Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted, from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art.
As we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists, astrologers, and psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these schools of thought. From astrology has grown modern astronomy; from alchemy has grown modern chemistry; from the mystic psychology has grown the modern psychology of the schools. But it must not be supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the modern schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property. The records engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the ancients had a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very building of the Pyramids showing the connection between their design and the study of astronomical science.
THE ROYAL ART OF HERMETIC TRANSMUTATION
The Hermetic Transmutation is truly the "Royal Art." The Hermetic Masters claimed that the Principle of Mentalism was the master-key of the Hermetic system, and that the remaining six principles were but aspects of this one great principle. They taught that all manifestation of thought, emotion, reason, will or desire, or any mental state or condition, were accompanied by vibrations, a portion of which are thrown off and which tend to affect the minds of other persons by "induction."
The Hermetists have ever recognized the power of suggestion and auto-suggestion, and have ever taught the same, although they have not always used the modern terms. They have always understood and applied the principles underlying these phenomena. The Hermetic Masters taught that the vibrations of the mind could be controlled by the will of the individual, and that by the exercise of the will the mental vibrations could be raised or lowered at will.
The mind, like metals, might be transmuted from state to state, from degree to degree, from condition to condition, from pole to pole, from vibration to vibration.
The Transmutation of Mental States is the great field of Hermetic practice. The student who understands the principles of Mental Transmutation is able to change or transmute his mental states at will, and is also able to affect the mental states of others. The Hermetic Masters taught that the mind, like metals, might be transmuted from state to state, from degree to degree, from condition to condition, from pole to pole, from vibration to vibration.