Publisher Description

The city of New Orleans is formed into the shape of a crescent, which is believed by many people to form a sacred chalice which holds and stores energy making it one of the most unique areas in the world in which to perform magic and to see it magnify due to the energy in the land and from the flowing waters of the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico.
Since childhood, Kala Ambrose has seen and felt ghosts and restless spirits. During this journey as your travel guide, Kala explores the history of the city and those who decided to make it their eternal home.
Explore New Orleans with Kala Ambrose and prepare to embark on a unique and enticing journey into the haunted history and magical ceremonies of New Orleans. Prepare to be introduced to supernatural rituals and practices in order to fully understand and embrace the cultural significance of the variety of beliefs, superstitions, legends and lore.

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EXCERPTS Recently I returned back to my "roots", to the great state of Louisiana and spent some time in one of my favorite places in the world, the French Quarter of New Orleans. One never runs out of things to do and experience in NOLA, (short for New Orleans, Louisiana). Truly, it is captivating, a veritable feast for all of five senses as well as the sixth sense. The best way to describe how I feel in this city would be to use the word, "charmed". New Orleans is many things to many people, but for me, it''s charming and embodies a spirit, a joy for living (joie de vivre) that is expressed throughout the city. The last time I had been able to visit the city was four months before Katrina hit and I had no idea how the vibe of the city would feel after having going through such a horrific experience. My heart was thrilled to see that the great lady was holding her own with a state of grace, while still undergoing major renovations on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes. I traveled around parts of the city by riding the streetcars, taking in each neighborhood and the smell of jasmine in the air, enjoying the stunning architecture, and chuckling at the sight of mardi gras beads still hanging from the boughs of trees. As the streetcar delivered me near the French Market, the smell of beignets and chickory coffee coming from Cafe du Monde further lifted my spirit. Yes, I sighed with relief, New Orleans has been through the worst and still she stands, proud, strong and vibrant. It is my sincere belief that New Orleans is ''charmed''. Charmed by the artists and musicians as their music and art spill into the streets touching the soul at the core with its beauty, charmed by the chefs who tantalize our taste buds in sweet rhapsody with their culinary delights, and charmed by the people who are kind, good natured, and some of the most loving and joyful people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. A Charming Entrance The entrance to the Court of Two Sisters restaurant in the French Quarter is the perfect place to reconnect with the rich cultural treasures in New Orleans. The restaurant offers the most delightful courtyard in which to enjoy a meal. In the courtyard, the trees have interlocked and connected creating a natural canopy over the courtyard, bringing the space alive with sunlight peeking through the leaves, highlighted by the presence of a bubbling fountain. The daily jazz brunch at Court of Two Sisters is the perfect respite from an evening spent on Bourbon Street and the accompanying strolling jazz trio lifts the heart. You begin to wonder, ''Is there any other way that one should ever dine?' The overall effect creates a feeling that one has just stepped into a painting. The scene is filled with old world charm, caught in a moment of boundless spring, and highlighted by the tinkle of laughter coming from guests sitting at crisp white tablecloths enjoying private moments. Stepping into this courtyard, one walks back in time and the city around you no longer exists. This is the enchantment of the courtyards designed in New Orleans, where homes were built with the courtyard in the middle so that residents could enjoy a protected and peaceful atmosphere. The name Court of Two Sisters originates from the previous owners, two Creole sisters named Emma and Bertha Camors. Their shop was here on Royal Street and they made their living providing women in New Orleans the best gowns, gloves, perfumes and other fashions. The two sisters (born in 1858 and 1860) spent their entire lives together and according to the history reported by the restaurant, were buried side by side in 1944 at St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans. While the charm of the two sisters and their courtyard are delightful on their own, there''s true magic to be found at this location. Located at the entrance of the restaurant on Royal Street, are ''charm gates'', given to the two sisters by Queen Isabella of Spain. These gates were blessed with magic and are reported to be lucky if you touch them and of course, the first thing I had to do was place both hands firmly upon them to tap into the energy. At first touch, the iron was cold, but quickly warmed to my hand. Closing my eyes, I was swept away by the energy of the gate and all of the people who had visited her over the decades. There is a presence connected with the gate, that might best be described as the gate keeper, a energy being of such attached to the iron. Enchanted items like the charm gate are best shared with others. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words and so I'd like to share the charm gate with you. Place your hand on the charm gate photo below and allow the charm and magic to pass through to you. Your adventure has just begun. May the magic of New Orleans and the blessings of Queen Isabella fill you with great luck! Kala''s tips on how best to enjoy The Court of Two Sisters: Best enjoyed in spring, fall or winter, summer is too hot and muggy to enjoy sitting outdoors Try drinking a Sazerac here from the bar, one of the oldest cocktails in New Orleans It''s a buffet, and unless you''re from Louisiana, you may not recognize some of the dishes prepared. It''s ok, be adventurous, you might like something new and if you don''t, that''s ok too, there''s plenty to sample. Have someone take your photo while you are touching the charm gate, this way you'll have the image to connect with and tap into the energy any time you'd like. Save room for bananas foster, a must have!

Author Biography

Kala Ambrose is a noted inspirational speaker, author, psychic, wisdom teacher, medium, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala radio show. Her teachings are described as discerning, empowering, and inspiring. Whether she's speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala radio show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas, or teaching groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.Kala is the author of four books, including the award-winning 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled, Ghosthunting North Carolina, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body, and Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends, and Cities of the Dead.A highly interactive psychic and wisdom teacher on a mission to educate, entertain, and inspire, Kala writes for The Huffington Post and presents workshops nationally on the mind/ body/spirit connection, including auras and energy fields; business intuition; haunted history; and wisdom teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, Lily Dale Assembly, and DailyOM.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Introduction: Embracing the Spirit and Spirits of New Orleans Chapter One: The Grande Dame City of the Dead - St Louis Cemetery #1 Chapter Two: Who's Haunting the Garden District Chapter Three: Tread Carefully When Walking Down the Haunted Pirates Alley Chapter Four: Ghostly Harem Dancing at the Sultan's Palace Gardette-LePrete House Chapter Five: Marie Laveau -- The Legendary Queen of Voodoo Chapter Six: The Haunted Archway and Other Legends of Congo Square Chapter Seven: The Horrors Still Live at LaLaurie House Chapter Eight: The Vampire Girls of Ursuline Convent and other Vampire Lore Chapter Nine: Guests in Spirit Still Attend the Quadroon Balls at the Bourbon Orleans Chapter Ten: Ghostly Carriage Rides at the Old French Opera House on Bourbon Chapter Eleven: The Monk Who Saved the Children at the Place d'Armes Hotel Chapter Twelve: Haunting Photographs and Other Legends of Cornstalk Hotel Chapter Thirteen: The Deathly Portal of Thirteen at Canal Street and City Park Chapter Fourteen: John Lafitte's Infamous Pirate Bar Chapter Fifteen: Over Two Hundred Years of Spirits at the Napoleon House Chapter Sixteen: Gourmet Ghosts love Antoine's and Arnaud's Restaurants Chapter Seventeen: The Enchanted Charm Gate at the Court of Two Sisters Chapter Eighteen: Gunshots and Gardenias at the Beauregard-Keyes House Chapter Nineteen: Celebrate Jazz and Mardi Gras with the Spirits at Hotel Monteleone Chapter Twenty: Broken Hearts at the Corner of Royal Street and Saint Ann Chapter Twenty-One: The Legend of St. Louis Cathedral and Pierre Antoine's Alley Chapter Twenty-Two: Our Lady of Guadelupe Church and Saint Expedite Chapter Twenty-Three: The Resident Ghost of Yesteryear at Pat O'Briens Chapter Twenty-Four: Spirits love Music at the Maison deVille Hotel Chapter Twenty-Five: The Ghost Children of the Andrew Jackson Hotel Spotlights: Haunted Mardi Gras Famous Haunted Movies Famous Paranormal Actor Homes The Seven Sisters of Algiers St. John's Ceremony Jelly Roll Morton Legend Day of Dead Ritual Jane Mansfield Ghost in the Fog Ghosts of the Irish Channel Vampire Sightings Halloween in New Orleans

Review

"Let Kala Ambrose be your tour guide to the ghosts, spirits, and revenants of New Orleans. As someone who has read virtually every book about hauntings in my beloved Crescent City, I can attest that Spirits of New Orleans by Kala Ambrose ranks among the best. What so distinguishes Spirits of New Orleans from the rest of the contenders is the respect with which Ambrose treats spiritual topics--something that is indeed rare. She writes about New Orleans with love, offering practical travel advice, alongside chilling tales of ghosts and vampires. Ambrose's writing is evocative and her eye for truth is sharp: just read her chapter on Madame LaLaurie. Highly recommended!" --- Judika Illes, author of The Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells; The Encyclopedia of Spirits; and the Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages. "New Orleans, a city with an almost palpable mystique of the supernatural, the unknown, the unexplained. A city of Voodoo, Zombies, haunted mansions, vampires, and moldering crypts. Imagine visiting this iconic city with a trusted guide who can not only inform about the extensive ethereal population of ghosts earthbound in their old haunts, but one who can actually speak to the spirits themselves and relay their fascinating stories. In Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead, spiritual teacher, priestess, and oracle Kala Ambrose has written a fascinating book that is bound to become a paranormal classic." - Brad Steiger, author, Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Places. "Kala Ambrose's Spirits of New Orleans shows us how New Orleans is a magical city filled with hidden spiritual secrets - it is a practical, entertaining, and expert guide to its other side." - Bradford P. Keeney, Ph.D. & Hillary Keeney, Ph.D., authors, professors, and internationally renowned spiritual teachers. The Mojo Doctors, New Orleans "Once again, Kala Ambrose delivers the supernatural goods and takes us on a wild ride as we discover the truth about the paranormal entities of one of the nation's most mysterious of all places: New Orleans." - Nick Redfern, author, Monster Diary. "I found it to be nearly impossible to pull myself away from reading Spirits of New Orleans, as it introduced me to an unknown local history and folklore. The tips within the book were detailed and are curious enough for me to consider visiting the places mentioned in the book when I have time to spare." - Aidy Reviews "From the moment I picked up Kala Ambrose's Sprits of New Orleans I couldn't put it down. Not just because it's a well written book of spooky stories from the Big Easy, (which it is) but because it's also an extremely practical tourist's guide to navigating the places where they occurred. Complete, of course, with all the juicy history behind them and the author's first hand (aka psychic) experience of them. And that's what makes this book a must read. With a writing style that is as engaging as her stories are compelling, Kala not only introduces you to places in this mystical city that you never knew existed, she brings you up close and personal to the intensely occult side of it that most of us never believed could. But then, as a native of Louisiana herself, what better guide could anyone have to the spiritual underbelly of New Orleans than the one written by this extremely talented spiritual intuitive. Buy this book and I promise you won't be disappointed. Besides, when you find yourself on a plane for New Orleans in the very near future (and, believe me, you will) you'll be glad you did." - Marguerite Manning, Bestselling author, Cosmic Karma, Understanding Your Contract with the Universe and Sign Language, Decoding Your Contract with the Universe. "Spirits of New Orleans, it turns out, provides a guide for the psychically gifted on where and how to approach the people of the past, but it also is a well-thought out guide even for non-believers, explaining voodoo, for instance, and the difference between real voodoo and tourist voodoo...but the best thing about it [Spirits of New Orleans] is the tips that follow each chapter-only a few of them are aimed at her fellow 'intuitives.' Many of her tips will lead you to lesser-known sites in the enchanting city and equip you with trivia answers to stump everyone at the bar." - Vera Marie Badertscher, A Traveler's Library "Each chapter [in Spirits of New Orleans offers a detailed history of its alleged hauntedness, along with photos and travel tips from Ambrose, such as it's safest to visit the cemeteries with a tour group during the day, what's best at Antoine's and Arnaud's, and that Reverend Zombie's House of Voodoo is a good place to have a reading. Ambrose is a psychic as well, and does include some of her eerie, extrasensory experiences at these locations." --Judy Bergeron, The Advocate "Spirits of New Orleans is a delightful read. Chock full of fascinating stories and information about New Orleans and its history, this is a must have book for anyone drawn to the romantic, fascinating culture of that city. Kala Ambrose shows herself to be a wonderfully imaginative writer in the best southern style. The book reads as if it were a friendly conversation. Kala Ambrose knows New Orleans like the palm of her hand, and she clearly loves the city for all of its uniqueness. The book makes the reader want to visit the place and explore everything that that she talks so engagingly about. The city as seen through the eyes of Ambrose offers a rich experience of old stories and legends, and tips on some fascinating places to go. The city with all of its spirits just comes to life in this book. With work like this coming from the pen of Kala Ambrose, it is clear that we have a wonderful writer in our midst." - Raphael Simons, International best selling author and astrologist

Review Quote

"Let Kala Ambrose be your tour guide to the ghosts, spirits, and revenants of New Orleans. As someone who has read virtually every book about hauntings in my beloved Crescent City, I can attest that Spirits of New Orleans by Kala Ambrose ranks among the best. What so distinguishes Spirits of New Orleans from the rest of the contenders is the respect with which Ambrose treats spiritual topics--something that is indeed rare. She writes about New Orleans with love, offering practical travel advice, alongside chilling tales of ghosts and vampires. Ambrose's writing is evocative and her eye for truth is sharp: just read her chapter on Madame LaLaurie. Highly recommended!" --- Judika Illes, author of The Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells; The Encyclopedia of Sritsπ and the Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages . "New Orleans, a city with an almost palpable mystique of the supernatural, the unknown, the unexplained. A city of Voodoo, Zombies, haunted mansions, vampires, and moldering crypts. Imagine visiting this iconic city with a trusted guide who can not only inform about the extensive ethereal population of ghosts earthbound in their old haunts, but one who can actually speak to the spirits themselves and relay their fascinating stories. In Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead , spiritual teacher, priestess, and oracle Kala Ambrose has written a fascinating book that is bound to become a paranormal classic." - Brad Steiger, author, Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Places. "Kala Ambrose's Spirits of New Orleans shows us how New Orleans is a magical city filled with hidden spiritual secrets - it is a practical, entertaining, and expert guide to its other side." - Bradford P. Keeney, Ph.D. & Hillary Keeney, Ph.D., authors, professors, and internationally renowned spiritual teachers. The Mojo Doctors, New Orleans "Once again, Kala Ambrose delivers the supernatural goods and takes us on a wild ride as we discover the truth about the paranormal entities of one of the nation's most mysterious of all places: New Orleans." - Nick Redfern, author, Monster Diary. "I found it to be nearly impossible to pull myself away from reading Spirits of New Orleans , as it introduced me to an unknown local history and folklore. The tips within the book were detailed and are curious enough for me to consider visiting the places mentioned in the book when I have time to spare." - Aidy Reviews

Excerpt from Book

Chapter 12 A Loving Legacy at the Cornstalk Hotel "There is something haunting in the light of the moon; it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul, and something of its inconceivable mystery." --Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim Have you ever visited Louisiana? The climate of the Deep South is quite different than other parts of the country. The humidity smacks you in the face the moment you step off the plane. The air feels heavy, moist, and damp, with temperatures running hotter than the gumbo. Spanish moss drips from the trees, and the land is lush and green, with a hint of danger lurking in these ancient gardens as water moccasins and rattlesnakes slither through the grass and often hang from trees, to the surprise of boaters nearby. Alligators float by undetected in the bayou, looking like a log in the water until you notice their eyes right above the water line, following your every move. Hopefully that is all you see, rather than the rush of enormous jaws snapping at you from the levee. The storms here are legendary and phenomenal. As a little girl, I could sense a storm brewing while it was still miles away. It first began with the tiniest shift in the breeze, and then the wind would rustle through the trees as if to whisper that danger was on its way. The trees began to sway, their branches reaching out to each other as if to carry the message from limb to limb across the fields. The skies would soon darken and the humidity would build to such an unbearably high degree that even the drone of insects and frogs would hush, as everyone held their breath for a moment, finding the air almost impossible to breathe. Just when it feels that you cannot bear the oppressive buildup of heat and humidity a moment longer, the wind rushes through, quickly followed by the first splatters of rain and the loud crackling of thunder announcing the oncoming lightning storm. Every living thing with any common sense soon runs for cover. Once the storm has passed, creatures large and small venture back out onto the land. The mosquitoes begin their flight in full force, accompanied by the drone of crickets and hundreds of other insects and bugs. The swampy areas of Louisiana overflow with this natural life, and in the early days of New Orleans, one had to venture only a few miles outside the city into South Louisiana to be greeted by the bayous and swampy areas. I grew up surrounded by these swamps, levees, and storms, and I loved them. I''ve also seen the shock and awe of others who are not from the Deep South when they first experience this type of climate that is completely foreign to them. Imagine then, if more than 150 years ago, you married the man you loved, and he moved you far away from the only home you had ever known and brought you to New Orleans. You''d have no idea what to expect because you''re from Iowa, and for your entire life, the land that you are familiar with has fields of grain and corn and fresh lakes. Swamps and alligators are something you''ve never heard of, much less seen before. As you begin your new life in New Orleans, everything is unfamiliar to you--the weather, the culture, the gardens, the customs, even the language, and the food. No matter how great the love is that you share with your husband, a tiny part of you longs for the home and family you left behind, and you wish only to have a link to comfortable and familiar surroundings. This is where our tale of the haunted Cornstalk Hotel begins, with the story of a husband''s love for his bride--a love so dear and strong that he wanted to comfort and surround her with a familiar scene from Iowa in the only manner he could in the sinking wetlands of Louisiana. The Cornstalk Hotel was originally built as a home in 1816 for Judge Francois Xavier-Martin, who is best known in Louisiana as a former chief justice for the Supreme Court. The home was designed according to his wishes, but the records show that several homes had previously been built on this property, beginning in 1730. Each of the previous homes had been destroyed by fire, most likely by the two Great Fires of New Orleans--the first that destroyed 90% of the French Quarter and the second that destroyed more than 200 buildings. The records of who owned the homes before Judge Martin are missing (some were destroyed by fire), but it is assumed by most historians that several families lived at this location over the decades. In 1834 Dr. Joseph Secondo Biamenti purchased the home for himself and his Iowa bride. He ordered a cast-iron fence to be installed around the property. In New Orleans, lovely homes with cast-iron balconies and fences are features found in great abundance on every corner of the city, so these materials on their own are not what has made the Cornstalk Hotel famous. What causes this building to stand out in the French Quarter is that the cast-iron fence resembles cornstalks, as if one was looking out at a field of corn made completely from cast iron. Each column of the fence is anchored with a pumpkin. Then climbing up each iron post are vines, leaves, and flowers, until you reach the top of the post, where cornstalks are partially open to display the kernels of corn inside. The effect is whimsical, and the artisan must have worked long hours to shape iron into such delicate and intricate pieces, which include a butterfly landing on the front gate. The good doctor loved his wife dearly. Knowing that the swampy soil in New Orleans would never allow a field of corn to grow, he did the next best thing he could to bring an Iowa cornfield to his wife by designing the iron fence cornstalks, so that whenever she looked out the window she would be reminded of her home. Architecturally, the hotel is fascinating. It is listed in a multitude of travel guidebooks as a must-see location to photograph in the city. Yet this hotel meets that list for other reasons, including the legends of ghosts haunting the hotel. Guests have reported hearing children laughing as their footsteps pitter-patter back and forth inside the house and outside. The nearby Andrew Jackson Hotel was originally a boys'' boarding school, and one of the yellow fever epidemics in New Orleans spread quickly through the school. Some of the boys died during this epidemic, and the popular theory is that the ghost children seen at the Cornstalk Hotel are these schoolboys who enjoy playing in both buildings. There are also reports of hotel guests hearing the sounds of someone tapping on the window, only to find no one there when they pull back the curtain. They also report doors opening and closing in the middle of the night. At the hotel, I was psychically drawn to spend time outdoors rather than inside the building. The iron fence is quite captivating, and there is something almost electric about it. Iron was used in cemeteries, as it has a reputation of keeping spirits inside the area surrounded by iron or preventing them from entering an area surrounded by an iron fence, as ancient tales state that spirits are not able to cross over iron fences and gates. This particular iron fence vibrated with an energy that I had not noticed elsewhere in the French Quarter. The fence emanated a blue hue, as if it was magnetized with an energy field. It had the look and feel of a spell, as if someone who knew what they were doing had magically placed a charm on the fence for purposes yet unknown. As I tuned into the fence to determine what energy had been placed there, I followed the blue auric field and saw that it surrounded the property. Protective spells had been placed in this field to protect the hotel from any harm. The hotel certainly has a warm and welcoming feel about it. If you are standing in front of the fence from the street and want to see this blue energy field for yourself, you''ll find that the left side of the fence has the most energy, as if it wants to protect itself from energy coming from that direction. On the right side, the energy field is much more open and relaxed, appearing to not detect any harm coming from this side. This right side of the property is where the ghost boys are most often seen playing on the lawn. As I continued to study the fence and the supernatural energy attached to it, I had the distinct feeling of being watched. I looked up at the hotel and saw a woman looking out at me from an upstairs window. I gave a friendly wave to her, thinking she was a guest, until I noticed that she was wearing a dark dress with a lace collar at the neck and had her hair pulled back into a tight bun. My first thought was that she was dressed in period clothing, perhaps for an event at the hotel. This thought soon vanished, however, for as I stood there looking at her, she disappeared into thin air except for one of her hands, which remained there at the window for a few moments longer. She appeared to me as some- one who was very protective and inquisitive about the comings and goings at the hotel. My encounter with the woman was very brief. She was quite a distance away, as I was outside near the fence looking up and she was upstairs inside the hotel, so there wasn''t a strong connection. The one thing I did feel strongly, however, was that she was not the wife of Dr. Biamenti. This woman appeared to be dressed more in the style of the late 1700s rather than the mid-1800s, when Dr. Biamenti and his wife lived in the home. Most likely she was a previous occupant of the home that burned down during one of the fires in New Orleans. Kala''s Travel Tips The legend states that Harriet Beecher Stowe visited here while in New Orleans. It is unclear how she knew the owners or what the reason was for her visit to the Biamenti home. She had just come from seeing the slave markets in the city, which she later s

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