7 watercolor paintings and 1 pastel drawing by Wesley Gale, 1941

The Alfred and Bernice Ligon collection (1927-2014; undated) contains 53 boxes and consists of published books (including small press and self-published works) , published serials, manuscripts, pamphlets, posters, broadsides, paper ephemera, correspondence, book reviews, newspaper clippings, newsletters, administrative documents, publisher sell sheets and order forms, photographs, film negatives, cassette tapes, audio and film reels, VHS tapes, and digital materials (compact disk and thumb drive). The collection is split between archival materials, and published materials catalogued individually and searchable through the California State University Dominguez Hills Library catalog. Published materials focus on African American history and culture, literature by and about African Americans and Africans, and metaphysics.

The archival collection focuses on The Aquarian Book Shop and Aquarian Spiritual Center, its administrative functions, programs, events, classes, community involvement, and Alfred and Bernice Ligon as proprietors thereof. The bulk of the material focuses on the store and spiritual center rather than on the Ligon’s personal lives. Biographical materials on the Ligon’s include obituaries and eulogies, correspondence, and scrap books. There is also a file containing photocopies of biographical material on Alfred’s sister Jeni Le Gon.

Administrative files for the store and spiritual center relate to the business operations of the store including permits, dealings with publishers, order forms, correspondence, and the rebuilding of the store after the 1992 fire. Administrative files for the spiritual center include bylaws, Board of Directors rosters, and correspondence with members. Press coverage of the store is primarily from the early 1980’s.

Ephemera from events held by the store and spiritual center show the range of events from book and author related events like books signings, book fairs, book release parties, poetry readings, to those at the spiritual center like lectures on various topics including Black Gnostic Studies, “Founders Day” gatherings, worship sessions, multi-media presentations, discussions, and others. In addition to flyers and invitations for lessons and lectures, the collection includes handouts on various topics, lesson workbooks, poster charts of metaphysical studies, and the journal that the center produced; URAEUS: Journal of Unconscious Life. The Journal billed itself as the “New Age Black Journal.” It covered topics like history, holistic health, astrology, new-age parenting, the arts, sciences, culture, and education all with a view toward esoteric teachings.

The collection also shows the Ligon’s interest in African American history and culture with items that may have been sold in the store like greeting cards and post cards, ephemera from local cultural events, and publications by and about African Americans. The photographs in the collection are primarily from events put on by the book store and the spiritual center, and slides probably used by Dr. Ligon in teaching, but include some early photos of the Ligons and their families.

In addition to paper and photographic materials, the collection includes a large number of audio/visual materials. Hundreds of audio reels and cassette tapes record lectures and teachings of Dr. Ligon and his contemporaries on the Aquarian Gospel, esoteric astrology, Kabballah, occult philosophy, psychosynthesis, cosmic psychology, tarot, esoteric masonry, and Black Gnostic Studies.