The verse, ‘As Above, So Below’ (also known as the Principle of Correspondence) , is one of the 7 Hermetic principles as described in the book – The Kybalion.
The true origin of this verse is unknown but it has largely been attributed to the legendary Egyptian sage – Hermes Trismegistus. Similarly, the verse itself is only a paraphrase and there are many variations of it. For instance, an original Arabic to English translation of the verse (as it appears in the Emerald Tablet) reads as follows:
“That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above.”
Verses similar in meaning have also appeared in many other texts and cultures across the world. For instance, the Sanskrit verse – ‘Yatha Brahmaande, Tahta Pindaade’, which translates to ‘As the Whole, So the Parts‘ or ‘As the Macrocosm, so the Microcosm‘.
But irrespective of its origin, there’s no doubt that this verse carries within it many profound secrets of life. As the author of, ‘The Kybalion’ puts it, “There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us.”
There are also various ancient symbols that represent this idea.
In this article, let’s take a look at the spiritual meaning behind this verse and also look at various quotes that make use of this verse to offer valuable life lessons.
What does, ‘As Above, So Below’ mean?
One of the most common interpretations of this verse is that everything in the universe is intricately connected and that the same laws and phenomena are applicable to all planes of existence.
Going a little deeper, we can say that the microcosm is connected to the macrocosm in such a way that the microcosm exists because of the macrocosm and vice versa.
For instance, the human body (macrocosm) is made of trillions of cells (microcosm). The body does the job of feeding the cells by finding and consuming food and water. In return, the cells keep the body alive. This way there is direct correspondence between the cells and the body. Similarly, the intelligence present in the cells is the intelligence present in the body and vice versa as the intelligence collected by the body (through its external environment) becomes part of the cell’s intelligence.
Similarly, all living beings (microsomn) are made of or contain within them the exact same materials and energy that make the larger universe (macrocosm). Every living creature contains within it a mini universe and every single cell (or even atoms) contain within them a mini universe.
Thus one can say that the creation carries within it the intelligence of the creator. We can even say that the creator exists within the creation and the creation exists within the creator. Thus we begin to realize that the power of the universe is contained within us and that we are intricately connected to the universe. And in order to understand the universe, one needs to simply understand their own self and vice versa.
This verse can also be applied to the human mind and the law of attraction. What you believe in your subconscious mind (microcosm) is what makes up your external world (macrocosm). And the external world constantly feeds your subconscious mind. So in order to change your life, you need to constantly stay aware of the beliefs in your subconscious mind.
Now that we have analyzed this verse a little, let’s take a look at various quotes from gurus and famous authors that use this verse to offer valuable life lessons.
24 As Above, So Below quotes
We are made of stardust and we are a microcosm of the macrocosm. As above, so below. The answers to everything lie within ourselves. Look inwards, not outwards. YOU are the answer to your questions if you did but know it.” – Mike Hockney, The God Factory
“Closely related to as above, so below is as inside, so outside. This asserts that the outer world is a reflection of what is inside our minds. The world merely externalizes the inner traits of humanity. The institutions we create that shape our world are in turn shaped by the contents of our minds.” ― Michael Faust, Abraxas: Beyond Good And Evil
“Synchronicity teaches us that every event on the spiritual plane is accompanied by an event on the physical plane. As above, so below. These are translational events because what we experience is but our mind’s best attempt to translate higher dimensional spiritual concepts into the lower dimensional reality here on Earth.” ― Alan Abbadessa, The Sync Book: Myths, Magic, Media, and Mindscapes
“Peaceful thoughts bring forth a peaceful world.” ― Bert McCoy
As above, so below, is a universal law and principle. Just as we have physical DNA that make up our physical genetics and disposition, so too, do we have soul “DNA” that make us who we are spiritually and non-physically.” ― Jeff Ayan, Twin Flames: Finding Your Ultimate Lover
If the law of ‘as above, so below’ holds true, then we too are composers. We too sing songs that breathe shape into reality. But are we listening? Are we paying attention to the compositions we create?” ― Dielle Ciesco, The Unknown Mother: A Magical Walk with the Goddess of Sound
As below, so above; and as above so below. With this knowledge alone you may work miracles. – Rhonda Byrne, The Magic
Enlightenment needs embodiment. Wide-open insight needs deep-rooted instinct. As above, so below. ― Kris Franken, The Call of Intuition
As above in consciousness, so below in matter – Michael Sharp, The Book of Light
Every moment is a crossroad in time. Consider that, as above so below and as inside so outside and live accordingly. ― Grigoris Deoudis
The degree of freedom we enjoy outwardly is a reflection of the degree of love we cultivate inwardly. ― Eric Micha’el Leventhal
There’s always as much below ground as above. That’s the trouble with people, their root problem. Life runs alongside them, unseen.” ― Richard Powers, The Overstory
Consciousness comes first while physical realms and beings are manifestations or projections of that primordial consciousness — as above, so below, as many ancient wisdom traditions state.” ― Graham Hancock, The Divine Spark
As above, so below. Our world is the seeable, touchable, hearable, smellable, and tastable form of all the hidden spiritual worlds. There is nothing in our physical world that does not come from the worlds above. Everything we see in this world is only a reflection, an approximation, a clue, to something beyond outward appearances.” ― Rav Berg, Kabbalistic Astrology
For ours is the religion of zero and infinity, the two numbers that define the soul and the whole of existence. As above, so below.” ― Mike Hockney, The God Equation
Bad benefit from good, and good from bad. Shadow benefit from light, and light from shadow. Death benefit from life, and life from death. As a tree branching out, as above and so below.” ― Monariatw
It’s your thoughts, words, and deeds; a farmer sowing his seeds, it’s a mind thing described in those creeds. As within, so without. As above, so below. Think, say and act love and it’s love that will flow. Let hate harbor in your mind and hate is what you’ll regretfully find.” ― Jose R. Coronado, The Land Flowing With Milk And Honey
“The hermetic philosophy of the harmony between man and nature contained in the phrase “As above, so below.” ― Christiane Northrup, Goddesses Never Age
There can be no outer change until there is first an inner change. As within, so without. Everything we do, unaccompanied by a change of consciousness, is but futile readjustment of surfaces. However we toil or struggle, we can receive no more than our subconscious assumptions affirm.” ― Neville Goddard, Awakened Imagination and The Search
Every change you have ever desired in your life has its inception from within. As within; so without. Beautify your inner universe and see the reflection of this abundance in your life experiences. ― Sanchita Pandey, Lessons from My Garden
There are universal laws at work, even here. The Law of Attraction; the Law of Correspondence; and the Law of Karma. That is: like attracts like; as within, so without; and what goes around comes around. ― H.M. Forester, Game of Aeons
The painter is in the picture. ― Bert McCoy
The whole is composed of the parts; the parts comprise the whole. – Anonymous
There is nothing new about this. “As within, so without,” meaning according to the image impressed on the subconscious mind, so is it on the objective screen of your life. ― Joseph Murphy, Believe In Yourself
Are you polluting the world or cleaning up the mess? You are responsible for your inner space; nobody else is, just as you are responsible for the planet. As within, so without: If humans clear inner pollution, then they will also cease to create outer pollution. ― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Conclusion
The verse, As Above, So Below is very powerful because the more you think about it, the more insight it offers. If you ever find the time, make sure to meditate on this quote and use it to expand your worldview.
