'As above, so below; as below, so above' is the most famous line from the Emerald Tablet and the foundational principle of Hermetic philosophy. It expresses the Principle of Correspondence — the idea that the macrocosm (the cosmos, the divine) and the microcosm (the human being, the soul) are structured according to the same patterns and laws. To understand one is to understand the other; to transform one is to transform the other.
The practical implications of this principle are far-reaching. In astrology (one of the Hermetic arts), the movements of the planets correspond to events and tendencies in human life — not because the planets cause these events, but because both are expressions of the same underlying cosmic patterns. In alchemy, the transformation of metals in the laboratory corresponds to the transformation of the soul in the inner work. In magic, the manipulation of symbols and correspondences in the outer world is understood to affect the inner world, and vice versa.
The principle of correspondence resonates with ideas found in many other traditions. The Hindu teaching that Atman and Brahman are identical — that the innermost self and the ground of all being are one — is a non-dualist version of the same insight. The Taoist teaching that the human being is a microcosm of the Tao — that the same patterns that govern the cosmos govern the human body and mind — is another expression of the same principle. The Hermetic formulation is distinctive in its emphasis on the practical application of this correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'As above, so below' mean?
It means that the patterns of the cosmos are reflected in the human soul, and vice versa — that the macrocosm and microcosm mirror each other. The laws governing the heavens also govern the earth and the human mind.
Where does 'As above, so below' come from?
It comes from the Emerald Tablet, a short alchemical text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. The full line reads: 'That which is above is like that which is below, and that which is below is like that which is above, to accomplish the miracles of the one thing.'