Quick Answer
The Seven Hermetic Principles are universal laws attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, preserved in the Kybalion. These principles - Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender - govern the operation of the universe at all levels.
- The 7 Hermetic Principles — Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause & Effect, Gender — describe universal laws governing reality at every level
- The Kybalion (1908) was written by William Walker Atkinson under the pseudonym “Three Initiates” — confirmed by Penguin Random House Definitive Edition
- The Corpus Hermeticum (1st-3rd century CE, translated by Copenhaver 1992) is the primary source text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus
- “As above, so below” (Principle of Correspondence) has been called the most influential idea in Western esotericism — influencing alchemy, astrology, and modern holistic thinking
- Rudolf Steiner integrated Hermetic principles into anthroposophy, particularly the correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm
The Source of the Principles
Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary master of masters, taught these principles in ancient Egypt. They form the foundation of Western esoteric tradition and influenced alchemy, Kabbalah, and modern metaphysics.
The Seven Principles
1. The Principle of Mentalism
The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental. All creation exists first as thought in the Divine Mind. Reality is fundamentally mental in nature.
2. The Principle of Correspondence
As above, so below; as below, so above. What occurs on one plane mirrors what occurs on all planes. The microcosm reflects the macrocosm.
3. The Principle of Vibration
Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates. From dense matter to pure spirit, everything vibrates at different frequencies.
4. The Principle of Polarity
Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites. Opposites are identical in nature but different in degree.
5. The Principle of Rhythm
Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides. The pendulum swing manifests in everything. What goes up must come down.
6. The Principle of Cause and Effect
Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause. Nothing happens by chance; all is governed by Law.
7. The Principle of Gender
Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles. This manifests on all planes from physical to spiritual.
Wisdom Integration
Rudolf Steiner drew from Hermetic tradition, recognizing these principles as genuine insights into cosmic law. However, he emphasized that intellectual understanding is only the beginning. These laws must be experienced directly through spiritual practice to transform knowledge into wisdom.
Applying the Principles
Use Mentalism to understand that you create your reality through thought. Apply Correspondence to know yourself by studying nature. Work with Vibration to raise your frequency. Master Polarity to transmute negative into positive. Ride Rhythm consciously rather than being swept by it. Understand Cause and Effect to take responsibility. Balance Gender for creative power.
Practice: Daily Integration
Choose one principle to work with each week. Notice how it manifests in your daily experience. Keep a journal of observations. By the end of seven weeks, you will have a living understanding of these universal laws.
Continue Your Journey
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The Seven Hermetic Principles: Universal Laws Explained
The Seven Hermetic Principles, preserved in The Kybalion, represent the foundational laws governing the universe. These ancient teachings, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, provide a framework for understanding reality and mastering the art of conscious living.
Origins of the Hermetic Principles
Historical Context
The Lineage Behind the Principles
The Hermetic tradition traces to Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice-Great Hermes”), a legendary figure blending the Greek god Hermes with the Egyptian god Thoth. The core texts — the Corpus Hermeticum (17 treatises) and the Asclepius — date to the early centuries CE, composed in Greco-Egyptian Alexandria. These texts remained lost to Western Europe until 1463, when a manuscript reached Cosimo de’ Medici in Florence. He commissioned Marsilio Ficino to translate it before Plato — so urgent was the perceived importance of Hermetic wisdom.
This translation catalyzed the Renaissance. Hermetic ideas influenced Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Giordano Bruno, and the development of alchemy, astrology, and the Kabbalah in Western culture. Isaac Newton’s private papers (discovered in 1936) revealed extensive engagement with Hermetic alchemy. The phrase “as above, so below” — the Principle of Correspondence — comes from the Emerald Tablet, a short Hermetic text dating to at least the 8th century Arabic tradition.
The Kybalion’s place: Published in 1908 by William Walker Atkinson under the pseudonym “Three Initiates” (confirmed by Philip Deslippe’s research for the Penguin Definitive Edition), the Kybalion synthesizes Hermetic themes through an American New Thought philosophical framework. While not an ancient text, it remains the most accessible introduction to Hermetic principles and has sold millions of copies. Its seven-principle structure is Atkinson’s formulation — the original Corpus Hermeticum does not present principles in this format — but the underlying ideas draw from authentic Hermetic and Neoplatonic traditions.
The Kybalion
The Kybalion, published in 1908 by "The Three Initiates," distills Hermetic wisdom into seven core principles. This knowledge traces back to:
- Hermes Trismegistus: "The Thrice-Great" - legendary Egyptian sage
- Ancient Egypt: The mystery schools of pharaonic times
- Greek Philosophy: Merged with Platonic and Neoplatonic thought
- Western Esotericism: Foundation of alchemy, astrology, and magic
The famous axiom "As above, so below" comes from the Hermetic tradition.
The Seven Principles
1. The Principle of Mentalism
"The All is Mind; The Universe is Mental."
Meaning:
- The universe is a mental creation of The All (the infinite, living mind)
- Everything that exists emerges from universal consciousness
- Mind is the fundamental substance of reality
- Our thoughts shape our experience of reality
Practical Application:
- Recognize the power of your thoughts
- What you think about, you bring about
- Mental discipline creates life transformation
- Change your mind, change your reality
2. The Principle of Correspondence
"As above, so below; as below, so above."
Meaning:
- Patterns repeat at all levels of existence
- The macrocosm reflects the microcosm (and vice versa)
- What happens on one plane mirrors other planes
- The physical, mental, and spiritual planes are interconnected
Practical Application:
- Study one level to understand another
- Your inner world creates your outer experience
- The universe mirrors your beliefs back to you
- Understanding yourself reveals universal truths
3. The Principle of Vibration
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."
Meaning:
- Everything in the universe is in constant motion
- All matter and thought oscillates at distinct frequencies
- Higher vibrations correspond to higher states of being
- The difference between matter, mind, and spirit is vibrational rate
Practical Application:
- Raise your vibration through positive thoughts and emotions
- High vibrations attract positive experiences
- Low vibrations attract negative experiences
- You can consciously change your vibrational frequency
4. The Principle of Polarity
"Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites."
Meaning:
- All manifested things have two poles or opposites
- Opposites are identical in nature, different only in degree
- Hot and cold are the same thing - temperature
- Love and hate are the same thing - emotion
Practical Application:
- Transmute negative to positive by changing degree
- Move along the spectrum toward what you desire
- Hatred can be transformed into love
- Fear can be transmuted into courage
5. The Principle of Rhythm
"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall."
Meaning:
- Everything has natural cycles and rhythms
- The pendulum swings in both directions
- What goes up must come down (and vice versa)
- Night follows day; expansion follows contraction
Practical Application:
- Understand that difficult times will pass
- Don't resist natural cycles - flow with them
- Use high points wisely, knowing lows will come
- The master can neutralize rhythm through will
6. The Principle of Cause and Effect
"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause."
Meaning:
- Nothing happens by chance; there are no coincidences
- Everything happens according to law
- Every action produces a corresponding reaction
- "Chance" is merely a name for unrecognized causes
Practical Application:
- Take responsibility for your experiences
- Your current life reflects past causes
- Create consciously to shape future effects
- Masters become causes rather than effects
7. The Principle of Gender
"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles."
Meaning:
- Gender exists on all planes - physical, mental, spiritual
- Masculine represents outward, active, giving energy
- Feminine represents inward, receptive, receiving energy
- Both are necessary for creation and balance
Practical Application:
- Balance masculine and feminine within yourself
- Use active energy (masculine) to initiate
- Use receptive energy (feminine) to receive and nurture
- Neither is superior; both are essential
Applying the Hermetic Principles
Mental Transmutation
The Hermetic art of Mental Transmutation uses these principles to:
- Change mental states (using Polarity)
- Rise above circumstances (using Rhythm)
- Master cause and effect (using Mentalism)
- Transform lower vibrations to higher (using Vibration)
Daily Practice
- Morning: Set intentions using the Principle of Mentalism
- Throughout day: Observe correspondences in your experience
- When challenged: Apply Polarity to transmute negative emotions
- Evening: Reflect on causes and effects of the day
Integration Exercise
For one week, focus on one principle each day:
- Day 1 - Mentalism: Notice how your thoughts create your experience
- Day 2 - Correspondence: Look for patterns repeating at different levels
- Day 3 - Vibration: Pay attention to the energy of people and places
- Day 4 - Polarity: Observe opposites and their relationship
- Day 5 - Rhythm: Notice natural cycles in your life
- Day 6 - Cause and Effect: Trace effects back to their causes
- Day 7 - Gender: Balance active and receptive energies
How to Apply the 7 Hermetic Principles in Daily Life
Practical guide to using the Hermetic Principles for personal transformation and understanding.
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Step 1: Practice Mentalism: Observe your mental states
For one day, observe your thoughts without judgment. Notice how your mental state colors your entire experience. When you catch a negative thought pattern, consciously choose a more constructive thought. This is the beginning of mental transmutation — the core Hermetic practice.
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Step 2: Apply Correspondence: Find the pattern
Choose a recurring problem in your life. Ask: Where else does this same pattern appear? Look for the pattern at different scales — in relationships, work, health, and inner life. As above, so below. The pattern repeating across domains reveals the root issue.
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Step 3: Use Polarity: Transmute an emotion
Identify a negative emotional state you frequently experience (fear, anger, sadness). Recognize its positive pole on the same spectrum (courage, compassion, joy). Rather than fighting the negative, consciously shift your attention and intention toward the positive pole. This is not suppression — it is transmutation along the same vibrational axis.
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Step 4: Observe Rhythm: Map your cycles
Track your energy, mood, and productivity over 30 days. Notice the natural rhythms — high periods and low periods. During low periods, conserve energy and focus on rest and reflection rather than forcing productivity. During highs, take decisive action. Working with your rhythm rather than against it multiplies effectiveness.
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Step 5: Master Cause and Effect: Choose to be the cause
Identify one area where you feel like a victim of circumstances. Ask: What am I causing or allowing that contributes to this situation? Take one action that positions you as a cause rather than an effect. The Kybalion teaches that while no one escapes the Principle entirely, the wise rise above being merely effects by becoming conscious causes.
The Path of the Hermetist
Understanding and applying the Hermetic Principles leads to:
- Mastery over circumstance rather than being mastered by it
- Conscious creation of your life experience
- Understanding the mechanics of the universe
- Spiritual evolution and expanded awareness
- The ability to help others awaken
The Seven Hermetic Principles are not merely philosophical concepts but practical tools for transformation. As The Kybalion states: "The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start my spiritual journey?
Begin with regular meditation or contemplation practice, study teachings that resonate with you, and pay attention to synchronicities and inner guidance.
Why is spiritual development important?
Spiritual development brings greater peace, purpose, and understanding. It helps you navigate life's challenges and contribute more meaningfully to others.
Can science and spirituality coexist?
Yes, many view them as complementary ways of knowing—science explores the physical world, spirituality explores consciousness and meaning.
Continue Your Journey
- Sacred Geometry Patterns: The Divine Blueprint of Creation
- Gnostic Christianity: The Hidden Teachings and Lost Gospels
- Hermeticism and Christianity: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Faith
- Manifestation Methods: 7 Techniques That Actually Work
Sources & References
- Three Initiates [Atkinson, W.W.] (1908). The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece. Yogi Publication Society. Penguin Random House Definitive Edition (2018) confirms authorship.
- Copenhaver, B.P. (1992). Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius. Cambridge University Press.
- Hanegraaff, W.J. (2012). Esotericism and the Academy: Rejected Knowledge in Western Culture. Cambridge University Press.
- Faivre, A. (1994). Access to Western Esotericism. SUNY Press. Foundational typology of Western esoteric currents.
- Steiner, R. (1910). An Outline of Occult Science. Rudolf Steiner Press. On the correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm.