The Emerald Tablet Of Hermes

by Hermes Trismegistus

This is the famous old and mysterious book attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. It countains some basic teachings of hermetism and the most famous hermetic axiom. This book includes a translation from Latin.

Genres: Philosophy, Occult, Spirituality, Alchemy, Religion, Mysticism, Esoterica

46 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1541

About the author

Hermes 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.

Reviews

[HillbillyMystic · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I credit Hermes Trismegistus and Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom, with my awakening and subsequent loss of everything including my children, home, career and mind. I believe they drove the Chariot up and bade me get on board and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I was dead back then, though living in a mansion on a large and beautiful ranch. I was soon to die or worse, go on living in Plato’s allegorical cave. Although some lose their minds at first, most folks are led into the mystery schools and knowledge of the occult by a true master, not left to rely on the near dead, retarded master within. It is shocking for a young fella to realize he is wrong about each and every thing. It is tough on an old atheist’s mind to realize that leaving the Goddess out of worship is half-way to atheism, if you please. It can make a dying old junky mad when he realizes Sir Francis Bacon (or one of the other Highly Occulted Spear-Shakers) was correct and the whole world really is a stage, put on by dark lodge Luciferians meant to keep most in everlasting dark slavery. I thank Thoth every day even though the price was high. I can’t imagine dying back then and realizing another lifetime was wasted and a soul meant to evolve was devolving yet again.

[John Kulm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tradition says Hermes Trismagistus carved this text on an emerald tablet several thousand years ago after surviving the sinking of Atlantis and ending up in Egypt. (Nice archeology find or movie pitch.) More likely the text was written 1700 years ago.

The actual text is only four pages long, but the commentary in this edition is around 500 pages. Truth is, I don't care about the commentary. I'm no scholar. I just wanted to contemplate the ancient writing.

Hermetic texts are the basis of Western mysticism and paganism. Marie-Louise von Franz wrote, Hermes is the soul guide of the alchemists.

I'll share one quote from the book. If I share more there won't be much remaining - it's such a short read.

"Whatever is below, is like that which is above; and that which is above, is like that which is below." Such a familiar quote. In other words, as above so below.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emerald Tablet or Smaradgine Tablet is thought to have been written by Hermes Trimegistus (Hermes the thrice greatest). If so this is a very old book written in the end of the 2nd century. But it first appeared in the West in the 11 and 12 centuries when it was translated into latin. There have been many translations for this nimble book. One such translations was written by Isaac Newton. The Translation can be found among his alchemical papers that are currently housed in King's College Library, Cambridge University. And it reads:

'- Tis true without error, certain and most true.
- That which is below is like that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracles of one only thing
- And as all things have been and arose from one by the mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.
- The Sun is its father, the moon its mother, the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse.
- The father of all perfection in the whole world is here.
- Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth.
- Separate thou the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry.
- It ascends from the earth to the heaven & again it descends to the earth & receives the force of things superior & inferior.
- By this means you shall have the glory of the whole world
and thereby all obscurity shall fly from you.
- Its force is above all force. For it vanquishes every subtle thing & penetrates every solid thing.
- So was the world created.
- From this are and do come admirable adaptations whereof the means (or process) is here in this. - - - Hence I am called Hermes Trismegist, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world
- That which I have said of the operation of the Sun is accomplished & ended."
As it is a critical work in hermetics and it is so short you should read it. 4 stars.

[NoNameLoves2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been lied to so much about religion and history. These tablets are not meant to be read once or even twice but many times to fully absorb it. When the student is ready the master will appear.

[teacupsandunicorns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool!
So this is where as above so below comes from.
I really enjoy the scholarly and academic commentary which are full of great ideas and inspire more contemplation.
Really interesting to see how different translations and the change of a single word make the message so different.

[Misba Misba · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tablet being first found during the 12th century intensively reveals the profound wisdom about the creation of everything with a subtle light to alchemy and even the secret of the philosopher’s stone. But of course, to the common eyes, it might seem like just some allegories. However, the one who can see surely will get the key to becoming the true alchemist.

The original tablet is short having a few verses. But, this short compilation has the original translations and the translation of the translations given by era winning researchers, scientists, and philosophers. Among all of them, the translation given by Issac Newton, Jabir Ibn Hayyan and Madame Blavatsky seemed more profound to me.

At the end of this short book, there are also some explanations and commentaries given by the translators.

An excellent read.

[Ariel Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something to read over and over again until last breath.

[Amil Drch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le philosophe y verra l'influence réductrice des religieux sur la raison comme le croyant y verra un texte souillé de polythéisme. Le cheminant y trouvera un repère pour progresser dans La Voie.
J'y ai découvert Hermès Trismégiste. Qu'il soit mythe ou réalité, il n'en est pas moins inspirant.
Le fait que ce texte ait inspiré au delà des clivages religieux est un atout.
Lecture difficile, peut-être à retenter dans 5 ans...
3.5/5

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious about this book…

… but it bears further reading. Basically, it is several translations of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes, in which outlines the world’s creation from one source from and with all of its diversity, both micro and macrocosm.

The study from mankind’s point of view, is to recognize the diversities, what makes them unique/different, but also simultaneously (or subsequently) recognize in doing so that all the diversity still comes from one source. There are a lot of translations of the tablet, and though it seems redundant overall, to read the ‘same’ thing over and over, each translation provides a different take on the meaning of the tablet, and also each line of the tablet.

Toward the end of the book there is commentary whereas one can see the translation of the Tablet could be alchemical, physical or spiritual, which reinforces the point of the tablet. Therefore, The book beckons further reading and study on the alchemical, physical and spiritual points of view as one then could further discern each author, and respective study’s intent with its methodology.

[Briana Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just a page with many translations. Obviously there is an occult knowledge to this, but I don't agree with the sun is the father and the moon the mother. Occultism shows you that female energy was first and it is the creator or life, so.....the opposite would be true, I think this book is on meditating each principle and associate that the sun gives energy (aka masculine principle with sperm) and the moon recieves it (aka femenine principle with uterus). These are parables like the Bible. What I loved about this book is that each person in the book translates it in their own perception and in the end the message differs.

[Brian Cham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have tried reading this multiple times with commentary but I still don't "get it". It's nice and poetic, but too vague to be labelled insightful or influential. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to take away from this other than some vaguely spiritual sounding quotes that don't really say much at all.

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 2 out of 5]

??? Honestly an overhyped rambling of a guy who was probably stoned.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte uau ..... plina de informatii socante ..... o voi reciti !

[Pedro Pascoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

To describe this important and fundamental work of Alchemy as 'compact' is a fairly serious understatement. But, word for word, this has probably had the most profound impact on alchemical and occult philosophy in Western magical tradition. Weighing in at a lean, mean 14 (or so) lines, this decidedly un-hefty tome gathers 14 versions of the enigmatic Emerald Tablets, together with an introduction, commentaries, textual remarks, general comments and a bibliography for further reading and still clocks in at just over 30 pages.
Certainly an important alchemical text to read, re-read, and follow interpretations of throughout the centuries of occult thought, confusing and seemingly contradictory those commentaries may seem. In and of itself, outside of its historical importance...well, it's brief.

[Sr. R0S4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translations From Jabir ibn Hayyan.
0) Balinas mentions the engraving on the table in the hand of Hermes, which says:
1) Truth! Certainty! That in which there is no doubt!
2) That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above,
working the miracles of one.
3) As all things were from one.
4) Its father is the Sun and its mother the Moon.
5) The Earth carried it in her belly, and the Wind nourished it in her belly, 7) as Earth which shall become
Fire.
7a) Feed the Earth from that which is subtle, with the greatest power.
8) It ascends from the earth to the heaven and becomes ruler over that which is above and that which is
below.
14) And I have already explained the meaning of the whole of this in two of these books of mine.
[Holmyard 1923: 562.]

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series of translations of the Emerald Tablet alongside commentary and exegesis. I would suggest this to any student of Hermeticism because so many tenets of the Tablet are hard so understand and sometimes, a choice of words really unlocks the symbolism and the power of the words. The commentary section looked like a copy-paste of somebody's Google Drive notes but they were not without interesting insight to offer.

[Kurt Rocourt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long

This is a book that is too long for its actual content. The entire book is really ten minutes long. There's an extra 50 minutes of translation and reinterpretation thrown in to extend the book. If you read the first two chapters you've read the whole book.

[Pamela Casas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un poco difícil evaluar este libro. Es bastante interesante La Tabla de Esmeralda, quizá se requiere de conocimiento previo de otras ciencias, retroceder en el tiempo, no lo sé, pero me llaman la atención estos escritos.
Como punto aparte puedo decir que encontré nuevos autores para leer.

[JCM SEDNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Physical vs. Spiritual

Hermes inscription " Father is the sun, Mother is the moon" and continues to scribe "all things were from one by the help of one".... How miraculous to discover this piece of history and inscribed thoughts on an Emerald tablet no less !!

[David dharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent version

By far the best Kindle version, I hope the printed version becomes availible again. Some ebook versions contain fragmented or inferior commentary that was very annoying.

[Catalina Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: The copy I read was The Emerald Tablets by Thoth the Atlantean but I can't seem to find that exact book with the green cover on Goodreads and Hermes is another name for Thoth so the text inside should be the same if it is a direct translation as the one I read was.

[Michelle Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. Highly recommended

This book is a starting point for me in learning about the Emerald tablet of Hermes. I highly recommend reading this book.

[shelly]

Fascinating!!!

This book was absolutely fascinating to read. The use of different interpretations was brilliant and insightful. I plan on reading it again.

[Aunidan Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words of Wisdom

As ABove, so below ☺
On Earth, as it is in Heaven ☺
This Age is coming to an end.

[James Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers a Good Commentary as Well.

There are several translations to this work which are provided as well as two commentaries, being alchemical in their descriptions.

[Rene · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As above, so below." Definitely an interesting read and not meant to be read once and set aside. I plan to come back and read this several more times to further understand all of its contents.

[André Mattana]

Então aqui que o Jorge bem foi se inspirar!

Bom ler com a versão em latim junto, já que a tradução perde bastante da sonoridade.

[Wisam Al-Ziadat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needs deep thinking, the book is out of context and out of time with no additional information about the source and the reason, but still very interesting how so ancient but yet so knowing .

[Joseph Knecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest attempt to convey the Spirit.

There are many translations, but all translations fail at conveying the message.

[Falcone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep. Not only house, but life.