The Emerald Tablet

The Emerald tablet occupies an important place in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Alpha Ωmega Rosicrucian Mystery School.

It is also known as the Hermetic Tablet, it's important place in our tradition is for two major reasons.

The first reason being  that its author Hermes Trimegistus, was an important member in the early history of the Western mystery tradition, namely the Alpha Ωmega Rosicrucian mystery School.

His name signifies the thrice great, this is connected with the three differing aspects of the greater wisdom which he possessed.

It also indicates that he witnessed three great events throughout his lifetime: he attended the installation of Akhnaton as the leader of the original Rosicrucian Mystery School.

He assumed this function himself in the time of the transition of this Pharoah, and in 1259 BC he installed Atonamen as his successor.

Whether he wrote it or whether the transmission came from an earlier work matters little as Trismegistus was key in transmitting this knowledge into Europe and igniting the fires of Alchemical research and practice.

According to ancient archives he passed away in 1257 BC Adam monastery in Egypt.

In the second place, this tablet is of considerable mystical significance.

Many authors have surmised that it is a description of the alchemical process which operates continuously within matter ever since its creation.

In it symbolizes instead the slow, progressive spiritual alchemy that enables man to reach perfection.

This is what is written on the Emerald tablet:

But without error, certain and true.

What is below is like what is above.

And that is superior to that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one.

And as all things come from one meditation [is] one, so all things were made from this single adaptation.

Sun is its father, the mother is the moon.

The wind carried it in its belly.

A nurse is the earth.

The father of perfection throughout the world.

Its power is integrating, if it be turned into earth.

Thou shalt separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, sweetly with great industry.

It rises from the earth, the sky, again down to earth, and receives the superior and inferior.

Thus thou hast the glory of the whole of the world.

Drive away all shadows.

This is the whole of the strength of the strong force, for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrate every solid thing.

Thus the world was created.

Hence proceed wonders, which is here.

Therefore am I called Hermes the Thrice Great, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole of the world.

The complete what I said about the operation of the sun.

In Latin:

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 [ sic] unius, sic omnes res natae ab hac una re, adaptatione.

Pater eius est Sol, mater eius est Luna.

Portavit illud ventus in ventre suo.

Nutrix eius terra est.

Pater omnis telesmi totius mundi est hic.

Vis eius integra est, si versa fuerit in terram.

Separabis terram ab igne, subtile ab spisso, suaviter cum magno 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.

Haec est totius fortitudinis fortitudo fortis, quia vincet omnem rem subtilem, omnemque solidam penetrabit.

Sic mundus creatus est.

Hinc erunt adaptationes mirabiles, quarum modus hic est.

Itaque vocatus sum Hermes Trismegistus, habens tres partes philosophiae totius mundi.

Completum est, quod dixi de operatione Solis.

The Emerald Tablet, also known as the Hermetic Tablet, Smaragdine Tablet, or Tabula Smaragdina, is a compact and cryptic piece of the Hermetica reputed to contain the secret of the prima materia and its transmutation.

It was highly regarded by European alchemists as the foundation of their art and its Hermetic tradition.

The text was first translated into Latin in the twelfth century. Numerous translations, interpretations and commentaries followed.

The layers of meaning in the Emerald Tablet have been associated with the creation of the philosopher's stone, as well as with other esoteric ideas.

In abundance, chivalry and truth,

David J Griffin

Imperator HOGD RR+AC