As Above, So Below: Interpretations
The phrase “As above, so below” is one of the most profound and enduring maxims in philosophy, spirituality, and esoteric thought.
It expresses the belief that the universe is interconnected—that the patterns, energies, and principles that govern the heavens are reflected on Earth, and within the human soul. This idea, rooted in ancient Hermeticism, suggests that by understanding the microcosm (the self and the material world), one can also understand the macrocosm (the universe and the divine). It is a concept that bridges science, spirituality, and mysticism, revealing a deep unity that binds all existence together.
Origins in Hermetic Philosophy
The phrase comes from the Emerald Tablet, a mysterious text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, the mythical founder of Hermetic philosophy. The full quote reads:
“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.”
In Hermeticism, this statement reflects the belief that the cosmos operates according to universal laws that are mirrored in all planes of reality. The divine realm, the celestial bodies, nature, and human consciousness are not separate but expressions of the same creative force. To the Hermetic philosophers of ancient Egypt and later Renaissance alchemists, this principle was the key to understanding the mysteries of creation and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
The Microcosm and the Macrocosm
Central to the idea of “As above, so below” is the correspondence between the microcosm (the small world of the individual) and the macrocosm (the vast world of the universe). Human beings were seen as reflections of the cosmos—each organ, emotion, and thought corresponding to elements, planets, and divine principles. For example, in astrology, the movements of the planets were thought to mirror inner psychological patterns, while in alchemy, the transformation of base metals into gold symbolized the spiritual purification of the soul.
This belief fostered the idea that the divine could be known through self-knowledge. If humans are a reflection of the universe, then by turning inward, one could come to understand the workings of the cosmos and even the nature of God. This unity between inner and outer worlds became a foundation for many mystical traditions, including Kabbalah, Gnosticism, and later occult systems.
Spiritual and Philosophical Meaning
Spiritually, “As above, so below” teaches that the material world is not separate from the divine but an expression of it. Everything in existence is sacred, and every event—no matter how small—echoes the larger rhythms of the cosmos. It invites people to see the world as a living, interconnected system, where thoughts, emotions, and actions resonate through both visible and invisible realms.
Philosophically, the phrase also emphasizes balance and harmony. The heavens represent order, perfection, and divine wisdom; the Earth represents material reality and human experience. When the two are aligned, one achieves a state of wholeness. This harmony is reflected in nature’s cycles, in the balance of opposites such as light and dark, and in the union of spirit and matter.
The Tree of Life as a Map of the Cosmos
In Kabbalah, the Tree of Life is not merely a mystical diagram — it is a blueprint of creation. It shows how divine energy flows from the infinite, unknowable source (Ein Sof) into the manifest world.
The Tree is divided into ten spheres, called Sephiroth, which represent different aspects of God, reality, and consciousness. These range from the highest spiritual realm to the physical plane:
1. Kether – The Crown, pure divine unity (the “Above”)
2. Chokmah – Wisdom
3. Binah – Understanding
4. Chesed – Mercy
5. Gevurah – Severity
6. Tiphereth – Beauty (the harmony point, the heart)
7. Netzach – Victory
8. Hod – Splendour
9. Yesod – Foundation (the bridge to manifestation)
10. Malkuth – The Kingdom, the physical world (the “Below”)
Energy descends the Tree from Kether to Malkuth, becoming increasingly material and dense — yet every lower sphere still contains the essence of the divine above it.
This is the living structure of “As above, so below”: what is divine and immaterial at the top is mirrored in the material and human at the bottom.
The Descent and Return of Divine Energy
The Tree of Life expresses a two-way current:
• Descent: from spirit into matter (divine creation and manifestation).
• Ascent: from matter back to spirit (spiritual awakening and return to the Source).
In Hermetic language, “as above” refers to the divine pattern in Kether, and “so below” refers to its manifestation in Malkuth. Everything that exists in the physical realm is a reflection of a higher archetype — a shadow or echo of a spiritual reality.
For example:
• A human being (Malkuth) mirrors divine consciousness (Kether).
• The human soul (Tiphereth) reflects the beauty and balance of the divine heart.
• Every creative act on Earth repeats the cosmic act of creation above.
Thus, the Tree of Life embodies the Hermetic axiom — the microcosm reflects the macrocosm.
Baphomet and the Tree of Life
Eliphas Lévi was not only a Hermeticist but also a student of Kabbalah. His drawing of Baphomet, which we discussed earlier, represents the same principle shown in the Tree of Life.
Baphomet’s upward and downward hands signify the connection between:
• Kether (Above) – divine illumination, the flame between the horns.
• Malkuth (Below) – the Earth, matter, and physical existence.
Between them flows the Middle Pillar, the path of balance that runs vertically through the Tree: Kether → Tiphereth → Yesod → Malkuth. This is the axis of equilibrium — the line of light through which divine energy descends and ascends.
In this sense, Baphomet can be seen as a symbolic guardian or living representation of the Tree itself:
• The torch between the horns corresponds to Kether.
• The heart or caduceus aligns with Tiphereth (Beauty, the heart of the Tree).
• The earthly base or sitting posture connects to Malkuth.
Together, they form the vertical channel of divine communication — the Hermetic bridge of “As above, so below.”
The Human as a Reflection of the Tree
In both Hermetic and Kabbalistic thought, the human being is a miniature Tree of Life — a microcosm of the divine cosmos.
• The mind reflects the upper Sephiroth (Kether–Binah).
• The heart reflects the middle (Tiphereth).
• The body reflects the lower (Yesod–Malkuth).
Thus, when a person balances their inner forces — intellect, emotion, and action — they mirror the divine harmony of the Tree itself.
To “raise one’s consciousness” up the Tree is to awaken to divine unity, just as the maxim teaches: the same laws that shape the stars also shape the soul.
The Spiritual Message
When we unite the teachings of “As above, so below”, the Tree of Life, and Lévi’s symbolism, a single truth emerges:
• The divine and the earthly are not separate realms but two expressions of one eternal source.
• The Tree of Life is the structure that connects them.
• The Hermetic initiate (or seeker) becomes the bridge — awakening the divine within to transform the world without.
Or, in poetic form:
“The roots of the Tree are in Earth,
its branches reach toward Heaven,
and in its trunk flows the light of creation—
the living path between above and below.”
Eliphas Levi and the Baphomet
Eliphas Lévi’s famous drawing connects directly to the Hermetic maxim “As above, so below” both symbolically and philosophically.
The image below refers to Lévi’s illustration of Baphomet, created in the 19th century and published in his 1854 book Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie (Doctrine and Ritual of High Magic). Though often misunderstood or misrepresented, the drawing is actually a rich visual expression of Hermetic and alchemical principles—and “As above, so below”lies at its very heart.
The Gesture of Baphomet
At the centre of Lévi’s drawing, Baphomet—a winged, goat-headed figure with both male and female features—raises one hand upward and points the other downward. Between the horns shines a torch symbolizing divine illumination. This dual gesture perfectly embodies the Hermetic axiom “As above, so below.”
• The right hand, pointing upward, signifies the spiritual realm, the heavens, and higher consciousness—the “above.”
• The left hand, pointing downward, represents the material realm, the Earth, and the physical plane—the “below.”
• The alignment of both gestures shows that these two realms mirror each other; the divine and material are reflections of one truth.
Lévi himself explained that Baphomet’s hands express the reconciliation of opposites, writing:
“The sign of the pentagram above and below… shows the harmony of mercy and justice.”
This is essentially the Hermetic teaching of correspondence: that all planes of reality operate under the same universal laws.
Symbolism and Unity of Opposites
Every element in Lévi’s Baphomet reinforces the idea of cosmic balance and correspondence:
• Androgyny – Baphomet is both male and female, representing the union of opposites (sun and moon, active and passive). This mirrors the Hermetic ideal of balance within all creation.
• Caduceus – The twin serpents around the figure’s abdomen symbolize the dual currents of energy (positive and negative, or spiritual and physical) that intertwine and rise toward enlightenment.
• Torch Between the Horns – The flame of consciousness illuminates both realms, showing that divine wisdom bridges heaven and earth.
• Wings and Earthly Form – The combination of angelic and animal traits reminds us that spirit and matter are not separate forces, but complementary aspects of existence.
Together, these symbols visually express the Hermetic worldview: that all things are reflections of one divine unity—the “One Thing” mentioned in the Emerald Tablet.
Lévi’s Hermetic Message
Eliphas Lévi was deeply influenced by Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and alchemy, and his image of Baphomet was never intended as a symbol of evil. Instead, he saw it as an allegory of balance, a diagram of the cosmos itself.
His depiction shows that enlightenment comes from understanding the relationship between the spiritual and the material—between “above” and “below.” To Lévi, the true magician or initiate seeks to harmonise these forces within themselves, achieving spiritual wholeness through inner balance.
Eliphas Lévi’s Baphomet is, in many ways, the living embodiment of “As above, so below.”
• Its upward and downward gestures literally depict the phrase.
• Its androgynous, balanced form symbolizes the union of opposites.
• Its torch of light and caduceus represent the transformative flow between heaven and earth.
Through this image, Lévi was teaching a Hermetic truth: the divine is reflected in the material, and the material is sanctified by the divine. By understanding the harmony between the two, humanity can transcend duality and approach the unity of all creation.
Influence on Modern Thought
The principle of “As above, so below” continues to influence modern spirituality, psychology, and science. In Jungian psychology, for instance, the concept of synchronicity—the meaningful connection between internal states and external events—echoes this Hermetic idea. In ecology, the understanding that all life forms are interdependent reflects the same holistic vision. Even in modern physics, theories such as fractals and holographic universes suggest that patterns repeat across scales, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy.
As Above, So Below. Within and without, Light and Dark, Yin and Yang. Life in balance.
“As above, so below” is far more than a mystical saying—it is a timeless truth that expresses the unity of all creation. It reminds us that the divine and the earthly, the spiritual and the physical, are not separate but intertwined aspects of one vast reality. When we look to the stars, we see reflections of ourselves; when we look within, we find the universe. To live by this principle is to recognize that every thought, action, and breath participates in the great cosmic dance. It is an invitation to harmony, self-discovery, and reverence for the sacred connection between heaven and Earth.
