Odic force
Also called Od [õd] and Odyle, Odic Force is the nineteenth century name given to the hypothetical vital energy or life force that permeates all living plants, animals, and humans and binds them together. It was one of many proto-scientific efforts in the early 1800s towards the establishment of a unified theory of vitalism. The word derives from the Old Norse Óðinn, the Viking mythic master of the life force ('od').
It lies close to the eastern mystical concepts Chi and Prana. However, unlike Chi, the Od is not equal to breath; it is primarily associated with its electromagnetic properties.
Baron Carl Reichenbach developed the conception during the 1850s in his Researches on Magnetism, Electricity, Heat and Light in their relations to Vital Forces. Von Reichenbach purported, among other things, that this Odic Force had a positive and negative flux, and a light and dark side. Individuals thought to be strong in the force could emanate it particularly from the hands, mouth, and forehead. He believed it had other uses, that for example it could be stored in crystals as "crystalod." Reichenbach hoped to develop a scientific proof for a universal life force, but since his experiments relied on psychically sensitive and psycho-kinetically adept individuals, it never acquired currency in the general scientific community.
Current popularity of the theory within new age and paranormal communities has arisen at the same time as the success of George Lucas' fictional Force in the Star Wars series to which the Odic Force is an unmistakable antecedent.
Baron von Reichenbach was elsewhere an accomplished chemist best known for his discovery of kerosene, paraffins, and phenol.
External links
- Researches on Magnetism, Electricity, Heat and Light in their relations to Vital Forces
- Luminous World
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