“True, without error, certain and most true; that
which is above is as that which is below, and
that which is below is as that which is above,
for performing the miracles of the One Thing;
and as all things are from one, by the mediation
of one, so all things arose from this one thing
by adaptation; the father of it is the Sun, the
mother of it is the Moon; the wind carried it in
its belly; the name thereof is the Earth.
This is the father of all perfection, or
consummation of the whole world.
The power of it is integral, if it is turned into earth:
Thou shalt separate the earth from the fire the
subtle from the gross, gently, with much
sagacity; it ascends from Earth to heaven, and
again descends to Earth: and revives the
strength of the superiors and of the inferiors.
So thou hast the glory of the whole world;
therefore let all obscurity flee before thee.
This is the strong fortitude of all fortitudes,
overcoming every subtle, and penetrating
every solid, thing. So the world was created.
Hence were all wonderful adaptations of
which this is the manner. Therefore am I
called Thrice-Great Hermes, having the three
parts of the Philosophy of the whole world.
That which I have written is consummated
concerning the Operation of the Sun.”
Hermes-Trismegistus