Although many people are first discovering the Law of Attraction through social media and YouTube, the fact is that the history of the Law of Attraction stretches back well over a century. This isn’t a new idea or a passing trend. It’s a universal principle that has been studied, written about, and practiced by some of the most influential thinkers in history.
Understanding the history of the Law of Attraction can deepen your appreciation for how powerful it truly is and inspire confidence in applying it to your own life. Let’s walk through the key moments in its development.
Early Pioneers: The New Thought Movement (1800s)
The roots of the Law of Attraction trace back to the New Thought movement of the 19th century. Prentice Mulford, an American author and pioneer of New Thought philosophy, is widely credited with first using the term “Law of Attraction” in a general sense covering all aspects of life. Most of the universal laws of attraction were laid down by him in his writings during the 1880s and 1890s.
After Mulford came other New Thought authors such as Henry Wood and Ralph Waldo Trine, who continued to explore and expand on the idea that our thoughts have a direct influence on our reality. These early thinkers laid the philosophical foundation for everything that followed.
William Walker Atkinson: Bringing It to Modern Times
William Walker Atkinson is the person who introduced the Law of Attraction to modern audiences. He published his groundbreaking book “Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World” in 1906. This book explicitly connected the concept of vibration with attraction, arguing that our thoughts emit vibrations that attract corresponding experiences.
Atkinson’s work was significant because it took abstract philosophical ideas and presented them in a practical, accessible way. Many of the core concepts that Law of Attraction practitioners use today, including the idea that “like attracts like,” can be traced directly back to Atkinson’s writings.
Wallace Wattles: The Science of Getting Rich (1910)
Wallace Delois Wattles was a New Thought philosopher who authored “The Science of Getting Rich” in 1910. In this influential book, Wattles stressed the power of positive thinking and detailed specific ideas on how to attract money and create an abundant life.
What made Wattles unique was his systematic approach. He didn’t just say “think positive.” He laid out a method for how to think, what to focus on, and how to maintain the right mental attitude for attracting wealth. His work would later directly inspire Rhonda Byrne to create “The Secret” nearly a century later. If you’re interested in applying these principles to your finances, read my post on how to manifest money.
Key Books Through the 20th Century
The 20th century witnessed a series of bestselling books that kept the Law of Attraction alive and brought it to ever-larger audiences:
“Think and Grow Rich” (1937) by Napoleon Hill is perhaps the most famous personal development book ever written. Hill interviewed over 500 successful people and distilled their common traits into principles that align closely with Law of Attraction ideas: definiteness of purpose, faith, visualization, and persistence.
“The Power of Positive Thinking” (1952) by Norman Vincent Peale brought these concepts to a mainstream religious audience, showing how positive mental attitudes and faith-based thinking could transform lives.
“You Can Heal Your Life” (1984) by Louise Hay connected positive thinking with physical and emotional healing, introducing millions to the idea that our thoughts create our reality in every area, including our health.
Each of these authors built on the foundation laid by the early New Thought pioneers, reaching new audiences and adding new dimensions to the understanding of how our minds shape our experience.
Abraham-Hicks: The Teachings of Abraham
In the 1980s, Esther and Jerry Hicks emerged as prominent New Thought authors. Their nine books, collectively called The Teachings of Abraham, provide some of the most detailed and practical explanations of the Law of Attraction available.
Their bestselling book “Ask and It is Given” was published in 2004, followed by several more New York Times bestsellers. The Hicks’ teachings introduced concepts that are now central to Law of Attraction practice, including the receiving mode vs. resistant mode, the emotional guidance system, and the idea that emotions are indicators of your vibrational alignment.
Many of the manifestation techniques that practitioners use today, including processes like the “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” technique, come directly from the Abraham-Hicks body of work.
The Secret (2006): Reaching the Masses
Rhonda Byrne brought the Law of Attraction to the masses with “The Secret” in 2006. What started as a documentary film became a global phenomenon when it was released as a book. The Secret introduced millions of people worldwide to the concept that their thoughts create their reality.
Her books have proven to be extremely effective in helping people become aware of the Law of Attraction, and the series includes The Secret, The Magic, The Power, The Hero, and The Greatest Secret. While some critics felt The Secret oversimplified the concept, there’s no denying that it opened the door for countless people to explore these ideas further.
The Law of Attraction Today
Today, the Law of Attraction is more accessible than ever. Books, podcasts, YouTube channels, courses, and coaches have made it possible for anyone to learn and apply these principles. The core ideas haven’t changed since Prentice Mulford first wrote about them over 130 years ago, but the ways we learn about and practice them continue to evolve.
Thank goodness there are people today still talking about the Law of Attraction so that we can all continue to benefit from it. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who has been practicing for years, understanding the rich history behind these principles can give you even more confidence in their power.
Whatever the case may be, the most important thing now is that we all do our best to understand the Law of Attraction so that we can attract what we want, feel happier, and enjoy each day as much as possible. If you’d like personalized guidance on how to use the Law of Attraction in your own life, contact me today. I’d love to help you put over a century of wisdom to work for you.
