Hermeticism is a set of beliefs and practices whose aim is the influencing of the world through contact with the heavenly forces. It claims descent from a prisca theologica, an original untainted, pure set of doctrines, secretive, which allegedly were compiled in ancient times, in Egypt, and whose undiluted purity guarantees their veracity and efficacy. Much of the importance of Hermeticism is due to its connection with the development of science in the Renaissance and THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES. "The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open." The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows: I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM. II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE. III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION. IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY. V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM. VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT. VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.

Hermeticism is a set of beliefs and practices whose aim is the influencing of the world through contact with the heavenly forces. It claims descent from a prisca theologica, an original untainted, pure set of doctrines, secretive, which allegedly were compiled in ancient times, in Egypt, and whose undiluted purity guarantees their veracity and efficacy.

Much of the importance of Hermeticism is due to its connection with the development of science in the Renaissance and THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES. 

"The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open."

The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows:

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM.

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION.

IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.

V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM.

VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.

VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.

17th century, because the prominence given to the idea of influencing or controlling nature, led many of the new scientists to look to magic and its allied arts (astrology, etc.) in celebrating the idea of experiment--of putting Nature "to the test." Consequently, it is the practical aspect of the Hermetic writings that attracted attention after the Renaissance. Isaac Newton placed great faith in this idea of a "pure tradition," an unadulterated pure ancient doctrine which he studied vigorously, attempting to aid in his understanding of the physical world.

Many of Newton's manuscripts--most still unpublished--detail his thorough study of the Corpus Hermeticum, the set of writings allegedly transmitted from ancient times, in which the secrets and techniques of influencing the stars and forces of nature were revealed, he believed.

Western Hermetic Tradition is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the pseudepigraphical writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. These beliefs have heavily influenced the Western esoteric tradition and were considered greatly important during both the Renaissance and the Reformation.

Hermetic beliefs include the division of the universe into four classical elements, and that God created seven intermediary planetary spirits to govern destiny.

through,contact,with,the,heavenly,forces,It,claims,descent,from,a,prisca,theologica,an,original,untainted,pure,set,of,doctrine,secretive,which,allegedly,were,compiled,in,ancient,times,in,Egypt,