BCMA

“The principled of Thoth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Golden Doors of the Temple fly open.” The Kybalion

The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows:

I. The Principle of Mentalism.
II. The Principle of Correspondence
III. The Principle of Vibration
IV. The Principle of Polarity
V. The Principle of Rhythm
VI. The Principle of Cause and Effect
VII. The Principle of Gender

I. The Principle of Mentalism.

This principle embodies the Truth that all is “in the mind.” It explains THE ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the term of the Material Universe; the Phenomena of Life; Matter; Energy; and, in short, all that is visible and apparent to our material senses.) is of Spirit, which in itself is Unknowable and Undefinable, but which may be considered as a Universal, Infinite, Living Mind. This explains that all 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 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 understanding.

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 wellbeing and advancement. The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently a great Mental Law, instead of using this 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 this temple freely and intelligently. This Principle explains the true nature of “Energy,” “Power,” and “Matter,” and why and how all of these things are subordinate to the Mastery of Mind. One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote long ago:

“He who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on the Path to Mastery.”

These words are as true today as they were when they were first written. Without this Master Key, Self-Mastery would be impossible. The student would knock in vain at the many doors of the Great Temple.

II. 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.” The grasping of this principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, as well as the hidden secrets of nature. There are astral planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise remain unknowable to us. This principle is of universal application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material, mental, and spiritual universe. This is a Universal Law. The ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles, which previously hid from view, the Unknown. Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess might be viewed. Just as the knowledge of the Principle of Geometry enables man to measure distant suns, stars and universes along with their movement, while seated in his observatory.

“A knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables man to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. In studying this Principle, man can understand the archangel realms.”

III. The Principle of Vibration

“Nothing rests. Everything moves. Everything has its own unique vibration.” The Kybalion.

This principle embodies the truth that “everything is constantly in motion;” “everything vibrates;” “nothing is at rest;” Facts which modern science now endorses, and which each new scientific discovery is able to verify. Yes this Hermetic Principle was stated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains the differences between different manifestations of matter, energy, mind and spirit result largely from the varying rates of Vibration. From the ALL, which is pure spirit, down to the densest form of matter, all is in vibration—the higher the vibration, the higher the position on the scale. The vibration of Spirit is at such an infinite rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at rest—just as a rapidly moving wheel appears to become motionless. At the other end of the scale, there are dense forms of matter whose vibrations are so low as to seem at rest. Between these poles there are millions upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscle to electron, atom and molecule, to worlds, stars and universes, everything is in a vibration motion. This is also true on the astral planes of energy and force, which are at best varying degrees of vibration, as well as on the mental planes whose states depend on vibrations. Even on the spiritual planes, a vibration degree exists.

An understanding of this Principle, with its varying formulas, enables Hermetic students to control their own mental vibrations as well as those of others. The Masters also apply this principle to the conquering of natural phenomena, in various ways, such as levitation skills.

“He who understands the Principles of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of power,” says one of the old writers.

IV. The Principle of Polarity

“Everything is dual; everything has two poles, as well as a 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

This Principle embodies the truth that “everything is dual;” “everything has two poles;” “everything has its pair of opposites;” all of which were old Hermetic Axioms. It explains the old paradoxes that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows:

Thesis and antithesis are identical in matter but opposite in degree; opposites are the same, different only in degree; the pairs of opposites may be reconciled; extremes meet; everything is and isn’t at the same time; there are to sides to everything; etc., etc., etc. It explains that in everything there are two poles, or two opposite aspects, and that “opposites” are only the two extremes of the same thing with many varying degrees between them. To illustrate:

Heat and cold, although opposites are really the same thing; the difference consists merely of degrees of the same thing. Look at your thermometer and see if you can discover where “heat” terminates and “cold” begins. There is no such thing as “absolute heat” or “absolute cold” — the two terms “heat” and “cold” simply indicate varying degrees of the same thing, and that same thing which manifests as “heat” and “cold” is merely a form ,variety and rate of vibration. So “heat” and “cold” are simply the two poles of that which we call “Heat”— and the phenomena attending thereupon are manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle manifests in that which we call “light and darkness,” which are the same thing, the difference consisting of varying degrees between the two poles of the phenomena. Where does “darkness” leave off, and “light” begin? What is the difference between “Large” and “Small”? Between “Hard” and “Soft”? Between “Black” and “White”? Between “Sharp” and “Dull”? Between “Noise” and “Quiet”? Between “Positive” and “Negative”?

The Principle of Polarity explains these paradoxes, and no other principle can supersede it. The same Principle operates on the Mental Plane. Let’s take a radical and extreme example; that of “Love” and “Hate,” two mental states apparently totally different. Yet there are degrees of love and degrees of hate, and a middle part for which we use the terms “like” and “dislike,” which shade into each other so gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we “like” or “dislike” or “neither”. All are simply degrees of the same thing, as you will see if you but think a moment. More than this, and considered more important by the Hermetics, it is possible to change the vibrations of hate to the vibration of Love, in ones own mind, as well as in the minds of others. Many of you, who read these lines, have personal experiences of the involuntary, rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own life and that of others. You will therefore realize that the possibility of this being accomplished by the use of Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas. “Good and Evil” are but the poles of the same thing, and the Hermetic understands the art of transmuting Evil to Good, by means of an application of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the ‘”Art of Polarization” becomes a phase of “Mental Alchemy” known and practiced b the ancient and modern day Hermetic Masters. An understanding of the principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will devote the time and study necessary to master the art.

V. 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

This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measure motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide and a low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the Principle of Polarity described above. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking; this is in the affairs of the Universe, suns, worlds, planets, stars, men, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is manifest in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in life within all things; and finally within the mental state of man ( and it is with the latter that Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle so important.) The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects within themselves by the use of appropriate formulas and methods. They apply the mental law of Neutralization. They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to cease its operation, but they have learned how to escape its effects upon themselves to a certain degree, depending upon the Mastery of the Principle. They have learned how to use it instead of being use by it. In this and similar lessons of application of the Laws, consist the Art of the Hermetists. The Master of Hermetists polarizes himself at the point at which he desires rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing of the pendulum, which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All individuals who have attained any degree of Self Mastery do this to a certain degree, more or less unconsciously, but the true Master does this consciously, by the use of his will, and attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness almost impossible of belief on the part of the masses who are swung backward and forward like a pendulum. This Principle and that of Polarity have been closely studied by the Hermetists, along with the methods of counteracting, and using them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental Alchemy.

VI. The Principle of Cause and Effect

“Every cause has an Effect; Every Effect has a Cause. Everything happens according to Law; chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of consciousness and causation; but nothing, nothing, escapes Law.” The Kybalion

This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect for every Cause; it explains that “Everything happens according to Law; The Law of Karma is exact.” Nothing ever “merely happens.” This is the Law that explains why there is no such thing as Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever escapes the Law. The Heremetists understood the arts and methods of rising above he ordinary planes of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and b mentally rising to a higher plane they became Causers instead of Effects. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to their environment, along with the wills and desires of others stronger then themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. However, the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them. The Masters become the movers instead of the pawns. They help to play the game of life instead of being played and moved about by other’s wills and the environment. They use the Principle instead of becoming its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the Higher Planes, but they help to Rule on their own plane. In this statement and within this Law there contains a condensed wealth of Heremetic knowledge—let him read it who can.

VII. The Principle of Gender

“Gender is everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.” The Kybalion

This Principle embodies the truth that there is Gender manifested in everything—the Masculine and Feminine Principles are ever at work. This is true not only on the Physical Plane, but the Mental and Spiritual Planes as well. On the Physical Plane this Principle manifests as SEX, on the Higher Planes it takes a higher form, but the Principle is ever the same. No creation, Physical, Mental or Spiritual is possible without this Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light on many a subject that has perplexed the minds of men. The Principle of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration and creation. Everything and every person contain the two elements or Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male has the Female Element within; every Female contains the Male Principle within also. If you would understand the philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation, Generation and Regeneration, you must understand and study this Hermetic Principle. It contains the solution of many mysteries of life. We caution you that this Principle has no reference to the many base, pernicious and degrading lustful theories, teaching and practices, which are taught under fanciful titles, and which are a prostitution of the natural Principle of Gender. Such base revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism then to ruin mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the warning note against these degraded teachings which tent toward lust, licentiousness and perversion of nature’s principles. If you seek such teachings, you must go elsewhere for them—Hermeticism contains nothing for you along these lines. To the pure, all things are pure; to the base, all things are base.