Hermeticism Explained: Hermes Trismegistus, the Hermetic Writings and the Seven Principles

Key takeaway. Hermeticism is a philosophical and religious tradition built on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a figure that blends the Greek god Hermes with the Egyptian god Thoth. Its best known texts, the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius, were written in Egypt roughly between 100 and 300 CE. The famous "seven Hermetic principles" come from a much later book, The Kybalion, published in 1908. Knowing that difference is the first step to reading both with clear eyes.

Many people meet Hermeticism through a short list of principles shared online, or through the phrase "as above, so below". Behind those words lies a long history: ancient writings, Renaissance translators, alchemists and modern authors who each read the tradition in their own way. This guide walks through that history calmly, explains what the seven principles say, and suggests simple ways to reflect on them without promising anything they cannot give.

Where does Hermeticism come from?

The tradition takes its name from Hermes Trismegistus. The writings attributed to him, called the Hermetica, were produced over many centuries, roughly from 300 BCE to 1200 CE, and they vary a great deal in content and scope. Some deal with astrology and alchemy. Others are philosophical and religious reflections on God, the cosmos and the human soul.

Scholars often separate a smaller group, the "religio-philosophical" Hermetica, written in Egypt between about 100 and 300 CE. The two most famous works of this group are the Corpus Hermeticum, a collection of seventeen Greek treatises, and the Asclepius, a closely related treatise that survives mainly in a Latin translation. Some writers use the narrower word Hermetism for this ancient body of thought, and keep the broader word Hermeticism for the many later systems inspired by Hermes, including alchemy, which was long called "the Hermetic art".

The tradition gained new life during the Renaissance. Marsilio Ficino (1433 to 1499) and Lodovico Lazzarelli (1447 to 1500) translated the Corpus Hermeticum, and Paracelsus (1494 to 1541) drew on the technical Hermetic writings, such as the Emerald Tablet, for a new philosophy of medicine. Thinkers like Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463 to 1494) believed that an "ancient theology" could be rebuilt by studying the oldest writings then known, including those attributed to Hermes, Zoroaster, Orpheus, Pythagoras and Plato, as well as the Kabbalah.

Later, the idea grew that one and the same divine truth could be found in the religious and philosophical traditions of different times and places. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, occultists popularized the word "Hermetic" in a very broad sense. It was in this modern setting, in 1908, that The Kybalion appeared, signed by "Three Initiates". Historians often identify its author as William Walker Atkinson, a pioneer of the New Thought movement who lived from 1862 to 1932.

What do the texts say?

The Kybalion presents its teaching as resting on "seven Hermetic principles, upon which the entire Hermetic philosophy is based" (The Kybalion, as quoted in the Wikipedia article on The Kybalion). Here they are, in the book's own words where it states them briefly.

The first is the principle of mentalism: "The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental." (The Kybalion, principle of mentalism). The second is the principle of correspondence, the famous idea that what happens on one plane of being mirrors what happens on another, often summarized as "as above, so below".

The third is the principle of vibration: "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." (The Kybalion, principle of vibration). The fourth is the principle of polarity, which teaches that "Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites" (The Kybalion, principle of polarity).

The fifth is the principle of rhythm: "Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall" (The Kybalion, principle of rhythm). The sixth is the principle of cause and effect: "Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to law" (The Kybalion, principle of cause and effect). The seventh is the principle of gender: "Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes." (The Kybalion, principle of gender).

An honest reading adds one important note. Historians point out that some of these ideas, such as mentalism, "as above, so below" (traced to the Emerald Tablet) and the pairing of opposites, do have roots in ancient and medieval Hermetic texts. Others, such as the principle of vibration, come from much later philosophy and are not part of the ancient tradition. The Kybalion is therefore best read as a modern Hermetic book, inspired by older sources and by the New Thought movement of its time.

How to understand and reflect on the Hermetic principles

1. Read the old texts and the modern book separately

Start by keeping two shelves in your mind. On the first sit the ancient Hermetica, such as the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius. On the second sits The Kybalion, a twentieth century book. Both can nourish reflection, but they do not say the same things. When you read a principle, ask yourself which shelf it comes from. This simple habit protects you from many confusions found online.

2. Take one principle as a question, not as a rule

Choose a single principle for a week and turn it into a question. The principle of rhythm, for example, can become: where in my life do I see seasons of effort and seasons of rest? The principle of cause and effect can become: which of my daily choices quietly shape tomorrow? Writing a few lines each evening is often more fruitful than reading many pages quickly.

3. Look for correspondence in ordinary life

"As above, so below" invites a way of looking at the world. A person may notice, for instance, that the order of a room often mirrors the order of a mind, or that patience in small things prepares patience in large ones. These are observations, not laws of nature. The aim is attention and humility, not control.

4. Hold opposites with balance

The principle of polarity reminds the reader that many conflicts are matters of degree. Hot and cold, near and far, firm and gentle: each pair sits on one line. In daily life, this can become an exercise in moderation, looking for the point where two extremes meet before choosing a side.

5. Keep a spirit of study and discernment

Hermeticism has always attracted seekers, scholars and storytellers. Reading a good history, comparing translations and asking where an idea comes from are part of the path. A teaching that respects your intelligence will welcome such questions.

Common misconceptions about Hermeticism

Myth: The seven principles are thousands of years old. The list of seven principles comes from The Kybalion, published in 1908. Some of its ideas have ancient roots, but the list itself is modern.

Myth: Hermeticism is a secret doctrine closed to ordinary people. The main Hermetic texts have been translated and studied openly since the Renaissance. Anyone can read them and learn their history.

Myth: Hermeticism promises power over reality. The tradition invites reflection on mind, nature and the divine. It does not guarantee results, wealth or protection, and serious teachers present it as a path of understanding.

Myth: Hermeticism is the same thing as alchemy. Alchemy was long called "the Hermetic art", but Hermeticism also includes philosophical and religious writings that have little to do with laboratory work.

Going further

If you would like to explore Hermeticism, mysticism and the great spiritual traditions with a guide, Jean Mary Jérôme, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge New Land of Jerusalem No. 1, gives live 60-minute courses on Zoom where these subjects are studied step by step. You can find them on the courses page of the Grand Lodge. Take your time, compare your sources, and let your understanding grow at its own pace.

FAQ

Who was Hermes Trismegistus?

Hermes Trismegistus is a figure who combines elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Many writings were attributed to him over the centuries. Historians see him as a traditional author name rather than a single historical person.

What is the Corpus Hermeticum?

It is a collection of seventeen Greek Hermetic treatises written in Egypt in the early centuries of our era. Together with the Asclepius, it is the best known source of ancient Hermetic philosophy. Marsilio Ficino's translation made it famous during the Renaissance.

Is The Kybalion an ancient book?

No. The Kybalion was published in 1908 by authors who signed as "Three Initiates", often identified as William Walker Atkinson. It draws on older Hermetic ideas but also on the New Thought movement of its time.

What does "as above, so below" mean?

It expresses the idea of correspondence between different levels of reality, such as the heavens and the earth, or the inner life and the outer world. The phrase is linked to the Emerald Tablet. Many readers use it as an invitation to look for patterns and connections.

Can anyone study Hermeticism?

Yes. The texts and their history are public, and many good introductions exist. Studying calmly, with curiosity and discernment, is the best way to begin.

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Jean Mary Jérôme, Most Serene Grand Master of the Grand Lodge New Land of Jerusalem No. 1 in Montréal, author and teacher.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism (read on 2026-10-30)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kybalion (read on 2026-10-30)