by Luke Miller: Hermes Trismegistus was known by the ancient Egyptians as “the great great” and “master of masters” and was the founder of the Hermetic teachings…
All fundamental and basic occult and esoteric teachings can be traced back to Hermes.
The fundamental teachings of the Hermetic Art are based upon the 7 universal principles which are-
- The principle of mentalism
- The principle of correspondence
- The principle of vibration
- The principle of polarity
- The principle of rhythm
- The principle of cause and effect
- The principle of gender
You can really open up a deep exploration of yourself and esoteria from these 7 principles, but they really are only the beginning of the adventure in which the more doors you open the less you realise you know. I remember watching a quantum physicist speaking and he said something along the lines of- “If you think you understand quantum physics, you are missing something” I think in a similar way to quantum mechanics, if you think you have fully grasped the Hermetic teaching, then you are mistaken, as it is a rabbit hole that never ends, well at least not at this level of consciousness.
Here is a basic rundown of the 7 principles taken from The Kybalion-
The principle of mentalism
“THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental.”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.”
The principle of correspondence
“As above, so below; as below so above.”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 principle of vibration
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”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.”
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…”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.”
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.”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 high-tide and low-tide.”
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.”It explains that: “Everything Happens according to Law”; that nothing ever “merely happens”; that there is no such thing as Chance… only law unseen.”
The principle of gender
“Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles Gender; manifests on all planes.”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.”
These principles are a taste of esoteric and occult teachings, but are only the tip of a very large iceberg that can lead you down many different paths. Grab yourself a copy of the Kybalion if you are interested in learning a little more about these principles and where they can lead you.
Luke Miller is the creator of Potential For Change and author of this article. He believes that spirituality is the foundation for good health and likes to blend psychology and spirituality to help you create more happiness in your life.
