Smaragdine Tablet of Hermes
Published by Campbell M Gold in Esoteric · Sunday 16 Jun 2024
Tags: Smaragdine, Tablet, Mysterious, Secrets, Esoteric, Alchemical, Practices, Prima, materia, Transmutation, Intriguing, Blog, Post
Tags: Smaragdine, Tablet, Mysterious, Secrets, Esoteric, Alchemical, Practices, Prima, materia, Transmutation, Intriguing, Blog, Post
That which is above is as that which is below, and that which is below is as that which is above.
The text of the Smaragdine Tablet forms the foundation philosophy of Existential Esotericism, so now is an excellent time to review it - as we enter this universal cycle of new beginnings (01 Mar 2024)...
The "Smaragdine Tablet," or the "Emerald Tablet" or "Tabula Smaragdina," is a cryptic piece of Hermetic text. It is steeped in mystery and believed to hold the secret of the "prima materia" (the fundamental element) and its transmutation, which forms the foundation of esoteric and alchemical traditions. The tablet is attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary Hellenistic figure who embodies a fusion of the Greek God Hermes and the Egyptian God Thoth. Understanding the historical context of this enigmatic text is essential to genuinely grasping its significance in the evolution of alchemy and the experiential development of individual consciousness.
The term “Emerald” in the Emerald Tablet symbolises the perceived value and wisdom of the text, much like how an emerald is treasured as a precious gemstone. In esoteric existentialism, green is linked to life, renewal, and nature, mirroring the alchemical transformation and renewal described in the text. The actual tablet was not made of emerald - the wisdom it imparts is considered invaluable. This esoteric symbolism of the "Emerald" in the text enriches its teachings with profound metaphorical depth, inviting the reader to delve deeper into its hidden meanings.
"True, without error, certain and most true; that which is above is as that which is below, and that which is below is as that which is above, for performing the miracle of the One thing; and as all things were from ONE, by the meditation of ONE, so all things arose from this ONE thing by adoption; the father of it is the sun, the mother of it is the moon; the wind carries it in its belly; the nurse thereof is the earth.
This is the father of all perfection or the consummation of the whole world.
The power of it is integral if it be turned into earth. Thou shalt separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, gently with much sagacity; it ascends from earth to heaven, and again descends to earth: and receives the strength of the superiors and of the inferiors - so Thou hast the glory of the whole world; therefore let all obscurity flee before thee.
This is the strongest fortitude of all fortitudes, overcoming every subtle and penetrating every solid thing.
So the world was created. Hence were all wonderful adaptions of which this is the manner.
Therefore am I called Thrice Greatest Hermes, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. That which I have written is consummated concerning the operation of the sun."
This powerful and transformative description of the world's creation and operation encapsulates the grandeur and significance of the Smaragdine Tablet.
C.G. Jung connected The Emerald Tablet with a green stone table in one of his dreams and visions, leading to his writing "Seven Sermons to the Dead" (1916).
The earliest documented source for the tablet's text is the "Kitab Sirr al-Asrar" (The Book of the Science of Government) by Shaikh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, which dates back to 1078-1166 AD. Shaikh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani was a renowned Sunni Hanbali preacher.
Hermes Trismegistus, also known as "Thrice-Greatest Hermes," was the name of the Egyptian Thoth or Tehuti, the God of learning, wisdom, and literature. Hermes was believed to be the author of the books carried in the sacred processions of Egypt, documenting ancient events and mysteries. According to Clemens of Alexandria, a Christian writer of the Second and Third centuries, these books were considered "late concoctions" and of "Greek manufacture."
Clemens listed the following books:
It is believed that the books should not be considered authentic relics from ancient Egyptian history. It is claimed that there were forty-two "Hermetic" books, thirty-six of which were studied by the Ministers of Religion, and the remaining six containing medical treatises, examined by the Pastophori, or Shrine-Bearers.
Tablet text is in italics, and commentary is regular.
The Text
"True, without error, certain and most true;"
This declares that what the student is exposed to on the tablet is not just another "Truth" but "Reality."
"that which is above is as that which is below, and that which is below is as that which is above,"
This is probably the most importantyet one of the most straightforward principles relative to the Esoteric World. Things above—the Etheric Plane—are as below—the Physical Plane. What that means, in reality, is that we can understand the Etheric Plane by considering the Physical Plane.
Various well-known figures, including Trithemius, Roger Bacon, Chrysogonus Polydorus, Nuremberg, Georgio Beato, Michael Maier, Aleister Crowley, Albertus Magnus, and Isaac Newton, have discussed and translated the Smaragdine Tablet of Hermes.
- The two books of Hermes, which the Chanter carried.
- The four astronomical books of Hermes were carried by the Horoscopus, who also carried a sundial and palm.
- An undesignated book carried by the Hierogrammatus, who also carried ink and a reed.
- The ten books relating to the 'ceremonies of worship' carried out by the Stolist.
- The ten books concerning the Gods and the education of the Priests, which the Prophet was bound to learn.
Iamblicus attributes around 20,000 books to Hermes and states that Manetho has ascribed 36,525 books to him.
This last number corresponds to the total years in Egyptian chronology in the Ancient Chronicles, calculated by multiplying the 1461 years of the Canicular Cycle by 25. This suggests that it is the "mystical mode" of computing the number of books of Hermes of late date.
Basic Commentary
The same associations, hierarchies, and life principles in the Etheric Plane are mirrored in the Physical Plane. So, in reality, we do not have to look "up" for "God;" we only have to look "within."
"for performing the miracle of the One Thing;"
The "Miracle of the One Thing" is the expansion and transmutation of personal existence by personal experience on the "Physical" and "Etheric Planes."
"and as all things were from ONE,"
The "ONE" refers to the Source that emanates the Universal Life-Force Energy (ULFE) - the source of all existence.
"by the meditation of ONE,"
The Harmonic creation of Existence by the Source's "will to experience."
"so all things arose from this ONE thing by adoption;"
The subsequent Life Force-Energy (ULFE) division manifested from the Source through the Primary Soul Group (PSG) into its component bands and harmonics. Thus, the vibrations and symbols that condense into all existent entities - both animate and inanimate - are produced.
"the father of it is the sun,"
The Traditional Objective Element of Fire and the Spirit Plane.
"the mother of it is the moon;"
The Traditional Objective Element of Air and the Astral Plane.
"the wind carries it in its belly;"
The Element of Water and the Etheric Plane.
"the nurse thereof is the earth"
This is the Element of Earth and the Physical Plane. The preceding describes the migration of existence (you) as it migrates through the planes—spirit (Conscious), Astral (Mental), Hermetic (Etheric), and Physical. Thus, the individual gains the desired Expansion of Existence through personal Experience.
"This is the father of all perfection,"
The methodology whereby an existent being can expand its conscious existence to the infinite level of the Source (No-Thing).
"or the consummation of the whole world."
This is the purpose of the Planar System in general and the purpose of the Etheric/Physical Plane relationship in particular.
"The power of it is integral if it be turned into earth."
The finer energy of the Spirit, Astral, and Etheric Planes must be channelled through the transmuting environment of the Physical Plane so that beings can expand the ULFE energy, Vibration, and Symbols through a personal conscious experience. The planes and bodies (Spirit, Astral, Etheric, and Physical) work harmoniously concerning this operation.
"Thou shalt separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, gently with much sagacity;"
This describes understanding the Lower Self - The Earth/Water, and the Higher Self - The Fire/Air. The Lower Self corresponds to the Elements of Earth and Water - the Physical and Emotional. The Higher Self corresponds to the Elements of Fire - the principle of mentalisation, and Air - the Sensation of Mental and Spiritual. The purpose of an Earth Plane life-cycle is to bring into balance the higher and Lower selves through Earth Plane experiences (3 Dimensions + 5 Senses).
"it ascends from earth to heaven, and again descends to earth:"
The energies flow in both directions - up as well as down.
"and receives the strength of the superiors and of the inferiors"
Both planes benefit from this movement of entities, energy, and life force between the Physical and Etheric Planes. Entities that cycle within the Physical Plane can elect to accept guidance from entities within the Etheric Plane. Conversely, entities within the Etheric Plane who do not wish to cycle through the Physical Plane experience can remain in the Etheric Plane and gain the experience of the Physical Plane vicariously. This vicarious transfer is effected through agreement with those who elect to experience life cycle incarnations within the earth plane. This 'vicarious transfer' is the foundation of God-based hierarchies, epistemological archetypes, systems, and guide activity.
"so Thou hast the glory of the whole world;"
This allows the flow of energy from the Source as Universal Life Force Energy (ULFE), which can be used by all entities on all planes without any attenuation, loss, or distortion of that energy.
"therefore let all obscurity flee before thee."
Use this reality to understand the esoteric universe and dispel all falsehoods that may creep in. Use this reality to create your own personal archetype, system, and reality within which you will operate.
"This is the strongest fortitude of all fortitudes, overcoming every subtle and penetrating every solid thing."
This is the reality of operating with Universal Life-Force Energy.
"So the world was created."
All reality, particularly reality in the physical plane, is created this way.
"Hence were all wonderful adaptions of which this is the manner."
All evolution and development are harmonic adaptions from the Universal Life-Force Energy (ULFE) flowing through the Primary Soul Group (PSG), and all realities can and will exist within that relative spectrum of refracted ULFE energy.
"Therefore am I called Thrice Greatest Hermes,"
Hermes Trismegistus - This was the name given to the Egyptian Thoth or Tehuti, the God of learning, wisdom, and literature.
"having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world."
This refers to the three parts of man's existence - Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.
"That which I have written is consummated concerning the operation of the sun."
The sun represents the energy flowing from the Source as Universal Life-Force Energy (ULFE).
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