Here is a guide to some of the groups that make up the pagan Chicago area:
Organizations
Antara Holistic Center. 25563 N. Gilmer Rd., Mundelein; 708-949-6718. Metaphysical classes, workshops, psychic fairs.
Anthroposophical Society in America, Rudolf Steiner Branch. 529 W. Grant Pl.; 312-248-5606. National organ of the General Anthroposophical Society, founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1923 as “an association of people who would foster the life of the soul, both in the individual and in human society, on the basis of a true knowledge of the spiritual world.” The society sponsors conferences, holds study sessions, publishes a newsletter and the biannual Journal of Anthroposophy and maintains the Rudolf Steiner Library.
Aquarian Metaphysical Center. P.O. Box 1402, Skokie; 708-674-1123. Astrology classes and discussion groups.
Chicago Center for PsychoPhysical Healing. 1522 W. Nelson Ave.; 312-975-1655. Acupuncture, herbalism, tarot readings, shamanic journeying. Classes and activities.
Common Ground, A Study Center. 815 Rosemary Terrace, Deerfield; 708-940-7870. Classes, lectures and workshops of the world’s spiritual traditions. Chicago lectures are held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays at Cobbler Square, 1350 N. Wells St.
C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago. 1567 Maple, Evanston; 708-475-4848. Classes, bookstore, videotapes.
Midwest Eurythmy Group. 520 N. Marshfield Ave.; 312-243-6097. Developed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, eurythmy is a form of dance that can be used for spiritual, therapeutic and educational purposes.
Oasis Center. 7463 N. Sheridan Rd.; 312-274-6777. A holistic health center established in 1968. Classes, workshops and training programs on personal growth, psychic development, health and healing and spirituality and meditation. Oasis attracts prominent speakers such as actress Ellen Burstyn and psychologist Jean Houston.
Panthea Unitarian Universalist Church. 6418 N. Greenview Ave.; 312-338-2421. A congregation in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Panthea believes that there is no one “right” way to worship and that truth can be attained only along an individual path. Celebrates seasonal, new moon and full moon festivals. Sponsors classes and workshops. Publishes a newsletter, “The Pantheon.” (Note: Watch for Panthea’s new location, to be announced.)
St. Michael’s College of Metaphysics. 4328 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-478-2410. Psychic development, numerology, tarot, palmistry, astrology classes.
School of Metaphysics. Classes, lectures and workshops on psychic development, dream interpretation, clairvoyance. Three locations: 2228 S. Highland Ave., Berwyn, 708-788-0674; 1653 W. Cortland Ave., 312-772-0966; 222 W. Wilson, Palatine, 708-991-0140.
Theosophical Society in America. 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton; 708-668-1571. Dedicated to the promotion of harmony among all peoples and the study of religion, philosophy and science by preserving “ageless wisdom.” The Olcott Library & Research Center has more than 15,000 books on the religious and spiritual traditions of the East and West.
Bookshops and stores
Arcanum. 3732 N. Southport Ave.; 312-528-3433. Specializing in wicca, magic and Santeria; Celtic, Norse and Egyptian magic; shamanism and Native American ceremonies; occult divination and character analysis; tarot, astrology and Kabbalah; psychic development and spiritualism; healing, dowsing and meditation. Also horoscopes and psychic readings.
Aurum Solis. 5142 N. Clark St.; 312-334-2120. Occult and metaphysical books, incense, oils, herbs, jewelry, videos, tapes.
Bell, Book and Candle. 5246 N. Clark St.; 312-878-7575. Occult, metaphysical and New Age books. Specialties: magic, tarot, Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, gnosticism, witchcraft, Rosicrucianism and freemasonry, spirituality. Also incense, oils, candles, herbs and crystals.
Healing Earth Resources. 2568-70 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-EARTH-59. Books, music, videos, incense, oils and candles, bath and body lotions, jewelry, pottery. A vegetarian cafe in the back.
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Inner Eye. 417 Crescent Blvd., Lombard; 708-691-8685. Books, herbs, oils, crystals, jewelry, psychic readings.
Isis Rising. 1129 W. Emerson, Evanston; 708-570-0055. Books, videos, music, gifts, workshops, classes.
Light of the Moon. 809 Dempster, Evanston; 708-492-0492. Runes, wicca, mythology, astrology, magic, dreams plus tarot cards, tapes, candles, posters.
The New Moon. 1016 North Blvd., Oak Park; 708-386-0085. Books, incense, oils, candles.
Occult Bookstore. 1561 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 312-292-0995. Books, tarot cards, runes, incense, oils, classes, horoscopes and tarot readings.
The Quest Book Shop. 306 W. Geneva Rd., Wheaton; 708-665-0123. Yoga, meditation, healing, fiction, theosophy, religion, shamanism.
Quimby’s. 2001 W. Evergreen St.; 312-342-0910. Occult subjects, including the work of Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey and Colin Wilson.
The Quizelle. 427 E. State St., Geneva; 708-208-6554. Books from astrology to Zen; also meditation tapes, metaphysical classes and workshops.
Transitions Bookplace. 1015 W. Armitage Ave.; 312-348-7777. Spirituality, psychology, dreams, myths and folk tales, Jung, Native American, astrology, tarot. Also New Age magazines, audiotapes and music cassettes.
Turtle Island Books. 7001 N. Glenwood Ave.; 312-465-7212. Metaphysical books, tarot cards, astrology charts, incense, herbs, jewelry.
Publications
The Avatar. 4911 N. Glenwood Ave., 60640. Quarterly newsletter published by the Circle of Danu and distributed free at Aurum Solis, Healing Earth Resources, Arcanum and The New Moon. News of the local pagan community as well as fairly substantial articles on related subjects. Circle of Danu sponsors seasonal celebrations and full moon festivities.
Conscious Choice. 920 N. Franklin St., Suite 301; 312-440-4373. Articles on the environment, nutrition, fitness and similar matters. Bimonthly.
Monthly Aspectarian. P.O. Box 1342, Morton Grove; 708-966-1110. Articles, news, listings. Monthly.
Museums
New Age Psychic Center. 4328 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-478-2410. Billed as Chicago’s only spiritual museum. Pyramids, voodoo dolls, spirit photography, etc. Holds psychic fairs every Saturday and Sunday. Hours: 1-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun.