The 7 Principles of Hermeticism: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
Have you ever wondered if there’s a deeper order to the universe? One that connects your thoughts, emotions, energy, and reality in perfect harmony?
In this post, I’ll explore Hermeticism, an ancient spiritual philosophy that offers a practical roadmap to understanding how the universe works, and how you can work with it to reclaim your power, align with your purpose.
What is Hermeticism?
Hermeticism is a spiritual and philosophical tradition that traces back to Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical figure believed to be a blend of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. This “thrice-great” master was said to possess deep wisdom about the universe, consciousness, and the divine.
Much of what we know today about Hermetic philosophy comes from The Kybalion, a book published in 1908 by three anonymous authors known as “The Three Initiates.” The Kybalion distills ancient Hermetic teachings into seven core principles—universal truths said to govern all planes of existence: physical, mental, and spiritual.
Why Hermeticism Matters Today
We’ve all been controlled by external pressure, expectation, and noise and some point in our lives. But Hermeticism offers something priceless…agency.
It teaches that you are the creator of your life. Your thoughts shape your reality. Your inner world mirrors your outer world. You’re not at the mercy of chance. You’re working with invisible laws that, once understood, empower you to live more intentionally.
The 7 Hermetic Principles
Let’s explore each of these timeless truths and how they apply to your life, mindset, and spiritual practice:
1. The Principle of Mentalism
“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”
Everything begins in the mind. The universe itself is consciousness, and your reality is a projection of your thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions.
This principle underscores the incredible power of mindset. What we hold in our minds, what we believe about ourselves and our capabilities, can absolutely influence the outcomes we experience. Identifying and challenging limiting beliefs isn’t just a self-help exercise; it’s working with a fundamental law of the universe.
My take? Learning this profoundly shifted how I see my own thoughts. If the universe is mental, and I am a part of that universe, then my own mind isn’t just a passive observer; it’s an active participant in shaping my experience. This is the ancient root of the idea that our thoughts and beliefs create our reality.
Use it:
Be mindful of the stories you tell yourself. Your mindset is your magic wand. Shift your inner narrative to shift your outer world.
2. The Principle of Correspondence
“As above, so below; as within, so without.”
There’s a harmony between all levels of reality—spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. What’s happening inside of you is reflected around you.
This is perhaps the most famous Hermetic axiom. It means there’s a constant correspondence, a mirroring, between different planes of existence – the spiritual, the mental, and the physical. The patterns and laws of the largest scale (the cosmos) are reflected in the smallest scale (the individual).
For me, this principle highlights the deep connection between my inner world and my outer experience. My internal state – my thoughts, feelings, beliefs – often mirrors the external reality I perceive and create. If I’m feeling chaotic inside, my workspace or schedule might reflect that. If I cultivate inner calm and clarity, I often find my external environment becomes more ordered.
This is huge for self-awareness. Our external reality can be a powerful feedback loop, showing us what’s going on internally. If you’re constantly facing the same challenges in your business or relationships, “as below, so above” suggests looking inward for the corresponding patterns in your thinking or beliefs.
Use it:
Healing and growth begin within. Want to attract better opportunities? Start with your energy, your boundaries, and your self-worth.
3. The Principle of Vibration
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”
Everything in the universe is energy in motion—even your thoughts and emotions. High-vibe energy attracts high-vibe experiences.
This principle states that everything in the universe is in perpetual motion, vibrating at different frequencies. From the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, nothing is ever truly still.
This principle resonates deeply with the idea that our emotions and thoughts also have energetic vibrations. When we feel joy, excitement, or gratitude, we’re vibrating at a different frequency than when we feel fear, anger, or scarcity.
Understanding vibration helps explain why “like attracts like” (a core concept in the Law of Attraction, which has roots in Hermeticism via the New Thought movement). By consciously tending to our emotional state and focusing on thoughts that align with what we desire, we can influence the “frequency” we’re emitting, potentially attracting corresponding experiences and opportunities. It’s not about toxic positivity, but about mindful energy management.
Use it:
Raise your frequency with rituals, music, affirmations, nature, or embodiment practices. Align your vibe with what you desire.
4. The Principle of Polarity
“Everything is dual; everything has poles.”
All things exist on a spectrum. Love and hate, light and dark, success and failure—they’re not opposites, but extremes of the same essence.
This principle tells us that everything has two sides, two opposite poles, but these seemingly contradictory opposites are actually just two extremes of the same thing. Hot and cold are degrees of temperature; love and hate are degrees of the same emotional spectrum.
I find this principle incredibly helpful for navigating challenges. When I’m faced with a difficult situation, remembering the Principle of Polarity helps me see that the “opposite” of that challenge likely contains the seed of the solution or opportunity. It encourages me to look beyond the obvious duality.
This principle is powerful for problem-solving and finding balance. It reminds us that setbacks are often just the other side of breakthroughs. It encourages us to seek the underlying unity in seemingly opposing forces, whether in negotiations, team dynamics, or personal growth.
Use it:
Transmute challenging emotions by finding their root. Fear can be flipped into passion. Doubt can lead to clarity. Shadow work is key here.
5. The Principle of Rhythm
“Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides.”
Life has natural cycles—just like the moon, your energy, emotions, and creative seasons ebb and flow.
This principle highlights the natural cycles and rhythms that govern everything in the universe. There are tides, seasons, periods of growth and decline, activity and rest. Like a pendulum, everything swings.
In the context of our busy lives, this principle is a powerful reminder to honor cycles. There will be periods of intense work and outward focus, and there will be times that call for rest, reflection, and inward focus. Resisting these natural rhythms can lead to burnout.
This principle encourages us to align with natural flows rather than fighting against them. It applies to project management (planning for cycles of intensity and integration), marketing (understanding market trends and seasons), and personal well-being (scheduling time for rest and rejuvenation). It also offers perspective during difficult times, reminding us that the pendulum will eventually swing back.
Use it:
Honor your rhythm. Plan your work around your energy cycles. Rest when needed. Trust divine timing.
6. The Principle of Cause and Effect
“Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause.”
Nothing is random. Everything you think, do, or feel sends ripples into the field of creation. Karma, yes—but also empowerment.
This principle states that nothing happens by chance. Every effect has a cause, and every cause has an effect. While there can be multiple layers of causation, there’s always an underlying law at play.
This principle is a call to radical responsibility, not in a blaming way, but in an empowering one. It reminds me that my actions, my thoughts, and my choices are causes that will inevitably lead to effects in my life and business.
This principle is fundamental to strategic thinking and accountability. It encourages us to look beyond the surface to understand the root causes of problems or successes. It empowers us to be intentional in our actions, knowing they will create ripples. It’s also a reminder that even seemingly small actions can have significant effects over time.
Use it:
Be intentional. Choose thoughts, actions, and words that reflect your highest self. Own your role as co-creator.
7. The Principle of Gender
“Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles.”
Every being and thing contains both masculine (active) and feminine (receptive) energies. These forces work together to create balance and life.
This principle isn’t about biological sex, but about the universal presence of two complementary energies or principles: the Masculine (associated with active, giving, assertive qualities) and the Feminine (associated with receptive, nurturing, intuitive qualities). Both are essential for creation and completion on all planes.
As professional women and entrepreneurs, we often navigate and embody both of these energies daily. Driving forward with projects (masculine energy) requires balancing with listening to intuition and fostering collaboration (feminine energy).
This principle encourages the integration and balance of these energies within ourselves, our teams, and our endeavors. Recognizing and valuing both assertive action and intuitive guidance can lead to more holistic and sustainable success. It’s about embracing the full spectrum of our capabilities.
Use it:
Balance hustle with flow. Strategy with intuition. Speaking with listening. Align your inner masculine and feminine for holistic power.
Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
Hermeticism reminds us that the universe isn’t something happening to you. It’s something happening through you. The more you understand its patterns, the more you step into your power and ability to shape your reality.
Whether you’re manifesting new clients, deeper self-trust, or your next quantum leap, Hermetic principles can support your path with structure, mystery, and magic.
You don’t need to master every principle overnight. Start small. Here are some ideas:
- Journal prompts: [DOWNLOAD HERMETIC JOURNAL PAGE]
- “Where in my life am I not owning my power as a creator?”
- “What vibration am I radiating today—and what would I like to shift?”
- “How do I honor my feminine and masculine energies in business?”
- “Where in my life am I not owning my power as a creator?”
- Create rituals:
- Align your goals with moon phases.
- Set intentions before meetings or creative work.
- Practice breathwork to move energy through the body.
- Align your goals with moon phases.
- Book Rec:
The Kybalion by The Three Initiates
(Tip: You can also find free PDFs and audio versions online.)
