I travel -- a lot -- and everywhere I go, I make a point to visit locally-owned, independent New Age and Tarot bookstores. As a result, I've shopped for Tarot in twenty-two states and more than a dozen countries around the world. It pleases me, then, to note that one of the best and brightest shops on the planet is located right here in (of all places!) Jackson, Mississippi.
Karen Parker's store, New Vibrations (2914 N. State Street, Jackson, MS), is awash in vibrant color and positive energy. Outside, the shop's purple paint and green trim catch the eye; inside, jewel tones and soothing music provide a welcome retreat from the harsh Mississippi sun.
The store's front room offers something for everyone; it's like a "Whitman's Sampler" of spirituality. You can imagine waking up to the gentle chimes of the Zen alarm clocks ... evoke the pure tones of the singing bowls ... browse the extensive assortment of incense ... select handmade jewelry from local artists and craftspeople ... or find the perfect stones to reinforce and purify your energetic signature.
You'll also find the shop's conservative but varied Tarot selection, featuring everything from the recently-released Llewellyn Tarot to the harder-to-find Gendron and Golden Tarots. They're also very kind to keep my own Bright Idea Deck in stock; in fact, if you catch the staff doing a reading, you're likely to find them with my trusty Bright Idea Deck in hand, pulling cards and generating ideas at breakneck speed!
Karen and crew make a point to help nervous newcomers feel confident and relaxed when handling Tarot for the first time. When someone expresses interest, Karen's quick to hand over a deck, encourage the customer to explore the cards, and even guide the beginner through a brief reading. I wish more store owners were this "hands on" -- and this eager to help people relate to the cards!
In the oil and candles room, you'll find everything from beeswax candles to Kama Sutra massage oils. I confess I spend most of my time across the hall, though, in the book room. Karen and staff have the knack of knowing just which books to stock; more than once, I've noticed a new Tarot book online ... and then found it, waiting for me, here in Karen's shop.
Karen is gracious enough to be very supportive of local Tarot writers, and she displays my own books (including What's in the Cards for You and The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Tarot) prominently on the shelves. In keeping with the store's beginner-friendly spirit, you'll also find all the best beginner's books by Mary K. Greer, Rachel Pollock, and Joan Bunning.
In the store's cool, comfortable back room, you'll find free hot tea and cookies. This is also the space so frequently used for private Tarot readings, spiritual group meetings, and psychic readings. My personal clients love coming here, because the atmosphere is as welcoming and positive as any they've ever experienced.
If you're in Jackson, make a point to stop by New Vibrations. Karen and her crew know what they're doing, and they're very capable ambassadors and passionate advocates for everything in the shop. You'll be delighted by the personality, hospitality, and good vibrations coming from New Vibrations -- the book and gift store for the evolving spirit.
*sigh* Karen's shop sounds heavenly! I live in a rural area that's heavily Christian fundamentalist--so there's nary a New Age bookstore in sight! (This is why I rely on Amazon.com so heavily...)
Janet
Posted by: Janet | March 19, 2007 at 06:30 PM