What does a spirit look like, and what colour is magical energy? Join occultist and author Julian Vayne for an illustrated talk exploring how the Western magical tradition has given visible form to the invisible.
Tracing a path from Spiritualism and Theosophy to contemporary psychedelic culture, Julian will look at the remarkable spirit drawings and visionary images of figures such as Annie Besant and Ethelwynne M. Quail, and their surprising links to the birth of abstract art in the West. He'll show how the magic lantern, photography and early cinema turned the ghost from a whispered presence into something that could be projected and displayed, and how psychedelic experience, from the plant intelligences of ayahuasca to the strange presences reported with DMT, is reshaping spirit imagery today.
Book your place now for a fascinating journey through the art, technology and altered states that have shaped how we see the unseen.
Meet your speaker, Julian Vayne
Julian Vayne is an independent scholar with over four decades of experience in esoteric culture, from Druidry and Chaos Magic to Shamanism, Freemasonry and Witchcraft. Widely regarded as one of Britain's leading occultists, he is the author of Pharmakon: Drugs and the Imagination, one of the first books of the modern psychedelic renaissance, and Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony. He co-organises the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention and has lectured at several British universities.
Live online with replay
This talk will be recorded. You will find the recording link in your College Account within two working days from the event - an email will alert you when it is ready. This recording will be available for replay for three months following the event. Please see our terms for more information.
Previous participants say:
"Julian Vayne is a brilliant presenter - the talk was fascinating and very well researched. Julian brought a lively and engaging approach to the subject and it was a very interesting and enjoyable session."
"Deeply interesting course that has given me plenty of food for thought! Spirit mapping provided me with an excuse to pick up my paint bushes again and while I was painting I found a lot resonance with the subject matter."
"Julian Vayne is a fantastic presenter! Warm, wise and witty, I always learn something new."
"Julian is just great! I love his take on esoteric practice, I defo will be attending all the courses by him, keep them coming!"
See Ethelwynne M Quail's works up close:
This talk will be live in our online classroom
All you need to take part is a good internet connection and a computer with a webcam, microphone and Zoom. As many of our events are interactive, please be prepared to attend with your camera on.
On booking this talk, you will receive an email with the Zoom link to access it. Remember to check your spam folder if you don't receive this confirmation email in your inbox.
Please send us a message if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy the talk!
About Julian Vayne
Julian Vayne is an occultist, writer, teacher and psychonaut and has used the tarot for over 40 years. He reads tarot professionally, and teaches both divination and the esoteric uses of the cards. Read more about Julian
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