Have you ever heard the saying “as above so below”? If you are magically inclined, it's likely you have, as it's become a popular saying on social media, and among those who follow the path. But are you aware of where this saying originated?

Over the next few paragraphs I'm going to discuss the origins of this phrase, explain its deeper meaning and give an overview of Hermeticism and other Hermetic teachings from which this phrase originated.

So what exactly is Hermeticism?

Hermeticism, is a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, known to the Ancient Egyptians as Thoth.

Hermeticism and its writings date to at least the first century B.C.E., and the texts we possess today were all written prior to the second century C.E. The surviving writings of the tradition are known as the Corpus Hermeticum (the Hermetic body of writings) or the Hermetica.

The influence of this sacred doctrine is vast and there are even profound, significant links between the teachings of the Law of Attraction and the wisdom contained in the Hermetic Principles.

The seven Hermetic Principles

“The principles of truth are seven; He who knows these, understandingly, possesses the magic key before whose touch all the doors of the temple fly open.” – The Kybalion

The seven Hermetic principles, taught by Thoth, are believed to govern our material and spiritual life.

Whether Thoth was an actual god or a wise man we do not know. But what is certain is that the wisdom imparted in the seven Hermetic principles has stood the test of time.

Some occultist believe that knowing these principles, shall open your insights to the deeper spiritual nature of reality.

The principles are as follows.

1. The Principle of Mentalism

“The all is mind; the universe is mental.”

2. The Principle of Correspondence

“As above, so below, as below, so above. As within, so without, as without, so within.”

3. The Principle of Vibration

“Nothing rests; Everything moves; Everything vibrates.”

4. The Principle of Polarity

“Everything is dual, everything has poles and everything has its pair of opposites; Like and unlike are the same; Opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; Extremes meet; All truths, are but half-truths; All paradoxes may be reconciled.”

5. The Principle of Rhythm

“Everything flows, out and in; Everything has its tides; All things rise and fall.”

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect

“Every cause has its effect; Every effect has its cause.”

7. The Principle of Gender

“Gender is in everything; Everything has its masculine and feminine principles.”

It is believed that when you understand and practice the seven Hermetic principles, you will become more aware of yourself and the reality you exist in.

As above so below

One of The sacred texts that has been incorporated into the Hermetica is The Emerald Tablets of Thoth, and it is from these sacred tablets that the phrase "As above, so below." came.

The actual text of that maxim, as translated by Dennis W. Hauck, is:
"That which is below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the one thing"

So what does this mean exactly?

There are many interpretations of this phrase, and most, if not all are of value.

One of the more straightforward interpretations of this phrase is you get back what you put out (as without so within) for example, if you wish to reach a level of mastery in any given topic, but fail to conduct the relevant research or experiments needed to understand the field of your interest, it's highly unlikely that you, as an individual will reach your desired mastery. It's the same with words. If all you do is speak negatively to others, likelihood is, they will speak negatively back.

But there are also deeper levels of knowledge and understanding in these words.

Many people in occult circles believe the phrase “as above so below" expresses the concept of the microcosm and the macrocosm, meaning that smaller systems, such as the human body, are miniature versions of larger systems, such as the universe, and that by making a conscious effort to understand the smaller systems, in theory, you can understand the larger ones, and vice versa. Thus unlocking the keys that govern the reality we live in.

This interpretation suggests that what happens on one level of reality, also happens on every other level, meaning the microcosm and the macrocosm behave alike.

A simple example of this is individual or domestic ills (such as struggling to make a living) can result from larger societal ills (such as poorly run governments)

How Hermeticism has had an influenced

Hermeticism and it's writings have had a great influence on western esoteric traditions, much of the its importance arises from its connection with the development of science during the time from 1300 to 1600 AD.

The idea of influencing or controlling nature led many scientists to look to magic and its allied arts (e.g., alchemy, astrology). Consequently, it was the practical aspects of Hermetic writings that attracted the attention of many scientists, most notably Isaac Newton.

Isaac Newton placed great faith in the concept of an unadulterated, pure, ancient doctrine which he studied vigorously to aid his understanding of the physical world.

Much of what are known as Isaac Newton's occult studies can largely be attributed to his study of alchemy, some of his writings even suggest that one of his goals in perusing the field of alchemy may have been to discover the philosopher's stone (a material believed to turn base metals into gold), and perhaps to a lesser extent, the highly coveted Elixir of Life.

Arthur Edward Waite co-creator of the Rider-Waite tarot deck was also a student of the Hermetica and wrote extensively on the subject. He was also a member and later the head of the Golden Dawn, and wrote The Hermetic Museum and The Hermetic Museum Restored and Enlarged. Arthur Edward Waite considered himself to be a Hermeticist and was instrumental in adding the word "Hermetic" to the official title of the Golden Dawn. Think about that next time to use the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. They are covered in hermetic influence.

Sir Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Copernicus, William Shakespeare, John Dee, Francis Bacon and George Washington (just to name a few)- all were all initiates of the hermetic traditions.

Human beings have a unique place in the Divine pattern because of our Will. We have the ability to aspire to the Divine, and this we must do in order to attain to the Divine.

A seeker must want to find. A philosopher must desire to know. And furthermore, she or he must use the power of Will to accomplish this.

Tobias Churton, Occult author and Professor of Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter, states

"The Hermetic tradition was both moderate and flexible, offering a tolerant philosophical religion, a religion of the (omnipresent) mind, a purified perception of God, the cosmos, and the self, and much positive encouragement for the spiritual seeker, all of which the student could take anywhere."

And as a student of the old Hermetic texts, I couldn't agree more.

I hope that the above has shed some light on the old Hermetic teachings and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Remember, knowledge is power, do with it what you will.

The Hermetica