New Age and Metaphysical Bookstores Around Boston, Massachusetts
Open Doors (Braintree). 395A Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184. (781) 843-8224. http://www.opendoors7.com. Billed as New England’s largest source for New Age needs, Open Doors is more than a bookstore. It also sells jewelry, sculpture, spell-casting supplies, crystals, lighting, Tarot/fortunetelling decks, cards, bookmarks, etc. Open Doors also has a full roster of classes, readings and workshops. Oh yeahâÂ?¦and there are books too. Open Doors sells New Age fiction and non-fiction of all types. In the Braintree location, at least, there are so many steps and so much merchandise that you have to watch where you’re walking. Since the Braintree location is high-traffic, flagging down help may be difficult. Off the beaten path of public transit, Open Doors in Braintree is better reached by car. Nearby parking is easy to find.
Open Doors (Brighton). 360 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135. (617) 202-6333. http://www.opendoors7.com. The sister store to Open Doors in Braintree, the Brighton location contains the same variety of goods. The Brighton location is also as busy, but its lay-out is more navigable, so you don’t always feel like you might trip over something. Those people without cars can take the Green Line or bus, both of which stop close by. On-street parking is theoretically available, but don’t count on it.
Seven Stars. 731 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. (617) 547-1317. Seven Stars sits right outside Central Square, near all sorts of public transportation, though parking is scarce. With its quiet interior, high ceilings and neat shelves, the store is attractive to browsers. Though it sells calendars, crystals, bells and some jewelry, it is predominantly a purveyor of new and used books. Seven Stars focuses on non-fiction and art books about the religion, mysticism and philosophy of India, China and Japan. Meditation, yoga, martial arts and prophecy are also notable sections. Despite the open floor plan, I’ve always had trouble getting customer service here; for some reason, it’s easy to slip under the proprietor’s radar in Seven Stars.
Trident Booksellers and CafÃ?©. 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115. (617) 267-8688. http://www.tridentbookscafe.com. Wedged into a narrow strip on the hoity-toity Newbury Street, Trident is a welcome down-to-earth respite from the surrounding designer boutiques. Feed your appetite with the delicious, affordable food from their cafÃ?© (including a delectable all-day breakfast). Then move over to their new and used book section to feed your soul. Trident stocks general-interest fiction and non-fiction, but it really shines with its offerings on the intellectual side of the New Age movement, such as psychology, religion and philosophy. The store also sells a variety of Tarot/fortunetelling decks (no sample cards available), calendars and note cards. The diversity of their alternative periodicals, on subjects from high-end decorating to radical feminism to body modification, should cover anything not stocked in their metaphysical section. A Boston favorite, Trident bursts at the seams with customers and runs on a fast pace. However, the cheerful clerks are always glad to help. Highly recommended (especially if you take public transportation – it’s on the Green Line subway, and parking is expensive)!
Unicorn Books and Spiritual Resource Center. 1971 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. (617) 876-4448. http://www.unicornbooks.org. As you enter Unicorn Books, a peaceful atmosphere, with ambient music and scents from the fragrance corner, engulfs you. This store, which is conveniently next to the Porter Square T and commuter rail station, runs at a much more leisurely pace than, say, Trident. Its spacious floor plan contains a small cafÃ?© and several clusters of upholstered chairs in which to lounge. Unicorn Books sells titles on everything from angels to Zoroastrianism, with an emphasis on the popular strands of New Age spirituality. Jewelry, crystals, essential oils and Tarot/fortunetelling decks complement the books. I have to mention that Unicorn lets you look through an album of fortunetelling cards before you buy – a great bonus. Plus they will even order rare or unusual decks for you. Finally, if you need any more reasons to visit, consider that the staff provides some of the friendliest service that I’ve ever encountered in a Cambridge bookstore of any type. Also offering classes, author events and free healings, Unicorn prides itself on being the place for all your New Age and metaphysical needs. Also highly recommended!
