Christina Oakley-Harrington [Karolina Urbaniak]

“DISENCHANTMENT with late-stage capitalism” could be behind booming interest in mysticism, according to an esoteric bookshop owner.

Treadwell’s in Store Street, Bloomsbury, is reporting a surge in interest from readers “aged 16 to 86” who may have begun “questioning structures” and are now seeking inspiration from tomes on the occult, crystal wands and tarot cards.

The shop runs a series of workshops and courses where you can master the tricks of “Grimoire Magic” (communicating with angels), learn the art of “scrying” (conjuring visions in crystal balls, black mirrors and candle flames), and grasp hypnosis techniques (useful for those seeking astral projection).

Founder Christina Oakley-Harrington said: “Interest goes in waves and cycles. There was a big rise in the 70s. There was a spike around when Harry Potter came out. And it’s definitely having a moment now.

“The reasons for it have a lot to do with people having to spend a lot more time on their own, which came from lockdown and there’s a high correlation between creativity, imagination, vivid dreams and the exploration of mystical subjects.”

The cost of living crisis, inflation and disillusionment in politics have also played a role, she said, adding: “The other side of it has to do with what’s going on in the outside world: a real disenchantment with what late-stage capitalism has to offer.

The scrying game: selenite crystal wands and Isis candle holders at Treadwell’s

“As a youth in the 1980s, nobody was interested in things like tarot card reading or mystical stuff because everybody was so excited about how rich you could get by getting a corporate job.

“When lives are precarious, people begin questioning structures and they do that in different ways. Highly imaginative people look to creativity and image and symbolism and meditation. You see the cracks in the system, and then you go ‘Well, where can I find meaning in my life?’ and that’s more inside oneself.”

Ms Oakley-Harrington said she first became interested in the occult as a child through books and TV programmes including The Owl Service and Children of the Stones, adding: “The land, nature and the mysterious all come together to make a Pagan spirituality appealing to me, not to mention that I was brought up on the tales of ancient gods and goddesses in the Greek myths.”

After Camden High Street’s legendary bookshop Compendium closed down at the start of the millennium, Ms Oakley-Harrington said she “knew London needed another occult bookshop” and sought to fill the gap.

Retiring from academia, she started running workshops at the store since it opened in 2003.

Ms Oakley-Harrington said: “We never say we’re going to sell you this specially charged candle that’s got magical powers and is going to change your life. Absolutely not. What we’ll say is for 700 years people in the British Isles have been taking candles and putting certain oils on them and burning them at certain times. And we’re going to show you how you can do that at home and you can get your candles at the supermarket.”