Witchcraft! Inside The 100-Year-Old Occult Bookstore | You Have to See This

Mark Wilson visits the Chicago institution that claims to be one of the oldest occult bookstores in the world.
"You Have To See This" is Fast Company's latest KZbin series with new episodes every Monday at 11 a.m. Do you have anything in your town that we should check out? Tell us in the comments below.

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

The thing about magic and occult things, the various items typically are neutral until "charged" or used in spellwork/ritual. A gemstone on its own does nothing but look pretty, until you work with it. That is when it shines. Everything in the natural world has its own traits. You don't "need" to use any of it to perform magic, but using certain things for certain work can make it easier to obtain your intended goals. The great sex balls, they will do little to nothing on their own unless the one making them took the time to charge them, but, charged items don't work as well for people who didn't charge them. Luck charms, for example, will do little to nothing until you have possessed it long enough and focused on it long enough believing fully that it will bring you luck. When you do that, you are charging it for the purpose of bringing luck. As well, items lose their charge over time. How long this takes varies dramatically. A charm may retain a charge for anywhere from a few hours to a few years. Every time it works for you, it loses some charge. If it is around other charged items, its charge can be "corrupted" which means you need to charge it more often than if it were never around other charged items. As well, some people are naturally able to remove the energy from charms. If a charm is around such people too long, it will stop working until charged again. That being said, charms will typically not cause direct change in your reality, they influence your reality. A luck charm will not make you win the lottery, but a luck charm may influence your natural psychic abilities to help you pick and choose tickets that are more likely to win. It may also influence you to pay more attention to your surroundings and you are more likely to spot that dropped $20 bill than someone else. A great sex charm may influence you to be more confident and curious. You may be influenced to be more adventurous and daring in that area of your life. Instead of second-guessing if you should talk to someone that caught your eye, you may have the courage to actually approach them and confident enough to strike up a good conversation, which may lead to pleasure later.

[@solomongrim8161]

Good word Mage Reaves and good word is like sweet bread to a bird

[@henrylivingstone2800]

It’s a rock.

[@crabulous113]

@@henrylivingstone2800 occultism aside, scientifically, that’s still wrong 😂. The composition of gemstones allow them to conduct electricity and various forms of energy, which cannot be replicated by “rocks.”

[@henrylivingstone2800]

@@crabulous113 Fine ...it’s a mineral.

[@wkgames7516]

@@henrylivingstone2800 Lol! Even though you are skeptical, you are still hilarious!

[@setitheredcap2677]

I would love to regularly visit a shop like this. I'd practically live there. Unfortunately, we don't have anything like this nearby.

[@AnielleReid]

What state do you live in? I'm looking to opening a store in NJ

[@newsense8]

It's the best. One of the things I miss about home.

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

About the same here. No such shops within a hundred miles of me, and I really don't know why. There is an interest "locally" for such shops, but nobody opens them.

[@milostodorovic69]

@@AnielleReid I'm in NJ have you opened up your store yet?

[@Michelle-nk3wm]

@@milostodorovic69 you should spend a day on South Street in Philly if you're in South Jersey or near-by, theres at least 3 notable places with great occult/spiritual goodies!

[@SolomonsWorks]

So...what about the books? I saw someone look at rocks and get a good smelling pillow.

[@newsense8]

There are a lot of rare finds in there. Magic, witchcraft, healing, history, psychic literature, Sci fi, wizardry, health and wellness, metaphysics, mentalist studies, cultural occult practices, etc. I can spend 2 hours easy in there just browsing books.

[@ruki4585]

Yeah

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

He doesnt know what this is...Why do they send people that dont understand what the deal is?

[@Re-bl5sr]

@@newsense8 The books (ie Grimoires) are where it's at. As for the crystals, herbs and pretty stones...not so much.

[@newsense8]

I can't even begin on how much the psychics, healers and witches there have helped my family and I on our paths to accepting our gifts. Jay, Lisa, Obie, I can go on and on. The prices of their crystals and wands may be steep but the energy in there is worth it, especially their readings. I'm grateful.

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

Crystals and gemstones are expensive from the suppliers, and they need to mark it up for their own profit. It's just the way it is. Time is money as well. If it takes an hour to make something, it is going to make that item a lot more expensive than an item that took two minutes to make.

[@Blossam]

There are incredible book shops like this in Britain, head to Watkins or Treadwells in London. ♥

[@enemyofsatan4367]

book shops like that should be closed down.

[@jenmallarapu9906]

I always loved occult shops. But my wallet doesn't.

[@David-og7di]

go to the Sacred Books website, many esoteric publications are there digitally and free for the reading. An essential and accessible primer could be Owen Davies A History of Grimoires.

[@theworldismine856]

Witch

[@infinitesnail]

Millennial Unicorn Yes?

[@avimehenwal]

same! What I do is, just visit them ... enter, take a tour and come out without buying anything XD I will never have that big of a pocket for this lol

[@claramirasol6081]

Use a spell to make you rich.

[@lookah5605]

Most people tend to think that crystal influence your fate wish or whatsoever but it actually influences the way you act it brings change inside you

[@TheTrueOnyxRose]

Then what do you need a crystal for? Just go to a shrink.

[@ireneh.6356]

Exactly. It’s all in the brain. These simple stones, gems, herbs, all just help change you subconscious. They carry no real “power” or magic.

[@MoonSpellTarot]

I've been to this store, the people who work there are very nice and helpful. They really do have an amazing book collection as well.

[@GabrielGarcia-ep9fs]

Ur really pretty is that you in the pic? And I'd like a reading by you if possible? (I've never EVER did anything like this before in my whole life either) @moon spell tarot

[@enemyofsatan4367]

why dont you read a bible instead of this satanic crap ?

[@JPFerraccio]

The two most important directives WITH the pillow: 1) tell yourself as you go to sleep "I will clearly remember my dreams when I awake," and 2) immediately upon awaking, write down everything you remember. If you don't yet remember anything, write down your impressions.

[@juless3568]

I feel comfortable in occult shops and delighted to know that it is worth visiting the most oldest occult store when in Chicago. The occult guides us to the answers to questions we may not have answers to.

[@enemyofsatan4367]

wrong, the occult causes society to go down the wrong path, just look at the problems that game called dungeon and dragons caused in the 1980s

[@AnielleReid]

Thanks so much for this episode!!!

[@martinwilliams9866]

This is typical when you have someone coming into a bookshop who knows nothing about the subject, they get distracted by papp & trinkets

[@IMGREENJELLO]

Gone are the days when Russell Thorne used to own this establishment and Jack ran Aurum Solis. I would come in and watch over the shop from time to time.. engulfed with resources farther than the imagination could glimpse. Several hundred 1st edition antiquarian/metaphysical books used to be housed here, from once on Clark/Belmont.

[@starmessenger]

I grew up in Chicago and would LOVE to visit this store! Alas, I live several hundred miles away.

[@euminkong]

Harry Potter the story of the Horcrux and Hallows is the Holy Grail Story and the Search for Immortality of Alchemists. The soul splitting part is not too far from fiction. There is something worse than murder...

[@zeppelincurse8381]

Whoa! Very cool! Thanks for sharing.👍

[@dinosoarusrex8420]

i live down the street from this place and never knew it was that old

[@scottgabriel2237]

And it is real

[@GabrielGarcia-ep9fs]

Have u been to the store since this posting?

[@klausrain111]

I used to shop for books here in the mid-70s when I lived in Chicago. I am aware of that phenomenon of browsing and finding a book that turned out to change my life in profound ways. In fact I bought a book there that was written by who turned out to be my future guru. This video brings me back to those wonderful years spent in the early days of my spiritual seeking. The Occult Bookstore looms large in this profound journey. Of course, back then they didn't have all the herbs we see in this interesting video.

[@caseymccartin6062]

I live near Chicago and went to this shop once. They had metaphysical books that you could find at Barnes and Noble with the prices heavily marked up. They were also super rude. But they did have some cool stuff I was just really turned off of it.

[@brendadickens3776]

Are you guys still in wacker park Chicago il could you please let me know if your still in the same area need help asap.

[@mizukarate]

Have you ever seen the statue house in Bensonhurst Brooklyn? Also you should check out the obolisk in Central Park.

[@micomarinas2753]

do they any website? can their books available online? or on ebay or amazon?

[@MonkheyBoy]

Many occult books can be found online, you should check out bookdepository on the internet, they have every book imaginable.

[@David-og7di]

@@MonkheyBoy correct, there is much commercial value in making widely available these hidden and secret books, HP Lovecraft said that the existing body of esoterica was not particuarly interesting, and thats why he invented his own cosmology. Irony much?

[@MorganMalfoy13]

You should go see the Paranormal and Curiosities Museum in Asbery Park NJ.

[@hayleyshook6801]

I would go to one if I knew of one near to me, I'm still studying

[@zadeh79]

I remember driving there from the suburbs , 30 years ago, to buy a Ouija board. I almost remember the guys name Russ (or maybe Guss?). Anyways, it's a cool store, and I'm glad they are still in business.

[@Non-Serviam300]

This was the wrong guy to send to this shop

[@joelhundley7706]

Is this the store that was on Clark street then to the building Medusas used to be ? Down the street from El Sabarum Orduns ????

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Did you fix the place up?

[@sarsman55]

ALL IS WELL!

[@mohavea66]

What was the name of that stone that he was holding in the video?

[@sandraestraume7278]

Seeking solution for situation that has been block you it's like learning a language to understand somebody how they're communicating with their talking about same thing with this it's how to understand it what what it is what they're doing and how to counteract it if it's harming you

[@smokyquartz5817]

The store owner is so professional and goo-natured and the "show host" is and embarrassing tool. Want to hear much more from the first guy.

[@englishgarden2189]

“My kind Of Place” I Would like a Book on levitation As l Have Spontaneously lifted up and Certain things Bring it Out in me. No Other person Exept my Mom Has Ever Shared Their Experiences. I know we’re All Capable of Levitation, people are just imberissed or afraid to Show their gifts to the World..!! Feels like air under your Feet and like Your Foot Chakras are Open and Spinning..!!

[@ash7324]

These kind of shops are ALWAYS the best place to get shrooms and acid, any city in the world if there's one of these shops; a psychotropic substance is in it's vicinity.

[@wokzombie6068]

do they really sell it there? and to any age??

[@Heartless-oi3sp]

Are there any occult bookstores in California? Bay Area, San Diego or LA?

[@Oneirotaxia]

Theres one in Monterey called Rose books and obscurities

[@onlytymecantell]

I'm in philly. I'd take a pillow and quilt.

[@sandraestraume7278]

Well there is a woman at the end of a shopping mall in Sun Palmdale Boulevard 25th Street East she sells candles

[@jackashworth3956]

i wanna kno what the stores managers family say bout all this haha

[@almighty9539]

this is the library kamar taj

[@pokedreadhead6089]

You can tell the host is completely blind, But that probably how he got this deal.

[@mike62mcmanus]

I went to this occult/crystal store that even read fortunes... The ladies invited me to sit for coffee and they were talking and one lady was talking about auras and I said my phone can see them and I had a fleer heat attachment and I pointed it and one woman who was amazed and said it was TRUE and as I scanned the other three and got to one woman I put a horrified look on my face and she freaked out.... then I laughed and told them..... i was unwelcome after that..

[@caroldehaven3847]

I was a regular shopper when this shop was on N.State Street back in the 60's and 70's.

[@jasonwilliams7461]

Are they about real occult magic and history for real

[@trs_4612]

something is very occult about his beard

[@s.s.scripttiescultist6519]

S.S.Scriptties has comith, join us.

[@aliseallona8331]

Yes yes .. bro iindia we have sage doing black magic u should try that that one then u believe in occulted ok I sure frist try that 1000 percent

[@IBMikmaq]

It was too fast. I wanted to see the books. Especially the rare books

[@newtronix]

Maybe look at some books next time.

[@this_is_NOT_a_test]

John 3:16-21,36 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God... Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, BUT WHOEVER REJECTS THE SON WILL NOT SEE LIFE, FOR GOD’S WRATH REMAINS ON THEM."

[@linalove5784]

Oldest in the world?

[@diaryofaleo5138]

It said one of the oldest

[@gabrielleobrien1868]

What’s the shop called

[@JK-jl1bf]

Yeah, WTF is HP doing in there?

[@YunusEmre...]

Barış Özcannnnn

[@3DiFilms]

bruh, you were thinking about the item, not feeling it; two different things

[@queenblackdiva]

I want to visit that book shop!

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Isn't ANY place selling religious books (such as the Bible) an occult bookstore?

[@enemyofsatan4367]

no because us Christians do not read anything satanic.

[@kindnessfirst9670]

@@enemyofsatan4367 I said "occult"- not 'satanic". Anything supernatural is occult- e.g. miracles, rising from the dead, changing water in to wine, etc.

[@enemyofsatan4367]

@@kindnessfirst9670 Christianity is not occult as Jesus warned us about the occult

[@kindnessfirst9670]

@@enemyofsatan4367 Occult is another word for supernatural.

[@enemyofsatan4367]

@@kindnessfirst9670 Of course it is just like tarot cards, Ouija boards, dungeon and dragons board games, pornography,, the satanic temple, etc

[@johnholborn563]

I always reflect upon the Biblical revelations that 3-12 MAGI visited the Christ Child in his stable crib. This is, of course, hard core Christian Nativity Story, and it brings the legendary and near mythical MAGI into the story! In fact, the word "MAGIC" comes from the Magi who, as inferred in the Nativity story, were WISE MEN WHO FOLLOWED THE STAR(S) ... which, according to historians on this subject, was normal for Magi as they were all what we now call ASTROLOGERS! Naturally, these 'wise men', the Magi, gave the Christ child valuable gifts, Gold, Frankensense, Myrr, etc. Naturally, it would seem reasonable that these Wise Men would also provide something THEY would consider much more valuable than Gold; HIDDEN OR OCCULT KNOWLEDGE! I bet you're thinking; Fascinating THEORY but is there any other evidence? Well, as one may well remember, as a small child, Jesus wow'd the learned men of the Jewish Temple with his knowledge. So, there's that. And, lest we forget; Jesus' Miracles: Walking on water, healing the sick, raising the dead, knowing the 'minds' or thoughts (telepathy) of others, seeing and hearing conversations many miles away from where Jesus was (Clairvoyance & Clair-audience). And, of course, Jesus was accused of being a 'Witch' or 'sorcerer' because of these now famous Miracles! That being said, theres a world of difference between Christian MAGI and the dribble presented in this video! Here's one last little bit; LOVE IS THE ENERGY THAT MAKES TELEPATHY HAPPEN. Blessings & Peace.

[@linadjinn9183]

I'm happy that there's Christian people who understand my thoughts. Everytime I tells Christian that I'm a witch they call me a satanic or tell me that I need help of God. The I tell them what about Jesus powers, god Powers and then they say it's not magick it's miracles ... I wish people where more open minded. 😄🌞🌑

[@VitruvianVision]

the bible is a gnostic book for sure and what most radical christians think refers to the end of the world is actually referring to a specific kind of magic.

[@newsense8]

In that order!

[@therealitycheckcheck496]

You will not be able to come now.

[@stevenh8174]

Used to be many shops like this

[@Joe-629]

Harry Potter is occult in philosophy.

[@hg1651]

100 year old my ass.

[@kittyvine823]

The book seller/spell binder is a fake and really blows this story. I would never believe a fake, like him.

[@hayleyshook6801]

Did they put any weed in the dream bag, lol

[@RobinAlbatroz]

come visit the largest firearms training school in las vegas Nevada

[@adrielgomez9164]

the demon furcas increased my psychic abilities

[@marylg7824]

Demonic

[@iamchosennotforsaken5421]

Jesus is coming soon! He died for us on the cross and rose again. He is Risen and Alive. He went here to save us from sins like a lawyer and now He is coming back as our judge, there is no other way tos salvation except through Him, come to Him today.

[@jesuslovesyou2427]

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Jesus loves you✝️Please READ👉 Deuteronomy 18:10-11

[@kobos_official]

PRAISE GOD 👏

[@selenophile333]

Shut up

[@brennan6077]

Evil... y’all about to find out.

[@QuantumEffectResidue]

I REBUKE this place in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. This place is filled with hundreds of Demons and the guy that runs that place is headed straight to HELL!

[@uglymelon6721]

Quantum Effect Residue shut up

[@briskflicks688]

This is evil stuff. Get saved.

[@drumcircler]

Lots of money in the BS industries. Silliness sells. Kaching.

[@Cloudforest811]

Repent.

[@booboogaloo2152]

You don't have to see this. It's just hype to get viewers. Nothing worthy of watching. Anybody believing in "magic" (and religion) is moronic. Believing in magical stuff--like believing in God--is all in the mind of the beholder. It only seems to be real--but only in one's head.

[@setitheredcap2677]

Magic is energy, and energy has been proven to exist. If anything, your narrow mindedness makes you closed off.

[@dragonblue6509]

Rhys James agreed.

[@juliannacampo9453]

So believing in something so much that it comes true for you, is the placebo effect. Why can’t ppl call that magic?

[@ytee8965]

Lol your a moron

[@BestFriend-zn1xb]

Magic is a word we use for things we don’t understand think about it. Witchcraft is cool

[@tylerjohnson1352]

Garbage. No need for any of this when you have the resurrecting power of Christ in you