Shops / News
New tarot shop opens for ‘spiritual guidance’
A tarot shop has opened for business hidden within a former 18th century coffee house.
Molly Burn and Liz Eve began trading as Altar & Arcana at the end of May.
Their unofficial mascot, Miss Gracey, is a black cockapoo puppy who greets every visitor to the space in St Nick’s Market with a wagging tail.
A typical tarot card session with Molly – photo: Sam McEvans
Molly will be a familiar face to many, having spent a decade cheerfully greeting punters at her tarot card reading stall outside St Nick’s.
She has now found a permanent home for her services inside the market, up four steps on the left-hand side of the foyer of the former Corn Exchange when entering from the main entrance on Corn Street.
The shop’s launch is a dream come true for Molly, especially as working outdoors has become increasingly difficult due to her disabilities.
Molly spent a decade working outside St Nick’s – photo: Molly Burn
Liz said: “We opened on the eve of a blue moon which is the second full moon in a month and is a time of heightened magic.
“We’ve opened on a shoestring budget but the community support has been really wonderful.”
A five-minute tarot reading with three cards costs £15 and a ten-minute reading with six cards costs £30.
The shop also sells antique books, cards and furniture, as well as scented candles and hand-crafted wreaths.
On display are brooms made using pre-industrial heritage craft methods by Bristol Broomworks.
Molly told Bristol24/7 that her inspiration for Altar & Arcana comes from her late mother who was a fortune teller in Portloe in Cornwall every summer. Just for fun, she offered crystal ball readings in a fabric-adorned tent.
Young Molly with her mother Andrea and childhood friend Lara Skowronska – photo: Molly Burn
“The crystal ball was very 80s but I just loved it,” said Molly.
“She taught me all of it. My approach to tarot has always been really guided by watching her talk to people in a down to earth and compassionate way.
“I don’t know the future. Nobody does. But these kinds of things can help us process what we’re going through and to talk about them.”
Liz said that the shop is for everyone but stressed that they are not offering entertainment or fortune telling but rather providing “spiritual guidance”.
The tarot cards are intended to act as a mirror that can reflect back what is going on in the life of the patron.
Cards and candles for sale at Altar & Arcana – photo: Sam McEvans
Molly added: “It’s an uncertain time, which obviously makes tarot more appealing for some people. But it also is like a hard time to be opening a business…
“We’ll see how it does over a few seasons and grow as we go.”
The duo have also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help offset their setup costs such as van hire, paint, fittings and furnishings.
The tarot readers with their furry friend – photo: Sam McEvans
Liz added: “We’re so lucky to be in Bristol. It’s such a magical hub. We’re surrounded by incredible places like Wales, Glastonbury and Avebury, and have ley lines that run through and connect energy between magical sites.
“There’s tons of magic here. It’s just amazing.”
Main photo: Sam McEvans
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