We and many of our suppliers have been trying to hold the line on our prices, but in recent months, our costs have notably jumped and we’ve begun to increase prices on some of our regular pieces.

But fear not, we bought many of our lines in large quantities before the price spike and still have a good selection of pendants, earrings and rings priced according to the lower cost.

If you’ve been pondering a special piece, act soon! If it sells out, a re-order will likely bring new stock in at a higher price. Don’t forget that we do offer layaway to help your budget for a bigger piece.

Now, if you just don’t want to think about it, not to worry, there’s still time. But don’t wait too, too long because popular designs do have a way of selling out (and once the publisher’s print run is gone, many of them don’t reprint, given that calendars are such a time-sensitive product).

For you early birds (or anyone who’s started to book dentist appointments six months ahead – which would be into January or February!), we’re ready for you!

A few of our popular styles are yet to arrive (Eckhart Tolle and Pema Chodron calendars, I’m looking at you) but other hot sellers like the crazy popular Witches’ Datebook and Witches’ Calendar are indeed here!

And, I should definitely mention that not only do we have both the spiral bound We’Moon datebook and the We’Moon on the Wall calendar, this year’s wall calendar features a painting by local artist and shamanic practitioner, Beth Lenco!

Drawing Down the Moon (Adler) $11.00
Eat, Pray, Love (Gilbert) $9.00
How to Hear the Voice of God (with meditation CD) (Shumsky) $10.00
The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg (Williams ab Ithel) $25.00 (this is a BIG hardcover in perfect shape)
Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries (Budapest) $12.00
Northern Magic – Rune Mysteries and Shamanism (Thorsson) $10.00
Way of the Green Witch (Murphy-Hiscock) $9.00
Making Ritual with Motherpeace Cards (Noble) $10.00
Celtic Myth and Magick (McCoy) $13.00
Visions of the Goddess (Milne) $12.00 (gorgeous photographs of Goddess sites around the world)
Tarot Spells (Renee) $9.50

And of course lots more (even the $5.00 Bargain Book Bin is pretty full).
Wander out in that sunshine and have a gander!

So, in brief, I’m NOT:
- pregnant
- ailing
- dead

In fact, I’m participating in Saint Mary’s archaeological field school at Grand Pré which is pretty demanding time-wise. Some of you will know/remember that I’ve gone back to university part time and this is an important, hands-on aspect of my education. I’m quite excited, for all that I’m going to be starting my days VERY early and ending them likely very tired and probably dirty.

In my absence, the rest of the Little Mysteries team will be taking on many of my duties and can likely answer any questions or queries you might have. I’ll, of course, be checking in regularly to deal with any only-Vanessa-knows-what-to-do sorts of business; I just won’t be around on a regular schedule.

I think going off to dig up old bits is pretty nifty but we pondered coming up with some alternate reasons for my disappearance.
If you’d prefer something a little more mystical or sensational, here are a few options:
- Vanessa is trekking in Peru
- Vanessa is partaking in a solitary vigil in the Hebrides and communing with lichens
- Vanessa has returned to her home planet to visit relatives
- Vanessa is running with the bulls in Pamplona
- Vanessa is in rehab to deal with her incense addiction
- Vanessa never really existed, she was just a fictional persona created by the staff, sort of like Remington Steele (who remembers that show?)

Feel free to spread any of these around or make up your own, just be sure it’s fabulous.

We’re returning to our traditional Draw-for-your-Discount style of sale. You’ll get at least 20% off everything in the shop and it might be 25, 30, 35, 40 or even 50% off. And those who have attended our Draw-for-your-Discount Sales in the past will tell you, we’re not skimpy with the bigger discounts! Just bring your purchases up to the cash and try your luck.

We’re incredibly grateful for all our wonderful friends and customers who have supported us with their enthusiasm and their hard earned spending money over the years. Thank you all!

If you’re one of our ‘old timers’ or you just discovered us last week, why not send us a favourite Little Mysteries memory? We love to hear all the stories

As it happens, we’ve had a real life tussle between our own Thor (in the form of a statue) and an older lady, who had a bit of a stumble in the shop. In life, as in myth, Thor came out the loser in that contest (and, we’re relieved to report that our customer was unharmed by her accident).

Our Thor was carefully repaired by Kristen and we now have a sale ‘as is’ Thor statue for offer. There are a few small chips missing on the piece and visible repairs where bits were reattached but he’s still quite respectable looking. Please give him a good home – he’s had a rough time of it! This is the official picture of the statue from the company website and we’re offering our repaired Thor for $35.00 (regulary $68.00)

How to Become a Witch – The Path of Nature, Spirit and Magick (K)

Her Candle Burns at Both Ends (Costello) - a powerful story from a local author

The Angel Therapy Handbook (Virtue)

Committed (Gilbert) - the follow up to Eat, Pray, Love, now available in softcover!

The Writer Start – A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories (Hallissy) – a wonderful resource for parents wanting to encourage self expression in their child

Exploring Body-Mind Centering – An Anthology of Experience and Method (Miller)

The Un-Spell Book – Energy Essentials for Mastering Magick (Om)

And, at LOOOOONG last, we have ELVISH LOVE RINGS back in stock (and a good number of sizes in right now too). Thanks to everyone for their patience while we sorted out our orders.

All t-shirts are 50% off while supplies last (and are final sale too!). T-shirts are pre-shrunk and unisex in their sizing (the XXL and XXXL are very generous sizes).

Here’s what’s on the rack…

Moon Goddess (sizes L, XL) was $20, now $10 (size XXL) was $22 now $11

Spirit of the Wind (sizes L, XL) was $20, now $10 (size XXL) was $22 now $11

Green Man (size L) was $20, now $10 (size XXXL) was $24 now $12

Celtic Tree (size XXXL) was $24 now $12 (ours are a bit more olive/yellow-green than the picture)

Celtic Mandala (size XXL) was $22 now $11 (size XXXL) was $24 now $12

Celtic Cross (size M) was $20 now $10, (size XXXL) was was $24 now $12

We can definitely do mail order on these guys too, just give us a call or email! But hurry – our stock is dwindling!

As I’ve said elsewhere, I truly feel this is a message that bears repeating, not just at holiday time, but throughout the year. In fairness, I do acknowledge that I’m wildly biased and certainly do have a stake in promoting the idea. But the benefits in the concept aren’t exclusively for the shop owners, but reward the shopper and the community as a whole as well.

It’s certainly wonderful if you are shopping local for the sole reason of supporting the sorts of shops you love to spend time in (so they’ll continue to prosper and be here for all future shopping expeditions).

But are you also aware that the money you spend in these sorts of shops also broadly benefits your community? In shops like ours, the money we receive from our sales stays here in the community, paying rent, salaries, utilities and the like (as well as the locally made goods we buy whenever we can find a local source).

This means that money is still circulating here at home, not sent off to distant corporate offices and CEOs. In the big picture, the money staying in the community can be spent here at home, supporting your business or service, or ensuring that there’s demand for your job. It works in everyone’s favour.

So, I’ll get off my soapbox now and wrap up by mentioning some of my favourite shops, some near us, that you might want to check out.
There’s The Jade W (just up Prince Street from us), JWD (used books aplenty) and the Bookmark (up on Spring Garden Road) for fellow booklovers.

For clothing, there’s Hill Tribe further along Barrington and of course Pretty Things Boutique is now relocated to the downtown. If it’s vintage you’re after, Dressed in Time is the place for you.

The Hen House in the Hydrostone has many a tempting treasure, and for used CDs and DVDs, there’s Random Play.

Leave a comment and give a shout out to your favourite indie!

Your Life on Purpose – how to find what matters and create the life you want (McKay) – a great way to start your new year.
Slaying the Three Dragons – Overcoming Doubt, Worry and Fear (Strano) – includes CD too!
Mansions of the Moon for the Green Witch (Moura) – lunar magic and ritual
Spiritual Envy – An Agnostic’s Quest (Krasny) – discussions about God, religion, faith and human responsibility.
Wisdom to Know the Difference – When to Make a Change and When to Let Go (Flanagan) – an important distinction between the understanding limits and being open to change.
Ecomysticism – The Profound Experience of Nature as a Spiritual Guide (Von Essen)
The Healing Power of Trees – Spiritual Journeys through the Celtic Tree Calendar (Hidalgo)
Spiritual Protection – A Safety Manual for Energy Workers, Healers, and Pyschics (Reicher) – I don’t think I’ve yet seen a book that specifically addresses the concerns of people who regularly come in contact with other’s energy as part of the work they offer.
Crystal Healing (Lily)
Grimoire for Modern Cunning Folk (Paddon)
Practical Sufism (Gowins)
Glad No Matter What – Transforming Loss and Change into Gift and Opportunity (Sark) – hurrah! new Sark!
A New Way of Thinking, A New Way of Feeling (Dyer)
And great news for R.J. Stewart fans – we are now carrying a selection of his works (and can, of course, special order other titles too). We have: Earth Light – The Ancient Path to Transformation, The Well of Light – From Faery Healing to Earth Healing, The Living World of Faery and Magical Tales – The Storytelling Tradition.