Tradition declares that on the dead body of Hermes, at Hebron, was found by an Isarim, an initiate, the tablet known as the Smaragdine. It contains, in a few sentences, the essence of the Hermetic wisdom.
“What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is similar to that which is below to accomplish the wonders of one thing.“As all things were produced by the mediation of one being, so all things were produced from this one by adaptation.“Its father is the sun, its mother is the moon.“It is the cause of all perfection throughout the whole earth.“Its power is perfect if it is changed into earth.“Separate the earth from the fire, the subtile from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment. THOSOPHY LIBRARY