Vril: The Power of the Coming Race
The mysterious force introduced in fiction that evolved into an occult concept of an all-permeating cosmic energy with immense potential and dangerous historical associations.
Literary Origins
The concept of Vril originated in Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1871 novel The Coming Race (later republished as Vril: The Power of the Coming Race). Bulwer-Lytton, a popular Victorian novelist, politician, and member of the Rosicrucian society, created a fictional subterranean civilization called the Vril-ya, descendants of an antediluvian civilization who had mastered a mysterious energy force called "Vril."
In the novel, the unnamed narrator, a mining engineer, accidentally discovers this advanced civilization living in vast caverns beneath the earth's surface. The Vril-ya are described as physically superior to surface humans, with enhanced abilities and extended lifespans. Their society is portrayed as a utopian meritocracy, technologically advanced yet spiritually oriented.
Central to the narrative is the eponymous force, Vril, described as an all-permeating fluid or energy that the Vril-ya have learned to harness through mental concentration and mechanical devices called "vril staffs." In Bulwer-Lytton's conception, Vril unifies all natural energies (electricity, magnetism, etc.) and can be directed for healing, destruction, or transformation of matter.
"I should call it electricity, except that it comprehends in its manifold branches other forces of nature, to which, in our scientific nomenclature, differing names are assigned, such as magnetism, galvanism, etc. These people consider that in Vril they have arrived at the unity in natural energetic agencies."
— Edward Bulwer-Lytton, The Coming Race
From Fiction to Esoteric Doctrine
What distinguishes Vril from countless other fictional energies in science fiction is the remarkable speed with which it transitioned from literary device to purported esoteric reality. This transformation occurred through several key developments:
Theosophical Adoption
Helena Blavatsky, co-founder of the Theosophical Society, referenced Vril in her influential work Isis Unveiled (1877) just six years after Bulwer-Lytton's novel was published. She suggested that the fictional Vril might be a literary representation of the actual primal force known in Hindu philosophy as "Akasha" or "Astral Light" in Western occultism.
Blavatsky wrote: "The name Vril may be a fiction; the Force itself is a fact doubted as little in India as the existence itself of their Rishis, since it is mentioned in all the secret works." This assertion elevated Vril from literary concept to supposed ancient wisdom, suggesting Bulwer-Lytton had, perhaps unknowingly, tapped into genuine esoteric knowledge.
Theosophical writings connected Vril to concepts of lost civilizations, particularly Atlantis and Lemuria, proposing that ancient peoples may have wielded this force before their destruction. This connection to antediluvian wisdom became a persistent theme in later esoteric interpretations of Vril.
The Vril Society Myth
Perhaps the most significant development in the transformation of Vril from fiction to occult concept was the persistent claim that a "Vril Society" (Vril-Gesellschaft) existed in early 20th century Germany, focused on developing psychic abilities and researching exotic energy technologies.
This claim first gained widespread attention through Willy Ley, a German rocket engineer who emigrated to the United States in 1935. In a 1947 article titled "Pseudoscience in Naziland," Ley mentioned a group he called the "Wahrheitsgesellschaft" (Society for Truth) that devoted itself to study of Atlantis, cosmic ice theory, and the rediscovery of Vril energy.
The concept was significantly elaborated by French authors Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier in their 1960 book The Morning of the Magicians (Le Matin des magiciens), which claimed that the Vril Society was a secret community of initiates in pre-Nazi Berlin who sought contact with an advanced subterranean race and the mastery of Vril energy.
Despite exhaustive research by historians, no compelling evidence has been found for the existence of a formal "Vril Society" as described in these accounts. However, the absence of evidence has done little to diminish the concept's cultural power and persistence in esoteric literature.
Conceptual Development
As the concept of Vril evolved beyond its fictional origins, it became integrated with various esoteric and pseudoscientific theories about subtle energies and paranormal phenomena:
Connections to Traditional Concepts
Vril has been associated with numerous traditional concepts of vital or cosmic energy from various cultures:
- Prana - The vital life force in Vedic philosophy
- Qi/Chi - The fundamental energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Mana - The spiritual energy of Polynesian cultures
- Orgone - Wilhelm Reich's concept of universal life energy
- Odic force - Baron Karl von Reichenbach's proposed vital energy
- Élan vital - Henri Bergson's "vital impulse" in his philosophy of evolution
These associations reflect a persistent human tendency to conceptualize a fundamental energy underlying all physical and spiritual phenomena, with Vril serving as a Western esoteric adaptation of this universal archetype.
Scientific Parallels
Proponents of Vril-like energies often point to various scientific concepts as potential parallels or validations:
- Quantum field theory and zero-point energy
- Dark energy in cosmology
- Electromagnetic phenomena, particularly electrostatic effects
- Biophoton emission from living organisms
- Theoretical concepts like torsion fields or scalar waves
Most physicists and skeptics point out that these scientific concepts differ fundamentally from Vril as described in esoteric literature, particularly regarding consciousness-directed effects and technological applications. From a scientific perspective, Vril remains firmly in the realm of pseudoscience.
Free Energy Claims
One persistent thread in modern Vril-related theories is the claim that Vril represents a potential source of limitless, free energy. This aspect emerged particularly strongly during the energy crises of the 1970s and has maintained popularity in alternative science communities.
Various inventors and researchers have claimed to develop technologies based on principles allegedly related to Vril, including:
- Over-unity devices (machines that allegedly produce more energy than they consume)
- Antigravity propulsion systems
- Weather modification technologies
- Advanced healing devices
To date, no such claims have been independently verified by the scientific community, and most involve fundamental misunderstandings of basic thermodynamic principles.
Problematic Historical Associations
The concept of Vril has a troubling historical association with völkisch movements, proto-Nazi ideologies, and contemporary far-right esoteric groups. This history requires careful examination, as it represents perhaps the most consequential aspect of Vril's cultural impact:
- Ariosophical Connections: Early 20th century Ariosophists (proponents of an ideology combining Aryan racial theories with esoteric concepts) incorporated Vril into their worldview. Figures such as Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels and Guido von List suggested that Aryan peoples possessed superior access to Vril-like energies, connecting it to racial pseudoscience.
- Nazi Occultism: While mainstream historical scholarship finds limited evidence for occult practices among the Nazi leadership, popular literature has extensively developed the notion that Nazi research programs sought to harness Vril for weapons and aircraft. These claims are generally considered historical fiction rather than documented fact, but they have had significant cultural influence.
- Die Schwarze Sonne (The Black Sun): The "Black Sun" symbol, associated with Nazi SS decoration at Wewelsburg Castle, has been interpreted in post-war neo-Nazi esoteric circles as representing Vril energy. This symbol has become a coded reference in far-right iconography.
- Contemporary Fringe Groups: Various contemporary neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups incorporate Vril concepts into their ideologies, often connecting it to racist pseudoscience and conspiracy theories involving supposed "Aryan" technological superiority.
Maria Orsitsch and the Channeled Vril
A particularly influential narrative in post-war esoteric literature involves Maria Orsitsch (also spelled Orsic), allegedly a medium who led a group called the "Vril Society" in Munich during the 1920s. According to these accounts, Orsitsch claimed to channel information from extraterrestrial beings, including technical schematics for Vril-powered flying saucers.
Despite being presented as historical in numerous books and documentaries, serious historical researchers have found no contemporary evidence confirming Orsitsch's existence or activities. The narrative appears to have been constructed entirely in post-war esoteric literature, beginning with the previously mentioned work by Pauwels and Bergier and elaborated by subsequent authors.
This narrative exemplifies how fictional elements can become treated as historical fact within certain esoteric communities, creating a self-referential body of literature that appears scholarly but lacks primary historical evidence.
It is important to emphasize that these associations do not invalidate all interest in subtle energy concepts, many of which have venerable traditions in various cultures. However, they do highlight the need for critical awareness of how esoteric concepts can be appropriated for ideological purposes and the importance of distinguishing between speculative exploration and historical revisionism.
Contemporary Cultural Significance
Despite—or perhaps because of—its controversial history and pseudoscientific status, Vril continues to exercise considerable cultural influence across various domains:
- Popular Culture: Vril has appeared in numerous novels, comics, films, and games, including Mike Mignola's Hellboy series, various steampunk narratives, and alternate history fiction. These references often draw on both the original literary concept and its later esoteric interpretations.
- New Age and Esoteric Communities: Various New Age systems incorporate Vril-like concepts, usually divorced from their problematic historical associations. These interpretations often focus on Vril as a healing energy or connect it to concepts of consciousness expansion and spiritual development.
- Conspiracy Culture: Vril features prominently in various conspiracy theories involving secret technologies, underground civilizations, and hidden history. These narratives often blend elements from UFOlogy, ancient astronaut theories, and secret society mythology.
- Commercial Applications: The term "Vril" has been used commercially for various products claiming to enhance vitality or energy, most famously the Bovril beef extract (whose name combines "bovine" and "Vril"), first sold in 1889 and still available today.
Scholarly Perspectives
Academic study of the Vril concept has focused primarily on three areas:
- Literary analysis of Bulwer-Lytton's original novel and its place in Victorian science fiction
- Historical investigation of how the fictional concept transitioned into esoteric belief systems
- Cultural studies examining Vril's role in alternative science, conspiracy theories, and fringe political movements
Scholars like Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, in works such as Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism and the Politics of Identity, have provided valuable analysis of how fictional concepts like Vril can develop into mythologies that serve ideological purposes, particularly in extremist movements seeking historical legitimacy.
A Cautionary Tale
Perhaps the most important aspect of Vril's story is what it teaches us about the blurry boundaries between fiction, speculation, and belief. The transformation of Vril from literary device to esoteric concept to ideological touchstone illustrates how ideas evolve across contexts, sometimes with troubling consequences.
As historian Michael Barkun notes in A Culture of Conspiracy, the Vril narrative exemplifies what he calls "improvisational millennialism"—the bricolage-like assembly of disparate elements (fiction, science, ancient traditions, and contemporary concerns) into new mythologies that address anxieties about technology, power, and hidden knowledge.
In an era of rapid information sharing and blending of fact and fiction, the cautionary tale of Vril reminds us of the importance of source literacy, historical context, and critical thinking when engaging with esoteric concepts—particularly those that seem to offer simple explanations for complex phenomena or that align too neatly with ideological predispositions.
Key Vril Concepts
Vril Staff
In Bulwer-Lytton's novel, a wand-like device used by the Vril-ya to direct and focus Vril energy for various purposes, from healing to destruction.
The Coming Race
The evolved subterranean human society (Vril-ya) in the original novel, later interpreted by some as a prediction of superhuman evolution or contact with non-human intelligences.
Black Sun (Schwarze Sonne)
An esoteric symbol sometimes associated with Vril energy in post-war occultism, particularly in neo-Nazi interpretations.
Hollow Earth
The theory that Earth contains substantial inhabitable inner spaces, often connected to Vril narratives through the subterranean setting of the original novel.
Vril Society (Vril-Gesellschaft)
An alleged pre-Nazi German occult group focused on developing psychic abilities and Vril technologies, for which no substantial historical evidence has been found.
Key Figures
Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)
English novelist and politician who created the concept of Vril in his 1871 novel The Coming Race.
Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891)
Co-founder of the Theosophical Society who helped transition Vril from fiction to esoteric concept by referencing it in her influential works.
Willy Ley (1906-1969)
German-American rocket engineer whose 1947 article mentioning pre-Nazi occult groups interested in Vril helped spark post-war interest in the concept.
Louis Pauwels & Jacques Bergier
French authors whose 1960 book The Morning of the Magicians popularized claims about a historical Vril Society in pre-Nazi Germany.
Related Topics
From the Original Novel
"This fluid is capable of being raised and disciplined into the mightiest agency over all forms of matter, animate or inanimate. It can destroy like the flash of lightning; yet, differently applied, it can replenish or invigorate life, heal, and preserve, and on it they chiefly rely for the cure of disease, or rather for enabling the physical organisation to re-establish the due equilibrium of its natural powers, and thereby to cure itself."
— Edward Bulwer-Lytton, The Coming Race, 1871
This article presents the concept of Vril from a historical and academic perspective. Many claims about Vril, particularly regarding its supposed historical applications and associated secret societies, lack substantive evidence and have been connected to problematic ideologies. Readers should approach such claims with critical thinking and awareness of their historical context.