Abraham’s Metaphysical Books

dark energy, he has no real power. weak magic.

dark energy!!! be aware not for light workers but if you like dark magic this is a place for you

I always believe that things happen for a reason. It started to rain heavily and I needed to duck under cover real fast and ended up in front of this place. It’s weird ’cause I frequently The Drive yet I never noticed this store until today. I am Muslim by birth, however, Wiccan by practice, therefore, this store was right up my ally. It’s small and modest with mostly books, a tarot reader in the corner (he was in the middle of someone else’s reading) and a few crystals and candles. The supplies are very limited, therefore, think of this as a book store. The lady working the til was fantastic and supportive. I didn’t have any intention of buying anything, just to browse and get acquainted with a store that is new to me. After talking with the owner for a few minutes I decided to get a crystal stone. There has been a lot of negativity in my professional life mostly brought on by those around me, therefore, wanted a little keep sake to attract positive energy. As a Wiccan I’ve had crystals, smudges etc. to attract positive energy around me, however, sometimes a cleanser is needed. This review is based on my entry experience. Banyan is still my go to book store at the moment since I know the people really well here, however, for small things I know that there is shop a little closer to home.

This store is fantastic, cute, quaint and mystical store. The owners are very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to spiritual questions. It is a very cool store with a wealth of information. I highly recommend this store to my friends and family.

Very interesting place to browse, but beware do not buy. The prices are astronomical, it’s actually pretty damn funny to think people will fork out that cash for books you can buy new for half the price. I prefer to pop in check out what books are lining the shelves and if anything catches my eye I’ll go purchase it elsewhere.
There are some eerie looking dolls guarding the bookshelves, unless they repositioned themselves since I was last there. Hard to focus on a book with this cajun-​like figure staring in my direction. I know it’s a doll, but you’d be creeped out too… did she just wink at me?!
The place smells of incense, I’m a fan. Not that headachy overwhelming incense that makes me want to sprint home and shower. It’s more of a ‘we were just doing a ceremony on the floor 2 seconds before you walked in’ type of smell.
Go look around. Enjoy the vibe. Then leave with your cash in your pockets, unless of course the little dolls pick-​pocket you before you have a chance to escape.

Fairly good place to shop. Terrible for selling your used books.
One of the few remaining bookshops in Vancouver with a genuinely occultic/​esoteric bent. Despite Vancouver’s free-​wheeling attitude towards spirituality, we’re very poorly served by shops that cater to the more ceremonial dagger and dusty-​tome crowds. Sure, Banyen has a decent selection on books related to ‘spirituality’, but most of their selection tends towards mainstream yoga manuals and life-​coaching journals. I could count easily the number of shops that have valiantly come and gone that specifically tried to fit the needs of the Goth/​Wicca/​Hermetic/​etc subcultures of readers, but they don’t last long — maybe because of poor management, internet book sales, or lack of publicity. Maybe Vancouver just isn’t mature enough to be serviced by a shop that specializes in rare tastes. I’ve seen plenty of cool, dusky bookshops in Amsterdam and London. .. but Vancouver? Maybe we’re just not a beeswax candle and pentacle kind of town.
Abraham’s has been around for a long time, and they do have a command of what they’re selling. They generally know the authors, scholars and leaders in the fields of alternative religious thinking. Their shop has that curio-​voodoo vibe which, if you’re into it, is rather charming. .. not quite like the bookshop in /​Charmed/​, but close. You do have to cut through a fair amount of occultic posturing, however. There’s a lot of self-​satisfaction about their spiritual attunements. And, if you are a serious collector of magickal texts, than this shop is worth a look. .. although, given the ambiguous selection and through-​the-​roof prices, it may be your last look.
The cons. Some of the prices are beyond comical. Round charcoal briquettes for lighting loose incense? $ 2 each. *EACH*. You know how you buy a packet of 10, in a foil roll, for about $ 4? They open that up and sell each cake individually. Hilarious. $ 2 each for what you but 10 for $ 4 for. How stupid do they think people are?
Another con. given that most of what they have is 2^nd hand, it’s very hit or miss. You just don’t know what will be there — and the good stuff goes quickly. They have a decent tarot selection, with some o/​p decks. Small selection of resin incense and Wiccan/​pagan jewelry, and a few items of ritual import that are unique and intriguing.
Attempting to sell quality second-​hand books here — even in topics that they claim to specialize — is an absolute waste of time. They will lowball you on prices with such astonishing insouciance you’ll think you’re bargaining with the Pirates of Caribbean. Likewise they overcharge on special items. Take a look at their ‘rare’ shelf: Only a partial (2 of the 3 volumes) of a reprint of Crowley’s collected works — selling for $ 150. Staggering, considering that the full and complete set goes for two thirds of that. Likewise, a book they offered me $ 25 for I sold on eBay for $ 180. I appreciate that bookshops need to make a profit, and that buying used books at regular market prices isn’t effective for them. But there’s no point insulting your regular customers, who regularly come in and spend money, by deliberately lowballing them when arrive with a book to sell. It makes me disinclined to spend money there in the future, no knowing how little money the gave to the original person who handed over his or her precious books.
With fewer and fewer bookshops in Vancouver possessing any real aura of character and feeling, this shop has a bit of character, even if that character verges on esoteric pretentious. On the other hand, staff will make an effort to learn your name, and you will get a sense of personalised service that is unique for Vancouver. Shame about the prices, however. It’s very hit or miss on selection
As for the previous comment about sketchiness. The shop is almost always empty. THat’s true. I’m not quite sure what’s going on. But I’d say it’s more like D&D spellcasting than frat party bongsmoking.