As Above So Below vs Wyrd: Cosmic Laws

BY NICOLE LAU

"As Above, So Below" and Wyrd represent two of the most profound cosmic principles in Western spirituality—one from Hermetic tradition describing the correspondence between macrocosm and microcosm, the other from Norse tradition describing the web of fate woven by past actions. While "As Above, So Below" emphasizes vertical correspondence and the power to transcend through understanding, Wyrd emphasizes horizontal interconnection and the inescapability of consequences. Despite different structures, both describe fundamental laws governing reality: patterns repeat across levels, actions have consequences, and understanding cosmic law grants wisdom if not escape. Comparing these principles reveals how ancient traditions understood the deep structure of reality and our relationship to cosmic order.

As Above, So Below (Hermetic)

Source: The Emerald Tablet—"That which is above is like to that which is below"

Meaning:

• The macrocosm (universe) mirrors the microcosm (individual)
• Patterns at one level repeat at all levels
• Understanding one level reveals all levels
• Heaven and earth, spirit and matter, correspond

Implications:

• Study yourself to understand the universe
• Study the universe to understand yourself
• What happens in spiritual realm manifests in material realm
• Mastering inner world grants power over outer world

Application:

• Alchemy: Transforming inner lead (ego) to gold (enlightenment) transforms outer reality
• Astrology: Planetary movements above reflect/influence events below
• Magic: Working on one level affects corresponding levels
• Meditation: Inner transformation changes outer circumstances

Wyrd (Norse)

Source: Norse cosmology—the web of fate woven by the Norns

Meaning:

• Fate/destiny as web of cause and effect
• Past actions (ørlǫg—primal layers) create present circumstances
• Everything is interconnected through wyrd
• What you do now becomes part of wyrd, shaping future

The Norns:

• Urd ("That Which Was")—past
• Verdandi ("That Which Is Becoming")—present
• Skuld ("That Which Should Become")—future
• They weave wyrd at the Well of Urd beneath Yggdrasil

Implications:

• You cannot escape consequences of past actions
• Your current actions weave your future wyrd
• Even gods are subject to wyrd (Ragnarök is fated)
• Honor lies in facing wyrd with courage, not escaping it

Application:

• Take responsibility for your actions (they become wyrd)
• Accept consequences with honor
• Shape future through worthy deeds now
• Understand that you're part of larger web of interconnection

Core Similarities

1. Cosmic Law Governs Reality

• Hermetic: Principle of Correspondence is universal law
• Norse: Wyrd is inescapable cosmic pattern
• Convergence: Reality operates by knowable principles, not chaos

2. Interconnection

• Hermetic: All levels connected through correspondence
• Norse: All beings connected through wyrd's web
• Convergence: Nothing exists in isolation; all is related

3. Actions Have Consequences

• Hermetic: What you do above affects below and vice versa
• Norse: What you do now becomes wyrd, shaping future
• Convergence: Cause and effect operate across reality

4. Understanding Grants Wisdom

• Hermetic: Understanding correspondence grants power
• Norse: Understanding wyrd grants wisdom (though not escape)
• Convergence: Knowledge of cosmic law is valuable

Key Differences

1. Vertical vs. Horizontal

Hermetic: Vertical correspondence—above/below, heaven/earth, spirit/matter

Norse: Horizontal web—past/present/future, interconnected beings

2. Transcendence vs. Acceptance

Hermetic: Understanding allows transcendence—rise above material to spiritual

Norse: Understanding requires acceptance—face wyrd with honor, cannot escape

3. Mastery vs. Courage

Hermetic: Goal is mastery over reality through understanding correspondence

Norse: Goal is courage to face inevitable wyrd with honor

4. Optimistic vs. Tragic

Hermetic: Optimistic—you can change your reality by changing yourself

Norse: Tragic—some things are fated and cannot be changed, only faced

5. Individual Power vs. Collective Fate

Hermetic: Individual can master correspondence and transform reality

Norse: Individual is part of larger wyrd; even gods cannot escape collective fate

The Constant Unification Perspective

From Constant Unification, "As Above, So Below" and Wyrd are different calculations of the same truth constant:

Constant: Reality Operates by Knowable Patterns

• Hermetic calculation: Correspondence—patterns repeat across levels
• Norse calculation: Wyrd—past actions create present patterns
• Convergence: The universe is ordered, not random

Constant: Everything Is Interconnected

• Hermetic calculation: Vertical connection between levels
• Norse calculation: Horizontal connection through web of wyrd
• Convergence: Nothing exists in isolation

Constant: Actions Have Consequences

• Hermetic calculation: Inner transformation affects outer reality
• Norse calculation: Present actions become future wyrd
• Convergence: What you do matters; cause and effect are real

Constant: Understanding the Law Grants Wisdom

• Hermetic calculation: Understanding correspondence grants power to transcend
• Norse calculation: Understanding wyrd grants wisdom to face fate honorably
• Convergence: Knowledge of cosmic law is valuable, even if it doesn't grant escape

The difference is emphasis: Hermetic emphasizes power to change; Norse emphasizes courage to accept.

Modern Application

Use "As Above, So Below" for:

• Understanding that inner work affects outer circumstances
• Recognizing patterns across different life domains
• Working with correspondence in magic and manifestation
• Believing change is possible through understanding

Use Wyrd for:

• Taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences
• Accepting what cannot be changed with courage
• Understanding you're part of larger web of interconnection
• Shaping future through worthy deeds now

Integrate Both:

• Change what can be changed (Hermetic) + Accept what cannot (Norse)
• Work on yourself to transform reality (Hermetic) + Face consequences with honor (Norse)
• Understand vertical correspondence (Hermetic) + Understand horizontal interconnection (Norse)
• Seek mastery (Hermetic) + Cultivate courage (Norse)

Practical Wisdom

The Serenity Prayer as Synthesis:

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (Wyrd),

The courage to change the things I can (As Above, So Below),

And the wisdom to know the difference."

This perfectly integrates both principles:

• Some things are wyrd—fated, unchangeable, to be faced with honor
• Some things correspond—changeable through inner transformation
• Wisdom is knowing which is which

Conclusion

"As Above, So Below" and Wyrd represent complementary cosmic principles—one emphasizing correspondence and the power to transcend, the other emphasizing interconnection and the courage to accept. Their differences—vertical vs. horizontal, mastery vs. courage, optimism vs. tragedy—offer complete wisdom: Change what you can through understanding correspondence (Hermetic), accept what you cannot with honor (Norse). Work on yourself to transform reality (Hermetic) while taking responsibility for consequences (Norse). Seek both mastery and courage. Understand both the vertical ladder and the horizontal web.

As above, so below. Wyrd bið ful aræd (Fate is inexorable). Both are true. Both are necessary. The cosmic laws endure.