The Seven Hermetic Principles: Principles 1-4

As Above (Kether is in Malkuth), So Below (Malkuth is in Kether)
As Within (Implicate Order), So Without (Explicate Order)

"I learned a secret, there is no without." - The Haunting of Hill House

(Objectivity is an Illusion, but the Illusion is Real.)

The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece—penned under the mysterious pseudonym of "The Three Initiates"—is a philosophical text published in 1908 that derives its content from the principles of Hermeticism, with its ideologies intimately interwoven with the mythical persona of Hermes Trismegistus.

A fusion of both Greek and Egyptian traditions, Hermes Trismegistus embodies the archetype of wisdom and the transmission of gnosis, imparting teachings of an esoteric nature. Hermes, "Thrice-Greatest," is an icon of spiritual enlightenment and a teacher of hidden knowledge—specializing in alchemy, astrology, and theurgy.

Hermes Trismegistus also corresponds to the Ancient Egyptian lunar deity known as Thoth, interchangeable with the Roman equivalents of Mercury and Hermes. Hermes-Thoth oversaw writing, language, translation, interpretation, communication, learning, balance, equilibrium, measurement, and was known as the 'adviser of the gods'—harkening back to the main idea of Hermes being a teacher and transmitter of arcane wisdom.

The seven Hermetic axioms outlined below are regarded as the fundamental principles of occultism and of the universe. They offer insight into the very nature of reality, the mind, and of the relationship between the macrocosm (the 'big picture') and the microcosm (the individual).

Fundamental
late Middle English: from French fondamental, or late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, from fundare ‘to found’.

Fund
early 17th century (in sense ‘source or supply of material things’): from Latin fundus ‘bottom, base, landed estate’.

-mental
late Middle English: from late Latin mentalis, from Latin mens, ment- ‘mind’.

The Principle of Mentalism

"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." - The Kybalion

The Principle of Mentalism, often referred to as the first principle, is the cornerstone upon which the other six principles are built. It encapsulates the core idea that the universe is, at its roots, mental in nature.

The Principle of Mentalism posits that the entire cosmos, and all of existence, is an expression of the divine, universal mind. This concept directly challenges conventional materialism by asserting that all of physical reality has a non-physical source—that it is a projection of the cosmic mind. It also suggests that the universal mind is infinite and omnipresent. It is the very source and substance of all things—encompassing every thought, every concept, every idea, and every form. All is born from this boundless and timeless sea of consciousness.

From the galactic giants to the infinitesimally small, all arises from this limitless soup. The material world is a reflection of this cosmic mentation. This implies that our individual experiences and perceptions are productions that are shaped by our own mental constructs. Furthermore, it also implies that our thoughts and observations have the power to influence and impact both our own personal sphere as well as the entire cosmos at large. And just as it is that we think and dream, so it is that we are being thought and dreamt up. 

The well-known Hermetic axiom, "As above, so below; as below, so above" embodies the idea that the higher reflects the lower—and that, likewise, the microcosm reflects the macrocosm. It underscores the interconnectedness of all things, lending credence to the concept of the ripple effect (aka the butterfly effect) and the equality of the small (a drop of water) and the large (the entire ocean).

'Above' might also be reframed to mean 'within' (our inner realities, the subjective state), and 'below' to mean 'without' (our external realities, the objective world). The inner produces the outer, while this external production, in turn, influences our subjective experiences.

To understand this principle is to empower oneself. This is done by harnessing the creative power of the mind. It is believed that this principle, rightly grasped, can grant one the abilities to transmute mental energy and, thereby, transform one's tangible results. Decay into growth, sickness into healing, and potential into actual.

All thoughts, just as all actions, have their respective consequences—for better or worse. The creative power of the mind is neutral and goes beyond human conceptions of what is 'right' or what is 'wrong.' We each write our own personal constitution, based on our own experiences, of what are 'good' thoughts versus what are 'bad' ones. Personal misuse, as defined by one's individual constitution, of this mental power might reap undesirable outcomes on one's life and that of those within one's immediate sphere. It is important that we learn how to think responsibly and with consideration for the subsequent effects our thoughts might have on not only ourselves but also on the world around us.

The Principle of Correspondence

"As above, so below; as below, so above." - The Kybalion

The divine reveals (re-veils) itself through the significance concealed within its manifested image.

Correspond
late Middle English: from Old French correspondre, from medieval Latin correspondere, from cor- ‘together’ + Latin respondere (see respond).

Respond
late Middle English (as a noun): from Old French, from respondre ‘to answer’, from Latin respondere, from re- ‘again’ + spondere ‘to pledge’. The verb dates from the mid 16th century.

There exists planes and dimensions that are beyond our present comprehension. Yet, by utilizing the Principle of Correspondence, we can increase our capacity to grasp certain profound truths that might otherwise be shrouded in obscurity. This Principle was deemed by the Hermetic sages of old to be one of the foremost tools through which humanity can unravel the Veil of Isis. This Veil normally conceals the Unseen from our perception. But, by intelligently using the Principle of Correspondence, one can be afforded glimpses (in-sight) of the hidden countenance.

The Principle of Correspondence is the second of the seven Hermetic Principles. It is a fundamental concept that delves into the interconnectedness of all things. This principle asserts that there are harmonious correspondences between all planes of existence, at all scales. Understanding these relationships can provide striking clarity into the nature of reality.

There is no difference between the individual (as the microcosm) and the universe (or multiverse—as the macrocosm). Each reflects one another, as the parts each contain within them the whole. We see this principle perfectly laid out for us just by observing the structures in which all of manifested creation unfolds. The same fundamental patterns and laws that govern the cosmos also apply to all of the smaller systems contained therein. The small reflects the large and the large resembles the small—with each plane of existence mirroring that which is below and that which is above it. And this is precisely how we can come to know the unknowable.

It is true that we cannot truly know something unless we, ourselves, become that thing—or have a direct experience that enlightens us. However, since we know that whatever it is that is unknown to us must, in some way, reflect what is already known, we can begin to align ourselves with direct knowledge and understanding of the laws that inform "it."

Because the universe operates in a fractal-like manner, we know that specific patterns and structures are repeated at different scales. If we were to zoom into a fractal pattern, we would see it repeat itself. The same would apply if we were to zoom far out. And while there might be minor variations, which can and do alter a pattern considerably, the pattern would still eventually circle back around and repeat itself.

Correspondence emphasizes that the mental plane is the foundation of all of the other planes of existence. The thoughts and intentions of the universal mind are reflected in the spiritual, emotional, and physical realms. And much like the fractal nature of our reality, our thoughts and emotions also tend to recur. They also reflect the mental and emotional climate of our greater human family, with entire paradigms sweeping through generations in waves. This is also seen in historic trends that tend to recycle and remix one generation after the next. The Principle of Correspondence is recognizable throughout history and across time.

For these reasons, the value of understanding this principle should be obvious. The Principle of Correspondence is a tool that enables us to make sense of the events of our lives, and how it all connects to the larger picture. When we can properly ascertain the relationship between a cause and its effect, we'll be able to better navigate our lives by making more informed choices.

In the esoteric practices of tarot, astrology, and alchemy, the Principle of Correspondence is employed to interpret the symbolism behind these systems. Understanding the interplay between two different things can illuminate us in regard to some personal problem we might be facing. Knowing the position of a celestial body can give us invaluable clues as to the nature of whatever might be transpiring on Earth at any given moment.

Insights gained in one area of our lives, and in our studies, may very likely have relevance in other areas—and perhaps even during other periods of our lives. It can also aid us in putting into context the events of the past, how they shaped our present moment, and their implications for the future.

The Principle of Vibration

"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." - The Kybalion

All manifested things are subject to change, including all of our thoughts and emotions. Why is that? Because all is in perpetual motion. Change, as we know, is the one constant. What appears solid and fixed will eventually dissolve and transform into something else. Change, being motion, is inseparable from the curving of space and the passage of time.

Differing rates of vibration are responsible for the many ways in which matter and energy manifest.

The tempo defines the beat, the rate, the rhythm, the pace (the frequency), and the time. To temper is to moderate, to adjust, to slow, and to restrain—and it often refers to someone's emotional disposition. An individual with a temperate personality is someone who is mild-mannered and slow to excite or upset—in other words, they are patient and emotionally balanced. Temperature refers to how hot or how cold something is. Particles which vibrate faster are warmer than particles which vibrate slower—and in colder temperatures, things become frozen. Coolness is the absence of heat, of motion. To be frozen is to be immobile, to be at rest—to be without or with very little motion. Paradoxically, that which vibrates at infinitely intense speeds also appears motionless. Such is the manner of pure Spirit.

The word tempest is etymologically derived from tempus, which literally means time, season. A tempest is a storm of some kind, often with high velocity. A stormy person is someone who is emotionally piqued. When we cool off, our emotions are calm. We calm DOWN. When we are heated, our emotions are frenzied. We get fired UP. Speed, which is the rate of motion, quickens during warm weather and during heated emotions. It slows during cooler seasons and when we are emotionally removed. To be icy toward someone is to keep them at a distance. Again, whether we're talking about the weather or the emotional atmosphere of a situation, absence (to be devoid of warmth or affection, or to be avoidant of a person or situation) is associated with frigidity. 

Resting in peace until we shake it up to wake it up.

Behind the vast tapestry of vibratory phenomena is pure consciousness—the noumenal void. Within the void of the Absolute, all that is uncreated sleeps. Pure consciousness is non-vibratory. It is 'absolute perfection': For the hole (the "void") is whole. And all potentials lie dormant within the fertile plenum of the Absolute. To actualize these potencies, perfection must contract, must become "other", must become imperfect—for all that is created and finite (vibratory) must arise from that which timeless (non-vibratory) and infinite.

This is the invention of "lying." The Absolute is the Truth. Unity is the Truth. The Absolute is the Unmoved (non-vibratory) Mover (vibration), like the pearl at the center of the oyster. Long after the flesh and the husk rot, the pearl remains. The Truth is always buried within the lie. Death, also, being a "lie", because eternal change is always the same and Energy Never Dies. It's just transformed.

To be in resonance with someone or something is to be vibrating on similar wavelengths. Things that resonate with you are those things which are a vibrational match to your thoughts, and we tend to have little resistance to them. Because thoughts, like emotions, also have their own unique vibrational signature.

"Great minds think alike," "we're on the same wavelength," and "birds of a feather flock together." 'Flock' used in this context refers to flight or movement. Again, motion. This is the notion behind the concept of the Law of Attraction, where like tends to attract like.

This is also where transmutation can serve us whenever we are repeatedly met with something that we don't resonate with or wish to no longer be a vibrational match to. Through intention, we can divert our attention from that which is unwanted by focusing on the opposite pole in which we wish to attract.

'Repetition of a pattern' is the same thing as saying that something 'happens frequently.' Frequently = frequency. So, if something is frequently happening, it means that that something is a vibrational match to our thoughts, to our emotions, and/or to our actions. But, if we can invert our thoughts or behaviors, we can raise the pattern to a higher and more liberating expression.

However, we must first become aware of the pattern in order to flip its poles. If the 'low end' has us stuck and unmotivated, then the 'high end' can get us motivated again. This works because all opposites are the same, they just differ in degree (referring back to 'temperature'). Once again, differing rates of vibration are responsible for the differing states or phases of any manifested thing. Water IS ice, but its molecules are vibrating at a faster rate than when it is in a frozen state.

While it is true that our mental vibrations profoundly inform our lived experiences, we must seek balance (study Tarot arcanum XI Adjustment) and temperance (study Tarot arcanum XIV Temperance) in our mental and emotional attitudes. There will be periods where we will feel low or negative, just as there will be periods where we will feel high and positive. Thinking or feeling negatively does not always necessarily invite more negativity or destruction into one's life, just as positive thoughts and feelings won't always necessarily attract more situations that are constructive. Both ends of the spectrum are necessary for the prolongation of life, and each with their season—much like the many seasons of Mother Nature. It is when we become fixated on one pole for much longer than necessary that we run into problems.

Harmony is achieved through equilibrium, and finding harmony through conflict raises one's vibration. But, with every successive level comes a new devil—a new challenge, as it were. To keep on growing, to keep on pushing our limits. If we were to see a bird's eye view of our spiritual progress, it might resemble the growth rings of a tree. And, before we can break through that ring-pass-not to the next layer or stage of being—like the cocoon of the caterpillar—we must first dissolve those barriers within ourselves hindering further progress. If we get stuck in one mode or one phase for too long, and we are unresponsive to the impetus for change, we die. Dissolution and death are truly synonymous. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, change is forced upon us all.

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

"Everything is and isn't, at the same time." Opposites are truly complementary forces—they're twins. We are only able to identify joy because we've felt not-joy, which we can define or identify as sadness. Like a trampoline, the opposite of depression is elation. And if the light always shines, you'll never become aware of it—light, as consciousness, then becomes unconscious without an experience of contrast. Contrast serves to define something.

The point here is that the two things—the two ends of a spectrum—seemingly opposed to one another, are really just one thing. And to explore only one side of that spectrum is to know neither. Perfectly balanced, they negate each other.

To remain neutral is and isn't possible. In terms of valuing one side over another, we can attune to ambivalence—because we know that we can only experience one end due to the presence, somewhere in time, of the other. And so, when experiencing an unfavorable or challenging face of existence, we recall the truth: It cannot last, and this, too, shall pass. This is not meant to gaslight, to deny, or invalidate our emotional responses to our experiences. There is always another side to whatever story is playing out, no matter how impossible our current circumstances may seem.

And it is by assimilating these challenges that we are able to rise in power. With each reciprocal alternation comes alteration, and elevation. Returning, once more, to the idea that with every new level, there is another devil. Always another mountain to ascend, to descend, and to ascend again.

With each teetering of the totter and tottering of the teeter, we spin faster and faster. The ice soon melts, and just as the heat quickly begins its recession, it circles back around again. As we observe these seasons and cycles in our daily lives, the more they seem to blur together until, mentally, we know no up from down or in from out. Because we know them to be one and the same.

Isn't curious that, as we age biologically, time seems to speed up? How often is it that we find ourselves saying, "Sheesh! Summer flew right by! Almost like there was no Summer at all, and we're already in the Fall!" It's our perception. The more summers and the more falls we experience, the faster they seem to cycle through. So fast that it almost feels like we're no longer experiencing them at all. Alternation (see: Principle of Rhythm) gives the appearance of change, of movement, and of the passage of time.

"Time is Unity" pic.twitter.com/txHCHKon9c

— HermaJestar (@HermaJestar) September 24, 2023

By now it should be relatively easy to entertain that duality is NOT contradictory, but, rather, that these complementary poles are the essential components of a unified whole—and that, without their sacred dance, there would be no experiences to be had at all. These complementary forces are working with and for each other—and that they exist on a continuum.

And while perfect equilibrium is not possible so long as there is the dualism between the thinker and the thought, or the appearance of an inside and an outside, a tentative balance should be sought and can be found. In doing so, one can mediate extremes, and walk the narrow path of moderation for a more harmonious experience of life. Here, we achieve inner peace. Here, we are able to better navigate conflict as we encounter it. Here, we have the tools to transmute one pole into another, to raise its degree, with more ease and rapidity.

As we can see when we review what we've already discussed here, is that the Principle of Polarity applies to all planes: Spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. Just as there is love, there is not-love (hate). Just as there is joy, there is not-joy (sorrow), and just as there is light or heat, there is not-light or not-warmth (darkness, cold). For there to be something, there must be its absence (non-thing)—which all goes back to the Principle of Vibration. And, which brings us to the Principle of Rhythm.

But before we move on to the fifth principle, let's shed a little more clarity on some of the statements that have already been made. In our discussion of the Principle of Vibration, it has been stated that "Unity is Truth." However, it was later stated that, "all truths are but half-truths." Is this not, also, contradiction? The following is another quote from Aleister Crowley which might shed some light on this:

"...The serpent is the serpent of Daath, for herein all the symbols are interchangeable, for each one containeth in itself its own opposite. And this is the great Mystery of the Supernals that are beyond the Abyss (Daath). For below the Abyss, contradiction is division; but above the Abyss, contradiction is Unity. And there could be nothing true except by virtue of the contradiction that is contained in itself." - Aleister Crowley