How to Practice the 12 Laws of the Universe to Live Your Best Life

Put simply, the 12 laws of the universe are universal truths from the collective consciousness derived from multiple sources throughout time, says Megan Firester, aka Mystic Michaela, author, podcast host, and fourth-generation psychic medium.

Whether you live strictly by the law of attraction or have yet to figure out how it fits into your life, learning about these universal principles can help to expand your worldview, consider a spiritual perspective, and live a more aligned and fulfilling life. Ready to put these laws into action? Read on for intel from spiritual experts about what the 12 laws of the universe are, how they impact your life, and simple tips for aligning your life with them.

Where did the 12 laws of the universe come from?

Before we get into the juicy details about how they can transform your life, where did the 12 universal laws come from—and what is its purpose? According to spiritual consultant, Janet Rae Orth, the 12 universal laws don’t come from a single scripture or spiritual belief, but a blend of different philosophies and teachings from around the world. “The laws are part of Hermetic teachings and can be linked back to many different cultures including ancient Egypt, Machu Picchu, and even Hawaii,” explains Orth.

“The laws are part of Hermetic teachings and can be linked back to many different cultures including ancient Egypt, Machu Picchu, and even Hawaii.”—Janet Rae Orth, spiritual consultant

As far as the purpose of the 12 universal laws, “These laws are unifying worldwide to help us to live more in alignment with the world around us and with the humans with whom we share this beautiful planet,” Orth adds. Regardless of your spiritual background, there’s something to be learned about the 12 laws of the universe and the diverse contributions of different beliefs and teachings—the law of attraction included. The wisdom can help you better understand the spiritual world and of course, how to live out your best life.

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How understanding the 12 laws of the universe can transform your life

Now that you have the basics of its origins, you might be wondering how the 12 laws of the universe can help you along the path to your dream life—or at the very least, transform the way you believe in yourself and your goals. “Understanding the 12 laws shows us how to master life on all levels and gives us insights into what we can do to reach our goals,” saysNovalee Wilder, a numerologist and author of A Little Bit of Numerology, who often works with the laws of the universe during sessions with clients. “They show us how we ended up where we are, how to trust, and how to create flow to get somewhere else.”

“The laws of the universe help us discover our place in the cosmos and unique reason for being.”—Megan Firester, psychic medium

According to Firester, the laws of the universe help us discover our place in the cosmos and unique reason for being. They connect us to our higher selves, pushing us to live in a more engaged and intentional way. “They give us the tools we can use to then channel our precious energy in the most natural flow of the interconnectedness which our ego selves constantly attempt to separate us from,” says Firester. “When we align with our soul goals and contracts, we feel at peace and calm no matter what the state of the world may be.”

What are the 12 laws of the universe?

1. Law of divine oneness

The law of divine oneness is the MVP of the universal principles in that it's the one upon which all the others build. “This law states that we are all connected through creation,” Wilder says. “Every single atom inside of you is connected in some way, shape, or form to the rest of the universe you move through.”

This means that everything we do has a ripple effect and impacts the collective—not just ourselves. To call upon this principle for self-improvement, simply remember that your actions both matter and make a difference.

Believing in and acknowledging this oneness is also comforting and satisfying. Research indicates that beliefs in this interconnectedness and the oneness of the universe are associated with greater life satisfaction (regardless of whether or not you are religious).

How to practice it: Embracing the law of divine oneness is all about finding grace for others and understanding that people are complex and sometimes, they’re going to behave in a way that you might not agree with or feel even betrayed by. “Practicing this can look like forgiving others for their transgressions, meditating on your connection to Source itself, and seeing the reflection of you in others and of others in you,” explains Orth.

2. Law of vibration

According to Wilder, everything in the universe has a frequency and vibration—and this is what this law is essentially saying. “Nothing ever stands still, as everything is always either being pushed away or pulled toward something,” Wilder explains.

So, how does this affect your life? Items of a similar vibration are attracted to each other, and the vibration you emit is what you get back. “If you are vibrating at a lower frequency, lower vibrational people, experiences, and opportunities will arise,” Firester says. “Rather, when you work on heightening your frequency with self-growth, meditation, mindset shifts, and energy cleansing, you become not only open to receiving higher frequency experiences but also comfortable with keeping them.”

According to Firester, you have to be operating at a certain frequency to be able to accept good into your life. If you want a loving relationship, you have to be operating at that loving frequency. If not, it might keep slipping away.

How to practice it: Basically, practicing the law of vibration is putting out the energy you want to receive. “Living according to the Law of Vibration, we must embody the frequency that we wish to vibrate at. We can achieve this by envisioning the life we want to live, by flowing gently with the cycles of life,” Orth says. That’s not to say that you have to fake a smile when things start to fall apart (which they will sometimes), but by tuning into our thoughts without judgement, Orth explains you can elevate beyond patterns that stagnate you at a lower frequency.

3. Law of correspondence

The premise behind the law of correspondence is that our lives are created by the subconscious patterns we repeat every single day, and these patterns either serve us or hold us back, Wilder says. Activate this spiritual law by becoming aware of your patterns, which are often passed down via family ties, and then consciously taking steps to break them. See things not going your way as a sign from the universe that your patterns need to change.

Firester recommends paying attention to small interactions in your life to get in touch with your maladaptive patterns that lead to a consistently frustrating life. “For example, spending time texting an ex who specifically told you they weren’t ready for the same relationship you wish to be in can be now seen as a pattern of wasted energy on a space that doesn’t mirror your own goals,” says Firester.

Or, if you’re paying more than your share of expenses with a roommate to avoid confrontation, explains Firester, you may be enabling a pattern of allowing mistreatment as a sacrifice. “ It's interesting to see how the little things we do pan out into larger themes through the law of correspondence.”

How to practice it: If you want to put the law of correspondence into action, it starts with noticing your own patterns and taking accountability for the role you play in the rest of humanity. “Look to see how the collective experience is reflected in your more personal dynamics, and stay curious about how your personal challenges are often happening on grander scales as well,” explains Orth.

4. Law of attraction

The law of attraction suggests that “like attracts like.” Meaning, what you focus on, you become. With this in mind, understanding that your focus creates a reality around you can nudge your mindsets, attitudes, and reactions towards a higher frequency, says Firester. If your goal is to find love, she suggests embracing the love you have for yourself and being more aware of the love around you.

If your goal is to make more money, she recommends savoring what you have already, making choices that reflect a respect for abundance instead of a wasteful attitude, and noticing the abundance that exists around you.

“This is essentially the law of vibration in action,” Wilder says. You attract what is vibrating at your frequency—the good and the bad. “Many people get scared by the notion that bad thoughts or low vibrations can somehow destroy their life because they’re unaware,” says Wilder. “The law is not a punishment, but a very clear mirror of our self-worth and mindset. You’re surrounded by the outcome of decisions you’ve made in the past and are fully capable of making other decisions and attracting a different set of circumstances in the present and future.”

Which is ultimately to say, at any point in time, you can change your outlook and mindset and in so doing, change your vibration to start attracting people and things on a similar positive frequency.

How to practice it: If you’ve ever manifested something, you’re already familiar with utilizing the law of attraction. Putting it into practice happens when you can extend beyond your doubt through your thoughts. According to Orth, “This can best be applied to your life by actively working on your mindset through meditation and journaling, non-judgmentally observing what your beliefs are and where they may have begun taking form in your life.” Don’t skimp on the self-care either.

5. Law of inspired action

While the law of attraction is about vibrationally aligning yourself with whatever it is you want, the law of inspired action is about taking action to bring what you want to fruition. So, you can certainly create vision boards, but Wilder says taking physical steps to move closer to your vision is much more crucial—even (and perhaps especially) if you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to do so.

Looking for motivation? The Manifesting: A Day and Night Reflection Journal can help. It’s outlined with a general overview, which includes space to jot down key health, career, wealth, family, love, and lifestyle goals, as well as daily AM and PM spreads to reflect on the actions you’re taking to manifest them.

How to practice it: Beyond envisioning your dreams, the law of inspired action requires you to be proactive in what you want to bring to reality. Orth explains to do something creative each day, whether that’s drawing, writing, dancing, or even making love. “Use the element of fire to help fuel your capacity for taking action by lighting candles, or create firmer boundaries so that you can focus on your passions and feel the drive to take actions become less impeded,” Orth adds.

6. Law of perpetual transmutation of energy

The law of perpetual transmutation of energy (wow, that’s a mouthful) means that even the smallest action can have a profound effect, Wilder says. “Like the seed of a mighty tree holds all its promise in its tiny shell, you also have the power within you to move mountains.” If you’re looking to take up meditation, you’ll want to create the perfect environment to do so.

For starters, make sure you have a comfortable place to sit up straight. Perching atop a meditation floor pillow, like the Sunday Citizen Crystal Meditation Pillow, can lend to a tall, straight back and a comfortable, relaxed posture. If you’re new to meditation, you may need help getting into the quiet mind groove. Guided meditation apps like Calm can work wonders, as can the Core Meditation Trainer, which physically grounds users to the breathing sequences of guided meditations.

How to practice it: As for putting it into action, it's about establishing a gratitude practice. It can be as simple as jotting down what you’re thankful for in a notebook. If you feel a bit stuck with the process, a guided gratitude journal, like the Papier Gratitude Journal, can ease you into the daily practice. Wilder also recommends doing small things every day that uplift you, whether that's singing in the shower, dancing like nobody's watching, meditating, expressing gratitude, or anything else. Remember, small shifts add up to major results over time.

7. Law of cause and effect

The law of cause and effect states that any action causes a reaction, Wilder says, and that whatever you put out—good or bad—you get right back. This spiritual law is also known as the universal law of karma. This is an unbiased law; it’s neither good nor bad energy, but a reminder that things don’t happen in a vacuum, says Orth.

To harness the power of this law, be aware of how your actions and decisions are affecting not just you but everyone around you. Focus on dismissing the negative energy that isn’t serving you and prioritize positive vibes.

How to practice it: A tangible way to practice the law of cause and effect is to be intentional with your words and actions and understand that yes, even your thoughts, have a consequence (see: manifestation). “Be observant of the subtle effects you may see in response to your thoughts,” says Orth. “Test it out by telling the universe some signs you wish to see and observing the ways in which it responds to you.”

8. Law of compensation

The law of compensation is about reaping what you sow. “It instills trust in us that we will be compensated for our work as long as we’re open to receiving it in all the many ways that the universe can deliver,” Wilder says. In other words, the hard work you put into something will be rewarded.

To be clear, compensation in this sense isn't limited to employment arrangements or financial compensation. Rather, it's about receiving compensation for all of your contributions to the world around you, including the love, joy, and kindness you spread; it is all rewarded in unique ways.

How to practice it: You can practice the law of compensation by putting hours into your passions, whether that’s at work, in your relationships, or a creative venture. “Practicing this law can look like creating an intention-setting practice, creating a gratitude jar or journal to show the universe how you want to feel, and by being mindful of how we speak and act towards strangers and loved ones alike,” Orth explains.

9. Law of relativity

The law of relativity suggests that nothing and no one is inherently good or bad, according to Wilder. People are complex and everything is, well, relative. “Everything is a spectrum of expression, and there is more than one perspective on any situation or challenge.” In other words, we are the ones who assign meaning to things, so we can choose to regard things as “bad” or as happening in our favor.

This spiritual law goes beyond the glass half full or half-empty bit; it challenges the very way we see full or empty. Why does half full or half empty have to be seen as negative or positive? Maybe you can even find a positive in a glass being half empty. The point is that your perspective is up to you, and changing your perspective can transform your reality.

How to practice it: Practice the law of relativity by throwing your all-or-nothing, black-and-white thinking out of the window. Understand that context is everything, and do so by seeking perspective on everything. “Work to reframe the negatives into positives or opportunities, we can try to separate ourselves from our perspectives and beliefs whenever possible, and we can have greater compassion for ourselves and others when ascertaining the value of someone or something,” explains Orth.

10. Law of polarity

Everything in the universe has a polar opposite: If there’s an up, there’s a down. If there’s light, there's dark. One cannot exist without the other. The warmth of happiness wouldn’t be as strong if we never felt the ache of sadness. Understanding this polarity law can help you realize how necessary both sides are and appreciate your experience with both of them.

Wilder says encountering these polarities is part of the human experience and that they help us learn from our mistakes, support us in identifying what we don’t want, and gain clarity surrounding what we do.

How to practice it: Acceptance and adopting a detached state of mind is the most proactive way you can practice the law of polarity. Appreciate the good while you have it, and be grateful when things fall apart because things will turn up eventually. But Orth explains that practicing this law involves appreciating the moments in between, too. “Look for the shades of gray in order to move from dark to light and back again,” explains Orth, adding that you should always seek the silver lining.

11. Law of rhythm

The law of rhythm explains that life isn’t a linear event; it's full of cycles that have their own ebbs and flows, says Firester. “The ego mindset of us all expects a consistent leveling up and detests plateaus and moments of perceived setbacks,” says Firester.

Essentially, the law of rhythm is about cycles and understanding that things that start will have an ending, such is life. “We go through endless cycles in our lifetimes, and the law of Rhythm reminds us that there is a beat that we can march to along the journey,” explains Orth. “It is important to remember that every cycle that occurs is a natural part of our evolution.”

How to practice it: Aligning your life with this law means practicing patience and embracing grace in different seasons of your life, says Firester. When you adopt this mindset, “setbacks become moments of valued reflections, plateaus become restful, and inevitable flows of abundance become more appreciated and thus taken advantage of to their fullest extent,” says Firester. “Seeing life as full of seasons is a way in which to incorporate the law of rhythm into your daily mindset.”

12. The law of gender

The law of gender refers little to the biological state of the sexes or even gender as we know it and more symbolically to the two types of energy we balance in this lifetime, says Firester. She says that, in this case, the divine masculine is confident, strong, and actionable energy while the divine feminine is flowing, settling, and absorbing creative energy.

This law operates under the idea of these two converging energies (name them what you please) and the interaction between them in different areas of life. It’s important to learn when it's time for either an outward or more inward type of strength in each situation that presents itself to you, says Firester. “Overdoing it on either energy can take away from a balanced mindset and experience in life.”

How to practice it: Practicing the law of gender is about finding a middle ground between two dichotomous energies. “To put this law into practice, observe the parts of you that are more likely to be active or reactive (masculine) or to be more passive and receptive (feminine), and work to bring these two into balance,” explains Orth. When you identify that, you can better understand what you should recalibrate or add more of.

How to align your life with the 12 laws of the universe

Now that you know more about the 12 laws of the universe, you may be wondering how you can take advantage of them in your life and begin designing your dream reality. It’ll take time to master all of these laws, but it’s less about that and more about being aware of them and being intentional about how to put them into practice as gently and proactively as possible.

Rather than viewing these laws as something to master or as content to be memorized for a test, Firester recommends taking a gentler approach and reminding yourself that these laws of the universe are something to work on throughout your life. "Working on them is what is important; letting go of the need to master any will make the work we do more effective,” she says.

“Writing them down on post-it notes on your desk at work, creating a lock screen on your phone which displays some of the ones you are working on, or simply meditating upon them while in your daily actions is a great way to align your thoughts, actions, and life with these laws,” says Firester. When you are consistently reminded of the laws, you’ll be more likely to adopt the mindsets of them.