London’s best spiritual shops
When I was younger I went though a period of spiritually curiosity and spent a lot of time learning about alternative religions. I was particularly drawn to those inspired by nature and which celebrated and worshipped the earth, elements and had a respect for mother nature.
Before I became an Amazon junkie I routinely visited a local shop called Serendipity which specialised in spirituality where I loved looking through all the new age and occult paraphernalia from runes, candles and potions to decks of tarot cards, herbs and oracles but I was particularly drawn to books which fed my thirst for knowledge.
Although I never really settled into any religion after my foray into spiritual education I still have great respect for shops who promote alternative thinking and love to pop into them from time to time to reminisce. Today I wanted to share with you some of the top spiritual shops in London in the hopes that you might pop in and learn something new.
Mysteries New Age Store
Based in Covent Garden is Mysteries New Age Store which was established in 1982 offering everything the mind, body and soul requires for spiritual satisfaction. They are proud to consider themselves the premier store for all things metaphysical with books from the top new age authors and stocking Tarot decks and Oracle Cards including Rider Waite tarot, Aleister Crowley’s Thoth deck, the Mythic Tarot, Angel Cards, Medicine Cards and many more. Also on offer is a wide range of incense (another thing I went mad for as a teenager), crystals, jewellery, aromatherapy oils and new age music.
Buddha on a Bicycle
Another shop based in Covent Garden, Buddha on a Bicycle’s mission is to offer customers beautiful Buddist and Hindu products (such as deities, singing bowls, bells, malas and Tibetan thangkas) as well as a sanctuary with a real sense of community. Not only do they offer a spiritual shopping experience but run classes and workshops for yoga and meditation as well as therapists, healers and intuitive readers. Their beautiful and unique Buddhist and Hindu artefacts are ethically sourced and are stocked with the reverence they deserve with the staff being full of information about them.
Treadwells Books
Treadwells Books based on the aptly named Store Street, is an atmospheric bookshop stocking literature on esotericism, culture, religion, magic and spiritualism. They pride themselves on their boutique store which aims to celebrate and educate on paganism, wicca, thelema, and druidry, but also literature, history, culture and classics. You can also partake in one of the many courses, workshops or lectures at Treadwells and there are tarot readers available every day of the week. Fun fact: Treadwell’s patron spirit is Lady Wisdom from Michael Maier’s 1617 alchemical work, Atalanta Fugiens.
As well as shops there are some great spiritual, mystical and historical sights in London if you want to extend your trip. Take a look at the symbols of protection in the Egyptian and Persian collections at The British Museum or discover some of the hidden secrets at The Freemason’s Hall.
