An inviting, celestial sun shines above the entrance to Odyssey Books & Resource Centre in the Courtyard in Pickering Village. It radiates with affirming warmth, welcoming patrons in search of illumination for their path to self-discovery. Inside its doors is a galaxy of specialty books and tools to guide spiritual travelers along their journey.

In the past few decades, a handful of New Age trail blazers including: Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Shakti Gawain, Louise Hay, ventured to open the space for universal consciousness and interconnectedness to bear ground. They seeded the murky sky of incognizance with budding stars of wisdom, perforating the darkness with enough light for future metaphysical pioneers to follow, as the dawn of this New Age emerged on the horizon.

Spirituality is about consciousness; insights into this higher awareness are what people often turn to for the answers to a deeper understanding of who they are in this world. “Spirituality is the combination of all belief systems; it’s about finding what works for you,” explains Debbie Purvis, owner of Odyssey. “For many, this is a journey of self-discovery, psychic awareness, and healing. When people find themselves at a crossroads in life, they may look for help to find a new direction; whether it be health issues, relationships, career paths – or perhaps just looking to fulfill a personal void, that’s when many are drawn to spiritual exploration.”

Testimony to the latitude of this growing shift in consciousness took place in March of 2008, when Oprah assembled a virtual global classroom of millions that enrolled in the world’s largest webcast workshop series to study Eckhart Tolle’s ‘revelationary’ book: A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. Debbie observes: “This mass interest illustrates that the old paradigms are no longer working; people are ready to grow, to make [vital] shifts in their lives.”

Debbie was a College Professor and Academic Chairperson prior to Odyssey. She was attending a Meditation and Spiritual Development workshop when she got the notion of opening a ‘New Age Bookstore’. Once acknowledged, the idea would not subside, compelling her to strategize a master plan. Soon thereafter, she leapt into a lease and waited for the proverbial net to appear. As she put the wheels in motion, synchronicity lubed the gears.

By transitioning her own life through meditation and spiritual navigation, Debbie has endeavoured to meticulously outfit others on their personal expeditions. “Odyssey is a centre of specialized books, gifts, classes and services designed to increase spiritual awareness and enhance personal discovery and development.” She adds, “I often joke about Odyssey being like a “truck stop” for spiritual seekers. They stop in to nourish their souls and pick up a “road map” [of resources] to assist them on their journey.”

The hand-picked staff shine in unique areas of expertise, collectively accruing a resourceful reservoir of knowledge. There is a palpable, positive energy present that reassures new clients and keeps them coming back. Customers are valued as individuals and become known by name; they, in turn, participate by co-creating the depth of their experience.

Several years after opening in 1997, Odyssey had outgrown its walls and expanded into an adjacent premises, directly next door. It is the largest metaphysical store in all of Ontario, and second largest in all of Canada. Their clientele come from far and wide, while their on-line store extends a global reach.

Two classrooms and a healing room accommodate an eclectic menu of private educational and therapy sessions, but when not in use, can be rented by teachers or practitioners who work in related fields. Periodically, renowned authors come from out of town to discuss their works. Several popular facilitators also trek in from a distance to accommodate clients. There is an ample variety of sessions to enroll in, such as: crystal, astrology, and tarot readings; aura portraits, past life journeys, chakra balancing, drum making, wire-wrapping gemstones, yoga, even labyrinth walking. Some of the recurring multi-level studies include: Reiki, Meditation, and Psychic Development. Naturally, the store stocks a profusion of products to enhance learning, with a dizzying array of: oracle decks, divination tools, pendulums, herbs, candles, incense, floral essences and aromatherapy oils, and much more.

Odyssey has new product arriving daily from all over the world. Be it clothes, statues, jewelry, or other wares, there is always a ‘collection’ to offer choice. Sound tools, for instance, range from: drums (native, bodhran, djembes, ocean), percussion (rattles, shakers, frogs, bells), didgeridoos, flutes, rainsticks, chimes, crystal singing bowls, and more. There are over one thousand CDs to choose from, educational DVDs (many of which can be rented), a huge selection of metaphysical sale books, and all the devices and supplies to support personal development and exploration, leaving few stones unturned. And if you love stones, Odyssey has the largest assortment of gemstones in all of Durham Region; from hefty amethyst geodes to exquisite crystal points; crystal spheres to selenite lamps, rune stones to gemstone jewelry.

Customer service is the guiding light at Odyssey, with generous and extensive benefits such as: discounted pre-paid courses, free lending library, a mail order service that charges actual shipping fees only, wishbook registry, gift certificates, resource area for practitioners and teachers to advertise free, price guarantees, generous return policy, special ordering, a professional tri-annual calendar of events publication, a comprehensive website, email newsletter, and an annual membership ($10) entitling exclusive discounts and free gifts.

Circulating abundance is also imperative to Odyssey. For example, on December 13, they will host their annual ‘Reiki Charity Fundraising Day,’ where qualified practitioners provide one hour Reiki treatments for only $25, and the entire fee is then donated to one of 38 charities that Odyssey supports.

On November 11, Odyssey turns 12. After an 11 a.m. tribute to Remembrance Day, Odyssey slips into celebration mode with: cake, refreshments, party favours, generous discounts, and free gifts from their special ‘Treasure Chest’. Fun? Yes! But you don’t need to wait for a party to enjoy your visit; the celestial sun overhead radiates a warm welcome every day, at Odyssey.

Linda Lee Purvis, November, 2009