5 min read

Universal Laws: Origins, Meanings, and How They Interlock

🌌

This guide collects the “universal laws” people reference across spirituality and metaphysics—with origins. You’ll find the 7 Hermetic Principles, the popular 12 Universal Laws, karmic laws from Eastern thought, and widely-cited additions (Abraham-Hicks, Neville Goddard, Law of One). Each entry names its source and gives a crisp meaning you can use.

📌

Note on sources: Some lists are modern syntheses (New Thought / self-help) rather than fixed ancient canons. Where the lineage is modern, it’s labeled clearly.

1) The 7 Hermetic Principles

Origin: The Kybalion (1908), published by the “Three Initiates,” presenting teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus from the Hermetic tradition (Greco-Egyptian esotericism).

  1. Principle of Mentalism

    Meaning: “All is Mind.” Reality is fundamentally mental/consciousness-based.

    Source: The Kybalion.

  2. Principle of Correspondence

    Meaning: “As above, so below; as within, so without.” Patterns repeat across planes.

    Source: The Kybalion.

  3. Principle of Vibration

    Meaning: Nothing rests; everything moves and vibrates.

    Source: The Kybalion.

  4. Principle of Polarity

    Meaning: Opposites are the same in nature, differing only in degree (hot/cold, love/hate).

    Source: The Kybalion.

  5. Principle of Rhythm

    Meaning: Everything flows in and out; cycles and tides govern phenomena.

    Source: The Kybalion.

  6. Principle of Cause & Effect

    Meaning: Nothing happens by chance; every effect has a cause.

    Source: The Kybalion.

  7. Principle of Gender

    Meaning: Masculine and feminine principles exist in everything (not merely biological).

    Source: The Kybalion.

✅

Key takeaway: Hermeticism frames the universe as mental and patterned, with polarity and rhythm governing change.

2) The 12 Universal Laws (Modern Metaphysical / New Thought)

Origin: Popularized in New Thought and modern metaphysical teaching (20th–21st c.). Frequently referenced by authors like Rhonda Byrne, Bob Proctor, Deepak Chopra, and others. These are not an ancient fixed canon but a widely used synthesis; several overlap with Hermetic ideas.

  1. Law of Divine Oneness

    Meaning: Everything is interconnected; separation is an appearance.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought / modern metaphysics; parallels non-dual teachings.

  2. Law of Vibration

    Meaning: All is energy in motion; your state broadcasts a frequency.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; overlaps Hermetic Vibration.

  3. Law of Correspondence

    Meaning: Outer reflects inner; patterns repeat across levels.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought + Hermetic Correspondence.

  4. Law of Attraction

    Meaning: Like attracts like; attention + emotion magnetize outcomes.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought (late 19th/20th c.); popularized via The Secret (2006) and Abraham-Hicks.

  5. Law of Inspired Action

    Meaning: Aligned, intuitive action is required to translate intention into form.

    Source/Lineage: Modern LOA teaching.

  6. Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy

    Meaning: Energy continually changes form; higher frequencies transform lower ones.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought / metaphysical synthesis.

  7. Law of Cause & Effect

    Meaning: Actions create outcomes; nothing is random.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; mirrors Hermetic doctrine and karmic thought.

  8. Law of Compensation

    Meaning: Giving, service, and value return as rewards in aligned ways.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; echoed in Christian and prosperity teachings.

  9. Law of Relativity

    Meaning: Experience is neutral until compared; challenges are context for growth.

    Source/Lineage: Modern metaphysical framing (not Einstein’s physics).

  10. Law of Polarity

    Meaning: Everything has an opposite that defines it.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; overlaps Hermetic Polarity.

  11. Law of Rhythm

    Meaning: Life moves in cycles; timing matters.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; overlaps Hermetic Rhythm.

  12. Law of Gender

    Meaning: Masculine/feminine principles operate in all creation.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought; overlaps Hermetic Gender.

🧭

Key takeaway: The 12 Laws are a modern map that blends Hermetic ideas with New Thought, emphasizing vibration, attraction, and aligned action.

3) Karmic Laws (Modern Enumerations of Eastern Ideas)

Origin: Concepts of karma, dharma, causality, and rebirth arise in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism. The specific “lists” (7 or 12 karmic laws) are modern summaries for practical living, not fixed scriptural canons.

  1. The Great Law (Cause & Effect)

    Meaning: As you sow, so shall you reap—actions, thoughts, and intentions return.

    Source/Lineage: Eastern karmic doctrine (modern summary).

  2. Law of Creation

    Meaning: Life doesn’t just happen; you co-create it with your choices.

    Source/Lineage: Modern articulation of karmic agency.

  3. Law of Humility

    Meaning: Accept what is before transformation is possible.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary aligned with Eastern practice.

  4. Law of Growth

    Meaning: You can only change yourself; inner growth changes your world.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary; echoes yogic teachings.

  5. Law of Responsibility

    Meaning: You are the common denominator in your life; own your part.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary of karma in action.

  6. Law of Connection

    Meaning: Every step is linked; nothing is wasted.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary; interdependence principle.

  7. Law of Focus

    Meaning: Attention is creative; choose your object of focus wisely.

    Source/Lineage: Modern concentration teaching.

  8. Law of Giving & Hospitality

    Meaning: Embody your values through generous action.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary; aligns with dana (giving) virtues.

  9. Law of Here & Now

    Meaning: Presence dissolves old patterns; the past is carried by attention.

    Source/Lineage: Modern mindfulness framing.

  10. Law of Change

    Meaning: History repeats until lessons are learned.

    Source/Lineage: Modern karmic pedagogy.

  11. Law of Patience & Reward

    Meaning: Consistent right action yields fruits in time.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary; echoes “seeds and ripening.”

  12. Law of Significance & Inspiration

    Meaning: Every contribution matters; intention elevates outcomes.

    Source/Lineage: Modern summary; merit and meaning.

🧘

Key takeaway: Karmic “laws” are practical lenses on cause, choice, and presence—rooted in Eastern thought but listed here in modern self-development form.

4) Popular “Add-On” Laws & Principles (Frequently Referenced)

Origin: New Thought, mysticism, psychology, and contemporary teachers. These aren’t part of a single ancient canon but are widely cited.

  • Law of Abundance

    Meaning: Gratitude, giving, and value-creation open channels of prosperity.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought prosperity teachings (20th c.).

  • Law of Resistance

    Meaning: What you resist persists; attention feeds it.

    Source/Lineage: Popularized through Jungian ideas & LOA culture.

  • Law of Detachment

    Meaning: Release fixation on outcomes to allow results.

    Source/Lineage: Modern articulation; emphasized by Deepak Chopra (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, 1994).

  • Law of Free Will

    Meaning: Choice shapes timelines; consent is metaphysically central.

    Source/Lineage: Esoteric/gnostic and occult traditions; also in channeled material.

  • Law of Grace

    Meaning: Forgiveness and unconditional love can “override” karmic momentum.

    Source/Lineage: Christian mysticism; modern metaphysical adoption.

  • Law of One (Unity)

    Meaning: All is One; service-to-others evolves consciousness.

    Source/Lineage: The Law of One (Ra Material, 1981–1984, channeled texts).

  • Law of Duality

    Meaning: Experience is known through contrast; unity expresses as twoness.

    Source/Lineage: Hermetic Polarity; mirrored in Taoist yin/yang.

  • Law of Reflection

    Meaning: People mirror aspects of you (admired or disowned).

    Source/Lineage: Jungian psychology; shadow work.

  • Law of Balance

    Meaning: Extremes self-correct; harmony restores flow.

    Source/Lineage: Taoism (Middle Way); Hermetic Rhythm.

đŸ§©

Key takeaway: These additions stitch together prosperity, mindset, and non-dual insight—useful lenses even if not part of one ancient list.

5) Channeled & Contemporary Systems Frequently Cited

Abraham-Hicks (Law of Attraction)

Meaning: Emotions are guidance; align your vibration with desire and allow.

Source/Lineage: Esther Hicks channeling “Abraham” (late 20th c. → present); popularized via The Secret (2006).

The Law of One (Ra Material)

Meaning: Unity consciousness; evolutionary “densities”; ethical choice between service-to-others vs. service-to-self.

Source/Lineage: Channeled sessions (1981–1984) compiled as The Law of One.

🧠

Context: These systems are modern and channeled; their “laws” function as cohesive frameworks rather than historically ancient canons.

6) Commonly Referenced but Not Classical “Universal Laws”

  • Law of Assumption

    Meaning: Assume your wish fulfilled; feeling is the secret.

    Source/Lineage: Neville Goddard (mid-20th c.), e.g., The Power of Awareness (1952).

  • Law of Reversibility

    Meaning: If a cause produces an effect, an imagined effect can imply and produce its cause.

    Source/Lineage: Neville Goddard lectures.

  • Law of Gratitude

    Meaning: Gratitude amplifies receiving and stabilizes desired states.

    Source/Lineage: New Thought and prosperity teachings; widely used in LOA circles.

🔎

Key takeaway: These are powerful practices/frames, but they’re not part of an agreed “ancient universal laws” canon.

How to Work with These Laws

  • Start with Hermetics: Use Mentalism, Correspondence, and Vibration as your base model.
  • Add the 12 framework: Use Attraction + Inspired Action + Rhythm for daily navigation.
  • Honor karma: Build habits around responsibility, presence, patience, and service.
  • Experiment: Try Abraham-Hicks emotional guidance or Neville’s assumption to test what resonates.
🌟

Bottom line: Different lists, same heartbeat—consciousness creates, patterns repeat, and aligned action plus presence turns insight into reality.