Guest Author - Andrea Gardiner, Ph.D.

The Emerald Tablet, as it is named, is the oldest dated document of the Hermetic and Alchemist movement. It is a short text and is said to be authored by the Greek sage Hermes Trismegistus (or Hermes Thrice the Great) who is synonymous with the Egyptian god Thoth. This tablet is famous for the world renowned, philosophical quote, “As above, so below.” This maxim really stems from the translation, "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above, corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing," and exemplifies the central them of the tablet. This theme is displayed in what Hermes describes as the three parts of the wisdom of the whole universe: the Operation of the Sun, the Operation of the Moon, and Operation of the Stars.

The Operation of the Sun described in the tablet is commonly known as alchemy. Although the alchemists made many contributions to the earliest field of chemistry, it was not merely a scientific order but was also one that was shrouded in great esoteric philosophy. The alchemist were mainly known for their pursuit of changing common metals to gold, but their quest of metallic transmutation was really a philosophical investigation into the nature of matter. Via their chemical adventures, the alchemists aimed to understand the various existence of being (physical, spiritual, and mental). Their study of transmutation performed two functions; it served to hide their controversial spiritual philosophy from the Medieval Church as well as aid them in the understanding of the various expression of the One Thing, the Mind, or the All. So just as matter is able to express itself in various stages, so is the One Thing.

The Operation of the Moon, or astrology as it is known, is no different in its spiritual implications. In Hermetic philosophy, astrology is not just the observation of the physical laws in relation to the planet. The laws governing planetary behavior act as symbolism which express the Universal Mind and speaks volumes of the laws that govern the nature of our being. At the core of this study of the planets is the idea that the world above is an accurate reflection of the reality below; as opposed to the more mainstream view of astrology which supposes that the planetary alignments influence the earth.

Operation of the Stars completes the three parts of the wisdom and is known as Theurgy or Divine Magic, according to Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. It is this Hermetic wisdom that underlies magical traditions and practices that involve spirits such as angels or gods. The purpose of this ideal was to attain Divine Consciousness. Although this ideal has been transformed into the practice of invoking of spirits within many religions, its philosophy points to the inherent understanding of the Divine nature of Self. It accomplishes the task of reinforcing the idea that the One Thing is expressed in All.

Although Hermes was complicated and esoteric with his use of language, he was clear in his philosophy. He postulated and declared that there is no separation; it is all one. The three wisdoms he imparted are merely processes designed to reignite within you a simple truth: “As above, so below”.