Principles of Magic: Mentalism
“the Universe is mind; mind is the Universe”
[Updated October 2025]
Every spell begins as a thought. Before the candle is lit, before the herbs are chosen, before the words are spoken, there is an idea. That seed of intention is where magic truly begins.
This is the essence of the Principle of Mentalism, the bedrock of Hermetic philosophy, and one of the seven principles of magic. It tells us that everything originates in the realm of thought and consciousness. Our inner world shapes the outer world, and magic works because thought is a creative force.
In this post, we’ll explore what the Principle of Mentalism means, why it matters for modern witches, how it shows up in witchcraft, and practical ways you can harness it in your own practice.
What is the Principle of Mentalism?
The Principle of Mentalism is the foundation of Hermetic thought. It’s often summarized with the phrase:
“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.”
In other words, everything that exists first originates as thought or consciousness. Reality is not separate from mind—the universe itself is a vast, living Mind.
In simple terms: thought precedes form.
Your beliefs shape your experience.
Your imagination influences creation.
Your consciousness is part of the universe’s consciousness.
This principle is why intention-setting, affirmations, visualization, and meditation are so powerful in the practice of witchcraft. When you direct your thoughts with clarity, you begin to shape energy—and energy, in turn, shapes reality.
Why the Principle of Mentalism Matters for Modern Witches
We live in a culture that often downplays the power of thought. The mind is treated as separate from the body, and imagination is dismissed as “just pretend.” But the Principle of Mentalism flips that idea on its head. It reminds us that everything begins in the mind.
For witches, this is profoundly empowering. It means:
Every spell starts with focused intention. Your clarity of thought fuels your magic.
Shifting your mindset shifts your magic. The stories you tell yourself influence what you attract.
Your imagination is a sacred tool. Dreaming, creating, and visualizing aren’t frivolous—they’re forms of magic.
When you understand that your mind is your first magical tool, you stop underestimating your own power.
How the Principle of Mentalism Shows Up in Witchcraft
If “the All is Mind,” then every magical practice is connected to thought in some way. Here are a few common examples:
Visualization
Witches often visualize the outcome of a spell, that is, seeing the desired result clearly in the mind’s eye. This mental image charges the spell with energy and helps direct intention.
RELATED: Visualization and Trance ExercisesAffirmations & Mantras
Repeating affirmations or sacred words focuses the mind on what you want to create. Speaking intention aloud gives thought a tangible vibration that ripples outward.
RELATED: How do Affirmations Work?Meditation
Meditation clears and focuses the mind, allowing for a deeper connection to intuition, spirit, and a heightened sense of awareness. A quiet mind can direct energy with more precision.
RELATED: Introduction to MeditationDreamwork
Dreams are the language of the subconscious mind. Many witches use dream journaling, lucid dreaming, or dream interpretation to receive guidance and symbols.Creative Magic
Art, journaling, music, and storytelling all transform thought into form. These creative acts are magical expressions of Mentalism.
Working with Magical Mentalism
One of the most powerful ways to apply this principle is through thought itself, because your mind is your primary magical tool. Here’s how to use it intentionally:
Daily Visualization 🌌
Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing a desired outcome. Imagine yourself living it fully. Feel the emotions, notice the details, sense the reality of it. This mental rehearsal directs your energy toward that outcome.Affirmations ✍️
Write and repeat affirmations that align with your goals. For example:
🔹 “I attract abundance with ease.”
🔹 “My voice carries wisdom and power.”
🔹 “I am safe, grounded, and protected.”
The repetition reshapes your mental landscape and aligns your vibration with your intention.Meditation 🧘
Even 5–10 minutes a day strengthens mental focus. Try breath meditation to clear your thoughts, guided visualizations to enhance magical imagery, or mantra meditation to focus energy through sound.Spellwriting 🔮
When writing spells, choose your words carefully. Language is thought made tangible, and clear, intentional words shape energy into form. Think of your Book of Shadows or grimoire as a record of mental magic crystallized into ritual.Mind Journaling 📓
Keep track of your thought patterns. What stories are you telling yourself daily? Which beliefs empower your craft, and which undermine it? Journaling helps you shift limiting thoughts into supportive ones.
👉 I created a resource to help you with this. You can find it in the Blog Rewards Program.Mental Shields 🛡️
Visualize protective thought-forms around you. Imagine a sphere of light encasing your body, powered by your focused mind. This technique strengthens psychic defenses and keeps your mental energy clear.Dreamwork 🌙
Record your dreams in a journal. Over time, you’ll notice recurring themes and symbols that reveal subconscious wisdom. Use these as inspiration for spells, sigils, or rituals.
Common Misunderstandings of the Principle of Mentalism
Because this principle states that “The All is Mind,” it can sometimes be misunderstood. Let’s clear up a few points:
It doesn’t mean everything is imaginary. The physical world is real, but it is shaped by consciousness. Thought influences form, but it doesn’t negate it.
It isn’t about toxic positivity. Your thoughts matter, but they don’t erase every hardship or external factor. The principle invites co-creation, not denial.
It doesn’t mean you’re solely responsible for everything. Mentalism highlights your power, but you exist in an interconnected web of energies, people, and circumstances. Magic works in cooperation with the larger universe.
Principle of Mentalism
The Principle of Mentalism reminds us that magic begins long before we light a candle or cast a circle. It starts in the mind with intention, imagination, and thought.
Every spell starts as an idea. Every ritual begins as a vision. Every affirmation is a thought turned into form. Your mind is not separate from your magic. It is the source of it.
So the next time you visualize a spell, write an affirmation, or set an intention, remember: you are working with the most potent magical tool of all—your mind.
✨ Take Your Practice Further ✨
Want to put the Principle of Mentalism into action? I created a Mindset Magic Journal just for you. Inside, you’ll find daily intention pages, affirmations, visualization prompts, and reflection exercises to help you harness your thoughts as tools for magic.
This resource is available exclusively in the Blog Rewards Program—my free library of printables, rituals, and guides to support your witchcraft journey.
Click the button below to download your Mindset Magic Journal and start shaping your reality with the power of thought.
This post is part of a series on magical philosophy. Make sure you read the Principle of correspondence next. Follow the entire Principles of Magic collection:
In magic, “gender” points to complementary creative currents (receptive/projective)—not identity. We blend them in ritual to imagine, gestate, act, and sustain results with care.