You know, there’s this one phrase that keeps echoing in my mind whenever I hit those moments where life feels out of sync:
“As above, so below; as within, so without.” — Hermes Trismegistus.
I used to think it was just some fancy esoteric mumbo jumbo. But the more I’ve walked this alchemical path, the more I get it. This is not just some ancient wisdom lost in dusty scrolls — it’s a way of aligning with life that can shift everything if you let it sink in.
So, let’s break this down. Hermes was saying that the universe is like a mirror. The stuff happening inside you? It’s reflected in your outer world. And vice versa. I mean, have you ever noticed how when your mind is a chaotic mess, suddenly, so is everything around you? Deadlines, relationships, even your damn coffee machine decides to break. But when you’re centered and in tune with yourself, things just… flow.
The thing is, we’re all trying to fix the external stuff first, right? Hustling to make more money, searching for the right partner, rearranging our environment like it’s going to magically rearrange our souls. But, spoiler alert — it doesn’t work that way. If your inner world is cluttered, your outer world is going to reflect that mess right back at you.
The Real Alchemy: Working From the Inside Out
So, here’s what I’ve been practicing (and trust me, it’s still a work in progress): If I want things to shift on the outside, I need to start with what’s happening inside. It’s like alchemy for the soul. No potions or philosopher’s stones required, just a willingness to look inward and get real with yourself.
Here’s how I’ve been integrating Hermes’ principles into my life:
- Getting Real About What’s Within
This one took me years to accept. I was so busy blaming everything and everyone else for the chaos in my life that I didn’t see the storm brewing inside of me. It’s uncomfortable, but once I started to sit with my thoughts and feelings, I realized just how much junk I was carrying around. Meditation helped — not the “empty your mind” kind, but the “sit with your inner chaos” kind. It’s messy, but it’s honest. - Clearing Out the Emotional Clutter
You know how a cluttered room just drains your energy? Turns out, emotional clutter is the same. Old grudges, regrets, that inner critic constantly on your back — it’s all junk that keeps you stuck in the same patterns. I started treating my mind like a house that needed decluttering. Journaling, therapy, screaming into a pillow if I had to — anything to clear out the old crap. And as I let go of the stuff inside, life outside started to feel lighter too. - Creating Rituals for Alignment
This one has been a game changer. I’m not talking about lighting candles and chanting (though, hey, if that’s your thing, go for it). For me, it’s about small, consistent practices that anchor me to myself. Morning walks where I just let my thoughts wander. Taking a few minutes before bed to reflect on the day and see where I got out of alignment. It’s like checking the map on a road trip — making sure I’m still headed in the right direction. - Embracing the Mirror
This one can be brutal. But I’ve learned that when life feels out of whack, it’s usually because I’m out of whack inside. I used to hate hearing that. It’s so much easier to point fingers. But now, when things start going haywire, I try to pause and ask, What’s going on within me? What am I not dealing with? The answers aren’t always pretty, but they’re real. And once you see it, you can start to change it.
There’s no magic bullet here. No secret formula that’s going to fix everything overnight. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: The outer world is just a reflection. And the deeper you go into the alchemy of your inner world, the more you’ll see the shifts you’re looking for on the outside.
So, if you’re tired of running in circles, trying to fix everything around you, maybe it’s time to turn inward. Start clearing out the emotional clutter. Embrace the mess. Align your inner world, and watch how life starts aligning itself. Because as Hermes said, as within, so without.
That’s the real alchemy. And it’s a journey that never really ends.
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