Hermeticism and the 7 Principles of the Kybalion are two spiritual traditions that have gained popularity in recent times. Many people think that they are closely connected. Hermeticism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Egypt and Greece, while the Kybalion is a book written in the early 20th century that claims to draw on Hermetic principles.
Studying Hermeticism can be immensely beneficial for those interested in the Kybalion, as it can deepen one’s understanding of the book’s teachings and offer insights into its many differences with Hermeticism.
Hermeticism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition that emerged in ancient Egypt and Greece, which teaches a path to salvation as taught by the legendary spiritual master Hermes Trismegistus. According to legend, Hermes Trismegistus was a divine teacher living in Egypt who possessed immense knowledge and wisdom.
Hermes is often called the “Father of Wisdom” or the “Greatest Philosopher” and is credited with authoring a series of texts known as the Hermetica, such as the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius. These texts explore the nature of reality, the relationship between humanity and the divine, and the path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation.
The Kybalion, on the other hand, is a book that was first published in 1908 by “The Three Initiates”. The book claims to be the product of a group of esoteric scholars who were inspired by Hermetic principles but these mysterious “three initiates” did not exist.
The author of the Kybalion is William Walker Atkinson, who was a skilled tradesman. For the Kybalion William basically appropriated the label “Hermetic” so it could sell his own ideas of New Thought under an older appearance to make it seem more exotic and authentic.
The Kybalion presents seven principles claiming they are the basis of Hermetic philosophy, including the principle of mentalism, the principle of correspondence, and the principle of gender. These “seven Hermetic principles” cannot be found in authentic Hermetic texts. The book claims to present Hermetic teachings, but these ideas are more likely coming from other spiritual traditions, such as Hinduism and Taoism.
Deeper understanding
One of the key benefits of studying Hermeticism when you are interested in the Kybalion is that it provides a deeper understanding of the real Hermetic wisdom the book claims to present. Hermeticism is a vast and complex tradition that encompasses a wide range of philosophical and spiritual ideas.
For example, the principle of mentalism, which is one of the seven principles presented in the Kybalion, differs from the concept of “mind” found in Hermetic philosophy. According to Hermeticism, the Cosmos is a creation in – or from – the Mind (called Nous) of God, and everything that exists is a manifestation of the divine mind/Nous. By studying Hermeticism, one can gain a deeper understanding of this concept and how it is fundamentally different from the concept of mentalism as is found in the Kybalion.
The Kybalion places a strong emphasis on the law of attraction, and this “law” has become very popular on social media. But this “law” cannot be found in authentic Hermetic texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum or the Asclepius. While Hermeticism acknowledges the important role of reason – rational thought and intention – in shaping one’s reality or Fate, it does not place any emphasis on the idea that one can attract specific outcomes through the power of thought alone.
Conclusion
Studying Hermeticism can be immensely beneficial for those interested in the Kybalion. It gives you useful insights into the few similarities but more importantly the many differences between the two traditions. Whether you are interested in the Kybalion as a standalone work or as an expression of “Hermetic” philosophy, studying Hermeticism helps you to learn the real and authentic Way of Hermes.
Interested in learning the real Hermetic teachings?
Learn the ancient Way of Hermes in our online course. The Way of Hermes, also called Hermeticism, celebrates life and light. The purpose of this joyful spiritual path is to heal the soul from negativity, to free it from negative influences such as fear and aggression, and to open our eyes to the beauty of existence.
"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."
These seven principles are: mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender. Each principle corresponds to one of the seven chakras, which are the energy centers in our body that regulate our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
These fundamentals are called the Seven Natural Laws through which everyone and everything is governed. They are the laws of : Attraction, Polarity, Rhythm, Relativity, Cause and Effect, Gender/Gustation and Perpetual Transmutation of Energy. There is no priority or order or proper sequence to the numbers.
Kybalion (1908) is an occult classic of the New Thought movement that claims that mind and thought are the ultimate powers of the universe, and human beings can harness those primal forces – like thought, rhythm, and polarities – for health, wealth, and influence.
Hermeticism, or Hermetism, is a philosophical and religious tradition rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic figure combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.
Those who understand the principle of use gain a degree of mastery over natural forces. The Kybalion advises changing mental states through attention and will, transmuting polarities, neutralizing rhythm, serving on higher planes, playing the game of life intelligently and expressing knowledge into action.
The simple answer to this question is: “No, he wasn't. Hermes never existed as a historical person and, for that reason, cannot possibly have been a prophet of Christianity.” The truth of this answer cannot be contested, but nevertheless it is too limited.
What are the principles of the Kybalion? The principles of the Kybalion are: Mentalism: The universe is a mental creation, and all things are created through the power of the mind. Correspondence: As above, so below; as below, so above.
Hermetism is also considered to hold a doctrine that claims the ideas of one transcendent God and that this God created the universe, which holds an "All is One" mentality. They also believe in the existence of other beings in the universe, which comes from other religions and theologies.
The Hidden 8th Superfluous Hermetic Principle, encapsulated in "As is Right, So is Left," redefines our understanding of ethics and morality, serving as a cosmic compass for travelers beyond our realm.
No scientific evidence supports the existence of chakras in the spiritual sense. However, some scientists have argued that they correspond to physical body parts, particularly in the nervous system. The nervous system consists of a person's brain and spinal column, which contain nerves.
Money and security are primarily governed by the lower 3 chakras (the Root, the Sacral and the Solar plexus). If the root chakra is imbalanced, you either hoard money or don't think about it at all.
The seven Hermetic Lots are often referred to as the Arabic Parts, and are not planets but calculated points in astrology frequently used and said to predict destiny and 'chance'. Each Lot is associated with a visible planet or luminary that includes the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
There are seven different principles of hermeticism in hermetic philosophy. They 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, and the principle of gender.
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