Hermitix The Magical Writings of W.B Yeats with John Michael Greer
Dec 25, 2025
Join John Michael Greer, a seasoned writer and occultist, as he dives deep into the magical realm of W.B. Yeats. Greer shares his journey discovering Yeats's 'A Vision' and its impact on his understanding of Yeats's occult practices. He discusses Yeats's significant role in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and reveals insights into Yeats's confrontations with Aleister Crowley. Additionally, Greer explores the intersections of poetry and magic, illustrating how Yeats used magic as a fountain of creative inspiration and examining the relevance of his works in contemporary practice.
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Yeats’s Occultism Was Central
- John Michael Greer discovered Yeats's occult side after finding A Vision and researching his Golden Dawn ties.
- Greer argues Yeats's magic was central to his life and artistic output, not a peripheral hobby.
Occultism Was Quietly Erased
- Post-Depression elites marginalized occultism and suppressed its historical role.
- Greer links that erasure to shifts in class, economy, and respectability after the 1930s.
Yeats Threw Crowley Down Stairs
- Yeats physically confronted Aleister Crowley during a Golden Dawn dispute and "tossed Crowley down the stairway."
- That incident reflects real tensions among early 20th-century occult figures.