Tabula Smaragdina - Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus

1. It is true, certain, and without falsehood, that whatever is below is like that which is above; and that which is above is like that which is below: to accomplish the one wonderful work.

2. As all things are derived from the One Only Thing, by the will and by the word of the One Only One who created it in His Mind, so all things owe their existence to this Unity by the order of Nature, and can be improved by Adaptation to that Mind.

3. Its Father is the Sun; its Mother is the Moon; the Wind carries it in its womb; and its nurse is the Earth.

4. This Thing is the Father of all perfect things in the world.

5. Its power is most perfect when it has again been changed into Earth.

6. Separate the Earth from the Fire, the subtle from the gross, but carefully and with great judgement and skill.

7. It ascends from earth to heaven, and descends again, new born, to the earth, taking unto itself thereby the power of the Above and the Below.

8. Thus the splendor of the whole world will be thine, and all darkness shall flee from thee.

9. This is the strongest of all powers, the Force of all forces, for it overcometh all subtle things and can penetrate all that is solid.

10. For thus was the world created, and rare combinations, and wonders of many kinds are wrought.

11. Hence I am called HERMES TRISMEGISTUS, having mastered the three parts of the wisdom of the whole world.

12. What I have to say about the masterpiece of the alchemical art, the Solar Work, is now ended.