The Emerald Tablet of Hermes

Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus was called the Master of all arts and sciences and considered perfect in all crafts as well as majic. He was considered the ruler of the three worlds, a scribe of the Gods, having invented writing, and keeper of the Book of Life or the Emerald Tablet. He is often confused with the Egyptian Toth and the two have been amalgamated into one person through a merging of mythologies. He was said to be the Universal Mind by the Egyptians. While it is difficult at this stage of the game with so many years having passed, to discern the reality of his existence, in all probability there was in actuality a person named Hermes who once lived and was a  great sage and educator.

He was said to have written 20,000 books, an almost impossible figure for one person to have written in one lifetime. A more likely probability is that many books have been attributed to him after the fact. He is said to have revealed wisdom in all the arts and sciences including medicine, chemistry, law, art, astrology, music, magic, philosophy and others.

A story goes whereby Hermes received knowledge from a vision of a “Great Dragon” after seeking solitude in the forest and meditating. Thus having freed the higher consciousness, he sought to find the meaning of the Great Mystery of Life. After asking Hermes the reason why he sought such knowledge, the Truth was finally revealed to him, stating “learn deeply of the Mind and its mystery, for  therein lies the secret of immortality.”

Although we have no documented written sources for the words of Hermes, a few gems of wisdom have been passed down to us. To most the meaning is still obscure, but to the adepts and seekers of truth, it holds tiny sparkling gems of wisdom, not to be taken lightly.

These words were said to be found in the Valley of Ebron, after the Flood and are true words of Hermes:

“I speak not fiction, but what is certain and most true”
“What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below for performing the miracle of one thing”
“And as all things were produced from One by the Mediation of One, so all things are produced from this One thing by adaptation”
“Its father is the Sun, its mother was the Moon, the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the Earth”
“It is the cause of all perfection throughout the whole world”
“Its power is perfect if it be changed into the earth.”
“Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, gently and with judgment.”
“It ascends from earth to heaven, and descends again to earth, thus you will possess the glory of the whole World and all obscurity will fly away.”
“This thing is the fortitude of all fortitude, because it overcomes all subtle things, and penetrates every solid thing.”
“Thus were all things created.”
“Thence proceed wonderful adaptations which are produced in this way.”
“Therefore am I called Hermes Trismegistus, possessing the three parts of the philosophy of the whole World.”
“What I had to say concerning the operation of the Sun is complete.”

Marie (contributing Editor)

Source: Hall, Manly P. (1928) The Secret Teachings of All Ages Philosophical Research Society. Los Angeles, CA.