Hermetic Principle 6: Cause and Effect
“Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation but nothing escapes the Law.” - The Kybalion
The hermetic principle of cause and effect teaches us that nothing happens by chance, that everything has its cause. Nothing comes from nothing, and everything that we see in our world is a result of causes. The majority of people are effects of the agenda, will, and desires of others who they think of as stronger than them. We see this in our everyday lives, in regards to government, political leaders, secret societies and the social environments we come from. Most humans go through life being moved around like pawns on a chess board instead of playing the game of life themselves. The principle of cause and effect teaches us that we can rise above the realm of being others’ effects, into becoming beings of causality.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the principle of cause and effect is described through Karma. Karma is the executed deed, work, or action, and it is also the object or the intent behind such actions. In the Upanishad of Hinduism, Karma is the principle of causality, and states that Karma is the result of an action or deed. If the deed is good, and the intent is good, then the person will have good karma. If the deed is bad, and is done with ill intent, then the person will receive bad karma, and will have to work through their karma in either this life or the next.
The Bible also speaks on the principle of cause and effect. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” - Galatians 6:7-8
To the alchemist, the hermetic principle of cause and effect is a tool to take back control over one’s life. Using the principle of cause and effect in line with the principles of mentalism and vibration, the alchemist is able to conquer his or her own moods, characteristics, qualities, and power, transforming themselves from a pawn in the game of life into the mover of the pieces on the board. To the alchemist, the principle of cause and effect also represents the overcoming of past traumas and the thoughts and emotions tied to those traumas, enabling them to act with greater conscious awareness. All things that are manifested in our world physically, spiritually, and mentally are a byproduct of this principle. Once one masters it, they become a cause, rather than an effect. The master of this principle is one who has harnessed the power to consciously manifest their heart’s desires.
