Memories of the Mystic Eye
When I began writing the first Zodiac Mystery (The Madness of Mercury), I didn’t intend that the fictional Mystic Eye occult bookshop would become a recurring location. I should have realized it would as the series went on. After all, my San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti, discovered her first astrology books there. Her best friend Gale runs the shop and then later, Cheryl takes a job to manage the bookshop and becomes a dear friend. On top of that, The Mystic Eye attracts a unique group of psychics, mediums, past life regression hypnotists who have become important secondary characters.
But back up a few decades. Many years ago, there was a real Mystic Eye Occult Bookshop in San Francisco. It was just down the street from the fictional one, on Broadway, and across Columbus Avenue. I remember it well. It was a one of a kind (at the time) occult shop, selling books, talismans, gifts, candle burning supplies and all sorts of other unique items. I figured the real shop had been gone for so many years, it was safe to use the same name. Who would remember?
Guess again – lots of people remember the real Mystic Eye with fond memories and somehow they’ve stumbled upon my books or a blog post about the shop and they’ve written to me about their experiences. I was thrilled to hear from them!
Ron M. wrote to ask if the Mystic Eye (in the Zodiac Mysteries) had anything to do with the 1970’s San Francisco Mystic Eye Occult Bookshop, next to the Green Turtle Bus Company, owned by Aeryn who had a weekly radio broadcast.
Susa said it was such a wonderful shop, full of books on magic and mysticism, incense and figurines. She had a spontaneous mystical experience back in the late 1970’s, and being an Atheist, had no idea what had happened to her. In trying to research it, she ran across the Mystic Eye. She said, “I found more than books. I found a community of Witches and Pagans that changed the course of my life. I am forever grateful to that mysterious little shop and its staff, and still mourn its closing after all these years!”
Ron L. was a teenager when he discovered the Mystic Eye and would spend his hard-earned money on a book or a piece of jewelry. He loved the fountain by the window and the candle burning in the center. He made friends with one of the employees and later did a Tarot reading for her. He said it was an amazing experience.
Jem was only sixteen when she first discovered the Mystic Eye. She was intrigued by the pentagram on the floor and bought her first spell candle that day. Her path has been “many shades of magic” since then.
Robert L. used to work at the shop. He wondered what happened to the zodiac mosaic in the floor where he was initiated. He said, “If that circle could talk. . .”
Pam went to San Francisco on vacation. She fell in love with the shop and bought a crystal ball.
Mo said he had heard there were rumors that the Zodiac Killer worked at the Mystic Eye in the 70s and 80s.
Micah worked at the Mystic Eye and lived with Aeryn, the owner, from the time he was 14 until he went to college. He took care of her until her death in 2014. He said she was an amazing and knowledgeable woman, one of a kind.
Pamela had her cards read at the Mystic Eye in the late 60’s or very early 70’s. She said the scent of that storefront was so unique, as was the shop itself. Her husband made a pendant (an upside down cross) for the infamous Anton LaVey. She said, “Yes those were the days!”
Blake remembered all the mirrors and cool stuff when he walked around North Beach, barefoot in a toga with dragons, tripping his brains out.
Nancy loved the shop and visited often. She purchased incense, body oils, little pouches of magic roots and herbs. She can still recall the aroma inside.
Scott loved the shop. He bought incense and had spells removed. He once bought a jar of incense that was labelled ‘5 plus cous-cous.’ He said, “How did we ever survive the Haight? Maybe the 5-plus cous cous gave us eternal life.”
All these memories! I too remember the shop well. I bought candles and a book on candle burning rituals. Who knew that so many people would remember the real Mystic Eye?
I only hope the fictional Mystic Eye delivers as many good memories for readers!
(This post first appeared at Book Diva’s Reads on May 30, 2022.)
Thanks for this evocative description. I went there often in the 70’s, along with city Lights, Mabouhay Gardens, Adler Museum Cafe, Vesuvius, Chinatown.
Hi Ava ~ So nice to receive your message! So many people have wonderful, fond memories of the old Mystic Eye! Including me! It definitely left an indelible impression on so many of us!
I think the building is still there on Broadway and Montgomery. My mom used to go there, and she took me along. I remember it was dark and creepy. I think it had skulls, candles, maybe some weird Egyptian stuff.
Yes, I don’t think anything along that street has been torn down, so I’m sure it is. And yes, it had all that stuff too. But it was a fun place to peruse. A close friend took me there years ago and I think I bought a book. Too many things to look at!
I remember walking Broadway as a teenager in 1973-74 with my boyfriend. The Mystic Eye was one of our fun places to visit. We also frequented Winterland for many concerts, the Prime Rib House, driving thru the switchbacks of Lombard, driving by Anton LaVays house for amusement, and the boat trip to Alcatraz.
Hi Pat! Glad you enjoyed Memories of the Mystic Eye! So many people have written to tell me about their memories of the place. And now so many of those places are gone. I used to live a few blocks from Anton LaVey’s house when he was still there, painted all black and surrounded by a fence. I think there’s a small apartment building on the spot there now. Great memories!
Great place they had everything you could want went there on my lunch break.
Hi Gayle ~ It really was such a fun place! I wish it were still there.
Great to hear from you!
~ Connie
I watched a witchcraft documentary from 1970 and this store was mentioned so I looked it up. I wonder how many of the Haight hippies were into witchcraft. I find that time period in San Francisco to be the most exploratory in the western world since ww2. I read Perry’s book on the Haight and watched as many documentaries on the Haight that I could find. San Francisco has always been a diamond, but I haven’t been in 25 years. so I don’t know what it’s like now. I hope the never tear the Victoria’s down.
Hi John, San Francisco has had its problems since Covid, so the downtown isn’t quite as bustling as it used to be, but it’s still a fantastic and beautiful city! I hope you get to visit again someday soon.
The Mystic Eye probably sold some Wiccan things, or books, but I don’t think the store was really known for that. You might like books about the City Lights Bookstore and all the beat writers there too.
Thanks for writing! All the best!
Oh, I remember The Mystic Eye…smelling so wonderfully, getting my gorgeous iron lotus bowl for powder incense and coals….and my delicious scent of RoseMusk…created on the spot by a worker! When I was traveling the next year, I ran out of my alluring fragrance and wrote to the The Mystic Eye for a refill, tucked some cash in the envelope
..and Voila! My dream came true…I LOVE that place!❤️❤️❤️
Hi Claudia ~ so nice to hear that you remember The Mystic Eye! I do too, and wish it was still there. That place was my inspiration for the fictional ‘Mystic Eye’ in the Zodiac mystery series. I’m just amazed how many people have such fond memories of the place!
All the best, Claudia!
While a Junior at Star of the Sea Academy for
girls, a classmate introduced me to the Mystic
Eye in 1976. I bought my first Tarot Card Deck
—A. Crowley, a year later. Just a wonderful, wonderful place.
Hi Karen ~ So nice to hear from you! What a magical place that was, all these years have gone by and so many people have such great memories of the Mystic Eye!
Hope you’re still enjoying the Tarot!
~ Connie