The Enigmatic Allure of Occult Bookstores: A Look Inside

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Occult bookstores are specialized stores that cater to individuals interested in mysticism, the occult, spirituality, and esoteric knowledge. These stores offer a variety of books, tarot cards, crystals, herbs, incense, and other items related to occult practices. Occult bookstores are often known for their unique and mysterious atmosphere, with dim lighting, incense aromas, and shelves lined with books on a wide range of esoteric topics. These stores provide a space for individuals to explore and deepen their understanding of spirituality, alternative belief systems, and metaphysical concepts. Many occult bookstores also host workshops, classes, and events related to various occult and metaphysical practices. These events may include tarot card readings, astrology workshops, meditation classes, and discussions on topics such as witchcraft, paganism, and ceremonial magick.



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About Us: We’re a husband & wife team who sell unusual, used, and new books on spirituality , books on the occult , books about esoterica, and anything else we feel relates to these endeavors. We consider our approach in curating books progressive because we believe a modern spirituality begins with critical and evidence based thinking taking into account the scientific method. Thus, our books reflect these choices. Most of our selection is intuitively driven by the desire to know existence in all of its expressions. We believe a deeply spiritual individual is a curious individual with a desire to seek truth in all its forms — with all its messy and edifying beauty. As such, we consider books not only beautiful objects and wonderful repositories of knowledge, but envision them as tiny gateways to the past, future and perhaps, even other dimensions. We buy books, contact us for more information. Follow us on Instagram.

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Occult bookstores

At one time, New York City was the center of the universe as far as bookstores go. Weiser Books and Magickal Childe are among the best bookstores in the world for occult and spiritual tittles. However, both bookstores closed in the mid-1990s, victims of rising rents, among other reasons.
“It is difficult of an independent bookstore to survive in Manhattan. The rents are very high and the bigger chains simply took away many of our customers,” the late Donald Weiser told Esoteric Guides in 2003, Weiser Books has since moved to York, Maine.
Weiser said that when his father, Samuel, began selling esoteric books in the 1930s, his store was the first in Manhattan to do so. “We used to sell the esoteric books in the basement of the store and the regular books on the main floor,” recalled Weiser.

When Donald Weiser joined the family business in1951, he put an emphasis on the spiritual and occult book side of the store, since he was deeply interested in the esoteric. Under his direction, Weiser Books began reprinting many out-of-print occult titles like Kabballah by Issac Meyer and the Book of Thoth by a then-obscure occult writer named Aleister Crowley.
Weiser Books played a big role in the 1960s Crowley revival, by reprinting Crowely’s major works. At the time, most of Crowley’s works were in the “public domain” and not under copyright protection.
Likewise, Magickal Childe, which Herman Slater and Eddie Buczynski originally opened in Brooklyn, played an enormous role in the occult revival. The shop’s publishing house published a number of ground-breaking occult books - including the Necromonicon. The Magickal Childe, for years, was on 35 West 19th Street in Manhattan; however, eventually closed after the death of Buczynski and Slater.
NYC still has some great esoteric bookstores. This is what makes the city great. Patronize these bookstores, learn from the staff and become inspired. Bookstores are magic and the magic happens when you go to the stores, rather than buying online. The following are some of our top picks:

Namaste Bookstore, 2 W. 14th St., Manhattan. A short walk from Union Square, this bookstore has become a must stop for the esoteric seeker. It has filled the void in the area, after East West bookstore, right around the corner, closed in 2010. Great selection of tarot cards, crystal, and eclectic book selection. Namaste also has psychics and readers on hand.

Rudolph Steiner Bookstore, 138 W. 15th St., Manhattan. right down the block from Namaste is the Rudolph Steiner Bookstore, which is part of Anthroposophy NYC. a It has an amazing collection of books by msytic Rudolph Steiner, as well as resources for Waldorf education, the system that Steiner developed .

Aum Shanti Bookshop, 230 E. 14th St., Manhattan. A really beautiful store, opened by Rakesh, who decided to "serve the community and help fellow human beings" after suffering several personal tragedies. The store features metaphysical books, crystals and tarot readings.

Enchantments, 165 Avenue B., Manhattan. Enchantments is NYC's oldest occult store devoted to witchcraft. The store offers a magickal apothecary, custom-carved candles, magickal jewelry, books, and great incense blends. It is a must-stop in the East Village.

Quest Books, 240 E. 53rd St., Manhattan. Located in the upper East Side, Quest Books is the bookstore of the NYC Theosophical society. Has a great collection of metaphysical books and spiritual objects. The Theosophical Society has a wonderful lineup of events in the small hall next to the bookstore.

Emily Sellon Memorial Library, 240 E. 53rd St., Manhattan. Located in the NYC Theosophical Society, this is NYC's premier Library for research on Theosophy and related fields of esotericism, religion, philosophy, and science. The Library maintains one of the best collections of the works of H.P. Blavatsky and is strong in Gnosticism, hermetica and parapsychology. The origin of the library goes back to 1875, when Madame Helena Blavatsky, Col. H.S. Olcott, and others founded the Theosophical Society in New York.

These events may include tarot card readings, astrology workshops, meditation classes, and discussions on topics such as witchcraft, paganism, and ceremonial magick. In addition to selling books and other items, occult bookstores often serve as gathering places for individuals interested in the occult and spirituality. They provide a sense of community for like-minded individuals to connect, share knowledge, and discuss their experiences.

Occult bookstores

Occult bookstores can be found in various cities around the world, often in areas known for their alternative spirituality and countercultural scenes. These stores cater to individuals ranging from beginners who are just starting their journey into the occult to experienced practitioners looking to expand their knowledge and collection of occult resources. Overall, occult bookstores play an important role in providing resources, knowledge, and a sense of community for individuals interested in exploring the occult, spirituality, and esoteric practices. They are spaces where individuals can delve into the mysteries of life and existence and seek answers beyond the boundaries of mainstream belief systems..

Reviews for "Beyond the Ordinary: Exploring Occult Bookstores"

1. Jane Smith - 2 stars - I recently visited an occult bookstore and was extremely disappointed with the experience. The store was cluttered and poorly organized, making it difficult to navigate through the shelves. The staff seemed uninterested and unhelpful, unable to provide any recommendations or answer basic questions. The selection of books was limited and outdated, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, I found the atmosphere to be unwelcoming and the overall experience quite disappointing.
2. John Doe - 2 stars - I was excited to explore an occult bookstore, but unfortunately, my visit left me completely unimpressed. The store was dimly lit and gave off an eerie vibe that made me feel uncomfortable. The staff seemed distant and unapproachable, making it impossible to seek any guidance or assistance in finding what I was looking for. The limited range of books available was mostly outdated and lacked variety. I left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with my visit.
3. Sarah Thompson - 1 star - My experience at an occult bookstore was extremely disappointing. The atmosphere was off-putting, with strange artifacts and symbols adorning the walls, creating a creepy and uncomfortable environment. The staff members were not friendly or welcoming, which added to the overall negative experience. The books available were mostly outdated and poorly organized, making it difficult to find anything of interest. I would not recommend this bookstore to anyone seeking a pleasant and informative occult book shopping experience.

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