What is The Kybalion, who really wrote it, and are its famous Seven Hermetic Principles genuinely ancient teachings? In this episode of Arcane Explained: Occult History, we explore the mysterious history of The Kybalion, the influential 1908 occult text published anonymously by the enigmatic “Three Initiates.” From its origins in the New Thought movement of early twentieth-century Chicago to the likely identity of its author, William Walker Atkinson, we uncover the surprising story behind one of the most influential books in modern esotericism. We also explore the history of Hermes Trismegistus, the ancient Hermetica, the Corpus Hermeticum and the Emerald Tablet, before breaking down The Kybalion’s Seven Hermetic Principles: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. Were these ideas really inherited from ancient Egypt and Greece, or did The Kybalion blend older Hermetic philosophy with nineteenth-century psychology, hypnosis, New Thought and early self-help? And what does the famous phrase “As above, so below” actually have to do with historical Hermeticism? Join us as we separate myth from history and discover how The Kybalion became a bridge between occult philosophy, ancient Hermeticism, modern psychology, manifestation, mentalism and New Age spirituality. 0:00 The Mystery of The Kybalion 0:49 William Walker Atkinson and the “Three Initiates” 8:05 Hermes Trismegistus and the True Hermetica 16:08 The Seven Hermetic Principles 16:36 Mental Transmutation: The Master Key 17:36 Principle I: Mentalism 19:24 Principle II: Correspondence 20:50 Principle III: Vibration 23:06 Principle IV: Polarity 25:25 Principle V: Rhythm 27:20 Principle VI: Cause and Effect 29:06 Principle VII: Gender 31:06 Mental Gender, Suggestion and the Dual Mind 36:14 The Modern Verdict: Fact vs. Fiction 40:09 What The Kybalion Really Is 41:04 Credits and Support Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ArcaneExplainedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcaneexplained Episode Art by Hannah Spikings: https://www.instagram.com/spikingsart/ Episode Animation by Rebecca Oddy: https://www.instagram.com/jetbytes/ Episode Narration, Production and Music by Andrew Bond Arcane Explained is a show for entertainment purposes only. Whilst great effort is made to attempt to give a factual explanation of each given topic, the content is not produced or verified by scholars. Please be careful to do your own research before using this show as a factual source. AI is used for the source collection and script drafting of this show, but final drafts are always finished and proofed by a human being. To help Andrew hire human researchers and writers, please consider joining our Patreon. AI is used for the source collection and script drafting of this show, but final drafts are always finished and proofed by a human being. To help Andrew hire human researchers and writers, please consider joining our Patreon.
