Exorcist has to be a Physicist
By: Suchit Negi
Tags: Supernatural, Metaphysical, Halloween, Metaphysics, Physics

In order to analyse a dynamic system, we first need to be able to define it. For this purpose, I start with breaking down the supernatural into three main categories: the haunted objects, the spirits or the force fields acting on the object and finally the curse, the carrier of the force fields.

Haunted Objects

Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

Similar to the concept of classical objects in physics where you can precisely define an object’s position and it’s momentum, the haunted objects follow suit. If we recall any horror movies/ tv-shows, whether its fictional or based on accounts of people who have had spooky encounters, there are certain objects such as dolls, painting or mirrors, which keep appearing frequently. Most often than not, these objects move around the premises (e.g. in the house/ room) and are only active during a certain time of the day. According to basic Newtonian Mechanics, we need a force to move an object or change its position/ momentum. This force can be mechanical (for example you could move the object with your hand) or less conspicuous, such as an electromagnetic force that acts at a distance. There is likely the hand of electromagnetic force in causing the objects to move stealthily. So now the question is, where is this force coming from? This takes us to our next category, the spirits.

Spirits

Extending our classical object analogy, the spirits are akin to force fields. Mathematically, a conservative force field can be expressed as the negative gradient of scalar potential ( F = -∇Φ). The word potential, loosely speaking, is associated with the difference in the energy levels between the objects in space-time. Water flows from a higher point to a lower one, wind blows from high pressure to low pressure and heat flows from a higher to lower temperature. Greater this difference in energy/ potential, greater is the rate of flow. Using this analogy we can coin the word spiritual potential or spiritual pressure. This change in spiritual pressure will move our so called haunted objects around. So greater the difference in the spiritual pressure more energetically the objects will move. This segues into the next question of why only certain objects move or behave differently and why only certain individuals encounter the spiritual sightings or get possessed in some cases? The key here is the potential difference rather than our absolute states. Over time, energy can accrue and result in a significant enough difference to noticeably drive the object. Just like the hurricanes near coastal areas arising from the difference in air pressure over land and sea , or the lightening discharge from a high electric charge concentration, pent up anger or resentment when let loose, can wreak havoc.

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

This explains why not every object in the house or place is the chosen one and why not just any person in the movie or in the book gets possessed. So what exactly makes the chosen object or individual special? Assuming that a supernatural entity possesses a higher potential energy, objects or people at a relatively lower potential energy will serve as better mediums. An exorcist will try to change the orientation of the object or place another object (preferably a metal) to conduct away the extra stored energy. Just like metal lightening protectors on top of buildings that conduct the electrical discharge into the earth when the lightening strikes. On some occasions, a crystalline solid is used to change the potential level of the premises. However, when dealing with a person, one has to change the individual’s energy level. This can be done by making certain changes in daily routine; adding or removing certain activities like exercise and changing diet, location or social circle. But what if even after doing all this there is no change in the person’s health or attitude? This brings us to our third category, the ‘Curse’.

Curse

Further extending our concept of considering spirits as force fields, we define curses as the force carriers. When you talk on the phone, the electromagnetic waves carry the information (energy), making the physical barriers disappear. Similarly, we can see the ‘curse’ to be carrying spiritual energy to the intended object or an individual. In the horror movies and tv shows we often see diverse curses with different methods of activating them. Similarly we have many force carriers in particle physics which are collectively called Bosons. The challenge here for the exorcist is to block the curse. In order to block a phone call, one can switch off the phone, put phone on air-plane mode, go inside a basement where the signal strength is weak, change the phone number or simply ignore it. The key is to get the mind off the caller. When one reads or sees something disturbing, the brain somehow replays it with its own version of events influenced by one’s past or present day encounters. This can create an accentuated level of threat or fear which in some cases can result in mental distress. Many people think that believing in a curse might continue to give it energy. Usually, the exorcist gives an individual a ‘talisman’ as an insulation to the curse; this is to keep the mind off from the fear. In some cases, the exorcist goes an extra mile to find the source of the individual’s fear. It’s the thought that one carries with him/her that needs to be dealt with. One way to tackle it is to practice ‘mindfulness’ or any technique that can help calm the hyperactive mind to bring down the level of fear.