Occult Bookstore Near Me in Pasadena: Alexandria II's Spell Books and Readers

Search occult bookstore near me anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley and Alexandria II comes up first for good reason. The shop at 170 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena calls itself one of the oldest metaphysical bookstores in the Los Angeles area, open since 1985, and it still runs like a proper bookstore: shelves of spiritual and esoteric titles, tarot decks and spell books, incense, meditation tools and ritual items, plus a roster of psychic readers working in the store.

The name is the first clue to the shop's intent. Alexandria II is named after the ancient library of Alexandria in Egypt, the great lost archive of the classical world, and the store leans into that idea of a gathering place for knowledge. Where many metaphysical shops put crystals first and books second, this one is still organized around reading, with the books, decks and study material treated as the core of the visit rather than an afterthought.

For book hunters, the practical draw is range. The store describes its stock as books, products, incense, meditation tools and ritual items, and its homepage promotes tarot decks and spell books alongside new jewelry. That makes it a useful single stop for someone starting a practice: a deck, a guidebook, a book on ritual, and the incense or candle to go with them, all from the same counter. Collectors of decks in particular will want to spend time at the tarot shelves.

Readings are the other half of the business, and the prices are posted. On the psychic readers page, readings with Dennis are listed at $40 for 15 minutes, $60 for 30 minutes and $80 for 45 minutes. Readings can happen in the store or by phone, and some readers also work on Zoom. Each reader has posted weekday time blocks, such as Monday from 10:30 am to 4 pm, so it pays to look at the schedule before choosing a day.

There are a few house rules worth knowing before you book. The store charges a $5 cancellation fee on all bookings, so cancel only if you must. Astrology chart readings run a full hour, are available by appointment only, and require a 30 percent non-refundable deposit. The store also publishes a Psychic Reading Respect Policy for clients, and gratuities for readers can be handled by phone, which is a thoughtful detail for phone sessions.

If you are new to readings and nervous about committing, the store offers a simple entry point: ask about the free five-minute consultation with any of its psychics. That short conversation lets you get a feel for a reader's style before paying for a longer session. It is a sensible approach in a shop with several readers, because the right fit matters more than the length of the session when you want a reading that actually helps.

Hours are generous. Alexandria II opens Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, according to the store's site. Weekday mornings are the easiest time to browse the shelves in peace and catch a reader between appointments. Weekend afternoons and evenings around events are busier, and with Halloween and Samhain close in late October, an early weekday visit is the calmest way to shop for a new deck.

The store also runs a steady events calendar, sold through Eventbrite. This season the homepage promotes a talk called Radha, Krishna and You: Exploring the Consciousness of Unconditional Love on Sunday, October 25, from 3 to 5 pm, and the events page lists earlier 2026 gatherings, including one on March 21. Workshops like these give the shop a community feel that a quick browse does not, and they are a good way to meet local practitioners.

For anyone curious about stones, the site keeps a Crystal and Stone Meanings guide, which is handy when you are deciding between two pieces at the counter. Read it before you go, then compare in person, since the right stone is usually the one that feels right in your hand. Pairing a stone with a book that explains its traditional uses is very much in the spirit of a shop named after a library.

Forty years on South Lake Avenue gives Alexandria II a kind of steadiness that newer shops lack. It has been on the scene since 1985, and the store's own description of itself as one of the oldest metaphysical bookstores in the area is the core of its identity. The site does not name its founders, so this guide does not either; what it does make clear is a long commitment to books, readers and talks in the same Pasadena home.

Make an afternoon of the neighborhood. The Pasadena Playhouse, the historic state theater of California, is at 39 South El Molino Avenue, a short walk west, and it is worth seeing even if you are not catching a show. South Lake Avenue itself is lined with shops and cafes for an easy stroll, and Old Pasadena's brick streets are a quick drive or Metro ride west along Colorado Boulevard.

Booking a reading by phone is the simplest way to lock in a specific reader and time. Bring the details of your birth date, time and place for an astrology chart session. If you plan to attend an event, buy your Eventbrite ticket ahead, since talks can fill the room on Sunday afternoons.

Alexandria II also works well as a starting point for a wider occult tour of Los Angeles County. Its blend of serious books and accessible readers makes it a gentler first stop than some of the more intense witchcraft shops elsewhere in the city, and its long hours make it easy to fit into a busy day. Coming in for one deck and leaving with a short reading list is an easy outcome here.

This store suits beginners looking for a first deck and a clear guidebook, regular practitioners restocking incense and ritual supplies, and anyone who wants a reading with posted prices and simple rules. Collectors of rare antique grimoires may need a more specialized dealer, but for a well-stocked metaphysical bookstore with a long history, Pasadena has few better addresses. Karpo APP can help you plan the rest of your Pasadena day nearby.