Fragments of the Divine

I’m back! Apologies for the long hiatus—it turns out that trying to decode the meaning of life can be more confusing than enlightening. Who knew, right?

If you’ve ever had one of those days where you swear the universe is out to get you, Hermes Trismegistus would argue it’s all in your mind—literally. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’re imagining your entire life (though, who knows?). It’s just that we live in a reality shaped by energy, thought, and a few universal principles that might sound ancient, but still apply when your latte machine breaks.

In my quest to escape spiritual confusion, I stepped out into the “real world” for a bit, didn’t quite like the vibe, and ended up circling back to these age-old teachings—because if you’re going to feel lost, why not consult the oldest wisdom around, am I right? So buckle up and Welcome to Hermetic Wisdom 101, where we’ll learn (and laugh) our way through seven core principles to see if a mysterious sage from way back when can help us navigate modern chaos.

So, Who Was Hermes Trismegistus Anyway?

Let’s get one thing straight: Hermes Trismegistus is not to be confused with Hermes, the Olympian messenger god (though the name might be more than a coincidence). This Hermes is a legendary figure—part teacher, part myth—credited with bringing forth Hermetic philosophy. Some say he was an ancient Egyptian priest, others believe he was a personification of divine wisdom itself.

Hermes’ teachings heavily influenced Western esoteric traditions, from alchemy and astrology to mysticism. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “As above, so below,” guess who inspired that? Yup.

Now, whether or not you buy into the mythic origin story, one thing’s for sure: the Seven Hermetic Principles attributed to Hermes are fascinatingly relevant—even in our 21st-century hustle.

The Seven Hermetic Principles at a Glance

Mentalism: “All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”

Translation: We create our reality with our thoughts, perceptions, and consciousness. No, this doesn’t mean you can just think your way to a free trip to the Bahamas, but it does mean mindset is everything.

Correspondence: “As above, so below; as within, so without.”

Translation: The microcosm reflects the macrocosm, and vice versa. Whether it’s a star system or your morning coffee habit, everything follows the same universal patterns.

Vibration: “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”

Translation: All matter and energy is in a constant state of motion. Even if you feel like a couch potato, on a molecular level, you’re a dancing machine.

Polarity: “Everything is dual; everything has poles.”

Translation: Opposites (hot/cold, love/hate) are actually different degrees of the same thing. So maybe your enemy is just a friend you haven’t warmed up to yet? (Kidding… mostly.)

Rhythm: “Everything flows, out and in.”

Translation: Life’s a pendulum swing. Highs and lows, expansions and contractions—learning to ride the wave is the key.

Cause and Effect: “Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause.”

Translation: Nothing happens by chance. There’s always a chain of events, even if we can’t see it. (Yes, that means your unlucky day probably started last week.)

Gender: “Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles.”

Translation: We’re talking energy, not biology—creation and reception, logic and intuition, all coexisting within us and around us.

Why Bother?

So, why dive into these ancient laws if you’re just trying to keep your succulent alive, pay rent, and maybe find some inner peace? Because once you catch on to these patterns, life makes a little more sense—or at least you realize that your struggles are part of a grand cosmic dance instead of personal failings.

Plus, they’re fun conversation starters at parties. Seriously, drop “As above, so below” while sipping your favorite beverage and watch heads turn.

Where We’re Headed

Over the next few posts, we’ll take a closer look at each principle. We’ll keep things down-to-earth (promise!) and sprinkle in a little humor—because if you can’t laugh at the grand mysteries of the universe, then what’s the point?

Up Next: Mentalism—where we talk about whether your thoughts really do control your reality, and how to navigate that without spiraling into an existential crisis.

Until then, remember: you don’t have to hack the code of the universe to find meaning. Sometimes, just understanding a fraction of it can make all the difference.