The Kybalion is a book originally published in 1908 by “Three Initiates” that purports to convey the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. While it shares with ancient and medieval Hermetic texts a number of traits such as philosophical mentalism, the concept of ‘as above, so below’, and the idea that everything consists of gendered polar opposites, it is more indebted to the ideas of modern occultist authors, especially those of the New Thought movement to which the likely author, William Walker Atkinson, belonged.
A central concept in the book is that there are “seven Hermetic principles, upon which the entire Hermetic philosophy is based”. These principles are the principle of mentalism (all is mind), the principle of correspondence (as above, so below), the principle of vibration (everything is in motion), the principle of polarity (everything has its opposite), the principle of rhythm (everything has its cycles), the principle of cause and effect (nothing happens by chance), and the principle of gender (everything has masculine and feminine aspects).
According to Mitch Horowitz, the philosophical mentalism described by the Kybalion’s first principle was inspired by broadly similar notions in the ancient Greek Hermetica. However, the Kybalion as a whole can be seen as a modern Hermetic tract that has been widely influential in New Age circles since the twentieth century.
It is important to note that the identity of the Three Initiates who wrote The Kybalion remains a mystery, and while it is often attributed to William Walker Atkinson, this has not been conclusively proven. Regardless of its authorship, The Kybalion remains a popular and influential text in the world of occultism and New Thought philosophy.
Mentalism is the idea that the universe is mental in nature, and that thoughts and ideas are the source of all material things. Correspondence holds that there is a correspondence between the different levels of reality, so that what is true on one level is also true on another. Vibration refers to the idea that everything is in a state of vibration, and that different frequencies of vibration give rise to different manifestations of reality. Polarity is the idea that everything has two opposing aspects, and that these opposites are necessary for existence. Rhythm refers to the idea that everything in the universe is in a state of constant motion, and that there are cycles and patterns that can be observed. Cause and effect is the idea that everything happens for a reason, and that there are fundamental laws that govern the universe. Gender refers to the idea that everything has masculine and feminine aspects, and that these must be balanced in order to achieve wholeness.
Although the Kybalion shares some similarities with the ancient and medieval Hermetica, it is more indebted to the ideas of modern occultist authors, especially those of the New Thought movement to which Atkinson belonged. In particular, the concept of mentalism in the first principle was inspired by broadly similar notions in the ancient Greek Hermetica. Despite its origins, the Kybalion has been widely influential in New Age circles since the twentieth century.
In conclusion, the Kybalion is a unique and deeply influential book that presents a modern interpretation of ancient Hermetic philosophy. Its seven Hermetic principles provide a framework for understanding the fundamental laws that govern the universe, and have inspired countless individuals to explore the mysteries of the human mind and the nature of reality. Whether you are interested in New Age spirituality or the history of philosophy, the Kybalion is certainly worth investigating.
A Study Guide For Hermetic Philosophy
