Sometimes the greatest journeys are the ones we take through our own psyches. If you're looking to travel through the inner workings of your soul, Quest Bookstore in Capitol Hill is your destination! Run by the Theosophical Society, the bookstore has been operating in Seattle since 1969. For more than half a century, the peaceful music and mystical vibes of Quest Bookstore have been people discover more about themselves and how to connect to the world around them.

Linda Shields, acting manager of the store for decades, had never planned on becoming a bookseller. "I was already a member of the Theosophical Society, of which the bookstore is a part. I just knew whatever I did in my life, I wanted to be of service." A friend told Shields that the bookstore needed a manager, saying, "Linda, that's the job for you." At first Shields demurred, thinking that she lacked experience. She proposed a cautious six-month probation period, but it turned out to be unnecessary. "After one day in the bookshop, I knew it was a fit. That was '85, and I've continued to be here ever since."

Curiosity about theosophy leads many to check out the store, while others who have never even heard of the practice also wander in. "Theosophy is not a religion," Shields explains. "What theosophy does is it presents a cosmology and a worldview that sheds light on the purpose of life, why we're here. It doesn't have a dogma, but it has a whole body of teaching. So, it has teachings about karma and reincarnation, about who we are as human beings, what makes up, not only our physical bodies, but also our etheric, astral, mental, and so on." Shields has become something of a spiritual guide for customers who come in without knowing what they are seeking. "People sometimes come in and are like 'Where do I begin?'" Shields says she often answers with a question about what they want, "so I can see where they want to go. One can enter the spiritual path from multiple directions."

Not only does she guide readers and spiritual seekers on their quests, Shields also chooses every book, tarot card deck, and crystal for sale in the shop. She is selective, eschewing books on black magic — "That can be found in other places, but I choose not to have that. Those things that promote hatred in any way, I would not have." Instead Shields looks for books and other items that can help customers grow spiritually and develop their consciousness. "What I choose to carry are things that seem to promote the good."

Good vibes seem to flow throughout Quest Bookstore. From the peaceful music playing in the background to the faint smell of burning incense, it is hard not to feel calm when browsing the store. Adding to Quest's peaceful vibe is the unique bamboo garden located through a door in the middle of the shop. The garden provides visitors with a quiet and lush space in which to read, meditate, and just reflect, away from the noise and bustle of the outside city. The garden is open for anyone who is interested in finding a space to relax and take a breath. Planted in 1969, the Bamboo Garden is tended by the bookstore staff, who make sure it continues to thrive.

The store has seen an understandable increase in foot traffic over the last few months, as people look for answers about their future or their fate in an uncertain world. Tarot cards and oracle cards, Shields says, have been "really popular" since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; some of Quest Bookstore's young LGBTQ+ customers are drawn to the cards, having been influenced by Tik Tok trends encouraging spiritual exploration through divination decks.

The store has adjusted its stock to accommodate new trends in spirituality. "We have demos out there of all of our decks so people can look through them," says Shields, and the store also has seen an uptick in books by Brené Brown, along with the store's perennial favorites, books and items in "the whole metaphysical area." Whether you are looking for spiritual guidance, inspiration, or just a calm place to take a break for a moment, Quest Bookstore is the place to begin what may be the most important journey you'll ever take — the one through your own mind.