CHAPTER II THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES "The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open."--The Kybalion.
The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows: 1.
The Principle of Mentalism.
2.
The Principle of Correspondence.
3.
The Principle of Vibration.
4.
The Principle of Polarity.
5.
The Principle of Rhythm.
6.
The Principle of Cause and Effect.
7.
The Principle of Gender.
These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed with these lessons.
A short explanation of each, however, may as well be given at this point.
1.
The Principle of Mentalism "THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "All is Mind." It explains that THE ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of "The Material Universe"; the "Phenomena of Life"; "Matter"; "Energy"; and, in short, all that is apparent to our material senses) is SPIRIT which in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND.
It also explains that all the phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental Creation of THE ALL, subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that the universe, as a whole, and in its parts or units, has its existence in the Mind of THE ALL, in which Mind we "live and move and have our being." This Principle, by establishing the Mental Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the varied mental and psychic phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the public attention, and which, without such explanation, are non-understandable and defy scientific treatment.
An understanding of this great Hermetic Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the laws of the Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being and advancement.
The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental Laws, instead of using them in a haphazard manner.
With the Master-Key in his possession, the student may unlock the many doors of the mental and psychic temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently.
This Principle explains the true nature of "Energy," "Power," and "Matter," and why and how all these are subordinate to the Mastery of Mind.
One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: "He who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on The Path to Mastery." And these words are as true today as at the time they were first written.
Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and the student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple.
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 old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: "As above, so below; as below, so above." And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature.
There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us.
This Principle is of universal application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material, mental, and spiritual universe--it is an Universal Law.
The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.
The passage explicitly defines and explains the Principle of Correspondence as the second Hermetic Principle, citing the axiom 'As above, so below; as below, so above.'
The Hermetic doctrine that a masculine-feminine generative principle operates on every plane of being, not only the biological — present at all times as a structural feature of creation itself. Distinct from divine_marriage (a specific reunification event or symbol) and aeons (paired divine beings arranged in syzygies, not a universal structural claim).
The Principle of Gender is listed as the seventh Hermetic Principle but is not explained in this specific excerpt.
Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.
The text emphasizes understanding the principles 'understandingly' to possess the 'Magic Key' and unlock doors of knowledge, suggesting salvation through direct intellectual/spiritual grasp.
Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.
The text refers to 'hidden secret of Nature' and the 'Temple' of knowledge that requires a key to enter, implying esoteric teachings reserved for initiates.
The Hermetic doctrine that THE ALL is Mind, and the Universe is mental in nature — a created thought held in the mind of THE ALL. Distinct from unity_of_being in specifying WHAT the underlying oneness is (mind, not an unspecified single substance), and from logos (a mediating ordering word BETWEEN a transcendent God and a separate material world) in collapsing that mediation entirely — under mentalism there is no world outside mind to mediate to.
The passage explicitly defines and explains the Principle of Mentalism as the first Hermetic Principle, stating 'THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental.'
The Hermetic doctrine that apparent opposites are identical in nature but differ in degree — two extremes of the same scale (hot/cold, love/hate) — such that one pole can be shifted toward its opposite by a change of degree ('mental transmutation'). Distinct from opposites_transcended (a completion-state marking the path's end, not this doctrine's active technique) and magical_equilibrium (balance held BETWEEN two forces, not identity-by-degree of what looks like two forces).
The Principle of Polarity is listed as the fourth Hermetic Principle but is not explained in this specific excerpt.
The Hermetic doctrine of a measured swing or pendulum motion between poles — action and reaction, flow and outflow, rise and fall — operating in mental, physical, and cosmic-historical registers alike. Distinct from apocatastasis (cosmic-scale eschatological restoration after vast cycles) in naming a constant, ever-present oscillation rather than a singular restorative event.
The Principle of Rhythm is listed as the fifth Hermetic Principle but is not explained in this specific excerpt.
The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.
The text describes 'THE ALL' as the Substantial Reality underlying all manifestations and states 'All is Mind,' implying a fundamental unity of existence.
The Hermetic doctrine that nothing rests — matter, energy, mind, and spirit are a single continuum differing only in rate of vibration, from the grossest matter to the least material spirit. Distinct from cosmic_sympathy (affinity resonating BETWEEN separate things) in being a claim about what constitutes any one thing in the first place, and from magical_equilibrium (Lévi's operational balancing technique, which presupposes some vibration doctrine rather than stating this general principle).
The Principle of Vibration is listed as the third Hermetic Principle but is not explained in this specific excerpt.