Followers of New Age Will Test Karmas

One might have thought that there were more than enough New Age vibrations the last few days to last this lifetime, not to mention all the reincarnations to come.

There was the waning of the first of two auspicious full moons in May. Friday fell on the 13th. Some modern seers insisted that a 16th-Century French prophet, Nostradamus, predicted that an earthquake would level Los Angeles. Famed old astrologer Carroll Righter died. And, of course, a new book revealed that First Lady Nancy Reagan consults a San Francisco astrologer before mapping out the President’s schedule.

But evidently the New Age surface had barely been scratched, judging by the thousands whose karma is compelling them to attend the Whole Life Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend.

The event is billed as the largest New Age exhibition and symposium in the United States--”a neat and uplifting experience,” as Expo producer Paul Andrews proclaimed as he opened the expo by urging everyone to “go hug a hundred people and enjoy yourself.” There were plenty of people to hug--more than 30,000 are expected to zap their consciousness with the 250 exhibits and like number of lecturers before the doors close this evening. Daily admission is $15.

The expo is being put on by Whole Life Promotions Inc., which produces not only the fair, but Whole Life Times magazine and an assortment of other New Age products and programs.

Among the New Age entrepreneurs was some guy touting Naked Juice, a New Age name for something that tasted suspiciously like old fashioned fresh fruit juice; a woman recommending the healing properties of algae from an Oregon lake; several travel agents promoting tours to the “power places of the world”--Peru, Egypt, Tibet. One saleswoman waxed poetic about blue corn flakes, while another was selling a board game whose object was Enlightenment. (The players try to avoid such things as having their karma become lost in Atlantis.)

Timothy Leary, the ‘60s drug guru turned computer programmer, took to the podium to explain how to trip out and tune in with floppy discs. Scientist Stanton Friedman brought along documents which he claims points to a “Cosmic Watergate,” a government coverup of an alien spaceship crash in New Mexico.

Psychic Uri Geller was busy using mind power to bend a bunch of tablespoons. Richard Hatch, a television soap opera star, told his audience: “There is only now.” Noting that the Age of Aquarius is dawning, Montana guru Elizabeth Clare Prophet asked: “Do you want your stone to be there in the pyramid? . . . we must release the light of our chakras (energy centers) or there will be darkness.” Grant Ramey was illustrating a sort of massage-like therapy called Embodiment on Camille Ameen, a New York actress. “It’s very peaceful, I’ve never had anything like it, and I’ve done lots of body therapies like Rolfing and Alexander,” she said, laying on a pillow-like contraption called an Embodi-cloud. The cloud, Ramey said, alleviates body strains and stress.

Crystal lecturer Nick Norcerino was accompanied by an 18-pound, skull-shaped crystal nicknamed Max. Expo visitors were paying $1 for a chance to see it.

“I felt drawn to it, like I was seeing an old friend,” said Fred Weisker, a 39-year-old stock keeper from Orange County, who said Max had been at the top of his “must see” list. “It felt alive with subtle energy, but very peaceful when I touched it.”

Arizona channeler Frank Alper looked like he was on stage by himself, but claimed to be accompanied by Universal Masters or spirit entities, who would come forth to chat.

“This isn’t a circus, its a gathering of light, a sharing of love,” Alper said, explaining that New Age philosophy is founded on the concepts of self realization and universal love.

Others attending agreed, noting that not only the crystals, but all the holistic therapies, relaxation tapes, Tibetan singing bowls, incense, body work techniques and philosophical theories that abound at the Expo are merely aids to get in touch with one’s self. One lecturer called it “catching up with your soul.”

Philip Sedgwick, a Burbank astrologer, said that all the New Age publicity of late would be beneficial. About Nancy Reagan’s use of astrology, he said: “I think it will draw people to astrology. When someone with credibility expresses such an interest, others get on the band wagon or try it out of curiosity.”

The fact that Nostradamus’ prediction did not pan out was because the French seer was misinterpreted by Orson Welles in the movie “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow,” he said. Noting that Welles was the narrator who frightened people years ago with a radio broadcast of “War Of The Worlds,” Sedgwick said, “He got us again.”