Chicago is a city known for its diverse range of stores and businesses catering to different interests and hobbies. From trendy fashion boutiques to unique antique shops, Chicago has it all. One niche market that has found its place in the city is occult bookstores. The occult is a term commonly used to describe practices, beliefs, and phenomena that fall outside the realm of what is considered mainstream or traditional. Occult bookstores cater to individuals interested in topics such as astrology, witchcraft, divination, and esoteric spirituality. Chicago has several occult bookstores spread across the city, each offering a unique selection of books, tools, and resources to satisfy the curiosity and interests of its customers.
Delon sounds like a teacher when he describes the Latin root of the word “occultus,” which means “to be hidden from sight.”
As more and more collectors and a growing number of ordinary lay people began contacting us, we soon decided to make our treasures available to ANYONE with a driving desire to boost and encourage their spiritual growth. So for me, rather than having to always go back to the rule book and figure out if I ve done something wrong, I sit in a place of balance equipoise and naturalness.
Chicago has several occult bookstores spread across the city, each offering a unique selection of books, tools, and resources to satisfy the curiosity and interests of its customers. These stores often have a distinct atmosphere, adorned with mystical artwork, incense, and occasionally even tarot card readers or spiritual consultants available on site. Occult bookstores in Chicago are more than just retail shops.
Louvel Delon
The shelves in the Occult Bookstore are stuffed with collections of books on Paganism, Magick and Zen Buddhism. Beyond the shelves, wooden tables are filled with plates of crystals and precious stones. Behind the counter, store owner Louvel Delon stands in front of an array of Mason jars filled with herbs and elixir mixers that go along with spiritual rituals.
Delon describes his first occurrences with the Occult Bookstore as something close to a cosmic coincidence.
“I felt like it just popped out of the universe,” he says. “It was just there for me.”
He hung out in the neighborhood as a teenager but never noticed the bookstore until one evening when it caught his attention and he ventured inside. Each step into the bookstore fueled his curiosity; he began looking through the plethora of books, which lured him to return to the store throughout that week. Delon’s visits caught the eye of the store owner, who asked him if he wanted a job at the store. From that day forward, Delon was on a path to become the owner of the Occult Bookstore, now located on North Milwaukee Avenue.
As the owner of an occult-focused bookstore, he communicates some of his life experiences and guides people who are going through unexplainable spiritual experiences.
Delon says customers often come into the store and tell him things like, “If I went and talked to my mom, or went and talked to whoever, they would just say, ‘Oh, you got the devil in you’ or ‘You're crazy’ or you're this or you're that.” The bookstore serves a purpose, he says, in helping those people.
First-time visitor Shartata Mitchell shopped at the Occult Bookstore alongside her fiance, who had brought it to her attention. She said she was amazed by the store’s energy and overjoyed to see that the owner was a person of color.
“Seeing someone that looks like me, of color, running a place like this was refreshing, so it [was like] I’m not the only one,” Mitchell says.
She added that she enjoyed how Delon didn’t pressure her to buy anything; instead, he simply guided her to items that fit with her spiritual interests. From his guidance, she decided to purchase a divination pendulum, which is a device that can be used to answer questions, oftentimes with a pendant that swings from a string.
“It helps you talk to your higher self. It's not spirits that you’re talking to—it’s actually your higher self. There’s a lot of things we [subconsciously] know but we just don’t know how to tap into it,” Mitchell says.
Delon says the store’s mission is to be a resource for people who want to learn about the ancient wisdoms of occult studies.
“A lot of people think books are on the way out. [But to me,] they are more like albums. They are this recorder that holds memories, craftsmanship, magic, the occult,” Delon says. “We are a portal to that land, so I want that land to be opened for another hundred years.”
Delon had a strict Southern Baptist upbringing, which motivated him to seek the path of alternative philosophies.
"Seeing someone that looks like me, of color, running a place like this was refreshing"
“Very early on, even in Sunday school, I was asking a question, ‘What about people in China? What if they've never experienced the Christian God? Are you going to say they're going to go to hell?’” he recalls.
“And that question puzzled me. [What if] you haven’t had exposure to any particular deity because it's not from your culture? How can they be cursed?”
That led him to filter out some of his mother’s teachings and develop his own sense of spirituality instead.
“I was able to look at the root of what she wanted me to know and not get caught up in the dogma,” Delon says.
Delon sounds like a teacher when he describes the Latin root of the word “occultus,” which means “to be hidden from sight.”
“Occultism is not some big bad boogie word. It just means understanding the non-plain meanings of these religious texts, these practices and even our lives,” Delon says.
Delon, who has a multicultural background, studies many versions of the occult, including Haitian Voodoo, Gnostics theology and Scandinavian magic, among other beliefs that fit in with his ancestral background. He uses the occult as a frame of reference to analyze the hidden influences behind everything, whether it be solar, psychological, mental, or spiritual. More specifically, he uses the Chinese philosophy Wu Wei under Taoism, which literally means “not-doing,” as a lens for his moral outlook.
While considering moral choices and conduct, Delon is thoughtful.
“There is balance, there is natural, ecological balance in the world, and if you aim for that you don't have to worry about the moral of something,” he says. “So for me, rather than having to always go back to the rule book and figure out if I've done something wrong, I sit in a place of balance equipoise and naturalness.”
“It helps you talk to your higher self. It's not spirits that you’re talking to—it’s actually your higher self. There’s a lot of things we [subconsciously] know but we just don’t know how to tap into it,” Mitchell says.
They serve as community hubs and gathering places for individuals interested in exploring the realms of the mysterious and the spiritual. Many of these stores host workshops, classes, and events that aim to educate and connect like-minded individuals. These events can range from astrology readings to tarot card workshops, meditation sessions, and even discussions on ancient magical traditions. The popularity of occult bookstores in Chicago is a testament to the city's open-mindedness and willingness to embrace alternative belief systems and practices. These stores may be niche, but they cater to a growing demand for knowledge and resources related to the occult. Whether one is a devotee of the occult or simply curious about these subjects, Chicago's occult bookstores offer a unique experience and opportunity to delve into the mystical and enigmatic. From ancient texts to modern interpretations, these stores provide a wealth of information, tools, and resources to aid individuals seeking to explore the esoteric and connect with their spiritual selves. In a world often dominated by technology and materialism, occult bookstores in Chicago offer a space for individuals to reconnect with the deeper aspects of their existence and explore the mysteries that lay beyond the everyday realm..
Reviews for "Secrets of the Occult: Discover Chicago's Hidden Literary Treasure"
1. Emily - 1 star - I was really excited to visit the Occult Book Store in Chicago, but I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The staff was rude and unhelpful, making me feel unwelcome from the moment I walked in. The store itself was poorly organized and messy, making it difficult to find anything. The selection of books was subpar and overpriced. Overall, I would not recommend this store to anyone looking for a good occult book shopping experience.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As a longtime lover of occult literature, I had high hopes for the Occult Book Store in Chicago. However, my visit left me underwhelmed. The store had a limited selection and seemed to focus more on novelty items rather than quality books. The staff was not knowledgeable and couldn't provide any recommendations or answer my questions. The atmosphere of the store was also lacking, with dim lighting and an overall uninviting ambiance. I was disappointed with my experience and don't plan on returning.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - The Occult Book Store in Chicago was just okay in my opinion. While they had a decent selection of occult books, the prices were quite high compared to other bookstores I've been to. The staff was friendly enough, but not overly helpful or knowledgeable. The store itself felt a bit cramped and cluttered, making browsing a bit difficult. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.
4. David - 2 stars - I found the Occult Book Store in Chicago to be a disappointment. The selection of books was quite limited and didn't offer anything new or unique. The staff seemed disinterested and didn't make any effort to assist customers. The store itself was poorly organized, making it difficult to find anything specific. I left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this store to serious occult book enthusiasts.