One of the most well-known esoteric phrases in spiritual philosophy is:
“As above, so below; as within, so without.”
This ancient wisdom comes from a mystical document known as the Emerald Tablet, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus a mythical figure who embodied the fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and alchemical knowledge. His teachings gave rise to a spiritual science called Hermeticism, which has influenced astrology, alchemy, Kabbalah, quantum metaphysics, and even modern psychology.
But what does this phrase really mean and how does it relate to the body, the cosmos, and consciousness?
What Is Hermeticism?
Hermeticism is an ancient spiritual and philosophical system that views the universe as interconnected, intelligent, and reflective. Rather than separating the material and spiritual worlds, Hermeticism teaches that everything is part of a unified field of consciousness, layered through dimensions, principles, and patterns.
At the core of Hermetic thought are the Seven Hermetic Principles, such as:
- Mentalism: All is mind
- Correspondence: As above, so below
- Vibration: Everything moves and vibrates
- Polarity: Everything has opposites and duality
- Rhythm: All flows in cycles
- Cause & Effect: Nothing happens by chance
- Gender: Everything contains masculine and feminine principles
These laws describe both the structure of the universe and the inner workings of consciousness.
The Emerald Tablet & “As Above, So Below“
The Emerald Tablet is a short but potent Hermetic text, often seen as a blueprint for alchemical transformation, cosmic understanding, and spiritual mastery.
The famous 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.”
This means that the macrocosm (the universe, cosmos, divine) is mirrored in the microcosm (you, your body, your thoughts) and vice versa. Microcosm = Macrocosm: The Body and the Universe. Just as the stars and planets move in patterns, so do the organs, cells, and chakras within the human being. Ancient systems like astrology, Chinese medicine, and Kabbalah are based on this principle: that we are a fractal reflection of the cosmos.
The brain is like the sky: vast, electric, filled with stars (neurons)
The heart is like the sun: radiating life force to every cell
The spine is like the Tree of Life: a ladder of awakening
The breath mirrors the rhythm of the tides and the moon. Chakras align with planetary archetypes and cosmic laws. In Hermeticism, self-knowledge is cosmic knowledge. To study the self is to study God.
How This Connects to the Quantum Realm
Modern science and quantum theory echo these Hermetic truths:
Quantum entanglement shows that everything is connected beyond space and time
The holographic universe theory suggests that each part contains the whole
Observer effect shows that consciousness interacts with reality
The ancient Hermeticists knew what we are now rediscovering: the universe is not separate from us. It lives through us. When we heal internally, the outer world reflects it. When we elevate our frequency, reality reorganizes to match it.
Practical Reflection: Living “As Above, So Below
- Meditate on your breath as a rhythm of the universe
- Practice mirror work or self-inquiry: What’s happening within that you see outside?
- Align with cosmic cycles (moon phases, astrology transits) as reflections of your internal shifts
- Recognize every relationship as a mirror
- View your physical body as sacred architecture
When you embody this Hermetic truth, you begin to walk between worlds the mystical and the physical knowing that transformation is possible from either side.
“As above, so below” is not just a phrase it’s a spiritual code. One that teaches us to look inward for divine truth, and outward for divine reflection.