The Seven Hermetic Principles: Old Wisdom for a New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful time welcoming in 2025.

Like many of us, I’ve often found myself looking for ways to improve my life, set meaningful goals, and grow. I like to call it "The Blueprint." It’s that collection of dreams, goals, and unfinished plans from the past year that I still want to bring to life.

And so, "The Blueprint" gets updated every year, with the hope that this time, I’ll get close to the life I’ve imagined.

This year, however, I’ve been exploring something different, something ancient, yet incredibly relevant today: The Seven Hermetic Principles.

These teachings, dating back to ancient Egypt, have been passed down through the centuries. They were introduced by Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical figure believed by the Egyptians to embody both the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.

What's fascinating is how much of what’s being uncovered in science today make sense with these ideas.

Bold claim, right?! Well, bold claims need bold proofs, as Albert Einstein put it perfectly.

And here is what I found out.

1. The Principle of Mentalism: "The All is Mind"

This principle teaches that everything in existence is created by the mind.

The world around us isn’t fixed; it’s shaped by our thoughts, perceptions, and attention. If we want to change anything in our lives, it starts with how we think.

Quantum physics supports this idea, reality is not a set, solid thing. It's a dynamic, ever-shifting experience, influenced by the way we observe and interact with it. The famous double-slit experiment in quantum mechanics showed that particles behave differently depending on whether they are being observed, which implies that our consciousness can influence the very fabric of reality.

Understanding this, I realized how important it is to pay attention to the thoughts I allow to guide me, especially when creating my blueprint for the year. So, when writing out my goals for 2025, I made sure to reflect deeply on not just what I want to achieve, but how and why I want to achieve it. This awareness of my own mental processes, my intentions and my focus, became a powerful tool for shaping my reality. It’s not just about setting goals; it’s about aligning my thoughts and actions with a clear, positive vision of the future, believing that the mind’s attention can create a real difference.

2. The Principle of Correspondence: "As Above, So Below"

This principle tells us that everything is connected, what happens on a Macro level mirror what happens on a Micro scale, and vice versa. If there’s chaos in our outer life, it might reflect some inner conflict or disorganization. When things aren’t working externally, it’s a sign to check in with what’s going on inside.

Quantum physics offers a fascinating lens through which to view this concept.

In 2021, researchers at The Institute of Quantum Information and Matter at Caltech discovered that quantum entanglement allows particles to be instantly connected over vast distances, suggesting that the fabric of reality is far more interconnected than we might think.

This concept suggests that our inner state, our thoughts and emotions, could influence and be influenced by the world around us in ways we might not yet fully understand. In essence, what happens inside us can have a profound impact on what manifests in our external world.

This principle of correspondence also ties into the idea that balance between the inner and outer worlds is crucial. Just as quantum particles depend on their interactions with their surroundings to maintain their coherence, our mental state often mirrors what’s happening in our external circumstances.

Inner peace, clarity, and focus often lead to a more organized and harmonious life on the outside. When things feel chaotic or disorganized externally, it might be time to check in with what’s happening within. Balancing both aspects, inner and outer, can help us create harmony and progress in all areas of life.

3. The Principle of Vibration: "Nothing Rests; Everything Moves"

Everything in the universe is in motion. Nothing is truly static. In physics, this is reflected in the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles, which are constantly vibrating, even when they appear still. This concept reminds us that life itself is always in motion, and to align with it, we need to keep moving too.

One of the key insights from quantum physics is the idea of quantum fluctuations, which refers to the tiny, unpredictable movements of particles even in a perfect vacuum. These fluctuations show that everything, even at the most fundamental level, is in constant motion.

In our own lives, this principle suggests that waiting for the “perfect moment” to act is ineffective. Nothing in the universe stands still, so why should we?

In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, researchers found that people who took immediate action on their goals were more likely to experience long-term success compared to those who waited for ideal conditions. The study concluded that action, any action, creates momentum, and momentum is a key factor in achieving desired outcomes.

Once we start, the process often becomes self-sustaining. The energy we put out into the world, both physically and mentally, tends to return to us, often in ways we couldn't have predicted. Just like the ever-moving particles at the quantum level, our actions help create the momentum needed to carry us forward, making it easier to stay aligned with our goals and intentions.

4. The Principle of Polarity: "Everything is Dual"

This principle tells us that opposites are not separate; they are simply two extremes of the same thing. Light and dark, hot and cold, success and failure, everything has its opposite.

This idea is central to understanding the balance and interconnectedness of the universe. In every challenge, there lies an opportunity for growth, and in every success, the seeds of potential failure are present. Embracing both sides of the coin is essential for understanding and navigating life.

Recent research in psychology and neuroscience supports the power of opposites in fostering personal growth. For example, a study conducted by Harvard University in 2022 found that experiences of failure or difficulty are not only natural but essential to our development. The research explored the concept of "post-traumatic growth"—how people who faced significant challenges often experience profound personal growth and resilience afterward. This aligns perfectly with the Principle of Polarity: without the "dark" moments, we may never truly appreciate the "light" ones, nor would we develop the resilience necessary to handle future challenges.

So, i added both the highs and lows to my writings. I recognize that both the "successes" and "failures" are part of the same journey, teaching me invaluable lessons and pushing me toward to find greater strength and wisdom.

At this point I can honestly say this doesn’t look like any other “New Year’s resolution” I’ve made before.

5. The Principle of Rhythm: "Everything Flows In and Out"

Life moves in cycles, there are times of intense action, and times for rest and reflection. Just as nature has its seasons, our own energy levels and motivations changes.

To create lasting success, we need to learn to work with these natural rhythms rather than against them.

Research in chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms, shows that our bodies are deeply attuned to cycles of activity and rest. A 2020 study by The University of California, Berkeley explored how our internal biological clock influences performance and well-being. The findings revealed that working in harmony with our natural energy cycles, such as recognizing when we're most alert and when we need rest, can significantly boost productivity and mental clarity.

Essentially, understanding when to push and when to take a step back leads to better outcomes over time.

Incorporating this principle into our blueprint is crucial. For example, when I'm working toward my fitness goals, it’s important to respect my body's rhythms: there will be days when I'm full of energy and ready for a tough workout, and other days when i need to rest or focus on recovery.

Overloading ourselves during periods of low energy can lead to burnout or injury, while allowing space for recovery can enhance long-term progress. The key is balance, knowing when to take action and when to pause, and using these rhythms to maintain consistent momentum over time.

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect: "Every Cause Has an Effect"

Every action we take has consequences, whether they’re immediately visible or not.

Small actions, when done consistently, can lead to significant results over time.

In the part of my health journey, every choice, whether it’s a workout, a healthy meal, or a decision to rest, has a cumulative impact. And I made sure to write it down, I tend to forget when it's challenging.

Research supports this idea. A 2019 study from The University of Oxford found that even small, consistent actions could lead to significant improvements in both physical and mental health over time. The research showed that incremental efforts, like regular exercise or balanced nutrition, may not yield dramatic results immediately but have a powerful effect when compounded over weeks and months.

This principle highlights the power of consistency. Just like a snowball gathering momentum as it rolls down a hill, small, positive actions build on each other. At first, we might not see huge changes, but with time, these efforts compound into something meaningful.

The key is understanding that every choice, no matter how small, is part of a larger pattern that ultimately shapes our results.

7. The Principle of Gender: "Gender is in Everything"

This principle is about the balance between the masculine and feminine energies we all possess. The masculine is about action, logic, and doing; the feminine is about intuition, creativity, and being.

Life requires both to create balance and harmony.

This principle highlights the need for both action and reflection. The masculine energy pushes us to take initiative, set goals, and work toward them. It’s the drive that gets us moving. But the feminine energy is equally important—it’s about listening to ourselves, trusting our intuition, and knowing when to pause for rest, reflection, or recovery. Both are necessary for a balanced, fulfilling life.

Recent research in brain science supports the idea that these complementary energies have a real impact on our mental and emotional well-being. A study from Harvard Medical School in 2022 found that balancing active, goal-driven behavior with periods of relaxation and self-reflection enhances brain function and emotional regulation.

The study looked at how different brain regions are activated when people alternate between intense focus and restorative activities. The results showed that when individuals balanced work and rest, they exhibited better cognitive function, lower stress levels, and improved emotional resilience.

Another study conducted by Stanford University found that alternating between high-intensity tasks and mindful reflection activates different neural circuits. The study found that while the "doing" phase stimulates areas of the brain related to action and problem-solving (such as the prefrontal cortex), the "being" phase enhances creativity, insight, and emotional processing through activation of the default mode network (DMN), which is linked to relaxation and self-reflection.

By integrating both masculine and feminine energies into our approach to life, we create a more sustainable and holistic path forward. The balance between action and reflection, doing and being, allows us not only to reach our goals but to do so in a way that nurtures our overall well-being. The Principle of Gender reminds us that life thrives when we honor both our capacity for action and our need for rest, leading to greater harmony and fulfillment.

Bringing it All Together

For me, understanding these principles has changed how I approach my goals.

It’s no longer about pushing against life, hoping to force things into place. It’s about aligning with the flow of life, moving with it, and using the universal laws to guide me.

When I write my Blueprint now, I do it with the understanding that I’m not just setting goals; I’m aligning my thoughts, actions, and energy with the way life is meant to unfold.

Take becoming healthier as an example: when I applied these principles, I didn’t just focus on the goal. I made sure my mindset was aligned with my health journey, I accepted the natural rhythms of my body, and I worked with the flow of progress, not against it. I learned that even with the tough days, the process was part of the bigger picture. It wasn’t about doing everything perfectly; it was about staying in motion, keeping the right balance, and knowing that everything would unfold exactly as it should.

This knowledge has upgraded my understanding of how to create in a way that works in harmony with life, not against it. I’m excited to test these principles over the next year to see if they hold true in practice or if they’re just bold claims. I have an entire year ahead to explore whether integrating these ideas into my daily life will truly lead to the results and balance I’m seeking.

And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to update you on the results.