The Kybalion and Universe { Refections Redeemed}

                                                            Article Pic of Baphomet

Discovery of the Kybalion

In an attempt to understand the world, I stumbled upon an interesting text called The Kybalion. It is a short esoteric work first published in 1908, claiming inspiration from Hermetic philosophy. Hermetic philosophy is derived from the figure of Hermes Trismegistus, a fusion of the Egyptian god Thoth and the Greek god Hermes. This syncretic deity emerged after the Greek invasion of Egypt, which led to a blending of their religious traditions.The Seven Hermetic Principles

The Kybalion presents seven core Hermetic principles:

The Principle of Mentalism

“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”

The Principle of Correspondence

“As above, so below; as below, so above.”

The Principle of Vibration

“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”

The Principle of Polarity

“Everything is dual; everything has poles.”

The Principle of Rhythm

“Everything flows, out and in.”

The Principle of Cause and Effect

“Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause.”

The Principle of Gender

“Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles.”

Baphomet and Symbolic Parallels

A figure often associated with similar philosophical ideas is Baphomet — a complex and symbolic image that appeared prominently in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Knights Templar were accused in the 13th century of worshipping an idol named Baphomet. Records from the 14th-century Templar trials suggest that the name may have been a corruption of “Mohamet,” perhaps indicating a misunderstanding of the symbol or a reference to Islam.

The modern depiction of Baphomet — a goat-headed, androgynous figure — was created by the French occultist Éliphas Lévi in his 1854 work Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie (Dogma and Ritual of High Magic). Lévi’s Baphomet represents the union of opposites: male and female, human and animal, light and dark — embodying balance, duality, and enlightenment.

Symbolic Elements of Lévi’s Baphomet

Lévi’s depiction contains rich symbolic details:

• Goat head: Represents instinct, vitality, and nature.
• Torso with female breasts: Symbolizes androgyny and the balance of masculine and feminine forces.
• Torch between horns: Signifies illumination and knowledge.
• Caduceus (two serpents): Represents life force, balance, and healing.
• “Solve et Coagula” (on arms): Latin for “Dissolve and Coagulate,” an alchemical motto expressing transformation.
• One arm up, one down: Embodies the Hermetic principle “As above, so below.”

Later Associations and Cultural Influence

Baphomet has since been associated with various movements and cultural expressions, often as a symbol of occult wisdom, individual freedom, and spiritual balance.

The Church of Satan (founded 1966):

Uses the Sigil of Baphomet — a goat’s head within an inverted pentagram — as its official emblem. It symbolizes the carnal, earthly, and rational nature of humanity rather than literal devil worship.

Popular Culture:

Baphomet continues to appear in art, music, and media, often misunderstood as purely “satanic.” In truth, its origins are more philosophical and symbolic

Reflections on Duality and Human Nature

It is difficult not to notice how many human development theories and natural laws correspond with the Hermetic principles. Following the same reasoning, one could also see how these principles might be used in manipulation or influence — reflecting the duality inherent in all things.This recalls the expressions “double-edged” or “two-faced,” highlighting how anything can turn into its opposite as everything moves in cycles and connections. Ultimately, it reflects the eternal interplay between good and evil, and how perception shifts as we move between cycles and experience the dynamics of balance.

References

The Kybalion (1908), attributed to “The Three Initiates.”

Lévi, Éliphas. Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie (1854).

Hanegraaff, Wouter J. Esotericism and the Academy: Rejected Knowledge in Western Culture (Cambridge University Press, 2012).

Faivre, Antoine. Access to Western Esotericism (SUNY Press, 1994).