Call for Papers

Daimonic Imagination: Uncanny Intelligence
6th-7th May 2011
University of Kent, Canterbury

In this inter-disciplinary conference we will be addressing the question of inspired creativity. In many traditions the fount of creative vision and the source of divinatory insight is located in an intelligent ‘other’, whether this is termed god, angel, spirit, muse or daimon, or whether it is seen as an aspect of the human imagination and the activation of the ‘unconscious’ in a Jungian sense. From the artistic genius to the tarot reader, the sense of communication with another order of reality is commonly attested. Such communication may take the form of a flash of intuitive insight, psychic or clairvoyant ability, or spiritual possession. In art and literature many forms have been given to the daimonic intelligence, from angels to aliens, and in the realm of new age practices encounters with spiritual beings are facilitated through an increasing variety of methods including shamanism, hypnotherapy, mediumship, psychedelics, channelling and spirit materialisation. Theories of divinatory practices such as astrology, tarot or I Ching often assume a spirit or god-like intelligence at work in symbolic interpretation, and guardian angels abound in self-help literature.

This conference is not concerned with ‘proving’ or ‘disproving’ the existence of such beings. Rather, we would invite papers that address the theme of how the ‘numinous other’ is conveyed and depicted, how its voice is heard, how it informs, and has always informed, human experience. We would like to engage the imagination and open up discussion, particularly around the subject of how researchers might best approach the study of such marginalised and culturally anomalous visions and experiences, and what their value might be.

The conference will be fully interdisciplinary, perspectives may include those from art, literature, divination, cultural studies, philosophy, theology and RS, spirituality, anthropology, classics, history, psychology, film studies and sociology. Presentations should be 30 minutes in length, to be followed by 15 minutes discussion.

Suggested themes:
The daimonic in art, literature, music, dreams, divination, psychotherapy
Philosophical, metaphysical, religious and transpersonal approaches to the daimonic
Spirit visions and mediumship
Spirits in shamanic and indigenous traditions
Jung and the unconscious
Paranormal encounters
The ‘otherworld’ and its inhabitants
Psychedelic encounters

Please send a title and abstract to:
William Rowlandson (w.rowlandson@kent.ac.uk [1]) and Angela Voss (a.voss@kent.ac.uk [2])
co-directors of the Centre for the Study of Myth at the University of Kent
by Monday 28th February 2011