Everything Happens for a Reason…
So far, we’ve unraveled the Hermetic Principles of Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, and Rhythm, learning that everything starts in the mind, patterns echo across all levels of existence, nothing stands still, opposites are just two ends of the same spectrum, and life moves in cycles. Now, we arrive at the next universal truth—Cause and Effect—which basically says: “Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause.”
Translation? Nothing happens by chance. There are no coincidences, only unseen domino chains set in motion. Whether it’s a global event, a career move, or why you mysteriously keep stubbing the same toe—there’s always a cause behind it.
The question is: Are you the one setting the dominos, or are you just watching them fall?
Coincidence? The Universe Thinks Not
Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? You spill coffee on yourself, forget your keys, miss your train, and then, just when you think it can’t get worse, your phone battery dies right as you need directions. It feels like the universe is out to get you. But according to Cause and Effect, this wasn’t random—it was likely a chain reaction set in motion by something earlier (perhaps waking up late, rushing, and being distracted).
This principle doesn’t just apply to our bad days, though. The same logic works for success, happiness, and growth. The effort you put into your work, relationships, and spiritual practice always leads somewhere—even if the effects take time to manifest.
If you can recognize the causes you’re creating, you can start choosing better ones.
Taking the Wheel: Creator vs. Reactor
Hermetic wisdom suggests that in life, we’re either:
- The Creator (Conscious Cause) → Acting with intention, shaping our circumstances.
- The Reactor (Unconscious Effect) → Moving through life without realizing how much our past choices and thoughts determine our present experience.
The goal? To move from being an unconscious participant to an active creator.
Examples:
- Financial Chaos? Spending impulsively (cause) → Money stress (effect).
- Constantly Attracting Drama? Surrounding yourself with chaotic energy (cause) → More chaos in life (effect).
- Feeling Stuck? Avoiding action due to fear (cause) → Staying in the same place (effect).
The good news? Just as past causes shaped your present, the choices you make today shape your future.
Beyond Karma: The Physics of Consequences
Many traditions have their version of Cause and Effect: karma, Newton’s Third Law, the saying “You reap what you sow.” But the Hermetic version is less about cosmic judgment and more about neutral mechanics—it’s not personal, it’s just physics for the soul.
- Put in consistent effort → Eventually see results.
- Nurture relationships → Build deeper connections.
- Feed your mind inspiring ideas → Change the way you see the world.
- Procrastinate forever → Stay in the same loop.
There’s no divine scorekeeper tallying up points—it’s just cause leading to effect, over and over.
Undo, Rewind, and Rewrite Your Reality
Okay, so what if you realize you’ve been accidentally setting some unfortunate dominos? Can you change the effects already in motion? The Hermetic answer: Yes—but it requires a stronger, opposing cause.
How to Change Your Reality Using Cause and Effect
- Trace the Root Cause
- If something keeps repeating in your life, stop and ask: What’s actually setting this in motion? Sometimes the cause is internal (limiting beliefs, avoidance), sometimes external (unhealthy environments, habits). Find the source before trying to change the effect.
- Interrupt the Pattern
- If the same situations keep happening, change one piece of the chain. New input = new output. Whether it’s how you respond to stress, who you surround yourself with, or even the smallest daily habit—altering the cause changes the trajectory.
- Set Stronger Causes
- Small, intentional choices ripple outward. Tiny shifts—like starting the morning with focus instead of scrolling, reaching out instead of isolating, or prioritizing health—eventually create bigger results than drastic, short-term efforts.
- Be Patient (Effects Have a Lag Time)
- Just like planting seeds, you don’t see results overnight. Most life changes don’t happen instantly, but the effects compound over time. Stick with it.
Life’s Cheat Code: Play Cause, Not Effect
At its core, the Principle of Cause and Effect is about shifting from passively experiencing life to actively shaping it. The more intentional you are about the causes you set in motion, the more you become the architect of your own reality.
Key Takeaway: Instead of wondering why things keep happening to you, start asking: What’s the cause behind this? And what new cause can I create?
Up Next: The final Hermetic Principle—Gender, not in the biological sense, but in the energetic balance of creation. Until then, take a look at your life’s effects… and start setting new causes in motion.
Fragments of the Divine 
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