The Emerald Tablet

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus

The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet

1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.

2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.

3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.

4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.

5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.

6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.

7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.

8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.

9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.

10. Thus the world was formed.

11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.

12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.

13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Alchemy

1) Alchemy was something more spiritual and philosophical that was practiced in the Middle Ages. Alchemy is different from both magic and science although I think there is a little of science in Alchemy. Magic is more of an illusion and there is always an explanation of how the trick is done. Science is something being studied in an experiment. Alchemy is similar to science because in the Middle Ages when Alchemists were always trying to discover different techniques into transforming metal into gold, these techniques would be called experiments.

2) Holistic medicine is a treatment that involves the mind and body of a person. The only medicine for it is the mental and spiritual wellness of a person like positive attitudes, exercising, eating healthy, meditation, etc. Holistic medicine is similar to alchemy because it relates to the spirituality of an individual.

3) Alchemy isn’t common today as it was in the Middle Ages but I do see evidence that people are still seeking The Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher’s Stone. One example of the elixir of youth is Botox where men and women inject themselves to get rid of wrinkles, frown lines, brow furrows, etc. Although it is not an elixir but his would keep the person from appearing old and keep them looking young. Nowadays people don’t try to turn metal into gold, we try to find new tactics for oil. Something as natural as oil which comes from the earth is used in our everyday lives and we are trying to find ways to replace oil with solar energy or electric for the cars (hybrid cars) instead of gas.

3 comments:

Kelly said...

I found your comment stating that botox is similar to the elixir of youth very interesting. I hadn't thought of plastic surgery when answering the question but that is probably one of the most prolific examples in modern day society. Everyone is attempting to stay young through both medicinal and surgical methods. Botox is just one of the many ways in which this is present in society.

Gerson Mejia said...

You brought up an interesting point, “people don’t try to turn metal into gold, we try to find new tactics for oil.” I believe that you are trying to say that in today world, we have changed the alchemy’s idea of turning other metals into gold. Now, we are not trying to transmute other elements in gold, we are using the economic market to converter those elements in gold.

Anonymous said...

I do agree with you that many people inject themselves various things to get rid of wrinkles. But the truth is that most of them are wealthy people. They want to look more beautiful and they can because they have money to spend for this ocasions. However, they do not think about the consequences and about their health.