What is Orgone Energy?

IA 220 ORGONE ENERGY: A POWER ALTERNATIVE

by Paul Rourke 1977 - University student USM 1978

The purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware of the possibility of a newly discovered energy the implications of which are earth shaking. Did Columbus discover New York City, Chicago, or the fisheries in Maine? Nay, rather he discovered a stretch of seashore that up to then was unknown to Europeans. The discovery of orgone energy occurred in a similar fashion and that one single discovery represents the coastal stretch from which all else develops. An attempt will be made to present to the reader interested in basic scientific research and in basic concepts some of the facts --observational and experimental-- that gave rise to the new science of orgonomy as constituted by Wilhelm Reich, the discoverer of the orgone energy. In exploring orgone energy as a power alternative some rather speculative observations will be made to show some of the consequences which orgonomic research are likely to lead up to.

Once a pupil of Sigmund Freud, Reich developed a differing opinion of the "libido" theory. Reich felt that libido was an energy function as opposed to a desire or instinct, finally viewing the orgasm as holding the key to the regulation of bioenergy. He postulated an orgasm formula pinpointing the energy process as having four beats: (1) mechanical tension, (2) bioelectrical charge, (3) bioelectrical discharge, and (4) relaxation. Further research became more encompassing: that in fact this basic biological formula comprehends the essence of all living functioning. Objective observation of the orgone energy revealed that it is present in the atmosphere, is related to the sun, extends through all space like "ether", is drawn in by all organisms, and is what accounts for the movement of all living things.

From continued observations and experiments Reich, little by little, formulated a number of general laws and principles of orgone and its functioning. I shall enumerate the most important of these: (1) being mass free, orgone energy itself has no inertia thus making it difficult to measure with conventional techniques. (2) Orgone energy is universal and ubiquitous filling all space although in differing degrees; (3) it is the medium for electromagnetic and gravitational activity. It is held to be the sub-stratum of the most fundamental natural phenomena, the medium which light moves and electromagnetic and gravitational fields exert force; (4) it is negatively entropic. Orgone energy is attracted to concentrations of itself unlike heat or light, which manifest a direction from higher to lower potential. (An analogy is found in gravitation where the larger bodies attract or pull the smaller.) (5) Matter is created from orgone energy. Concentration and merging of individual streams of orgone can create matter where none previously existed. (6) Existing matter can, through the action of orgone energy, be organized spontaneously into living forms where no life previously existed. (7) Separate streams of orgone energy may be attracted to each other and then superimpose. The superimposition function is held to be the fundamental form of the creative process. In free space this superimposition is seen as galaxies and solar systems. In the atmosphere these streams converge into a spiral creating hurricanes and cyclones. In living nature two separate streams of energy flow together creating living organisms.

The actual discovery of orgone occurred as a result of the consistent application of the functional technique of thinking. Phenomena observation and theory postulation must be followed, however, with empirical data to bring validity. In 1939, Reich was working with "bions" and accidentally discovered that some of the bions emitted an energy that did not obey the laws of any known form of energy. A bion is an energy vesicle, that is transitional in form between non-living and living matter. Peculiar optical phenomena developed when dozens of the bion cultures were kept in the same room simultaneously. Fog-like emanations and bluish dots and lines were observed and it seems that this concentration of bions made auras and rays from the hands visible to the non-clairvoyant observer. It was then found that paper, cotton, cellulose and other organic substances took up an energy from the bion cultures which gave a reaction in the electroscope. The fact that radiation from the cultures would affect an electroscope only through the indirect route of being used first to "charge" an insulating material was evidence to Reich that the radiation possessed different characteristics from any then known to science.

From this point Reich deduced, from his given observations, that enclosing a space with alternating metallic and organic substances could accumulate orgone energy. What occurred within the accumulating device was a temperature rise of .2 degrees to 1.8 degrees C. The theory propounded by Reich to explain this temperature differential phenomenon is that stoppage of the kinetic energy particles results in a temperature rise. The metal radiates the energy both outside and inside. The energy radiated to the outside is absorbed by the organic outer layer while that radiated by the metal to the inside moves freely. Thus movement of energy toward the inside is free; while toward the outside it is being stopped. Reich elaborates that static electricity is different from electromagnetic forces: that static electricity is really similar to orgone; and that the electroscope which science says detects static electricity is actually an orgonoscope.

An outline of basis concepts and research has been given but for the purpose of this paper it must be kept in mind that much more elaborate and conclusive research has been developed. Another problem of orgone physics and power technology of the future is how can this energy be utilized as or converted into a mechanical energy or motor force. A possible solution began in 1947 when Reich purchased a Geiger Muller counter. He placed the counter in a three-layer accumulator and after giving off several clicks per minute --background radiation-- it appeared to go dead. Three months later Reich gave it a fresh try only to find the counter producing 6000 clicks per minute. Tests showed these originated from the counter tube that apparently became saturated from the orgone in the accumulator. A few months later Reich, utilizing vacuum tubes thoroughly soaked in orgone, registered impulses of up to 100,000 per minute turning the counter point 1,000 times per minute. He thus theorized a new motor force since no ionization effects could be this powerful. The next step was to link this force to a motor. On June 24, 1948 in the presence of five witnesses Reich purported to have set a motor in motion. "The power of the future," cried Reich Joyfully.

The implications of orgone as a motor force barely skims the surface of its potentials. To even contemplate the research possible when dealing with the medium of electromagnetic and gravitational fields reaches the very depths of creation. One may ask why isn't this research available and thoroughly explored today? The reasons are many, but a major contributing factor was that Reich felt mankind was not yet ready and when he died in 1957 much of the delicate research was sealed in his archives not to be divulged till fifty years after his death. The truth, I believe as did Reich, is that he was before his time and that it will take decades of continuing experiments before the scientific community realizes cosmic orgone energy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Orgone, Reich, & Eros by W. Edward Mann.

Selected Writings by Wilhelm Reich

Wilhelm Reich and Orgonomy by Ola Raknes, Ph.D.