First published by the Yogi Publishing Society in 1908 under the anonymous authorship of "Three Initiates", The Kybalion expounds upon the veiled teachings of Hermes Trismegistus in layman's terms for the first time since the work was rediscovered in the 19th Century. In the study of Esoteric texts such as The Kybalion, individuals can gain powerful insights into themselves and the world. Freemasonry assists each member in the work of self-improvement, which can be greatly enhanced by understanding the nature of reality. This statement, however, begs the question: “What is the fundamental nature of reality?” The underlying teaching of The Kybalion is that everything is governed by seven universal laws. These laws are categorized in the book as the Principles of Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. The Kybalion explains that by examining these principles and applying them to life, scholars can increase their wisdom and knowledge.