An Introduction to Hermetic Philosophy

Hermetic Philosophy: is a body of Sacred Knowledge that has been passed down through the
mystic and occult traditions of Humanity for thousands of years. It can be definitively traced
back as far as the oldest dynasties of Egypt, though it may be much older even than this. It's
name is taken from the Great Sage, Hermes Trismegistus, called the Thrice Great Hermes.
Though his life story is lost to history, Hermes was so great a scholar that his philosophy
influenced the whole of civilization during his lifetime. In the mythology of ancient cultures, he
is as much as synonymous with the Gods of Wisdom, Magic, Writing, and all forms of
Scholarship.
Hermetic Philosophy is expressed through seven core Principles, or Universal Laws.
The Seven Hermetic Principles are relevant to each and every philosophy, art, and science yet
developed by humanity. These Laws reflect and express the methods by which all Natural
Forces act and interact. They are completely non-secular and non-denominational, in that they
are applicable equally to people of all Faiths and Cultures.
Collectively, the Universal Laws of Hermes form what may be considered a Key to the
Temple of Knowledge, which resides within all of us. The Master Key of Hermetic Philosophy
opens the doors for people of all perspectives and world views to live more fully in alignment
with their own values, ethics, and beliefs. These teachings are for all Humanity, a rule-book for
the Universe, allowing you to play your own role more consciously and more presently. In
attaining Knowledge of Universal Law, one is empowered to work with the Law to the benefit of
themselves and others, accelerating evolution and helping to move us all toward the Higher
Planes of Being.

1: The ALL and the Principle of Mentalism:

The Universe is Mental held in the Mind of The ALL.
The Hermetic Masters state that the Universe is a creation held entirely within an
Infinite Living Mind, which they refer to as The ALL. Every single phenomena and event,
perceivable to us or not, which occurs in the Universe may be considered to be the thoughts and
feelings of The ALL. Each and every one of us is as a character in the imagination of a Mind
that encompasses our entire Reality.
In saying that All is Mind, the Hermetic Masters are expressing that the true nature of
energy, matter, and life in the Universe is in fact Mental activity emanating from a single source
which is SPIRIT. By it's very nature, The ALL is Pure SPIRIT; unknown and unknowable,
undefined and undefinable.
This Principle of Mentalism may lead some to look at the Universe as something of an
Illusion, but this sort of thinking is a pitfall on the Path of Knowledge. While The ALL, which is
by definition outside of the Universe as we perceive it, may experience the Universe as thoughts,
we who are living within it are subject to its Laws. Knowledge of Mentalism is fundamental to
understanding the Laws of the Universe, and how they act on our lives, and yet ultimately we
must act in accordance with Law. To illuminate this concept, the Hermetic Masters state:

Keep your mind ever on the Star, but let your eyes watch over your footsteps, lest you
fall into the mire by reason of your upward gaze. Remember the Divine Paradox, that while the
Universe IS NOT, still IT IS.

2: The Principle of Correspondence:

As above, so below; as below, so above.
The Hermetic Masters state that while there are virtually infinite planes of life and being
in the Universe, ranging from the most base matter to the most highly developed Spirits, they all
act in accordance with Law. Each of these Planes of Correspondence represents a unique degree
of the manifestation of life, and each experiences the Law in terms relative to that degree. So,
while every being in the Universe appears to grow, develop, and act in vastly different ways,
they are all actually following the same Law.
This Principle relates how the same struggles and the same processes are happening on
every plane of being. As the Angel struggles to exemplify itself, so does Humanity struggle to
exemplify itself. As a dog may bark or paw to express itself, so may a human speak or write to
express itself. As a predator must have meat to thrive, so must a plant have minerals and
sunlight to thrive.
As one attains Understanding of this Principle, they will realize that Ascending to the
Higher Planes of Being represents not escape from the challenges of the Lower, but rather an
opportunity to face those challenges in a Higher way.
The other primary application of the Principle of Correspondence is in relation to
Mental processes and Understanding. The Hermetic axiom, As above, so below, may be
applied to one's reasoning. Armed with the Understanding that the same Laws apply on every
level of being, one may extend their reasoning from the Lower Planes to the Higher. By
studying the way that Law acts on a level being that the student is capable of grasping, they may
extrapolate how the same process may play out on a Higher Plane that would usually be beyond
their grasp.
If one seeks to know the Mind of a Higher Being, they may learn by examining the
knowledge they possess of their own Mind. If one seeks Understanding of a Higher Plane, they
may learn by examining their knowledge of a Lower Plane. Rather than attempting to reason
according to what is not known, the wise student reasons according to what is known. By
studying that which is known, utilizing Arts and Sciences which operate within the Plane of
Correspondence the student occupies, one may ,reason intelligently from the Known to the
Unknown.
In simplest terms, the Hermetic Masters have divided the Planes of Correspondence into
Three Great Planes, though even they will concede that these divisions are not absolute rules, as
it is nearly impossible to discern where the High end of a Lower Plane meets the Low end of a
Higher Plane. Seen objectively, the Three Great Planes will be seen to merge seemlessly, one
into the other without break. While more detailed information on the Three Great Planes and
their various divisions is given in The Kybalion, they are as follows:

I: The Great Physical Plane: Comprised of all the forms of matter which are considered
inanimate by the Minds of most of Humanity, ranging from sub-atomic particles, to minerals, to
crystals and gemstones.
II: The Great Mental Plane: Comprised of all the forms of life which are considered to
be animate, living things by the Minds of most of Humanity, ranging from the simplest monocellular organisms and plants, to all the Animal Kingdoms, to Humanity itself.
III: The Great Spiritual Plane: Comprised of all the forms of spirits which are
considered to be advanced beyond the state of physical form as understood by the Mind of
Humanity, from Ascendant Masters, to Elementals and Angels, to Cosmic Beings which could
be considered as Gods.

3: The Principles of Vibration, Polarity, and Rhythm:

Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.
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.
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.
These three Universal Laws are so intrinsically linked that it is most effective to discuss
them and reflect upon them as a unified whole.
The Hermetic Masters explain that absolutely all forms of matter, energy, and life in the
Universe are in constant motion or Vibration. It is the rate of Vibration, and the spectrum across
which a thing vibrates, that defines its basic state or composition. The Higher the rate of
Vibration, and the wider the vibrational spectrum, the more refined or advanced a given item or
state is considered to be on the Planes of Correspondence. While a lump of granite is Vibrating
at a lower rate and on a more narrow spectrum, as compared to a Human Being Vibrating at a
higher rate on a wider spectrum, both are composed of the same fundamental material; SPIRIT.
The Principle of Vibration is expanded by the Principle of Polarity, which explains that
all states of Vibration are composed of two poles of being, a pair of opposites, which are
identical in Nature, and vary only by degree. This is particularly applicable to our own Mental
and Emotional processes. In attaining understanding of the Principles of Vibration and Polarity,
one may bear witness to what state of Vibration they are in and also where they are in relation to
the two poles of that state. Once one grasps that there is an opposite pole to the perceivable
negative state they are in, it is possible for one to take action, Mentally shifting themselves from
one pole to the other. Courage and Fear, for example, are simply two poles of being along the
same spectrum. If one is experiencing a state of Fear, they may see that their Fear is just one
point on a spectrum which includes Courage. Knowing that Fear and Courage are one and the
same, differing only by degree, one may Polarize themselves from one to the other.

Building further on the Principles of Vibration and Polarity is the Principle of Rhythm.
This Law states that while all things are in Vibration, and each rate of Vibration has two
opposite, yet identical poles, all things also are constantly involved in a Rhythmic swing from
one pole to the other and back again. This is likened to a pendulum swinging back and forth.
When one is ignorant of the pendulum swing of Rhythm, they are operating on the Lower, or
Subconscious Plane. On this Lower Plane, one is carried helplessly back and forth with no
awareness or control over their mood or Mental state. To put the Principle of Rhythm into
action, one focuses their awareness on the pendulum swing, noticing where they are between the
two poles of a vibration, and makes a decision as to what state they desire to maintain. Once one
can bring this awareness into their being, it becomes possible to move onto the Higher, or
Conscious Plane, where one is witness to the swing of Rhythm. On this Higher Plane, one may
choose which state they desire and when the pendulum inevitably swings away from that state,
they may allow it to swing beneath them, moving away only on the Lower Plane. This means
that while the pendulum swing of Rhythm is always in action unconsciously, a person with the
proper awareness of this Principle will be able to choose what state of Consciousness they
maintain.

4: 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.
According to the Hermetic Masters, all phenomena in the Universe are part of a single,
interconnected chain or pattern or Causes and Effects. One thing will always lead to another,
which will always lead to another. So-called 'Randomness', or 'Chance', does not exist.
Everything has a Cause, and in fact is related to a virtually infinite chain of Causality stretching
away behind it out of memory. While some phenomena may seem utterly random, this seeming
is merely the result of a pattern of Causes and Effects too fine or complex to be perceived
consciously by the Mind of Humanity.
When examining the Principle of Cause and Effect, we can see in a new light that
absolutely everything is perfect. The pattern of Causality is inviolable, and therefore every event
happening NOW is precisely the only possible way for that event to occur. Expanding upon that,
the chain of Effects stretching away into our 'future' is a direct result of the Causes we are
creating Now, though the pattern itself is immeasurably complex, and therefore appears
Unknowable.
On the Lower, Subconcsious Plane, this may seem like predestination, as if everything
is playing out completely beyond our control. If one operates from this Lower Plane, they will
remain in a state of Effect, they will be acted upon in the Universe, swept along without
volition. To apply the Principle of Cause and Effect, one may move onto the Higher, Conscious
Plane of Action. By studying the Causes acting upon you, and the Effects of your own actions, it
becomes possible move into a state of Cause in your own life. Awareness of Causality creates
the choice, or Free Will, to be the agent of Cause in your own affairs, to decide consciously
which Effects you will put in motion through your actions.

Causality is omnipresent, operating as totally on the Higher Plane as the Lower. Those
who have attained mastery in applying this Law are always still subject to Effect. The Wisdom
of Hermes compels the student to seek mastery over their own Life, knowing that they will
always be subject to Law. Even the beings of the Highest Planes of Spirit, who could be
considered 'Gods', are subject to Causality, merely on a Higher Plane of being.
The Masters do not escape the Causation of the higher planes, but fall in with the
higher laws, and thus master circumstances on the lower plane. They thus form a conscious part
of the Law, instead of being mere blind instruments.

5: The Principle of Gender:

Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles;
Gender manifests on all planes.
The Hermetic Masters state that manifest in everything, in all phenomena, on every
plane of life, are the two Genders, Masculine and Feminine. Gender is inherent in the process of
creation and generation, and both elements are mutually necessary for the process to occur.
While the word Gender is in common usage to denote the sexes, male and female, this is merely
one, simple expression of Universal Law. From the simplest atoms and elementary particles to
the Highest forms of Life and Spirit, the Masculine and Feminine elements are responsible for
generation, and present in the thing generated.
The Masculine and Feminine Principles are the fundamental expression of dualism in
action and form. They are Yin and Yang, positive and negative, proton and electron, inward and
outward motion, evolution and involution. The Principle of Gender explains that the Feminine
Principle is responsible for the vast majority, the primary work, of any creative process. It is the
Feminine which draws the Masculine into itself and transforms an impulse or spark into a fully
formed substance, idea, or being. Yet, in its basic state, the Feminine element is dormant,
existing in a state of waiting or potential. The Masculine element is responsible for initiating the
creative process, sending an impulse or directing energy toward the Feminine so that the work
can begin.
Once a new form has been created in this process, the Principle of Gender remains
active and present in the form itself. The Feminine Principle becomes rooted firmly in the core
of the form, being the center from which all growth emerges. The Masculine Principle becomes
the action or motion of the form, its expression in the Universe.
The Principle of Gender is manifest in all of our Mental processes as well. The
Feminine Principle represents our creative potential, the container within us from which we may
produce. The Masculine Principle represents the spark, the impulse, the initiation of an idea.
For one to write a book or form a theory, first the Masculine Principle must initiate the process
with a spark of inspiration. From there, the Feminine Principle absorbs the spark, becomes
inpired, and carries the initial idea through to fruition. On a smaller scale, this is how all of our
thoughts and feelings are formed, by the interaction inherent to the Principle of Gender.