As Above So Below: The Meaning of The Esoteric Phrase
The phrase As Above, So Below is one that evokes contemplation when heard, but when pondered upon for a moment can be confusing. It is an ancient phrase, rich in meaning and history.
The phrase As Above, So Below means that our reality, our lived experiences, and our existence, are part of an infinite fractal pattern. It describes the correspondent relationship between the individual and the universe. The phrase comes from Hermeticism, in particular a book called The Emerald Tablets, which dates to thousands of years ago.
In Hermetic philosophy there is the microcosm, the word of the individual, and the macrocosm, which is the universe, or the sum total of all that is.
The word macrocosm comes from Greek makros kosmos, “the great world”; the universe as a whole. Microcosm comes from Greek mikros kosmos, “the small world”; the human being, understood as a miniature universe)
In other words, the phrase can be interpreted to say that “Above” is referring to nature and the cosmos, and the “Below” part refers to what happens inside of us as humans, or our personal subjective experience of being alive. The microcosm – macrocosm relationship is wonderfully described in the following quote:
“To truly know the world, look deeply within your own being, To truly know yourself, take real interest in the world.” ~ Rudolf Steiner
This relational dynamic can be seen anywhere there is duality, where one half is above, and the other below, and there is an established relationship between the two.
Hermeticism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, and was very prominent during the Renaissance and Reformation periods of history. When it was realized that the Egyptian god Thoth and the Greek god Hermes were the same being, he started being referred to as Hermes Trismegistus. The written works of Hermeticism were created over many decades, from 300 B.C to 1200 A.D.
The Specific origin of the phrase As Above, So Below originates from the second verse of a book called the Emerald Tablets, also known as Smaragdine Tablet and Tabula Smaragdina. Purported to have been authored by Hermes Trismegistus, it is one of the most famous and important books in Hermeticism, along with Hermetic Corpus, which is the foundation text for Hermeticism. While Hermes is considered the author, the first known version of it, according to historians, appears in Arabic somewhere around the 6th to 8th century A.D.
The Emerald Tablet are very important in alchemy because it describes the prima materia, which is the starting material for all matter. The concept of prima materia is a crucial concept in alchemical thinking.
Amongst scholars, the phrase is often understood to be referring to the effects of celestial mechanics upon terrestrial events. This can be materialistic in nature, such as the effect of the sun on the plants growing on earth, but it can also be esoteric or non-physical in nature. When studying the phrase, the version most commonly looked at is the medieval Latin translation:
“Quod est superius est sicut quod inferius, et quod inferius est sicut quod est superius.”
“That which is above is like to that which is below, and that which is below is like to that which is above.”
This Latin version differs from the original Arabic is a little different, which says “from” rather than “like to”.
One of the most well-known translations was done by Isaac Newton. In the Isaac Newton version, the phrases appear written like: “that which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below”.
Modern science has confirmed the concept of As Above, So Below as it has been able to observe galaxies of space, as well as the world of atomic particles, and found surprising similarities between the two. Both consist of particles kept in orbit by the gravity of an energetic core. In this way modern science has confirmed the wisdom of ancient thought.
The phrase in many ways has been popularized by the occult crowd in recent times, who generally view it as being in reference to the correspondence of different planes of existence. Helena P. Blavatsky and others built upon the classic Greek concepts of the microcosm and macrocosm relationship, eclectically infusing it with the other influences, including Kabbalah, and Buddhism. She made use of the phrase several times in her writings, such as in comparing the reflection of the moon upon a lake to how historical figures of previous eras are present in our current thinking, she said:
“As above, so it is below. That which has been, will return again. As in heaven, so on earth.”
Within the context of saying that the planet, like all living beings, will continue to reincarnate before eventually dissolving into an etherealized astral planet, she said:
“As above, so below; harmony is the great law of nature.”
The expression has implications in astrology as well, supporting the idea that what happens to the stars in planets affects our live experiences, including our thoughts and emotions.
It has also been interpreted to mean that since our human body is a microcosmic reflection of the macrocosmic universe, we can learn about the human body by studying the universe and outer space, and vice versa. During palm reading this concept is being explored. Similarly, it can be interpreted as the human body is a microcosmic reflection of nature, as evidenced by the dendritic patterns of our veins and nerve cells, which are similar to patterns found in rivers and trees in nature.
The Kybalion, which was written in 1908 by an anonymous author who went by the pseudonym “The Three Initiates, spread the saying to a larger audience. Its interpretation is consistent with other classical or correspondent interpretations, though with a little more emphasis placed on the role of the mind, as being the primary causative force in the world.
The book describes how there is a harmony and correspondence between the different planes of Manifestation, Life and Being. Everything in the universe comes from the same source, and the same laws and principles applies to everything. It uses the phrase in question in the following sentence:
And yet it is merely a matter of degree—the same Principle is in operation—the Principle of Correspondence manifests in each—”As above, so Below; as Below, so above.”
Given the greater context of the book, I interpret this to mean that everything in the universe is one mind, and that similar to how a man creates mentally before creating tangible results in his life, the universe also creates by first producing a mental concept and then after manifesting it into physical reality.
The saying has influenced Christianity, as the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus were adopted by Christians, who considered him a forerunner of Christianity. In Christian mysticism, the saying is sometimes interpreted to mean that life is composed of two aspects, the physical and the spiritual, and both planes are continually influencing one and other.
Another example of As Above, So Below being expressed or represented is in Eliphas Levi’s
1856 magical treatise titled Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie. The book features artwork portraying Baphomet, and is in rich in symbolism showing the As Above, So Below concept.
The hands pointing up and down imply “as above, so below,” that in these two opposites there is still union. Other dualities include the light and dark moons, the male and female aspects of the figure, and the caduceus.
https://mysteriumacademy.com/what-does-as-above-so-below-mean/
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INTERPRETATION and EXPLANATION of the TABULA SMARAGDINA HERMETIS
This picture, plain and insignificant in appearance,
Concealeth a great and important thing
Yea, it containeth a secret of the kind
That is the greatest treasure in the world.
For what on this earth is deemed more excellent
Than to be a Lord who ever reeketh with gold,
And hath also a healthy body,
Fresh and hale all his life long.
Until the predestined time
That cannot be overstepped by any creature.
All this, as I have stated, clearly
Is contained within this figure.
The separate shields are to be seen,
And on them are eagle, lion, and free star.
And painted in their very midst
Arfully stands an imperial globe.
Heaven and Earth in like manner
Are also placed herein intentionally,
And between the hands outstretched towards each other
Are to be seen the symbols of metals
And in the circle surround the picture
Seven words are to be found inscribed.
Therefore I shall now tell
What each meaneth particularly
And then indicate without hesitation
How it is called by name.
Therein is a secret thing of the Wise
In which is to be found great power.
And how to prepare it will also
Be described in the following:
The three shields together indicate
Sal, Sulphur, and Mercium.
The Sal hath been one Corpus that
Is the very last one in the Art.
The Sulphur henceforth is the soul
Without which the body can do nothing
Mercurius is the spirit of power,
Holding together both body and soul,
Therefore it is called a medium
Since whatever is made without it hath no stability.
For soul and body could not die
Should spirit also be with them.
And soul and spirit could not be
Unless they had a body to dwell in,
And no power had body or spirit
If the soul did not accompany them.
This is the meaning of the Art:
The body giveth form and constancy,
The soul doth dye and tinge it,
The spirit maketh it fluid and penetrateth it.
And therefore the Art cannot be
In one of these three things alone
Nor can the greatest secret exist alone:
It must have body, soul, and spirit.
And now what is the fourth,
From which the three originate
The same names teach thee
And the sevenfold star in the lower shield
The Lion likewise by its colour and power
Showeth its nature and its property.
In the Eagle yellow and white are manifest.
Mark my words well, for there is need of care;
The imperial orb doth exhibit
The symbol of this highest good.
Heaven and earth, four elements,
Fire, light, and water, are therein
The two hands do testify with an oath
The right reason and the true knowledge,
And from what roots are derived
All of the metals and many other things.
Now there remain only the seven words,
Hear further what they mean:
If thou dost now understand this well
This knowledge shall nevermore fail
Every word standeth for a city
Each of which hath but one gate.
The first signfieth gold, is intentionally yellow.
The second for fair white silver.
The third, Mercurius, is likewise grey.
The fourth, for tin, is heaven-blue.
The fifth for iron, is blood-red
The sixth for copper, is true green
The seventh for lead, is black as coal.
Mark what I mean, understand me well
In these city gates, indeed,
Standeth the whole ground of the Art.
For no one city alone can effect anything,
The others must also be close at hand.
And as soon as the gates are closed
One cannot enter any city.
And if they had no gates
Not one thing could they accomplish.
But if these gates are close together
A ray of light appeareth from seven colours.
Shining very brightly together
Their might is incomparable.
Thou canst not find such wonders on earth,
Wherefore hearken unto further particulars:
Seven letters, and seven words,
Seven cities, and seven gates,
Seven times, and seven metals,
Seven days, and seven ciphers
Whereby I mean seven herbs
Also seven arts and seven stones.
Therein stands every lasting art.
Well for him who findeth this.
If this be too hard for thee to understand
Hear me again in a few other particulars.
Truly I reveal to thee
Very clearly and plainly, without hatred or envy,
How it is named with one word
VITRIOL, for him who understandeth it.
If thou wouldst oft figure out
This Cabbalistic way with all diligence,
Seven and fifty in the cipher
Thou findest figured everywhere.
Let not the Work discourage thee,
Understand me rightly, so shalt thou enjoy it,
Besides that, note this fully,
There is a water which doth not make wet.
From it the metals are produced,
It is frozen hard as ice.
A moistened dust, a fuller wind doth raise
Wherein are all qualities.
If thou dost not understand this,
Then I may not name it for thee otherwise.
Now I will instruct thee
How it should be prepared.
There are seven ways for this art,
If thou neglectest any of them thou workest in vain.
But thou must, before all things else, know
Thou hast to succeed in purification.
And although this be twofold,
Thou art in need of one alone.
The first work is freely done by it
Without any other addition,
Without distilling something in it
Simply through its putrefication.
From all of its earthliness
Is everything afterwards prepared.
This first way hath two paths,
Happy is he who goeth on the right path.
The first extendeth through the strength of fire,
With and in itself, note this well.
The second extendeth further
Until one cometh to treasure and to gain.
This is done by dissolving,
And again by saturating, I inform you:
This must be undertaken first of all,
So comest thou to the end of the fine art.
After the whole purification hath been completed
It will be prepared and boiled in the sun
Or in the warm dung of its time
Which extendeth itself very far
Until it become constant and perfect,
And the treasure of the Wise is in it.
The other ways are very subtle
And many mighty ones fail therein,
For here is the purpose of the distillation
And the sublimation of the Wise Men.
The separation of the four elements
Is also called by the Wise Men
Air, water, and rectified fire.
The earth on the ground hath misled many,
Having been deemed a worthless thing,
Although all the power lieth in it.
Some know not how to separate it
From their Cortibus, therefore they fail.
It was cast behind the door,
But the Wise Man taketh it up again,
Purifieth it snow-white and clear:
This is the ground, I say in truth.
But if thou dost wish to separate it,
Note that it is of no little importance,
For if they are not prepared
Then you are in error, that I swear.
Therefore thou must also have some vinegar
Which is revealed to the Wise Men,
Wherewith thou wilt effect the separation,
So that nothing earthly remaineth in it any more,
Till body and soul have to be separated
Otherwise called fire and earth
And after that they are thus purified.
And thereupon followeth the mixture, observe!
And so it cometh to a wondrous strength,
The finished figures with the unfinished.
And if the fire be likewise rightly controlled,
It will be entirely perfect
In much less time than a year.
Now thou hast the entire way in its length
On which are not more than two paths.
From these one soon wandereth and goeth astray,
Else it all standeth clear and plain.
The one is the water of the Wise Men,
Which is the Mercurius alone.
The other is called a vinegar,
And it is known only to a very few.
And this vinegar doth circle
Away from the philosophical iron.
It is Lord Aes whom it maketh glad.
Therefore they have combined so closely
Many hundred forms and names are given
After each hath chosen it.
One way springeth from the true source,
A few have worked on it for a whole year.
But many through their art and craft
Have shortened so long a space of time.
And quickly is the preparation set free
As Alchemy doth point out.
The preparation alone
Maketh this stone great and glorious.
Although there is but one matter
It lacketh nothing else.
But when it is clarified
Its name hath misled many.
However, I have revealed enough to thee
In many ways, forms, and fashions.
There are many names; I say
Let not thyself be misled from the true way.
In their scriptures, the Elders write
That it is a draught, a great poison.
Others call it a snake, a monster,
Which is not costly anywhere
It is common to all men
Throughout the world, to rich and also to poor.
It is the property of the metals
Through which they conquer victoriously.
The same is a perfection
And setteth a golden crown upon it.
Now the practice is completed
For him who understandeth and knoweth the matter.
Only two things more are to be chosen
Which thou wilt find by now
If thou dost follow the right way
And attend carefully to thy work,
The composition is the one
Which the Wise Men kept secret.
The nature of the fire also hath hidden craft;
Therefore its order is another,
With that, one should not deal too much
Or else all execution is lost.
One cannot be too subtle with it.
As the hen hatcheth out the chick
So also shall it be in the beginning,
And time itself will prove it.
For just as the fire is regulated
Will this treasure itself be produced.
Be industrious, constant, peaceful and pious,
And also ask God for His help:
If thou dost obtain that, then always remember
The poor and their needs.
— Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians of the 16th & 17th Centuries
Original book: Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer, aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert
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