THE KYBALION --- 02 CHAPTER 2. THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES

CHAPTER 2. 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,
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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 ancient Hermetists
considered this Principle as one of the most important mental
instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which 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 caught. Just as a
knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables man to measure distant
suns and their movements, while seated in his observatory, so a
knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man to reason
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intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he
understands the archangel.
3. The Principle of Vibration
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."--The
Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is in motion";
"everything vibrates"; "nothing is at rest"; facts which Modern Science
endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to verify. And
yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago, by
the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains that the differences
between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even
Spirit, result largely from varying rates of Vibration. From THE ALL,
which is Pure Spirit, down to the grossest form of Matter, all is in
vibration--the higher the vibration, the higher the position in 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 seems to be
motionless. And at the other end of the scale, there are gross 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 and electron, atom and molecule, to worlds and
universes, everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true on the
planes of energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration);
and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations);
and even on to the spiritual planes. An understanding of this Principle,
with the appropriate 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. "He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the
scepter of power," says one of the old writers.
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.
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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 nature, but different in degree"; "opposites are the same,
differing only in degree"; "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled";
"extremes meet"; "everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths
are but half-truths"; "every truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to
everything," etc., etc., etc. It explains that in everything there are two
poles, or opposite aspects, and that "opposites" are really 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 differences consisting 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 attendant thereupon are
manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle manifests
in the case of "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 "High and Low"? 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 us take a radical and extreme example--that of "Love and
Hate," two mental states apparently totally different. And yet there are
degrees of Hate and degrees of Love, and a middle point in which we use
the terms "Like or Dislike," which shade into each other so gradually that
sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we "like" or "dislike" or
"neither." And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you will see if
you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered of
more importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the
vibrations of Hate to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in
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the minds of others. Many of you, who read these lines, have had
personal experiences of the involuntary rapid transition from Love to
Hate, and the reverse, in your own case and that of others. And you will
therefore realize the possibility of this being accomplished by the use of
the Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas. "Good and Evil" are but the
poles of the same thing, and the Hermetist understands the art of
transmuting Evil into 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 by the ancient and modern
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.
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.
This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested
a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and
forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a hightide and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with
the Principle of Polarity described a moment ago. 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, 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 the life of all things; and
finally in the mental states of Man (and it is with this latter that the
Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle most important). The
Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application,
and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in
themselves by the use of the appropriate formulas and methods. They
apply the Mental Law of Neutralization. They cannot annul the Pri
BY it. In this and similar methods, consist the Art of the Hermetists. The
Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at the point at which he desires to
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 Master does this consciously, and 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, and the methods of
counteracting, neutralizing, and USING them form an important part of
the Hermetic Mental Alchemy.
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.
This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an
Effect from every Cause. It explains that: "Everything Happens
according to Law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that 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 entirely
escapes the Law. The Hermetists understand the art and methods of
rising above the ordinary plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree,
and by mentally rising to a higher plane they become Causers instead of
Effects. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to
environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves;
heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like
pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the plane
above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well
as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers instead of
pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being played
and moved about by other wills and environment. They USE the
Principle instead of being its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of
the higher planes, but they help to RULE on their own plane. In this
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statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge--let him
read who can.
7. The Principle of Gender
"Gender is in 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 ever at work. This is
true not only of the Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the
Spiritual Planes. On the Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as SEX,
on the higher planes it takes higher forms, 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, contains the two Elements or Principles,
or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male thing has the
Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male Principle. If
you would understand the philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation,
Generation, and Re-generation, 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, teachings and practices, which
are taught under fanciful titles, and which are a prostitution of the great
natural principle of Gender. Such base revivals of the ancient infamous
forms of Phallicism tend to ruin mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic
Philosophy has ever sounded the warning note against these degraded
teachings which tend 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.