a few pounds, but don’t hold back. The live Zydeco music starts at 7:00 so you can dance it off. On your way back to the hotel, you may wish to stop at Harrah’s where you can gamble or Pat O’Brien’s for one of their world famous hurricanes. Don’t stay up too late though. We will be touring in the morning.

What better way to kick of an exploration of the Dark Side than with a visit to the #1 cemetery which is considered to be the most haunted cemetery in New Orleans. It’s no wonder as it is the resting place of Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. There were actually two Maries, a mother and a daughter, both of whom were sought out by the high and low for their abilities to make things happen: win a court case, bring back a lover, or just tell the future. Their devoted fans continue to visit the gravesite to ask for favors and leave little gifts. During this tour you will also learn about the history of voodoo in New Orleans. And yes, of course we will stop by the famous voodoo shop.

Slavery played a big part in the development of voodoo in the United States. Our next tour of a plantation and the surrounding swamp will help to fill in the blanks and give you a stunning visual of what life was like back in the day. If you’ve ever had any past life dreams or de ja vu` surrounding slavery, this may be the thing that triggers full recall. The dramatic sweeping porches, picturesque trees and beautifully landscaped gardens are wonderfully romantic.

Our last day is a play day! There is so much to see in one weekend that now that you have a feel or the city, you are going to have a chance to do hat you like. Feel free to go off on your own or pair up. Your pass will allow you to see your choice of the many museums (ax museum, world war II, art, etc.), the aquarium, the zoo, more plantations, golf, more swamps, more tours (Garden district, French Quarter or Hurricane Katrina) or do a steamboat cruise.

Don’t forget to leave time to people watch, get your fortune told by one of the many fortune tellers on Jackson Square, eat some more, laze by the river, or take a cooking class (not included). If you want even more darkness, there are haunted history walking tours and vampire tours (not recommended) to titillate you. Remember, Interview with the Vampire took place in New Orleans and was filmed at Destrehan Plantation.

If time permits and interest is there, Taaj can teach various magic classes for the group or point you to local sources where you can have things done for you. Should you have any spooky past life memories or anything emotional come up that you need support with, Taaj is a licensed clinical social worker who can help integrate past memories or resolve emotional difficulties.

If you’d rather BE the entertainment, that option is open to you as well. Busking (or street performing) is alive and well in New Orleans. Just get your act together and let it roll.

Ready to Go? Register below.