The seven principles are the foundation of Hermeticism, a branch of spiritual philosophy dating back as early as the first century A.D. They were outlined by famed author Hermes Trismegistus, who is believed to have written the Emerald Tablet and the Corpus Hermeticum (two highly influential, ancient teachings).
- The principle of mentalism.
- The principle of correspondence.
- The principle of vibration.
- The principle of polarity.
- The principle of rhythm.
- The principle of cause and effect.
- The principle of gender.
1. The principle of mentalism.
"The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental." —The Kybalion
The principle of mentalism states that the universe is akin to a mental projection. The Hermetic Principle of Mentalism teaches that all things are created from and expand from the “mind”. They are the result of your thoughts and emotions. The more you do to get in touch with your mind and to connect it with a “greater cosmic consciousness”, The more control you will have over your life, the faster you will manifest what it is that you wish for yourself. Everything is energy or consciousness that expands into the limitless universe. Our minds, the soul and its intelligence (higher self) is connected to that universal consciousness. So, when you connect with your higher self you are tapping into this great universal mind, or cosmic consciousness and accessing all those resources of knowledge within it.
2. The principle of correspondence.
"As above, so below; as below, so above." —The Kybalion
This principle embodies the truth that there is always a correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of being and life. The hermetic principle of correspondence represents the interaction between the macrocosm and the microcosm. It is through this principle that we are able to witness the seamless connection between the mental, physical, and spiritual planes of existence. It is the idea or belief that all units in creation are reflections of each other and together make up the whole of the holographic universe. To the alchemist, the principle of correspondence reveals the link between the conscience and sub-conscience mind. The work the alchemist does on the spiritual plane, building a relationship with the divine, moves into the mental plane, as an idea or intuition, then manifests itself on the physical plane. This is where the mastery of the principle of mentalism comes into effect. The alchemist is now able to see the positive and negative effects their thoughts and emotions have on the world around them. Through the principle of correspondence, the alchemist gains the wisdom to cut to the root causes of all things and solve all paradox.
3. The principle of vibration.
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." —The Kybalion
Everything (every atom, object, and living thing) is in constant motion, vibrating at a specific frequency. Vibration has three characteristics in science: how far a vibration can travel (amplitude), how fast it can travel (frequency), and the speed at which it travels (acceleration). These characteristics describe the back-and-forth motion of the particles and atoms that form all matter, physical and metaphysical. It is also known that emotions and thoughts carry with them a distinct vibration. Emotions and thoughts of unconditional love are subtle and vibrate the highest. Thoughts and emotions of hate are more dense and vibrate at the lowest frequencies. Modern science has also endorsed the belief that everything in the universe is a result of vibrating atoms and molecules. Tesla stated, “ If you want to understand the universe think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.” When you think of something, your thoughts vibrate and it will attract the same vibrations with what you think. This is just another label to what is now called the Law of Attraction. When you think positively, you will attract positive things. When you think negatively, you will attract negative things.
How to apply The Principle of Vibration
1. Understand that the only constant is change.
2. Change yourself from low vibration to high vibration.
3. Keep yourself at the higher vibration for a long period of time.
4. The principle of polarity.
"Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled." —The Kybalion
The principle of polarity shows us that spirit and matter are opposite poles of the same thing (the intermediate planes), being merely different rates of vibration. In hermetics, it is believed that the All and the Many are the same, the difference being varying degrees of mental manifestation. We see polar opposites in other aspects of life such as hot and cold, tall and short, hard and soft, love and hate, fear and courage. For example, hot and cold are both on the scale of temperature being simply different degrees, hot being on the upper scale of temperature, and cold being on the lower end of the scale. We witness this again with the flow of electricity: for an electrical current to work you need both positive and negative charges; you need both poles.
5. The principle of rhythm.
"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." —The Kybalion
Rhythm comes from the Greek word “Rhuthmos” or “Rhythoms” meaning any regular recurring motion, symmetry, or movement. The hermetic principle of rhythm is closely related to the principles of vibration and polarity. To the hermeticist, the principle of rhythm represents the movement between two polar opposites and the back and forth movement of atoms, that form everything on the physical plane of existence. The principle of rhythm is seen in many aspect of life, such as; the rising and sinking of the sun, the rising and falling of empires and world powers, and our moods and emotions. Newton’s third law of motion also speaks on the principle of rhythm when he states, “For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.”
King Solomon spoke on the principle of rhythm in book of Ecclesiastes in the old testiment.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (read full chapter for more)
To the alchemist, the principle of rhythm is the window in which we are able to monitor and view the changes in our mental states. This principle is the catalyst in which we adjust ourselves to find more balance and peace of mind. By understanding the principle of rhythm we learn to appreciate and embrace the fact that all grief and pain is only temporary, along with its opposites joy and happiness. When the alchemist learns to use this principle instead of being used by it, he or she is more capable to raise their vibration, break behavioral patterns and are better prepared to face the rising and fallings of the tides in their own life. The principle of rhythm grants the alchemist the wisdom and self-awareness to learn from every situation they face both positive and negative.
6. The principle of cause and effect.
"Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to law; chance is but a name for law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law." —The Kybalion
The hermetic principle of cause and effect teaches us that nothing happens by chance, that everything has its cause. Nothing comes from nothing, and everything that we see in our world is a result of causes. The majority of people are effects of the agenda, will, and desires of others who they think of as stronger than them. We see this in our everyday lives, in regards to government, political leaders, secret societies and the social environments we come from. Most humans go through life being moved around like pawns on a chess board instead of playing the game of life themselves. The principle of cause and effect teaches us that we can rise above the realm of being others’ effects, into becoming beings of causality.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the principle of cause and effect is described through Karma. Karma is the executed deed, work, or action, and it is also the object or the intent behind such actions. In the Upanishad of Hinduism, Karma is the principle of causality, and states that Karma is the result of an action or deed. If the deed is good, and the intent is good, then the person will have good karma. If the deed is bad, and is done with ill intent, then the person will receive bad karma, and will have to work through their karma in either this life or the next.
The Bible also speaks on the principle of cause and effect. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” - Galatians 6:7-8
To the alchemist, the hermetic principle of cause and effect is a tool to take back control over one’s life. Using the principle of cause and effect in line with the principles of mentalism and vibration, the alchemist is able to conquer his or her own moods, characteristics, qualities, and power, transforming themselves from a pawn in the game of life into the mover of the pieces on the board. To the alchemist, the principle of cause and effect also represents the overcoming of past traumas and the thoughts and emotions tied to those traumas, enabling them to act with greater conscious awareness. All things that are manifested in our world physically, spiritually, and mentally are a byproduct of this principle. Once one masters it, they become a cause, rather than an effect. The master of this principle is one who has harnessed the power to consciously manifest their heart’s desires.
7. The principle of gender.
"Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes." —The Kybalion
Masculine and feminine energy exists in not only the physical plane but the mental and spiritual plane as well. The unity of these two energies is essential for creation, and when one has a balance of both, they're better able to apply all of the principles together for maximum benefit. Gender comes from the Latin root meaning to beget, to procreate, to generate, to create, or to produce. Gender in hermetics does not refer to the physical sex or a person’s male or female reproductive organs. “Sex” is just a manifestation of gender on our physical plane aka the plane of organic matter. Yet, gender on higher planes manifests itself in different ways. In hermeticism, the principle of gender allows us to understand and witness the operation of both masculine and feminine energies working together to form all things in existence - physical, mental, and spiritual.
In hermetics, masculine energy is described as penetrative, assertive, progressive, conquesting, and actively directing inherent energy towards its feminine counterpart. Feminine energy is described as receptive, sacred, treasured, protective, maintainer of traditions, honoring priority, and nourishing what is most essential to life. The masculine is linked with the will, while the feminine is related to receiving impressions from the masculine and conducts the work of generating new thoughts, concepts, ideas, including the work of the imagination.
Without the feminine, the masculine will act without restraint, order , or reason, resulting in chaos. The feminine without the masculine would constantly reflect and fail to actually do anything, resulting in stagnation and complacency. Yet, with both masculine and feminine working together, we see thoughtful action, the power of the will and vision, combined with the creative force and careful thought to bring it into manifestation.
To the alchemist, understanding the principle of gender is the final step of self-exploration and self-mastery. The principle of gender gives the alchemist the ability to discern his or her own mood, emotion, and action and bring their own masculine and feminine energy into balance. To the alchemist, bringing balance to his or her masculine and feminine energies is the path to God and the key to unlocking the full potential of his or her manifesting power. Once the alchemist aligns the principle of gender with the other hermetic principles nothing will be impossible for him or her. By staying in tune with all laws of the universe, the alchemist will become the great being of light the Creator intended, taking full responsibility for their actions and capable of creating a more beautiful world.