Celebrating A Century of A Vision
To mark this occasion, the National Library of Ireland has digitised materials from the Yeats Occult Papers collection relating to A Vision, including a draft manuscript of the book itself. Dense, often abstract and also grounded in symbolism from across Yeats' other writings A Vision has presented a challenge to Yeats scholars for decades, but has also provided crucial context to the poet's attitudes towards the changing times in which he lived. With these newly digitised materials further avenues of exploration of this text are opened to researchers across the world.
As part of this launch the NLI will be running free public events aimed at demystifying A Vision and the system of belief it contains, with a continuation of the monthly Journey to A Vision tours of The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats exhibition and three events presented by A Vision expert Dr Neil Mann focused on breaking down and understanding this often over-looked side of the Nobel Prize winning poet.
A Vision | System, Symbols and Spirit: Tuesday September 22nd 6pm - 7pm
Join the NLI to mark the centenary year of the publication of A Vision's first edition, WB Yeats' account of the passage of history and the journey of the soul with this introduction to the book by subject expert Dr Neil Mann, with opening words from the NLI's Head of Special Collections, Crónán Ó Doibhlin.
Steeped in symbolism and philosophy stemming from a lifetime of writing and magical experimentation, A Vision has long been regarded as a dense and challenging work to engage with. In this talk Dr Neil Mann seeks to unpack and explain the various concepts crucial to understanding A Vision, providing insight into Yeats' esoteric life, his writings, his relationships and the occult system that lies at the heart of the book itself.
The 28 Phases of the Moon: Exploring Yeats' Vision: Wednesday September 23rd 1pm- 2pm
Dr Neil Mann delivers a workshop on applying the system devised by WB and George Yeats to demonstrate the intended function of A Vision and provide insight into the thoughts and beliefs of one of Ireland's most celebrated writers.
Discover the significance of the Moon in Yeats' wider body of work, the roles of Mask and Will in Yeats' A Vision as well as what Yeats means in adopting the title of The Daimonic Man and how he came to believe he was bound to stand apart from the rest of the society in which he lived.
Esoteric Yeats: The Importance of Manuscripts: Wednesday September 23rd 4pm - 5pm
Dr Neil Mann identifies key writings and objects which can be used to help understand Yeats' esoteric themes in this seminar for scholars looking to get to grips with this more mysterious and often challenging side of WB Yeats studies.
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