What is the Emerald Tablet?

The Emerald Tablet is considered one of the most important texts of alchemy, even its founding text. Its name comes from its legend: it was said to have been found in Hermes' tomb. Trismegistus engraved on an emerald plaque. But what does it contain and what does it mean? Decoding.

1. Let's start with Hermes Trismegistus

To fully understand this text, one must first better know its author. Hermes Trismegistus, a "legendary" figure of Antiquity, embodies the fusion between Egyptian tradition and Greek philosophy. His name, meaning "Hermes thrice great," attests to his greatness and wisdom. Hermes is regarded as a wise prophet, endowed with infinite knowledge of the mysteries of the universe (microcosm and macrocosm). He is generally associated with the birth of Hermeticism, an esoteric tradition that combines elements of philosophy, alchemy, astrology, and mysticism.

In esoteric traditions, Hermes is considered the master of magic, alchemy, and sacred writing. He is depicted as a bearded man carrying a staff, a symbol of his spiritual authority and magical power. The earliest references to Hermes Trismegistus date back to Ptolemaic Egypt (between the 4th and 1st centuries BCE), where he was revered as the founder of wisdom and esoteric knowledge.

The writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, notably the Corpus Hermeticum and the Tabula Smaragdina(the Emerald Tablet), include a series of dialogues and philosophical treatises that have exerted a powerful influence on Western esoteric thought. And for good reason: these texts explore themes such as the nature of God, the human soul, cosmology, and the principles of alchemy. They express a vision of the universe as a harmonious system governed by divine laws and encourage the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and inner transformation. It is thus the first and only true text linking the divine and science in its most subtle form.

Although the true identity of Hermes Trismegistus remains a mystery, his spiritual legacy continues to inspire spiritual seekers, occultists, and philosophers who seek to unravel the mysteries of existence and realize their full spiritual potential. According to legend, he hid texts of knowledge in our world that only those worthy can find.

2. What does the Emerald Tablet contain?

Here is the full text, which is rather short but contains a set of symbols related to magic and alchemy.

In original version:

Verum, sine mendacio, certum et verissimum :
Quod est inferius est sicut quod est superius, et quod est superius est sicut quod est inferius, ad perpetranda miracula rei unius.
Et sicut res omnes fuerunt ab uno, meditatione unius, sic omnes res natae ab hac una re, adaptatione.
Pater eius est Sol, mater eius Luna, portavit illud ventus in ventre suo, nutrix eius terra est.
Pater omnis telesmi totius mundi est hic.
Virtus eius integra est si versa fuerit in terram.
Separabis terram ab igne, subtile a spisso, suaviter, magno cum ingenio.
Ascendit a terra in coelum, iterumque descendit in terram, et recipit vim superiorum et inferiorum.
Sic habebis gloriam totius mundi. Ideo fugiet a te omnis obscuritas.
Hic est totius fortitudinis fortitudo fortis, quia vincet omnem rem subtilem, omnemque solidam penetrabit.

In French version:

It is true, without falsehood, certain and most true:
that which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below,
to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
And as all things have been and came from one,
by the mediation of one, thus all things were born from this one thing, by adaptation.
The sun is its father, the moon is its mother,
the wind carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse.
The father of all the telesme of the world is here.
Its strength or power is complete if it is turned into earth.
You will separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the thick gently, with great skill.
 It rises from the earth to the sky, and again it descends to the earth, and it receives the power of the superior and the inferior.
Thus you will have the glory of the whole world; therefore, all obscurity will flee far from you.
It is the strong force of all forces, for it will overcome every subtle thing and penetrate every solid thing.

3. Analysis and explanation

You may recognize famous phrases in this text. Here is a complete explanation of the Emerald Tablet:

1. « It is true, without falsehood, certain and most true » : this introductory phrase states an affirmation of the absolute and indisputable truth of the following text. It establishes the seriousness and authority of the content, inviting the reader to carefully consider the teachings that follow.

2. « That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing » : this phrase expresses the principle of unity and correspondence, a fundamental concept in alchemy and esotericism. It emphasizes that different levels of reality are interconnected and reflect each other, and that understanding this unity allows for extraordinary spiritual and material transformations.

3. « And as all things have been and came from one, through the mediation of one, so all things were born from this one thing, by adaptation » : this phrase reinforces the principle of unity by affirming that all things come from a single source and are interconnected. It also highlights the importance of adaptation and transformation in the process of creation and manifestation of all things.

4. « The sun is its father, the moon is its mother, the wind carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse » : this phrase uses symbolic images to represent the cosmic and elemental forces involved in the process of creation and manifestation. The sun represents light and vitality, the moon receptivity and fertility, the wind movement and transformation, and the earth materialization and nourishment.

5. « The father of all the telesme of the world is here » : this phrase refers to the ultimate goal of alchemy, often symbolized by the philosopher's stone or the telesme, which represents perfection and spiritual completion. It suggests that this goal is present in the principles stated earlier, implying that achieving the philosopher's stone requires a deep understanding of universal unity and correspondence.

6. « Its strength or power is complete if it is converted into earth » : this phrase highlights that the power or energy necessary to achieve the alchemical goal is present in the earth, symbolizing materiality and physical manifestation. This implies that spiritual transformation requires a deep connection with the earthly dimension of existence.

7. « You shall separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross gently, with great skill » : this phrase refers to the alchemical process of separation (the alchemical works) and purification of the elements, requiring patience, precision, and ingenuity. It also emphasizes the importance of working in harmony with the forces of nature to achieve the desired transformations.

8. « It rises from the earth to the sky, and again it descends to the earth, and it receives the strength of the superior and inferior things» : this sentence describes the cyclical movement of energy between the celestial and earthly levels, highlighting the interconnection between the different spheres of existence. It suggests that achieving cosmic unity allows the alchemist to receive the strength of the higher and lower realms, thus facilitating spiritual transformation.

9. « Thus you will have the glory of the whole world; therefore, all darkness will flee far from you » : this sentence expresses the reward of understanding these alchemical principles, namely the glory of the entire universe. It also suggests that knowledge and understanding will dispel all darkness or ignorance, allowing the light to shine fully.

10. « It is the strong force of all forces, for it will overcome every subtle thing and penetrate every solid thing » : this last sentence emphasizes the power and strength of alchemical knowledge. It states that this knowledge is the greatest force, capable of overcoming all obstacles and penetrating all things, both subtle and solid.

It should be known that this text has been extensively studied and translated, the explanation above being one version among those that exist today, based notably on those of John of Seville around 1120 and Philippus Tripolitanus from 1232. Moreover, there is debate about the discovery of this text because several versions were found and then translated from Arabic, which themselves would be translations of a Greek text, which would also be a translation of a Syriac version... That is why several meanings exist today.

4. An Artifact from the City of Atlantis?

A legend says that this text is actually a relic of the sunken city of Atlantis. As a reminder, it is a city very advanced in all aspects compared to the rest of civilization, created and ruled by superior beings. Of course, alchemy would have had its place there, and this text would be a trace of the city's alchemical knowledge. Some even believe that Hermes Trismegistus was an Atlantean, even a spiritual guide of the city, which would explain his great mastery.

5. Alchemy and Beyond

Although considered a foundational text of the alchemical art, this text has also sparked interest in philosophical, artistic, and scientific circles. That is why more or less obvious references can be found in various works if one pays attention. The most famous part being the maxim: "As above, so below; as below, so above", echoed by many alchemists even today.

Thus ends our analysis of this famous alchemical text. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!