What is spiritus mundi?

Spiritus Mundi is a Latin term that translates to "spirit of the world" or "world spirit". In philosophy and literature, it refers to a concept that describes the collective consciousness or unconsciousness of humanity. The idea of Spiritus Mundi has its roots in the ancient Greek and Roman mythology, where the world was believed to be animated by a divine spirit.

In modern times, the concept gained prominence through the works of Irish poet William Butler Yeats. He used the term Spiritus Mundi in his poems to suggest a universal consciousness that connects all human beings and their experiences. Yeats believed that this collective consciousness served as a source of inspiration for creative writers and artists.

Spiritus Mundi has also been used in the context of literary criticism to describe the way in which writers often draw on collective archetypes and symbols when crafting their works. The concept of Spiritus Mundi, therefore, highlights the interconnectivity of the human experience and suggests that there is a common heritage of knowledge and wisdom that ties all humans together.