Atlantis Bookshop
A historic London esoteric bookshop and meeting place associated with modern witchcraft, paganism, magic and occult publishing.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Atlantis Bookshop is an independent esoteric bookshop located on Museum Street in London. Established in 1922 by Michael Houghton, it has developed a distinctive position at the intersection of specialist bookselling, occult history, publishing and community activity. Rather than operating as a general book retailer, the shop is associated with subjects such as witchcraft, ceremonial magic, paganism, folklore, Druidry and related esoteric traditions. The shop's historical importance comes partly from the people and organizations connected with it. Its basement became a meeting place for London's occult community. Gerald Gardner, a major figure in the development and public presentation of modern Wicca, attended meetings of the Order of the Hidden Masters there during his formative years and later held meetings of his own coven at the premises. Atlantis also published Gardner's first book on witchcraft, the novel High Magic's Aid. The bookshop was further connected with Gardner's work through his relationship with Ross Nichols, who later became an important figure in modern Druidry and edited Gardner's 1954 book Witchcraft Today. Beyond retailing, Atlantis has functioned as a cultural venue. Its activities have included art exhibitions, talks on esoteric subjects, workshops and book launches. For many years it hosted a pagan and magician discussion group known as The Moot With No Name. The group initially met at the Devereux Arms near Fleet Street and later moved to Milford's pub in Milford Lane under the title The Atlantis Bookshop Presents, before eventually ceasing. These activities helped make the shop a social and intellectual contact point rather than simply a place to purchase books. Atlantis has also maintained a publishing role through Neptune Press, an imprint used for occasional specialist editions. One cited example is an illuminated edition of Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Law. This publishing activity reflects the shop's broader role in preserving, circulating and presenting esoteric texts, although the available reference material does not establish a regular contemporary publishing schedule or a complete catalogue. The bookshop has appeared in popular culture and has remained part of the historical geography of London's occult scene. It featured in the 1971 British film Gumshoe, and in the 1980s the Odin Brotherhood used the premises as a contact point. The business is currently owned and run by Bali Beskin and her mother, Geraldine. Its combination of specialist retail, events, publishing and historical associations distinguishes Atlantis Bookshop from a conventional independent bookstore.
History
Atlantis Bookshop was founded in London in 1922 by Michael Houghton. From its early existence, the business occupied a specialized position in bookselling, focusing on esoteric and occult subjects rather than the general trade. Its location on Museum Street placed it within central London's established cultural and literary environment, while its subject focus attracted readers, practitioners and researchers interested in magic, witchcraft, paganism and related traditions. The premises became particularly significant as a meeting place for occult groups. Its basement was used by the Order of the Hidden Masters, meetings attended by Gerald Gardner while he was developing the ideas and networks that would later make him a central figure in modern Wicca. Gardner also held meetings of his own coven at the shop. Atlantis's connection with Gardner extended into publishing: it issued his novel High Magic's Aid, described as his first book on witchcraft. Gardner later met Ross Nichols at the shop; Nichols went on to become a major figure in modern Druidry and edited Gardner's Witchcraft Today, published in 1954. These connections gave Atlantis an influence that went beyond the sale of books. It became a point of contact within London's occult world, linking literary, ritual, organizational and publishing activity. The shop hosted art exhibitions, esoteric talks, workshops and book launches, creating a setting in which specialist knowledge could be discussed publicly and communities could form around it. For many years Atlantis supported an associated discussion forum for pagans and magicians. Known initially as The Moot With No Name, the group met at the nearby Devereux Arms off Fleet Street. It later moved to Milford's pub in Milford Lane and adopted the name The Atlantis Bookshop Presents. The gathering eventually ceased, but its history illustrates the shop's longstanding role as a convening institution for practitioners and enthusiasts. Atlantis also developed an occasional publishing function through Neptune Press. Its output has included specialist editions, among them an illuminated edition of Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Law. The imprint reinforced the shop's identity as a custodian and disseminator of esoteric texts, although the available sources do not document a full publishing programme or continuous publication history. The shop's cultural profile was also reflected in its appearance in the 1971 British film Gumshoe. In the 1980s, the Odin Brotherhood used Atlantis as a contact point, further demonstrating its continuing importance within occult networks. In the contemporary period, the business is owned and operated by Bali Beskin and her mother, Geraldine. It continues to combine specialist bookselling with events and a historical identity grounded in London's occult and pagan communities.
- 1980
Odin Brotherhood contact point
[1]The Odin Brotherhood used the shop as a contact point during the 1980s.
- 1971
Film appearance in Gumshoe
[1]Atlantis Bookshop appeared in the British film Gumshoe.
- 1954
Connection to Witchcraft Today
[1]Ross Nichols, who had met Gerald Gardner through the Atlantis circle, edited Gardner's Witchcraft Today, published in 1954.
- 1922
Bookshop founded
[1]Michael Houghton established Atlantis Bookshop in London as a specialist esoteric bookseller.
Products and positioning
A historic, specialist London destination for esoteric books, occult literature and related cultural events, with an identity rooted in the city's pagan and magical communities.
Books · 1922
Esoteric books
The shop's core offering is specialist literature covering occultism, magic, witchcraft, paganism, folklore and related esoteric subjects. Atlantis is distinguished by its historical role as a specialist destination rather than a general-purpose bookseller.
Occult fiction and witchcraft publishing
High Magic's Aid
Gerald Gardner's novel High Magic's Aid was published by Atlantis Bookshop and is associated with the shop's early role in modern witchcraft publishing. The available source identifies it as Gardner's first book on witchcraft, but does not provide a publication year.
Specialist publishing
Neptune Press editions
Neptune Press is the bookshop's occasional imprint for specialist esoteric publications. Its cited output includes an illuminated edition of Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Law. The available materials do not establish the imprint's full catalogue or current publication frequency.
Marketing campaigns
- The Moot With No Name
United Kingdom
Atlantis supported a long-running discussion group for pagans and magicians. The meetings began at the Devereux Arms near Fleet Street and later moved to Milford's pub in Milford Lane under the name The Atlantis Bookshop Presents.
Outcome. The group eventually ceased, but it contributed to the bookshop's role as a meeting and discussion venue for London's esoteric communities.
Brand decisions
- Expand from bookselling into events and community activityStrategy
Background
Atlantis developed a role beyond retail by hosting exhibitions, esoteric talks, workshops, book launches and a discussion group for pagans and magicians.
Action taken
The shop used its premises and affiliated venues to support public programming and specialist community gatherings.
Aftermath
This broadened the shop's identity into that of a cultural and community hub within London's occult world.
- Publish specialist works through Neptune PressProduct launch
Background
The bookshop's specialist audience and historical connection to occult literature provided a basis for occasional in-house publishing.
Action taken
Atlantis used the Neptune Press imprint for selected esoteric editions, including an illuminated edition of The Book of the Law.
Aftermath
The imprint strengthened Atlantis's role in presenting and circulating specialist occult texts.
Recent events
- 1980
Odin Brotherhood uses Atlantis Bookshop as a contact point[1]
Other
During the 1980s, the Odin Brotherhood used the shop as a contact point.
- 1971
Atlantis Bookshop appears in the film Gumshoe[1]
Other
The London bookshop featured in the British film Gumshoe.
- 1922
Atlantis Bookshop established in London[1]
Other
Michael Houghton established Atlantis Bookshop, which later became associated with London's esoteric and occult communities.
Atlantis Bookshop publishes Gerald Gardner's first witchcraft book[1]
Product launch
The shop published Gerald Gardner's novel High Magic's Aid, an important item in the history of modern witchcraft publishing.
Sources2 sources
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