The Microcosmic Human: Body as Universe in Hermetic Tradition

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to the Microcosm

'As above, so below; as within, so without'—this fundamental Hermetic principle reveals that the human being is a microcosm, a miniature universe containing all the patterns, forces, and structures of the macrocosm. The body is not separate from the cosmos but a complete reflection of it: the planets govern organs, the zodiac rules body parts, the elements compose our temperament, and the Tree of Life maps our spiritual anatomy. Understanding the body as universe transforms medicine into sacred art, anatomy into cosmology, and self-knowledge into cosmic wisdom.

This comprehensive guide explores the microcosmic human in Hermetic tradition, revealing the profound correspondences between body and cosmos, and how this ancient wisdom applies to healing, spiritual development, and self-understanding.

The Hermetic Foundation

The Principle of Correspondence

The second Hermetic Principle states that the microcosm (human) mirrors the macrocosm (universe):

• What is true in the universe is true in the human
• The same laws operate at all levels
• The human being contains the entire cosmos
• To know yourself is to know the universe

The Emerald Tablet

'That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracle of the one thing.'

This ancient axiom is the foundation of esoteric anatomy.

Planetary Correspondences

The Seven Classical Planets and Organs

Each planet governs specific organs and bodily functions:

Sun ☉

• Organ: Heart
• Function: Vital force, circulation, life energy
• Quality: Warmth, vitality, consciousness
• Metal: Gold
• Day: Sunday

Moon ☽

• Organ: Brain, stomach, reproductive system
• Function: Fluids, cycles, emotions, memory
• Quality: Moisture, receptivity, rhythm
• Metal: Silver
• Day: Monday

Mercury ☿

• Organ: Nervous system, lungs, hands
• Function: Communication, respiration, coordination
• Quality: Movement, connection, intelligence
• Metal: Mercury (quicksilver)
• Day: Wednesday

Venus ♀

• Organ: Kidneys, throat, veins
• Function: Harmony, filtration, beauty
• Quality: Balance, pleasure, attraction
• Metal: Copper
• Day: Friday

Mars ♂

• Organ: Muscles, blood, gallbladder
• Function: Action, energy, heat
• Quality: Strength, aggression, vitality
• Metal: Iron
• Day: Tuesday

Jupiter ♃

• Organ: Liver, arterial system
• Function: Growth, expansion, nourishment
• Quality: Abundance, optimism, expansion
• Metal: Tin
• Day: Thursday

Saturn ♄

• Organ: Bones, skin, spleen
• Function: Structure, boundaries, elimination
• Quality: Limitation, time, crystallization
• Metal: Lead
• Day: Saturday

Zodiacal Correspondences

The Twelve Signs and Body Parts

Each zodiac sign rules a specific part of the body, from head (Aries) to feet (Pisces):

• Aries ♈: Head, face, brain
• Taurus ♉: Neck, throat, thyroid
• Gemini ♊: Arms, hands, lungs, shoulders
• Cancer ♋: Chest, breasts, stomach
• Leo ♌: Heart, spine, upper back
• Virgo ♍: Digestive system, intestines
• Libra ♎: Kidneys, lower back, skin
• Scorpio ♏: Reproductive organs, bladder
• Sagittarius ♐: Hips, thighs, liver
• Capricorn ♑: Knees, bones, teeth
• Aquarius ♒: Ankles, calves, circulation
• Pisces ♓: Feet, lymphatic system

Medical Astrology

Understanding zodiacal rulerships helps diagnose and treat illness:

• Planetary transits affect corresponding organs
• Birth chart reveals constitutional strengths and weaknesses
• Timing treatments according to planetary hours
• Using herbs and minerals ruled by beneficial planets

Elemental Correspondences

The Four Elements in the Body

Fire 🜂

• Location: Head, heart, vital heat
• Function: Metabolism, digestion, vitality
• Humor: Yellow bile (choleric)
• Quality: Hot and dry
• Temperament: Energetic, passionate, quick

Air 🜁

• Location: Chest, lungs, breath
• Function: Respiration, circulation, thought
• Humor: Blood (sanguine)
• Quality: Hot and moist
• Temperament: Optimistic, social, adaptable

Water 🜄

• Location: Abdomen, fluids, glands
• Function: Emotion, secretion, nourishment
• Humor: Phlegm (phlegmatic)
• Quality: Cold and moist
• Temperament: Calm, emotional, receptive

Earth 🜃

• Location: Bones, flesh, solid tissues
• Function: Structure, stability, elimination
• Humor: Black bile (melancholic)
• Quality: Cold and dry
• Temperament: Practical, stable, serious

The Tree of Life in the Body

Kabbalistic Anatomy

The ten Sephiroth map onto the human body:

• Kether: Crown of head, pineal gland
• Chokmah: Right brain hemisphere
• Binah: Left brain hemisphere
• Chesed: Right arm/shoulder
• Geburah: Left arm/shoulder
• Tiferet: Heart center, solar plexus
• Netzach: Right hip/leg
• Hod: Left hip/leg
• Yesod: Reproductive organs, sacral center
• Malkuth: Feet, base of spine, physical body

The Middle Pillar

The central column of the Tree aligns with the spine and energy centers:

• Kether → Crown
• Tiferet → Heart
• Yesod → Sacral
• Malkuth → Root

Chakras and Sephiroth

Eastern and Western Integration

The seven chakras correspond to the Sephiroth:

• Crown Chakra: Kether (union with divine)
• Third Eye: Chokmah/Binah (wisdom/understanding)
• Throat: Daath (knowledge, the invisible Sephirah)
• Heart: Tiferet (beauty, balance)
• Solar Plexus: Geburah/Chesed (power/mercy)
• Sacral: Yesod (foundation, sexuality)
• Root: Malkuth (earth, manifestation)

The Three Alchemical Principles

Sulfur, Mercury, Salt

Paracelsus identified three principles in the body:

Sulfur (Soul) 🜍

• The vital, active principle
• Consciousness, will, spirit
• Fire element
• Located in the heart and blood

Mercury (Spirit) ☿

• The mediating principle
• Life force, breath, energy
• Air element
• Located in the nervous system and fluids

Salt (Body) 🜔

• The material, passive principle
• Physical structure, crystallization
• Earth element
• Located in bones and solid tissues

Practical Applications

Hermetic Medicine

• Diagnose by understanding planetary and elemental imbalances
• Treat with corresponding herbs, minerals, and metals
• Time treatments according to planetary hours and days
• Balance the four humors
• Harmonize the three principles

Spiritual Development

• Activate the Tree of Life within through meditation
• Balance chakras/Sephiroth for spiritual ascent
• Understand your birth chart as your spiritual blueprint
• Work with planetary energies for transformation

Self-Knowledge

• Study your body to understand the cosmos
• Recognize cosmic patterns within yourself
• See illness as cosmic imbalance
• Understand temperament through elements

The Body as Temple

Sacred Anatomy

The body is not merely biological but sacred:

• The temple of the soul
• A microcosm of divine creation
• The vehicle for spiritual realization
• The laboratory for the Great Work

The Alchemical Body

• The body is the vessel for transformation
• Physical health supports spiritual development
• The body must be purified and refined
• The goal: the glorified, immortal body

Further Study

Primary Texts:

• The Kybalion (Hermetic principles)
• Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Agrippa
• The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune

Conclusion

The microcosmic human reveals the profound truth that we are not separate from the universe but complete reflections of it. The planets govern our organs, the zodiac rules our body parts, the elements compose our being, and the Tree of Life maps our spiritual anatomy. By understanding these correspondences, we transform medicine into sacred art, recognize our bodies as temples, and realize that to know ourselves is to know the cosmos. The body is not merely flesh but a living universe, a microcosm containing all the patterns, forces, and wisdom of the macrocosm.

May you know your body as universe. May you recognize the cosmos within. May you honor the temple of your being.