Black Spirituality Religion : An esoteric guide to visiting London

[Alexandra]

I spent the day in London doing this occult tour, and thought I would update it for the convenience of future occult tourists.

The quoted text denotes the original article.

An esoteric guide to visiting London

By Feòrag NicBhrìde

Part 1

This walk is a circular stroll taking in some of the more interesting shops to be found in central London. Most of the shops are bookshops, some specialising in occult materials, others simply stocking a good range of esoterica. How long it takes depends on how much of a bookshop addict you are - it could be done in a couple of hours, but it wouldn't be much fun (if your like me, it could take most of the day

I spent about 6hours, and about 2hrs of those were spent either trekking to the shop, or asking for directions. I cannot stress this enough, wear comfortable shoes. Most of these shops are located in back alley ways, or little out of the way roads that were built with horse carriages in mind. So unless you possess a sturdy pair of hooves, I suggest you wear comfortable shoes. Also, when asking for directions, start off by ascertaining that they live in the area. I learnt this the hard way, but on the upside, I now know how to say 'I don't speak English', 'I am not from here' and 'I am warning you, I will call the Police if you don't leave me alone' in about 5 languages.

 

[Alexandra]

Part 2

Starting at Tottenham Court Road tube station, take the exit which comes out on the north side of New Oxford Street and the east of Tottenham Court Road. Walk along New Oxford Street until you come to the traffic lights. Cross over Bloomsbury Street before turning left into it. A few yards along at the junction with Streatham Street is "Unsworth, Rice and Coe" - (http://www.unsworths.co.uk/Unsworth). This bookshop specialises in History and Humanities, and has an unusual selection of occult material (found under the heading of religious books).

Update - This shop closed down a few years ago.

 

[Alexandra]

Part 3

Turn into Streatham Street and turn right then left around Pizza Express. Take the next right into Museum Street, you will be almost opposite the now famous "Atlantis Bookshop" - (http://www.theatlantisbookshop.com/) a specialist in new and second-hand occult material. As well as books across the whole spectrum of esoterica, they also sell a range of Pagan magazines and newsletters, (this is the famous shop that Gerald Gardner and other personalities used to frequent in the 1950's - early 60's, indeed the then proprietor was Michael Houghton, also known as Michael Juste, the guy who published Gerald Gardner's first book, an occult novel called “High Magic’s Aid” in 1949).

On Museum street, you will see the British Museum on the right. Resist the temptation to go inside because you need about 7hrs to fully appreciate the pillfered African and Asian treasures. Some occultists have been known to surreptisiously do rituals infront of the Egyptian dieties. If you decide to do this, the best time according to Bobby Hemmitt, is early in the morning when the magnetism has not dispersed and the statues will surely be flashing, or glowing more strongly then.


Anyway, the Atlantis Bookshop is amazing. Has a wide range of both rare and current books dealing with all sorts of esoteric subjects. Has a small selection of Egyptian statues. I was able to purchase the long sought after Aleister Crowley Thoth deck, which everyone swears is eerily accurate. I wish I had been possession of this deck before visiting the shop, then it could have warned me about the prices. Expect to spend about £50-100 on 2 to 3 books.

 

[Alexandra]

Part 3

Since this walk was originally written, a couple of shops have sprung up in this area. The small occult shop on Little Russell Street didn't last too long, but the shop selling Egyptian stuff on Bury Place was still there last time I looked.

The shop on Bury Place didn't last too long either.

 

[Alexandra]

Part 4

Further along just beyond Southampton Place is the spectacular Sicilian Avenue. Turn into here and a few shops on the right is "Skoob Books" - (http://www.skoob.com/) a mostly second-hand bookshop which also publishes some unusual occult material. The occult books are tucked away in an obscure corner of the basement.

I was disappointed to find this shop was now a construction site. Not sure I found the Sicilian Avenue to be that spectacular either.