The second chapter of The Kybalion introduces the Seven Hermetic Principles and their associated axioms. These form the basis of Hermetic Philosophy and are as follows:
- 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
- THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER
The Principle of Mentalism
THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental.
THE KYBALION
The realization of this Principle is called the Master-Key to understanding the profundity of The Kybalion. In essence, the truth of reality, which the book calls THE ALL, is fundamentally inaccessible to us as what we consider to be the material world and its associated phenomena are manifestations of the central Mind. THE ALL is described as being SPIRIT that can be conceptualized as being a single living mind, which we exist in.
As such, this puts the onus for controlling the material reality one finds oneself in on one’s own ability to understand the true reality of the Mental Nature of the Universe as the physical laws give way to Mental Laws. Thus, it is possible to enact changes in the subordinate, illusory physical world by successfully manipulating the dominate Mental world. This is then the explanation the books gives for the existence of psychic phenomena that would violate physical laws.
The Principle of Correspondence
As above, so below; as below, so above.
THE KYBALION
This might be the most well known of all the Hermetic Principles as it is widely used in various esoteric teachings. While the true Mind of THE ALL is fundamentally unknowable and undefinable, it is still possible to catch glimpses of the true nature of the world and access hidden knowledge through the study of things that can be known at scales that are obtainable here on Earth.
A particularly evocative line from the book refers to tearing aside the Veil of Isis to catch a glimpse of the face of the goddess. This should be noted as being a rather significant departure from how the metaphor of the Veil of Isis was originally claimed to have been used in ancient times which was an unmovable barrier that prevented ordinary mortal beings from ever learning more about hidden knowledge except through divine intervention. In this context, The Kybalion instead claims to show the means for mere mortal to elevate themselves to a point at which they can gain extraordinary knowledge or inspiration, even if for just a brief moment. Through this line, we can see the general shift in the attitude towards the belief in the power of human cognition that was happening at the time, particularly in the field of science.
The Principle of Vibration
Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.
THE KYBALION
This Hermetic Principle is said in The Kybalion to be verified by modern science and is described in the book to be the primary method by which the various aspects of the material and spiritual world are differentiated. As such, in the Mental Universe, Matter, Energy, Mind and Spirit are all essentially the same thing, but varying only in Vibration. Spirit is described as being in the highest state of vibration while Matter is described as having vibration that is barely even perceptible. This presents the universe as being in a constant state of flux, ever changing and never static.
The key aspect of this Principle is then that one can control the vibrational state of one’s own mind. Notably, The Kybalion also says that it is possible to control the mental vibrations of others. This conscious control of the state at which the universe presents itself is then the method through which one can enact change in Natural phenomena and is where the power of The Kybalion lies.
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 fourth of the Hermetic Principles deals with the dual nature of the world as a way to resolve paradoxes. Opposites, we are told, are not really different things but rather the same thing as different extremes, or Poles. This view of the universe continues on with the ideas established by the Principle of Vibration and formalizes the definition of Poles used in The Kybalion. These Poles objects and phenomena vibrate between then present a universe where things are not in conflict with each other but rather are just continuations of each other. Heat and Cold are in fact just different amounts of heat, not opposing phenomena.
As with the other Hermetic Principles, Polarity extends inward to the one’s own mind and other people’s minds. Will is then the means by which one can readily switch between two Poles internally and control the Polarity of others. The Kybalion describes this practice as the “Art of Polarity” and places it as a form of “Mental Alchemy.” With this, The Kybalion says a proficient master can readily transmute Evil into Good, again placing the power of human cognition and Will as the paramount method for enacting change in the Universe.
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
The last two Hermetic Principles establish that all things are vibrating and they vibrate between two Poles, which makes the two Poles the same thing. This Principle builds off of this basis by establishing that those movements are not randomly happening but part of a cycle that is readily observable. If there is a low, a high will come. If something has been created, it will be destroyed.
Becoming aware of this inescapable cycle is the only way to guard against it, both externally and Mentally. The Kybalion calls the means to do so the Mental Law of Neutralization. While it is not possible to completely stop the Principle of Rhythm, it is possible to instead use the Principle to your advantage. It is described that if successfully used, one could polarize themselves at the desired state and then stay in that state through conscious use of Will. This, we are told, form a large part of Mental Alchemy.
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
If the Principle of Rhythm describes the cyclical pattern of the states of objects, the penultimate Hermetic Principle removes the existence of Chance completely from this process. It can then be understood that the Universe is completely deterministic, all things that happen are due to an interconnected web of reactions.
Therefore, if one can become sufficiently aware of all the processes happening under their respective laws one can then readily enact change at will. Instead of being acted upon by the world and the wills of others, it is possible to be the one who controls events with enough control of our own mind as described through the use of the previous Principles. This is then the end goal for using the Hermetic Principles; control of the world through control of the self.
The Principle of Gender
Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.
THE KYBALION
The final and also the shortest of the Hermetic Principles, the Principle of Gender gives name to the two Poles described earlier. Those name are of course, Male and Female. As such, everything would then have a Male and Female Element or Principle. Being able to be aware of and make use of these Elements would allow one to understand how to enact Mental and Spiritual Generation, Re-generation and Creation.
It should be noted that The Kybalion makes great effort to stress that this is not at all related to this concept in the physical sense, which is described as the base form that is understood as Sex, other than to say that this is merely the physical manifestation of this Principle. The Kybalion, we are told, does not concern itself with base matters.