MAGICKAL INFLUENCES AND PRINCIPLES OF HERMETICISM

Hermeticism means religious and spiritual movement that took place after the Greek victory of Egypt lead by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Hermeticism is a term that frequents historical, occult and scholarly texts of all sorts.

In a nutshell, the Hermetic movement was a culturally mixed rejoinder to the syncretism of spiritual practices of the day, particularly the ancient Greco-Roman as well as the Egyptian religious systems. Cosmologies, philosophies and magickal practices from the mentioned systems and other blended and mingled, finally forming a unique drift of thought and practice. Actually, Hermeticism is not a “religion” by general definition but is better known as a spiritual and philosophical movement.

It is improbable to study the development of mysticism and magic in the Western world without some knowledge of Hermeticism. That is exactly why Pagans, Witches, magicians and occultists can hugely benefit from understanding a bit of the history. Ultimately, it is part of our own holy lineage!

The hermetic element includes astrology, alchemy, astronomy, spellcraft, natural magick, mystical philosophy, planetary magick, elemental magick as well as the metaphysical correspondences of incenses, herbs, gemstones, animals, days of the week, and body parts. Many occult and religious movements came up and kept growing, from Hermetic soil and practically all magickal ways have been affected to some extent by Hermeticism.

The Hermetic Threads

• The Cosmic Egg

There are various curious odd crossovers and relationships between Greco-Roman culture, the traditional Jewish Kabbalah and the ancient Egyptian culture. For beginners, the symbolism of the Cosmic Egg exists in Greek mythology just like the Orphic Egg. The Greek myth is that the entire universe was birthed just from a silver egg. The egg is always portrayed with a serpent well coiled around it. Due to Egypt’s enormous impact on the Western world, it is quite probable that the Greeks borrowed this symbolism from the Egyptian story of creation.

In case the yolk of the Cosmic Egg is completely Positive (evident) Presence, its white or albumen, is similar to the Areas of negative being in the Kabbalistic sense.

The Tarot

Most occultists hold that the tarot has made its route to Europe from India as they came from Egypt. The studious consent is that the tarot was founded in Italy early 15th Century by the secretary to Filippo Maria Visconti (Marziano da Tortona). Nevertheless, a likely early Egyptian model for the cards, or at least some of their thoughts, has been proposed.

The Caduceus

Both Hermes and the Hermes Trismegistus are described as having the caduceus wand. Basically, the caduceus is a symbol that was used in ancient Greco-Roman advancement. It is described as a wand bearing a Ketheric light, wings at its top, as well as two snakes, are well curled around the rod. This snake imagery is comparable to the Vedic idea of the kundalini, which is a force of the human energy system expressed as serpents rising around the spine right from the base chakra and to the crown chakra. It is known that the esoteric education of kundalini is most widespread in Shakta Tantric schools of Hinduism.

Seven Principles of Hermeticism.

The seven principles of Hermeticism as known in new Hermetic thought are of critical concern to the spiritual practitioner due to their weight on the mind, body and spirit relationship.

Readers used to the contemporary witchcraft and other magickal practices are likely to appreciate esoteric crossovers in their own philosophical structure. The principles discussed, are quite fit for magickal lives and anyone adopting an emotionally inspired spiritual system.

1. The Principle of Mentalism

All things in actuality and physical being originate from the mental plane. Usually, the mind of humans is a representation of the supreme mind and is the root of all psychic and rational power. The only important thing, in actuality, is the mind- from which everything in existence derives.

With time, try actively changing your state of mind to understand how much your personal experience improves. This existential practice needs a lot of perseverance and a lot of practice; however, it can surely help us appreciate the power of thought.

2. The Principle of Correspondence

The principle states that as above, so below; as below, so above. This implies that existence is sustained through similar forces, being the source of spiritual mystery. The principles of one thing match with the principles of a different thing meaning that reality works just like a mirror.

How should you put this into practice?

Get to YouTube and try to watch some videos regarding the cosmos. Have a great time examining the universe, leaving to instill that natural sense of surprise we usually feel like kids. Later, study videos regarding quantum and atoms mechanics. Take into account how the Great above compares with the Great Below. With this, the incredible accomplishments might amaze you!

3. The Principle of Vibration

In reality, nothing is physically constant. Everything is vibrating or is a pattern of energy. Since nothing is fixed or static, the only constant changes. Everything is a sign of the Great Mind and the vibration is the basis that anything can live as its “own” separate thing (a river, a book, a thought, etc.) rather than remaining one.

To actualize this, get an old chipped cup, vase or plate that is no longer used. With the use of paint or a permanent marker, take the object and outline some of the magickal figures listed here. When you are set, go somewhere that you can release the object, enabling it to shatter. Once it is shattered, do some divination by checking the pieces to find out whether they form any symbol that is psychologically significant to you individually. In addition, think of the reality of transformation as the only constant in existence.

4. The Principle of Polarity

In this context, it is known that reality is duality. Just like the principle yin and yang (Taoist principle), this states that everything has its corresponding opposite though is a section of the same unity. Due to the fact that all of existence is polarized, both antithesis and thesis (one thing and its absolute opposite) are concurrently true and untrue— this is a global paradox that levels thoughts of absolutes in any sphere of life.

To put this into practice, you should study with a local college or school concerning public debates you may be capable of attending. Contrarily, check some debates online that you may personally feel an unbiased emotional response. Regardless of the type of debate, try to understand each party’s conflicting viewpoints. Is it likely that each party can be both wrong and right concurrently?

5. The Principle of Rhythm

Some occurrences like action and reaction, the ascent and descent of the tide of the sea as well as the life cycle of birth and the ultimate death account for the principle of rhythm. It insists that nothing ever lives as one of its polarities though it is always varying. Understanding this, an individual can consciously decide not to fall to one ultimate or another in any field of life.

To put this into practice, you need to test the elements. The responsive souls incarnated in a humans frame, we are just at the grace of the elements surrounding us. We need to always be balanced to keep a footing in life. Think of what it would seem or feel to run your finger fast through a candle flame for the sake of finding a threshold for some amount of pain. Also, imagine the methods we human beings harness electricity and fire to improve our lives, and how we need to keep a balance before it turns out as a force that can catch us. Be creative by rehearsing with your thresholds encompassing the components water, air, and earth—simply be careful!

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect

The principle states that nothing happens by chance; everything takes place because of something else. You can either decide to act as a social chess piece for others’ desires, whims, conditionings and norms or one can decide to both take power over and individualize their own thoughts, bodies, emotions, actions and experiences.

Here, you need to strategically rest in a sacred place and imagine about various seasons in your life where you may have “committed” some energy and could still be connected by an astral string that cuts through space and time. With the use of any suitable magickal tools, sever any hurtful energetic cordages from your body. Imagine them reverting to their individual space-time with a prominent blast of light and supply your body with this universal light as you deal with each connection. Go easy on yourself and remember that healing is a lifetime path.

7. The Principle of Gender

In reality, everything is a combination of feminine and masculine. The two forces occur separately or as an absolute. Everyone or everything is a blend of feminine and masculine energies instead of being one or the other, and its exhibition on the natural plane is individual’s biological sex- which can always be male, female or something in between.

Put this into practice by researching about typical gender expressions. Examine how various cultures throughout time have recognized non-cis-gendered groups, in both old and recent times. You can even choose to experiment with some cross-dressing to find out how it influences you spiritually and psychologically.