Hermetic Principle 7: Gender
“Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.” - The Kybalion
Gender comes from the Latin root meaning to beget, to procreate, to generate, to create, or to produce. Gender in hermetics does not refer to the physical sex or a person’s male or female reproductive organs. “Sex” is just a manifestation of gender on our physical plane aka the plane of organic matter. Yet, gender on higher planes manifests itself in different ways. In hermeticism, the principle of gender allows us to understand and witness the operation of both masculine and feminine energies working together to form all things in existence - physical, mental, and spiritual.
We witness the dance of masculine and feminine energies in the creation of atoms, through the union of electrons or corpuscles. Though the union of positive and negative charges in conjuction with vibration, we get the manifestations of light, heat, electricity, magnetism, alteration, repulsion, chemical affinity and the reverse, and similar phenomena in the physical in our universe.
In hermetics, masculine energy is described as penetrative, assertive, progressive, conquesting, and actively directing inherent energy towards its feminine counterpart. Feminine energy is described as receptive, sacred, treasured, protective, maintainer of traditions, honoring priority, and nourishing what is most essential to life. The masculine is linked with the will, while the feminine is related to receiving impressions from the masculine and conducts the work of generating new thoughts, concepts, ideas, including the work of the imagination.
Without the feminine, the masculine will act without restraint, order , or reason, resulting in chaos. The feminine without the masculine would constantly reflect and fail to actually do anything, resulting in stagnation and complacency. Yet, with both masculine and feminine working together, we see thoughtful action, the power of the will and vision, combined with the creative force and careful thought to bring it into manifestation.
These ideas are present in Hinduism found in the kundalini, which in Sanskrit means the coiled snake. In Hinduism, the kundalini is the manifestation of the shakti (power), or the divine feminine energy that is located at the base of the spine. This divine feminine power lives in everyone, yet remains dormant until it comes in contact with masculine energy. The masculine energy directs the shakti (power) up the spine and to the brain, sparking a spiritual rebirth.
We also see this in the Bible through the words of Solomon, found in the book of Proverbs. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon considers wisdom to be a feminine force who has been with God since the beginning, aiding God in the creation of the universe.
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; - Proverbs 8: 22-30
To the alchemist, understanding the principle of gender is the final step of self-exploration and self-mastery. The principle of gender gives the alchemist the ability to discern his or her own mood, emotion, and action and bring their own masculine and feminine energy into balance. To the alchemist, bringing balance to his or her masculine and feminine energies is the path to God and the key to unlocking the full potential of his or her manifesting power. Once the alchemist aligns the principle of gender with the other hermetic principles nothing will be impossible for him or her. By staying in tune with all laws of the universe, the alchemist will become the great being of light the Creator intended, taking full responsibility for their actions and capable of creating a more beautiful world.
