As Above So Below Meaning: Origins, Bible & Alchemy

The phrase “as above, so below” originates from the Emerald Tablet, a cryptic Hermetic text first preserved in Arabic sources from the late 8th century CE. This principle of correspondence between macrocosm and microcosm has been misunderstood in modern contexts, including false associations with Satanic practices that contradict its non-Satanic esoteric roots.

Origin: Emerald Tablet | First Source: Arabic text (c. 750–1000 CE) | Key Context: Hermeticism | Modern Paraphrase: “As above, so below” | Primary Meaning: Microcosm reflects macrocosm

What does ‘as above so below’ mean?

The phrase “as above, so below” is a modern paraphrase of the second verse of the Emerald Tablet, a cryptic Hermetic text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, the syncretic figure combining Greek Hermes and Egyptian Thoth. The principle implies correspondence between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual), representing a core Hermetic concept of unity between divine and earthly realms.

Core Hermetic principle

The Emerald Tablet, though mythical in its description as a physical emerald inscribed by an ancient king, is actually a poem or incantation preserved through Arabic recensions dating to the late 8th or early 9th century CE. Medieval commentators like Hortulanus viewed the Tablet as foundational for alchemical instructions aimed at producing the philosopher’s stone.

Microcosm and macrocosm connection

This correspondence doctrine holds that what exists on one plane of existence affects another. Emanuel Swedenborg, the 18th-century Swedish philosopher, later developed similar correspondence theories between spiritual and material planes. The Latin original reads: “Quod est superius est sicut quod inferius, et quod inferius est sicut quod superius.”

What is the biblical meaning of As above, so below?

While no direct biblical verse contains the exact phrase “as above, so below,” the concept finds echoes in Matthew 6:10 from the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This reflects the same divine will unity expressed differently in Hermetic philosophy.

Similarities to Matthew 6:10

The Message paraphrase of this verse reads: “Set the world right; do what’s best—as above, so below.” Scholars note that both concepts express unity between heavenly and earthly realms, though the Hermetic text emphasizes macro-micro correspondence while the Biblical passage focuses on prayer for alignment with divine will.

Differences from Hermetic text

The Gospel of Philip from the Nag Hammadi library contains a possible early parallel: “I came to make the things below like the things above, and the things outside like those inside.” However, direct quotations in the Bible remain absent—only interpretive parallels exist.

“That which is above is like to that which is below, and that which is below is like to that which is above.” — Early English translation of Emerald Tablet

Is ‘as above so below’ a satanic phrase?

No verified Satanic Bible references directly quote or endorse the Emerald Tablet. LaVeyan Satanism inverts Christian symbols but draws from diverse occult sources without primary Hermetic reliance. The associations between “as above, so below” and Satanic practices stem from modern occult misinterpretations, not Hermetic sources.

Associations with Baphomet

The goat-headed deity Baphomet, popularized by Eliphas Lévi in the 19th century, sometimes appears with this phrase. However, the Emerald Tablet predates these associations by over a millennium, and no original Hermetic texts link the phrase to Satanism.

Modern occult misconceptions

The Kybalion, published in 1908 by figures possibly including William W. Atkinson (1862–1932), popularized “as above, so below” in modern occultism, linking it to the mentalism principle. This 20th-century revival detached the phrase from its original alchemical context, contributing to contemporary misunderstandings.

What does ‘As Above, So Below’ mean in alchemy?

In alchemical philosophy, “as above, so below” describes the unity of higher and lower realms, guiding practitioners in understanding how transformation in one domain mirrors change in another. The Emerald Tablet’s legend involves Balīnūs discovering it in a crypt beneath a Hermes statue, held by an old man, introducing the sulphur-mercury theory of metals.

Role in alchemical philosophy

Medieval alchemists interpreted the Tablet as a guide for spiritual purification, metaphorically turning the base soul into enlightened gold. The text summarizes “three parts of the philosophy of the whole world” per Hermes, and became foundational in medieval Islamic alchemy before influencing European Renaissance traditions.

Emerald Tablet reference

The Tablet’s ambiguity classifies it as ancient wisdom literature foundational to chemistry origins. Hortulanus and other medieval commentators saw it as providing instructions for producing the philosopher’s stone, though modern scholars recognize its symbolic rather than practical guidance.

What religion says ‘as above, so below’?

The phrase roots in Hermeticism, a philosophical tradition not exclusive to one religion. Hermes Trismegistus, the attributed author, combines Greek and Egyptian elements, reflecting the syncretic nature of Hermetic texts. Arabic Muslims by the 10th century identified Hermes with prophet Idris, elevating Hermetica to prophetic status within Islamic tradition.

Hermeticism and related traditions

Hermeticism influenced early Christianity and later New Age movements. The 42 books of Hermetica preserve this wisdom tradition. The phrase appears in Masonic contexts, occult practices, and various esoteric traditions, though its origin remains Hermetic rather than religious-specific.

Not exclusive to one religion

Modern New Age and occult uses stem from 20th-century revivals like The Kybalion, with the phrase now appearing across spiritual movements including witchcraft, Masonry, and meditation practices. Regional interpretations vary: Islamic tradition identifies Hermes as Idris, while European alchemy developed separate frameworks.

“As below so above, and as above so below. This is the miracle of all things being One.” — Emerald Tablet translation

The Emerald Tablet’s dictum ‘as above, so below’ bridges macrocosm and microcosm through alchemy, with Hermetic origin analysis unpacking its Hermetic roots alongside biblical echoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

For further exploration, see our related article on lunar classification and history analysis of religious hymns.