Initiation into Hermetics

1. The Universe is Governed by Elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth

Everything that has been created, the macrocosm as well as the microcosm, consequently the big and the small world have been achieved by the effect of the elements.

Elemental Foundations. The universe, both large and small, is built upon the interplay of four fundamental elements: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These elements are not merely physical substances but represent universal forces with distinct qualities and polarities.

• Fire embodies heat and expansion, associated with electrical energy.
• Water represents coldness and contraction, linked to magnetic energy.
• Air acts as a mediator, combining warmth and humidity.
• Earth provides solidification and structure, integrating all three.

Polarity and Balance. Each element possesses both active (positive) and passive (negative) polarities. The active side is constructive and creative, while the passive side is destructive and dissecting. Understanding these polarities is crucial for harnessing the elements' power. The interplay of these elements and their polarities creates the dynamic forces that shape all of existence.

Practical Application. Recognizing the influence of these elements is key to understanding the world around us and within us. By learning to work with these forces, we can achieve balance and harmony in our lives and in our magical practice.

2. Akasha: The Ethereal Source of All Creation

Accordingly, the ethereal principle is the ultimate, the supreme, the most powerful thing, something inconceivable, the ultimate cause of all things existing and created.

The Quintessence. Akasha, also known as the ethereal principle, is the ultimate source from which all elements and all of creation arise. It is the fifth element, the quintessence, the causal sphere, and is beyond time and space.

• Akasha is the origin of all thoughts and intentions.
• It is the foundation of the entire universe, from the highest to the lowest spheres.
• It is the source of all power and the ultimate reality.

The Uncreated. Akasha is not created but is the uncreated, the incomprehensible, and the indefinable. It is the source of all things, the ultimate cause, and the force that keeps everything in balance. Various religions refer to it as God.

Practical Significance. Understanding Akasha is essential for comprehending the nature of reality and for accessing the deepest levels of magical power. It is the key to understanding the interconnectedness of all things and the source of all creation.

3. Karma: The Immutable Law of Cause and Effect

An immutable law, which has its aspect just in the akasa principle, is the law of cause and effect. Each cause sets free a corresponding effect.

Universal Law. Karma, the law of cause and effect, is an immutable principle that operates throughout the universe. Every action, thought, and intention creates a corresponding reaction.

• This law applies to all levels of existence, from the material to the spiritual.
• It governs the elements and their interactions.
• It is the basis for evolution and development.

Beyond Good and Evil. Karma is not about punishment or reward but about the natural consequences of our actions. What we sow, we shall reap. There is no good or evil in the universe, only human conceptions.

Practical Application. Understanding karma encourages us to act with awareness and responsibility. It teaches us that our actions have far-reaching consequences and that we are the architects of our own destiny.

4. Man: A Microcosm Reflecting the Universe

Man is the true image of God; he has been created in the likeness of the universe.

The Microcosm. Man is a microcosm, a miniature reflection of the macrocosm, the universe. Everything that exists in the universe is also reflected in man, albeit on a smaller scale.

• Man is a complex being composed of body, soul, and spirit.
• The elements operate within the human body, influencing its health and functions.
• The human body is a workshop of the elements, a miniature universe.

Health and Harmony. Health, from a hermetic perspective, is the perfect harmony of all the forces operating within the body, with respect to the basic qualities of the elements. Disharmony leads to disease.

Practical Significance. Understanding man as a microcosm allows us to see the interconnectedness of all things and to recognize the divine potential within ourselves. It also provides a framework for understanding health, disease, and the influence of the elements on our lives.

5. The Soul: The Astral Body and Its Temperaments

Through subtler vibrations of the elements, through the electric and the magnetic fluid of their polarity, the man proper, the soul has proceeded from the akasa principle or the finer etheric vibrations.

The Astral Matrix. The soul, or astral body, is formed from the finer vibrations of the elements and is connected to the physical body through the astral matrix. This matrix is the connecting link between the body and soul.

• The soul is the seat of our emotions, desires, and character.
• It is influenced by the elements, which manifest as four temperaments: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic.
• The soul uses the five senses to perceive the physical world.

Temperaments and Character. Each temperament is associated with a dominant element and has its own set of qualities, both positive and negative. The interplay of these temperaments shapes our character and personality.

• Choleric (Fire): Active, enthusiastic, but also irritable and destructive.
• Sanguine (Air): Diligent, joyful, but also fickle and dishonest.
• Melancholic (Water): Compassionate, modest, but also apathetic and shy.
• Phlegmatic (Earth): Responsible, thorough, but also dull and lazy.

Practical Application. Understanding the soul and its temperaments allows us to gain insight into our own nature and to work towards balancing our inner forces. It also helps us understand the behavior of others.

6. The Astral Plane: A Realm of Beings and Vibrations

The astral plane, often designated as the fourth dimension, has not been created out of the four elements, but it is a density-degree of the akasa principle.

The Fourth Dimension. The astral plane is a density-degree of the akasa principle, a realm of subtle vibrations where all that was, is, and will be is reflected. It is a timeless and spaceless dimension.

• It is the origin of light, sound, color, rhythm, and life.
• It is inhabited by various beings, including elementaries, larvae, and beings of the four elements.
• It is the realm that we enter after death.

Inhabitants of the Astral Plane. The astral plane is populated by a variety of beings, including:

• Elementaries: Entities with one or few qualities, living on similar vibrations to man.
• Larvae: Forms thriving on the passions of the animal world.
• Beings of the four elements: Salamanders (fire), sylphs (air), undines (water), and gnomes (earth).

Practical Significance. Understanding the astral plane allows us to navigate the invisible realms and to interact with the beings that inhabit them. It also helps us understand the nature of death and the continuity of consciousness.

7. The Spirit: The Immortal Essence of Man

From the supreme prototype (akasa), the original source of all beings, has proceeded the spirit, the spiritual EGO with the four specific elemental qualities, proper to the immortal spirit, which was created in God’s image.

The Divine Spark. The spirit is the immortal part of man, created in the image of God. It is the spiritual EGO, the source of our will, intellect, feeling, and consciousness.

• The spirit is the source of our volition (fire), intellect (air), feeling (water), and consciousness (earth).
• It is the immortal part of us that transcends the physical and astral realms.
• It is the ultimate goal of our spiritual development.

Qualities of the Spirit. The spirit possesses various qualities based on the four elements:

• Will (Fire): Strength, power, and passion.
• Intellect (Air): Memory, discrimination, and judgment.
• Conscience (Water): Intuition and feeling.
• Egotism (Earth): Self-preservation and propagation.

Practical Significance. Understanding the spirit allows us to connect with our divine essence and to cultivate our highest potential. It is the key to unlocking our true power and purpose.

8. The Mental Plane: The Realm of Thoughts and Ideas

Simultaneously, the mental sphere is the sphere of thoughts which have their origin in the world of ideas, consequently in the spiritual akasa.

The World of Ideas. The mental plane is the realm of thoughts and ideas, originating from the spiritual akasa. It is a timeless and spaceless sphere where all thoughts and ideas exist.

• Each thought has its own form, color, and vibration.
• Thoughts are received by the spirit through the mental matrix.
• The mental plane is inhabited by ideal forms and elementals.

Mental Matrix. The mental matrix is the connecting link between the mental body and the astral body. It is the subtlest form of akasa and is responsible for the transmission of ideas to the consciousness.

Practical Application. Understanding the mental plane allows us to control our thoughts and to access the world of ideas. It is the key to creativity, innovation, and the manifestation of our desires.

9. Truth, Religion, and God: Personal Paths to Understanding

Truth depends on the insight of each individual.

Personal Truth. Truth is subjective and depends on the individual's level of insight and maturity. There is no single, universal truth that applies to everyone.

• Each person has their own truth, based on their unique perspective.
• Absolute truth is only accessible to those who have mastered the laws of the microcosm and macrocosm.
• Knowledge and wisdom must go hand in hand.

Universal Religion. The magician respects all religions, recognizing that each has its own path to God. He does not impose his beliefs on others but seeks to understand the underlying principles of all faiths.

The Godhead. The magician sees God as the ultimate source of all creation, a concept that can be understood through the four elements:

• Fire: Almightiness and omnipotence.
• Air: Wisdom, purity, and lawfulness.
• Water: Love and eternal life.
• Earth: Omnipresence, immortality, and eternity.

Practical Significance. Understanding truth, religion, and God is a personal journey that requires introspection, contemplation, and a willingness to explore different perspectives.

10. Asceticism: Balancing Body, Soul, and Mind

There are three kinds of asceticism: (1), intellectual or mental asceticism, (2) psychic or astral asceticism, 93) physical or material asceticism.

Three Forms of Asceticism. Asceticism, in the hermetic sense, is not about self-denial but about balancing the body, soul, and mind. It involves:

• Intellectual asceticism: Disciplining thoughts and controlling the mind.
• Psychic asceticism: Ennobling the soul through control of passions and instincts.
• Physical asceticism: Harmonizing the body through a moderate and natural way of life.

Moderation and Balance. The magician avoids extremes and seeks moderation in all things. He understands that the body, soul, and mind must be developed in harmony.

• Vegetarianism is not essential for spiritual progress.
• Fasting and abstinence are only necessary for specific magical operations.
• A reasonable mode of life is the key to maintaining balance.

Practical Significance. Asceticism, when practiced correctly, is a tool for self-mastery and spiritual growth. It helps us to cultivate discipline, self-control, and inner harmony.

11. The Path of Practice: Mental, Psychic, and Physical Training

We must always be aware of the fact that the body, soul and mind are to be trained simultaneously, for otherwise it would be impossible to gain and maintain the magic equipoise.

Holistic Development. The path of magic requires simultaneous training of the mind, soul, and body. Neglecting any of these aspects will hinder progress and create imbalances.

• Mental training involves thought control, concentration, and meditation.
• Psychic training focuses on introspection, self-knowledge, and balancing the elements in the soul.
• Physical training includes exercises, breathing techniques, and conscious eating.

Step-by-Step Approach. The training is structured in a step-by-step manner, with each step building upon the previous one. Patience, perseverance, and tenacity are essential for success.

• Regular practice is crucial for developing magical abilities.
• The magician must be kind and generous to others but relentless with himself.
• Silence and secrecy are essential for maintaining power.

Practical Significance. The path of practice is a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the challenges that come with it.

12. Mastering the Elements: The Key to Magical Power

In honor of this tradition I shall give my principal attention to the elements for, as you will see, the key to the elements is the panacea, with the help of which all the occurring problems may be solved.

Elemental Mastery. The key to magical power lies in the mastery of the elements. This involves not only understanding their qualities but also learning to control and manipulate them.

• The magician must learn to produce and dissolve the elements at will.
• He must be able to accumulate them in his body and project them outwards.
• He must be able to use them for healing, protection, and other purposes.

Practical Application. Mastering the elements is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, practice, and a deep understanding of the universal laws. It is the foundation for all magical work and the key to unlocking the full potential of the magician.

Last updated: January 17, 2025