Ancient Wisdom has been passed down from the dawn of time. Usually, this esoteric knowledge wasn’t just given to anyone. It is like the Bible says about giving pearls to swine. Often, Wisdom was given to those that could hear and absorb.
“The lips of Wisdom are closed except to the ears of Understanding.” The Kybalion
Historically, Wisdom was distributed to responsible parties and it was passed on by word of mouth. This wasn’t because there were no abilities to transcribe this in written form, but rather passing information by mouth is safer to stay with those deemed worthy and not go to those that may misuse it. Of course, there was written transcription as well and that is where we find the first written works like story of Gilgamesh and other ancient books from the civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, Turkey, China, India, and Greece. These were usually religious hymns, epic poetry, wisdom literature, and historical records that reflect the current cultures and beliefs of that time. Many of these works have had a lasting impact on world literature and continue to be studied and appreciated today. It wasn’t until recent times that discoveries like the Nag Hamadi or Dead Sea Scrolls were found. However, there often were instances that Knowledge did not get conveyed this way. I think of the book The Four Agreements which was Wisdom passed down orally beginning in the 10th century within the Toltec regions of Mexico according to the author Don Miguel Ruiz. This method of learning wisdom-philosophy is consistent in our world history.
One philosophy that I consider a base philosophy that seems to impact so many religions and belief systems is Hermeticism. This Wisdom was passed down from generation to generation to leaders whether that be religious or ruling parties which sometimes were both with some believing that this began around 5000 years ago. The origins of Hermeticism trace back to these ancient times, long before the publication of “The Kybalion” in 1908. Hermeticism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus (meaning “Thrice-Great Hermes”), a legendary figure who is a synthesis of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Both deities were associated with wisdom, writing and the communication between divine beings and humans. Hermes Trismegistus was probably a pen name and a mythical figure. It is said that 35,000 books were attributed to him, however almost all were lost over time. The writings were probably from an anonymous person or group. Regardless, these are some of the most important concepts ever conveyed. All of these principles are grounded in modern day science and quantum physics play an important role in proving these Truths known thousands of years ago. We are just now catching up and understanding, with current scientific proof, the complexity and brilliance of these laws that govern us and our world.
I am going to discuss these with my perspective and present them for my understanding and yours. You obviously can do independent research as there is a vast amount of information and perspective out there to read. I encourage this and also welcome comments and other information that will complement and add to what I will present. I will start with some history about the Hermetic Principles and then mention each law. I will delve deeper into each law with personal examples in future write-ups.
The Hermetic Laws, which are seven Hermetic principles, are foundational spiritual and philosophical concepts and noted in a book called the Kybalion. The Kybalion is a book published in 1908 by three anonymous individuals under the pseudonym The Three Initiates. This is a philosophical explanation of what governs man and the universe based on the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. These principles are a synthesis of Greek and Egyptian philosophies combined to form a comprehensive philosophy regarding how our world works. Since they are a synthesis of Greek and Egyptian thought, the principles are believed to have been written between 100 CE and 300 CE in the Corpus Hermeticum. These writings have influenced many mystical, philosophical and spiritual belief systems notably eastern philosophy. The Seven Hermetic Principles serve as a guide to understanding the nature of our perceived reality, how our universe functions and spiritual development. They are obviously not “laws” in the legal sense, but rather fundamental principles that explain how the universe operates. The authorship of “The Kybalion” is often attributed to William Walker Atkinson though this is not definitively proven. However, whomever wrote The Kybalion, it must be noted that 6 of the 7 principles were taken from writings over the course of time beginning as I said about 2000 years ago. A seventh principle, the Principle of Gender, was added as one that complements the others. I feel this Principle of Gender is notable and necessary for inclusion as it just makes sense and is a part of everything we understand.
The first principle is “The Principle of Mentalism”. This principle is … “The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” This principle states that the universe is a mental creation of the All which is referring to the source of all things which is our Creator, the great I AM. Everything that exists is a manifestation of the mind. This can be applied in so many ways. I wrote recently a blog entitled “Stop Fighting and Start Loving”. This referenced Gandhi’s statement … “If you want to change the world, start with yourself”. This is an example of this principle. What we believe manifests. When we have an attitude of anger, we attract anger. When we have an attitude of Love for ourselves and others, we attract and create Love around us. Our self-love creates Love around us. It emanates.
The next principle is “The Principle of Correspondence”. This principle states … “As above, so below; as below, so above.” This principle suggests that there is a harmony, agreement and relationship between the physical, mental, and spiritual planes of existence. Understanding one level can provide insights into the others. We have 66.5% water in our bodies and our Earth is composed of 66.5% water. We have planets rotating around the Sun and there also are electrons orbiting a nucleus. We have spiral galaxies called logarithmic galaxies and the same shape is in hurricane patterns and even in the shape of a nautilus. These examples are endless. The micro is also like the macro and vice versa.
The third principle is “The Principle of Vibration”. This principle is … “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.” This principle asserts that everything in the universe is in constant motion and vibrates at different frequencies. Differences in vibration rates account for the differences in manifestation. If it vibrates, then it has a tone and shape. Current science is now proving what was known thousands of years ago. Quantum physics beginning with Max Plank posits this idea and states that we must realize this is Truth. It makes sense that if atoms are moving there will be vibration.
A fourth principle is known as “The Principle of Polarity”. This principle says … “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.” This principle highlights the duality and polarity inherent in everything. Opposites are merely different degrees of the same thing and by understanding this, we can reconcile the apparent contradictions. Ancient philosophies have understood this and this is rooted in such beliefs as Buddhism. The Middle Road is finding balance in this polarity. We have hot and cold, up and down, left and right, etc… This is the nature of our realm. This is how we can achieve our purposes by finding outcomes we favor when we try those that we do not.
Principle number five is “The Principle of Rhythm”. This law says … “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.” This principle emphasizes the cyclical nature of the universe. Everything operates in rhythms and cycles and by understanding these patterns, we can help ourselves navigate life more effectively. We can see this in things like our economy. It is in autonomous features like our heartbeat or our breath. We see the equilibrium of nature. Things naturally adjust and shift to accommodate the empty space. It is essentially balance. If things are extreme, we can rest assured that it will fluctuate to the opposite and create balance.
The fifth principle is “The Principle of Cause and Effect”. This one is “Every Cause has it’s Effect; every Effect has it’s 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.” This rule can be explained as nothing happens by randomly. Every action has a reaction and every effect has a cause. Understanding this can help us take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. This is karma. When you toss a rock into a lake there are ripples. When you add water to a bottle that is full, it will overflow. When you sow bad seeds, you reap a bad harvest. Again, the examples are infinite.
Lastly there is “The Principle of Gender”. The Principle of Gender is the 7th principle added to the teachings of Hermeticism in “The Kybalion” written in 1908. This final law is “Gender is in everything; everything has it’s Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.” This principle recognizes the presence of masculine and feminine energies in all things. When masculine coexists with feminine, there is wholeness, harmony and balance. These energies are essential for the birth of all things that exist. The principle reflects the idea that personal mastery involves integrating and harmonizing these energies which will lead to a more empowered life. It is the yin and the yang. We need both.
This is a ridiculously shallow exploration into the seven Hermetic principles. These principles provide a framework for understanding the nature of reality, the self, and the universe. This is the Wisdom of Hermeticism. These principles have been influential in every scientific, spiritual and personal Truth our world has known. Don’t they make sense? They are obvious, yet esoteric. They are hidden in plain sight. I am amazed that they were evident to ancient scholars so long ago, yet I should not be surprised because the complexity and philosophy of past ages are sometimes new concepts and discoveries to us today. It creates a vast amount of humility in me that I always want to remember.
Leave a Reply