The Kybalion and the 7 Hermetic Principles: Explanation and Uses

Uncover the hidden meanings and spiritual applications of the seven Hermetic principles of the Kybalion. Intended to help readers bridge the gaps between the physical plane and the spiritual planes, the seven principles reveal secret truths about the Universe and our place in it. Below, we cover the history of Hermetic philosophy and explain the significance of each principle in turn. 

What Are the Seven Hermetic Principles? An Overview

1. Mentalism: The material and spiritual worlds spring forth from Mind and exist within It
2. Correspondence: The laws and phenomena of one plane of existence apply to all 
3. Vibration: Everything in the Universe moves and has a frequency 
4. Dualism: All things have their antipodes which are of the same whole
5. Rhythm: The Universe gives and takes in its own time to maintain balance
6. Cause & Effect: All things happen for a reason as defined by natural Law
7. Genesis: All Creation emerges from the unity of the masculine and feminine

An Explanation of the 7 Hermetic Principles and Their Uses

The 7 Hermetic principles emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as an approachable, if somewhat divergent, condensation of the Hermetic texts that came down to us from the 2nd century. Some of the sayings of the Kybalion can be found in the Greek Corpus Hermeticum, an early collection of texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a fusion of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Find all seven principles with explanations and uses, below.

1. The Principle of Mentalism

"The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental." — The Kybalion

The Principle of Mentalism embraces the belief that the Universe is formed through thought and intention. The idea that God is consciousness means that the Universe is created through God's manifestation. Nothing in the material Universe exists without purpose and mental projection.

This Hermetic principle puts forth the notion that your thoughts act like seeds. One day, those seeds will materialize from dreams into realities. As God's creation and His children, we have the power to project our thoughts so they become our reality. This power of our mental abilities lies within ourselves.

Application of the Principle

We can apply this principle in many aspects of our lives because, as human beings, we have the power of reasoning and thought processing. For example, we can influence the mood are in. We can embrace inner peace by changing our thoughts when we are overwhelmed. Self-mastery of our intentions will transform our mental states to invite more positivity.

2. The Principle of Correspondence

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

Correspondence expands upon what the Principle of Mentalism professes by stating that our thoughts and intentions become our reality. The intricate ways in which our physical, spiritual, and mental states intertwine leads toward coherence rather than disassociation.

Application of the Principle

This truth encourages us to understand our environment and the connection we have to the Universe. The same principle that puts us on a mental plane where we feel compelled to fully appreciate our role in the bigger picture also forces us to acknowledge the other planes. When we understand the importance of our place in the world, we begin to conform to the universal laws that guide everything on all levels.

3. The Principle of Vibration

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

Since everything in the Universe has a frequency, even our thoughts become vibrations when we release them, verbally and otherwise. This principle also implies that we can change our state of mind, and the minds of others, through transmutation, the exchange of energies.

Application of the Principle

Applying this principle in our daily lives is like a magic key that regulates our intentions and actions. Our hearts beat at different frequencies according to the emotion we are feeling at the moment. When we are exhilarated, we can bypass frequencies that would dampen the mood or bring us down. Achieving a state of calmness also means we balance and harmonize our vibrations through meditation, quiet time, and breathwork.

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

The Principle of Polarity observes that everything works within the framework of dualism, and each element within it has two poles. However, opposites can also have similarities to varying degrees. This dualistic approach to observing the Universe is what the Principle of Polarity tries to encourage. The Kybalion propounds the idea that a truth is also half false because everything in nature has another side to it.

Application of the Principle

Opening the mind to allow the Principle of Polarity to work in our lives requires strength and a willingness to enter a curious mental state. You need to find a middle way, look at the bigger picture, and become flexible to understand this principle’s significance. For example, an ounce of love can overcome an ounce of hate, and vice versa. We can open all the doors of our consciousness to see both sides of any issue. A person who only acknowledges intellect can suddenly unlock emotion at any time because both poles exist within all of us.

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

Similar to Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, the Principle of Rhythm emphasizes that whatever force we put out into the Universe, an equal and opposite reaction will answer back. Just like seasons changing and the tides ebb and flow, a rhythmic counterswing follows every swing of a pendulum. Nurturing a calm, even spirit to balance the alternating expressions of natural laws helps us rise above the chaos.

Application of the Principle

The key to applying this principle in your life is to understand that everything goes through change. Our physical body, the movement of the stars, and the rise and fall of civilizations all follow a rhythm. Skilled Hermetics can rise above duplexity. However, at the very beginning of your journey, you may need some help to channel fluidity by applying the Principle of Polarity.    

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

Application of the Principle

Oftentimes, we tend to react to circumstances around us instead of creating our own destinies. The Principle of Cause and Effect compels us to become proactive. We must step out of the ordinary plane that encourages complacency or passiveness. Once we become producers, the Universe is at our feet. What we create with intention will become our legacy.

7. The Principle of Gender

"Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes." — The Kybalion

Without the feminine principle, the masculine energy can run amok with no direction. The absence of a masculine direction will also make the feminine energy too pensive. They balance each other. 

Application of the Principle

By now, we realize that the seven principles are closely knit and contribute to a powerful, concerted resonance. The Principle of Gender plays with the idea of dualism. When we find balance in the energy of both genders, we’ll achieve what Buddha called the middle way. We can modulate the expression of both genders our mind, body, and soul to accomplish greatness.    

How do you plan on applying the 7 Hermetic principles in your life? Which principle resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and mention any related topics that you would like us to cover in future articles.