Entry No. 1 — the Philadelphia file — filed under: witchy
Garland of Letters Bookstore
Philadelphia's oldest New Age bookstore, quietly running since 1972 — over 50 years of incense smoke, tarot decks, and world-religion stacks under one South Street roof, calling itself 'A Community of Learners' rather than a shop.
The story
Before South Street became a noisy strip of cheesesteak spots and commercial retail, Dr. Pratap and seven of his students opened Garland of Letters on 12th Street in 1972. They eventually settled at 527 South Street, quietly setting up shop decades before modern wellness culture decided crystals and incense belonged in curated boutique windows. More than fifty years later, it stands as Philadelphia’s oldest New Age bookstore, still holding fast to its founding identity as a 'Community of Learners' rather than a standard retail transaction point.
Step past the threshold and you enter a room where fifty years of resin, sage, and sandalwood smoke seem baked directly into the woodwork. The inventory doesn't just skim the surface of popular occult trends; the deep stacks span comparative world religions, classical yoga, Eastern philosophy, metaphysics, and esoteric traditions. It's the kind of sanctuary where you come looking for a simple tarot deck and end up quietly leafing through texts on Vedic thought while South Street's chaotic sidewalk traffic stays firmly outside.
What it's like
The transition from the pavement into the shop is immediate, hit first by heavy ambient incense and low lighting. Browsing is self-directed and quiet: you'll navigate glass counters loaded with mineral specimens and altar jewelry, a dense wall of tarot and oracle decks, and shelf after shelf of esoteric texts. Staff leave you alone to linger, though they'll step in if you need help finding specific decks or stone varieties. Doors typically open at noon (closing around 6 PM Sunday through Wednesday and 7 PM Thursday through Saturday), but given the shop's quiet rhythm, double-check hours before making the trip.
The move: Browse the tarot and oracle deck wall until you each pick one for the other, then linger over the resin and mineral cases for a shared altar piece — the shop also runs its own yoga and wellness classes if you want to extend the afternoon.
- 📍 South Street / Bella Vista
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 527 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Nepal-Tibet Handicrafts — Head six blocks north into Old City to browse singing bowls, Dharamsala imports, and prayer flags at another long-standing metaphysical hub.
- Herbiary — Walk over to Reading Terminal Market to complement your incense and crystal run with bulk teas, loose resins, and essential oils.
- The 8th House — Head southwest into Point Breeze to contrast South Street's original 1970s New Age anchor with a modern, community-focused indie witch shop.
Good to know
Where is Garland of Letters located?
It sits at 527 South Street, near the border of the South Street and Bella Vista neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
When was the bookstore founded and by whom?
It was established in 1972 by Dr. Pratap and seven of his students, opening originally on 12th Street before moving to South Street.
What does the shop sell besides books?
In addition to texts on world religions and mysticism, they carry raw crystals, minerals, resin incense, altar jewelry, tarot and oracle decks, and offer yoga and wellness classes.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · phillymag.com
last checked: 2026-07-19