Entry No. 3 — the Salt Lake City file — filed under: witchy
Golden Braid Books
A metaphysical bookstore that's held the same storefront since 1979, physically wedged into the same building as the vegetarian Oasis Cafe. Six named in-house readers (Ross, Dixie, Amber, Alexis, Alexander, Marie) do walk-in and by-appointment tarot and psychic readings most days, and the shop still runs its own daily horoscope column online rather than syndicating one.
The story
In a city better known for religious orthodoxy, Golden Braid Books has quietly anchored Salt Lake City's mystical fringe since 1979. Founded by an accountant named Jackie, the shop didn't just survive four decades in Central City—it grew directly into the neighborhood fabric, physically locking elbows with the vegetarian Oasis Cafe in the same brick building. While many occult shops feel temporary or hidden away in strip-mall basements, Golden Braid feels permanent, like a counter-cultural institution that simply refused to be displaced.
What keeps the shop distinct is its insistence on keeping things local and personal. Instead of buying wire-syndicated daily horoscopes like standard lifestyle portals, Golden Braid writes its own daily horoscope column in-house. Inside the shop, six designated readers—Ross, Dixie, Amber, Alexis, Alexander, and Marie—handle walk-in and scheduled tarot and intuitive psychic sessions. You aren't getting a polished, tourist-trap palm reading here; you are sitting down with readers who belong to a long-running local network of Utah esoteric practice.
What it's like
Expect a warm, low-lit sanctuary smelling faintly of incense and herbal tea, with packed bookshelves covering everything from Western hermeticism to Eastern philosophy. The shop floor bleeds seamlessly into the adjacent Oasis Cafe, so you can easily browse tarot decks and then walk straight through to order a meal. Readers sit at quiet tables within the space; walk-ins are welcomed when slots are open, but reserving online beforehand guarantees a reading with your chosen reader. Grab a notebook, get your reading done, and carry your notes out to the shaded Oasis Cafe patio next door to dissect what came up.
The move: Each book a slot with a different one of the shop's six readers, then carry your notes out to the Oasis Cafe patio next door to compare what came up over tea.
- 📍 Central City / East Downtown
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 151 South 500 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden — Walk six blocks south to contrast Golden Braid's gentle metaphysics with a secluded garden filled with bizarre, visionary LDS stone carvings.
- Summum Pyramid — Double down on Salt Lake's esoteric underbelly by following your tarot session with a short drive west to see Poplar Grove's modern mummification pyramid.
- The Rest (beneath Bodega) — Head downtown after evening browsing to compare notes over drinks in a subterranean speakeasy hidden behind a hot-dog stand.
Good to know
Where is Golden Braid Books located?
It is located at 151 South 500 East in Salt Lake City's Central City / East Downtown neighborhood.
Who does the readings at the shop?
The shop employs six named in-house readers—Ross, Dixie, Amber, Alexis, Alexander, and Marie—who offer tarot and psychic readings.
Do I need to book a reading in advance?
Walk-ins are accommodated when readers have open availability, but booking an appointment online beforehand is recommended if you want a specific reader or guaranteed time.
Is Golden Braid Books connected to Oasis Cafe?
Yes, Golden Braid Books and the vegetarian Oasis Cafe operate side-by-side inside the exact same building and share access to an outdoor courtyard patio.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · saltlakemagazine.com · saltlakesideways.com
last checked: 2026-07-20