Help! Need an Explanation

[Misguided Angel]

I'm not clear on this at all, as it stands alone, and which is the only way I have ever seen it.

Can someone explain to me what this means:

"As Above, So Below."

Thanks!

[shuvanilu]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism

It is found on The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trimegistus...Actually it translate to "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing". Roughly, it means as we are, so are the gods...as the gods are, so are we. As the microcosm is, so is the macrocosm. I guess you could say it is a pantheistic thought---we are all a part of the Divine, and the Divine is part of each of us. When you see someone making the hand gesture with on hand pointing up and one hand pointing down (ala the Magician in the Tarot), this is what they are indicating. Am I making any sense??---shuvanilu

[Misguided Angel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism
Am I making any sense??---shuvanilu

Ummm, yes! I now understand a lot more than I did five minutes ago! Thanks!

[Lunacie]

Yep, it's a reminder that we are both physical beings and spiritual beings.

[-Sky-]

Very interesting question Misguided Angel!:) I've never though of what exactly the phrase means.It's always great to learn new things!

[Toby Stimpson]

Yep, it means that...as far as I can tell. Althopugh to me it also means reincarnation...as above in life so too below in death...the same thing and the same state.

[~Elise~]

This is an excerpt from class that might help explain it:



The elements are the four building blocks of everything that has physical existence. Each one is associated with a certain direction and various other things. None of the elements exists in a pure form as we know it—Fire needs fuel (Earth) and oxygen (Air) to burn. There is Air within the Water, otherwise the seaweed and fish would die. The Earth is filled with Air and Water…and so on.

These elements being so closely connected, show us the interconnectedness of all things, for as above (macrocosm, the BIG picture/Universe) so below (microcosm, in miniature).

Having said that, there is a Fifth element that binds the physical to the astral/spiritual – Spirit. This element is consciousness, Soul, Ka, essence, call it what you will, it permeates all things in differing degrees and ways. For instance, the healing energies in a crystal or stone are Spirit, the stone is Earth, but they are intermingled and inseparable.

Keep in mind that these elements are in YOU as well – (that ol’ Know Thyself thing again)