A T S Goodrick

The Vril Society is largely considered a fictitious entity, popularized by conspiracy theories and pseudohistorical texts beginning in the 1960s. These narratives often link the supposed society to Nazism and the development of advanced flying machines, attributing these to the use of supernatural energies. While some historians acknowledge the existence of small groups who believed in 'vril' energy, they generally dismiss significant political involvement.

The concept of 'Vril' itself originated in Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1871 novel, 'The Coming Race.' In the novel, Vril is a vital energy possessed by an advanced subterranean race, granting them extraordinary abilities. The term likely derives from the Latin 'virilis,' meaning manly or powerful. The novel was interpreted by some esoteric circles as a veiled transmission of secret knowledge, influencing figures like Helena Blavatsky, who incorporated Vril into Theosophical ideas about Atlantean technology and universal life forces. This concept gained traction in occult circles in Germany, particularly in the early 20th century, blending with emerging scientific discoveries and a desire to create doctrines on par with natural sciences.

The term 'Vril' was introduced by English writer Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1871 novel, 'The Coming Race.' The word is thought to be derived from the Latin 'virilis,' meaning 'manly' or 'powerful.' In Bulwer-Lytton's story, Vril is a psychic vital energy possessed by an advanced subterranean human race, the Vril-Ya. This energy grants them abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis, and control over matter for healing or destruction. The novel depicts the Vril-Ya as having evolved into a superior, egalitarian society after a cataclysm forced them underground. While contemporary critics viewed the book as satire, some occultists interpreted it as a coded message containing secret knowledge about a real universal life force.

Following Bulwer-Lytton's novel, figures within Theosophy and other occult movements adopted the concept of Vril. Helena Blavatsky, in her works 'Isis Unveiled' (1877) and 'The Secret Doctrine' (1888), described Vril as a real, independent force used by the inhabitants of Atlantis. She suggested that knowledge of Vril was preserved by Atlantean survivors and passed to a select few. William Scott-Elliot further linked Vril to airships in his 1896 work 'The Story of Atlantis,' a connection that would later influence post-World War II speculative theories. The concept resonated with a broader public in Germany, especially during the early 20th century's occult revival, where it was associated with attempts to unify science and religion through 'magic techniques.'

The legends surrounding the 'Vril Society' often connect it to Nazism and advanced technology. However, historical evidence for such a society is scarce. One potential historical basis is a 'Truth Society' mentioned by rocket pioneer Willy Ley in 1947. Ley described a Berlin-based group that believed in Vril energy, drawing inspiration from Bulwer-Lytton's novel, though acknowledging its fictional basis. They reportedly sought Vril through contemplation, such as studying an apple cut in half. Another related group, the 'Reichsarbeitsgemeinschaft 'Das kommende Deutschland'' (RAG), published pamphlets in 1930 discussing 'Vril. Die kosmische Urkraft' and claiming advanced technology for utilizing this force, possibly influenced by Austrian inventor Karl Schappeller. These small, esoteric circles are considered by some historians to be the seeds from which the more elaborate Vril Society myths grew, though their political significance is debated.