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The Emerald Tablet Of Hermes & The Kybalion: Two Classic Books on Hermetic Philosophy
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes first appeared in the Alchemical Libraries of Europe during the 12th Century. Traveling home with the Crusaders, this seminal work is alleged to be written by Hermes Trismegistus-Thoth. The work deeply influenced Western Magick, and the tenets presented influence modern magick to this day. The Kybalion was first published by The Yogi Publication Society of the Masonic Temple in Chicago in 1912. The authors of The Kybalion chose to remain anonymous, because the principles and philosophy are a summation of theTimeless Wisdom and Truth of the Hemetic Philosophy.
122 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2008
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About the author
Hermes Trismegistus
390 books441 followersHermes Trismegistus (Ancient Greek: Ἑρμῆς ὁ Τρισμέγιστος, "thrice-greatest Hermes"; Latin: Mercurius ter Maximus) is the purported author of the Hermetic Corpus, a series of sacred texts that are the basis of Hermeticism.
Alternate names: Hermès Trismégiste, Hermes Trismegistro, Hermes Trimegistro, Hermes Trismegisto, Hermes Trimegisto.
Alternate names: Hermès Trismégiste, Hermes Trismegistro, Hermes Trimegistro, Hermes Trismegisto, Hermes Trimegisto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 1, 2012
You don't find this book, it finds you.
June 21, 2024
*This rating and review concerns The Emerald Tablets of Thoth.
The much contested and somewhat mythical teachings that brought about the expansion of the main precepts of the Hermetic Philosophical theory.
In this slim volume, translations and commentary are provided from numerous sources and the rest of the process of understanding, coupling, and synergizing the 'commandments' type truths are left to the faculties of the astute observer. An excerpt is given here...
"[Translation of Isaac Newton c. 1680]
1) Tis true without lying, certain & most true.
2) That which is below is like that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to do ye miracles of one only thing.
3) And as all things have been & arose from one by ye mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.
4) The Sun is its father, the moon its mother,
5) the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse.
6) The father of all perfection in ye whole world is here.
7) Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth.
7a) Separate thou ye earth from ye fire, ye subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry.
8) It ascends from ye earth to ye heaven & again it descends to ye earth and receives ye force of things superior & inferior.
9) By this means you shall have ye glory of ye whole world & thereby all obscurity shall fly from you.
10) Its force is above all force. For it vanquishes every subtle thing & penetrates every solid thing.
11a) So was ye world created.
12) From this are & do come admirable adaptations whereof ye means (or process) is here in this.
13) Hence I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of ye philosophy of ye whole world.
14) That which I have said of ye operation of ye Sun is accomplished & ended.
[Dobbs 1988: 183-4.]"
I'll recommend the enthusiast to read the Kybalion first, before this one though. A worthy read but repetitive with those already on the Path. So, I suppose in being basic, it can supply the curious reader in a kind of primer of the root occultist and esoteric thoughts without being overwhelming; Thus serving as an introduction and primer too.
The much contested and somewhat mythical teachings that brought about the expansion of the main precepts of the Hermetic Philosophical theory.
In this slim volume, translations and commentary are provided from numerous sources and the rest of the process of understanding, coupling, and synergizing the 'commandments' type truths are left to the faculties of the astute observer. An excerpt is given here...
"[Translation of Isaac Newton c. 1680]
1) Tis true without lying, certain & most true.
2) That which is below is like that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to do ye miracles of one only thing.
3) And as all things have been & arose from one by ye mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.
4) The Sun is its father, the moon its mother,
5) the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse.
6) The father of all perfection in ye whole world is here.
7) Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth.
7a) Separate thou ye earth from ye fire, ye subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry.
8) It ascends from ye earth to ye heaven & again it descends to ye earth and receives ye force of things superior & inferior.
9) By this means you shall have ye glory of ye whole world & thereby all obscurity shall fly from you.
10) Its force is above all force. For it vanquishes every subtle thing & penetrates every solid thing.
11a) So was ye world created.
12) From this are & do come admirable adaptations whereof ye means (or process) is here in this.
13) Hence I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of ye philosophy of ye whole world.
14) That which I have said of ye operation of ye Sun is accomplished & ended.
[Dobbs 1988: 183-4.]"
I'll recommend the enthusiast to read the Kybalion first, before this one though. A worthy read but repetitive with those already on the Path. So, I suppose in being basic, it can supply the curious reader in a kind of primer of the root occultist and esoteric thoughts without being overwhelming; Thus serving as an introduction and primer too.
July 2, 2018
Hard to not like a book who's last line is "The universe is mental".
May 11, 2015
Esoterically confusing. The Hermetic philosophy encompasses principles that modern science has just uncovered. So much of the knowledge presented herein is sacred. The knowledge was handed down from the remote history through the 8th-century esoteric Muslim philosophers the Brethren of Purity (اخوان الصفا). These teachings famously go by the name Emerald Tablet. It is considered by Europeans to be the bedrock of alchemy. The teachings were translated from Arabic to other languages and later on to English by Isaac Newton. Hermes Trismegistus is thought to be the first man to have used the pen to document the divine knowledge he possessed. In the Islamic tradition, Hermes Trismegistus is identified with prophet Idriss.
The central principles his philosophy centers around are:
1-Principle of Mentalism
2-Principle of Correspondence (as above so below)
3-Principle of Vibration
4-Principle of Polarity
5-Principle of Rhythm
6-Principle of Cause and Effect
7-Principle of Gender
The central principles his philosophy centers around are:
1-Principle of Mentalism
2-Principle of Correspondence (as above so below)
3-Principle of Vibration
4-Principle of Polarity
5-Principle of Rhythm
6-Principle of Cause and Effect
7-Principle of Gender
September 6, 2021
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes first appeared in the libraries of Europe during the 12th Century though no one is 100% sure how it first arrived there. The feeling is the Crusaders must have brought a copy back from the Middle East, but this is difficult to prove. This work is supposed to have been written by Hermes Trimegistus / Thoth. What's not in doubt is that The Emerald Tablet has deeply influenced magic and still does to this day.
The Kybalion was first published by The Yogi Publication Society of the Masonic Temple in Chicago in 1912. The authors chose to remain anonymous as the principles and philosophy outlined in The Kybalion are a summation of the wisdom and truth of the Hermetic Philosophy and so shouldn't be identified as 'belonging' to any author or individual.
The book begins with various translations of The Emerald Tablet by Fulcanelli, Isaac Newton, Madame Blavatsky, and Idries Shah amongst others. Each of these translations is slightly different of course but the messages are clearly the same such as:
"What is above is like what is below, and what is below is like that which is above"
and regarding the Emerald Tablet:
"The Sun is its father, the Moon its mother, the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse."
The rest of the book is split into chapters that discuss various sayings from The Kybalion such as
"The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding"
"Mind (as wellas metals and elements) may be transmuted from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."
"The Universe is Mental - held in the Mind of THE ALL."
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."
"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name of Law not recognised; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law."
These are all interesting discussions, but some of the explanations are difficult to understand especially when the text refers to three Great Planes
1. the Great Physical Plane
2. the Great Mental Plane
3. the Great Spiritual Planes
These Three Great Planes are sub-divided into Seven Minor Planes and then each of those seven are sud-divided into seven sub-planes.
The most interesting point for me was the part where the text states that everything vibrates. To me this means that everything is made up of waves and I think some scientists do believe something similar to this in terms of both quantum mechanics and string theory. The entanglement of electrons involves a connection between those electrons and that connection is almost certainly a wave - what Einstein called ""spooky action at distance" - even if those electrons are on opposite sides of the galaxy.
The Kybalion was first published by The Yogi Publication Society of the Masonic Temple in Chicago in 1912. The authors chose to remain anonymous as the principles and philosophy outlined in The Kybalion are a summation of the wisdom and truth of the Hermetic Philosophy and so shouldn't be identified as 'belonging' to any author or individual.
The book begins with various translations of The Emerald Tablet by Fulcanelli, Isaac Newton, Madame Blavatsky, and Idries Shah amongst others. Each of these translations is slightly different of course but the messages are clearly the same such as:
"What is above is like what is below, and what is below is like that which is above"
and regarding the Emerald Tablet:
"The Sun is its father, the Moon its mother, the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse."
The rest of the book is split into chapters that discuss various sayings from The Kybalion such as
"The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding"
"Mind (as wellas metals and elements) may be transmuted from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."
"The Universe is Mental - held in the Mind of THE ALL."
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."
"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name of Law not recognised; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law."
These are all interesting discussions, but some of the explanations are difficult to understand especially when the text refers to three Great Planes
1. the Great Physical Plane
2. the Great Mental Plane
3. the Great Spiritual Planes
These Three Great Planes are sub-divided into Seven Minor Planes and then each of those seven are sud-divided into seven sub-planes.
The most interesting point for me was the part where the text states that everything vibrates. To me this means that everything is made up of waves and I think some scientists do believe something similar to this in terms of both quantum mechanics and string theory. The entanglement of electrons involves a connection between those electrons and that connection is almost certainly a wave - what Einstein called ""spooky action at distance" - even if those electrons are on opposite sides of the galaxy.
September 3, 2019
Needs to be read many times. The knowledge in this book can be used for good or evil. Be careful of who shows or teaches you of this book. I am aware of the history of this knowledge and how it has been used to manipulate mankind into enslavement. This knowledge is suppose to be used for humanity to awaken ourselves to the responsibility of mastering the universe. Some of the teachings in this book show the misunderstanding from the age of Pisces (illusion) in the perception of allowing a hierarchy system instead of incorporating these teachings in to the education system allowing mankind to be the masters of the universe. There are some corrections needed in the knowledge and a lot more information not in teachings.
May 23, 2013
At first I simply enjoyed a world-dragon filling up a sky to tell me to sit down and shut up, but then I was fascinated to see how much real wisdom this book held. Even when I'm reading it on several levels, it is a fairly easy read, and beautiful as well.
March 5, 2020
Definitely one to slowly digest even though short in volume. Can be read without previous Hermetic and occult study, but it will help if you have some background in other text. This particular publication has some print errors, but doesn't detract too much.
March 11, 2025
Mandatory to read if you want to become someone of substance and actually achieve things and live life like a beautiful movie. Insane to have this wisdom available to read in 2025. "The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding."
October 27, 2016
These men have never sought popular approval, nor numbers of followers. They are indifferent to these things, for they know how few there are in each generation who are ready for the truth, or who would recognize it if it were presented to them. They reserve the "strong meat for men," while others furnish the "milk for babes." They reserve their pearls of wisdom for the few elect, who recognize their value and who wear them in their crowns, instead of casting them before the materialistic vulgar swine, who would trample them in the mud and mix them with their disgusting mental food. But still these men have never forgotten or overlooked the original teachings of Hermes, regarding the passing on of the words of truth to those ready to receive it, which teaching is stated in The Kybalion as follows: "Where fall the footsteps of the Master, the ears of those ready for his Teaching open wide." And again: "When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with wisdom." But their customary attitude has always been strictly in accordance with the other Hermetic aphorism, also in The Kybalion: "The lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding."
July 9, 2016
The Emerald Tablet is interesting. However, The Kybalion is an amazing read! More philosophical and way more meaningful than the bible ever was to me. It gave me a new way to look at the world and the universe. It was helpful in removing that fearful, hateful, limiting box that other book had me locked in. For me it was a paradigm shifting read.
June 19, 2020
The All is Mind
If you find yourself here with open ears and a open heart for understanding allow yourself to be guided by intuition and absorb what you will. This is not a one time read but a life long study as all teachings are. Be blessed, stay blessed and ever prosperous, peace & love ✌🏾
If you find yourself here with open ears and a open heart for understanding allow yourself to be guided by intuition and absorb what you will. This is not a one time read but a life long study as all teachings are. Be blessed, stay blessed and ever prosperous, peace & love ✌🏾
April 9, 2024
I feel lucky enough to see the different translations on the emerald tablet I am grateful to those that took the time to translate it and put it all in one book
As for the Hermetica
This book practically gives the answers to those who are willing to listen.
Explains the hermetic principles in a way that makes it easier to understand.
The all is mind the universe is mental ✨
As for the Hermetica
This book practically gives the answers to those who are willing to listen.
Explains the hermetic principles in a way that makes it easier to understand.
The all is mind the universe is mental ✨
May 5, 2020
Great book for building ones foundational knowledge of the hermetic philosophy.
September 22, 2025
Sehr interessante Primärliteratur mit cooler backstory , mochte die analysis sehr wenig aber
March 28, 2024
If it is in fact 36,000 years old, Wow (5 stars)! Way less impressive if it was written during the 8th or 9th century (2 stars).
January 28, 2021
Interesting to say the least, especially when placed in comparison to classical philosophy and world religions, as well as modern scientific advances.
July 14, 2021
Universal principles are power for those who can understand them,
but eating from the tree of knowledge before partaking from a tree of spirit turns many a man's heart to blackened ash and barren void.
but eating from the tree of knowledge before partaking from a tree of spirit turns many a man's heart to blackened ash and barren void.
January 27, 2024
This confirms a LOT of what I realized on my own. Hermes explains precisely what I have experienced. However, I argue that The One IS knowable and understandable, which is why I spent 4 years on social media proving/explaining it. Now, I can explain it in a few sentences.
I thank this book for confirming what I know and that, while it's all "in my head", I/We are not alone. 🙏🦉
I thank this book for confirming what I know and that, while it's all "in my head", I/We are not alone. 🙏🦉
April 20, 2022
The lips of wisdom are closed, except for the ears of understanding.
Once the reader is ready to go beyond, this book will miraculously find you.
Once the reader is ready to go beyond, this book will miraculously find you.
January 6, 2023
Powerful...filled with ancient teaching of Thoth, one of the beginning founders of earth.
Reading this had me researching and contemplating a new line of thinking.
Reading this had me researching and contemplating a new line of thinking.
December 13, 2021
You do not find this book, this book finds you.
.
I wanted to take a look on what hermeticism is and I stumbled upon this book. I could not imagine I am gong to find ancient key to knowledge, wisdom, self mastery and understanding of universe. Some "occult" theories today are proven by modern physics, some by psychology and what is amazing that it was written when this modern knowledge was non-existent. What other theories presented by hermetics shall be proven in the future? Who knows. But I am sure I will open this short and concentrated with ideas book again and again.
May this book find you as well.
To those who have open ears, the lips of wisdom are are ready to fill them.
.
I wanted to take a look on what hermeticism is and I stumbled upon this book. I could not imagine I am gong to find ancient key to knowledge, wisdom, self mastery and understanding of universe. Some "occult" theories today are proven by modern physics, some by psychology and what is amazing that it was written when this modern knowledge was non-existent. What other theories presented by hermetics shall be proven in the future? Who knows. But I am sure I will open this short and concentrated with ideas book again and again.
May this book find you as well.
To those who have open ears, the lips of wisdom are are ready to fill them.
January 18, 2025
The knowledge in this book can be used for good or evil. Be careful of who shows or teaches you of this book. I am aware of the history of this knowledge and how it has been used to manipulate mankind into enslavement. This knowledge is suppose to be used for humanity to awaken ourselves to the responsibility of mastering the universe. Some of the teachings in this book show the misunderstanding from the age of Pisces (illusion) in the perception of allowing a hierarchy system instead of incorporating these teachings in to the education system allowing mankind to be the masters of the universe. There are some corrections needed in the knowledge and a lot more information not in teachings.
September 12, 2024
Not entirely sure how to interpret The Emerald Tablet. It seems to maintain that there is only one God and he created the world. His power is perfect. The phrase "As above, so below" is derived from this tablet and is referenced in a lot of demonic practices, and in relation to witchcraft, the baphomet and the Illuminati.
Favorite Quote:
“Ascend with the greatest sagacity of genius from the earth into the sky, and thence descend again to the earth, and recognise that the forces of things above and of things below are one” (Kriegsmann translation).
Favorite Quote:
“Ascend with the greatest sagacity of genius from the earth into the sky, and thence descend again to the earth, and recognise that the forces of things above and of things below are one” (Kriegsmann translation).
July 21, 2021
I read this for the Emerald Tablet, which is what I’m reviewing here (I found the Kybalion to be hackneyed rubbish).
Ultimately, what we have here is some vague, over-translated snippets of ancient texts, smothered in subsequent commentary that suffers from the fallacy of believing there must be ‘mystic truth’ to the source text, and so all sorts of mental gymnastics occur regarding what the original writers might have meant by ‘the wind holds it in its body’ etc.
“It’s symbolic, man! Open your mind!”
I enjoyed it as an historical curiosity. But again, the new age occult types will say I my sheep-like mind is closed to the power and mystery of it all. Well, all-righty then.
Ultimately, what we have here is some vague, over-translated snippets of ancient texts, smothered in subsequent commentary that suffers from the fallacy of believing there must be ‘mystic truth’ to the source text, and so all sorts of mental gymnastics occur regarding what the original writers might have meant by ‘the wind holds it in its body’ etc.
“It’s symbolic, man! Open your mind!”
I enjoyed it as an historical curiosity. But again, the new age occult types will say I my sheep-like mind is closed to the power and mystery of it all. Well, all-righty then.
August 11, 2021
While this book didn't further my knowledge, it did offer varying perspectives by those who read it and added their own translations. It was interesting to see when the one, the all, suddenly became convoluted and made to mean "God". Mankind seem to have regressed intellectually.
December 13, 2019
Very enlightening
I found this book to be very enlightening. This is my second time reading. I feel it's a great read
I found this book to be very enlightening. This is my second time reading. I feel it's a great read
Read
May 22, 2020Exponer un dogma sin intención de desarrollo, misticismo. Permisible en la antigüedad, pero hoy en día simple pereza.
May 31, 2020
This book will open your mind and your soul....... if you are ready!
July 27, 2020
It's indeed true. You don't find this book, it finds you...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews