August 2025

Alchemy & Herbalism

• Alchemy and Herbalism
• The Light Of Nature
• As Above, So Below
• The 4 Elements & 3 Principles

“That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing.” 

— The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus.

As Above, So Below

In his book “The English Physitian Enlarged” (1653), Culpeper describes 328 plants, of which 322 are associated with one of the seven planets of pre-modern astrology.

The seven planets represent a harmonic pattern of the creation that manifests in the seven days of the week, the seven visible light waves that make the color spectrum, the seven notes of the musical scale, the seven chakras, and so on.

The Sun

The Sun is the center or the heart of creation. As the center of the wheel of time, it regulates the four seasons, plant growth, and bird migration. It represents our inner light of consciousness and vitality. The Sun is associated with Sunday, the astrological sign is Leo, the metal is gold, and the grain is wheat. Some herbs associated with the Sun are saffron, St John’s Wort, and Rosemary.

The Moon

By nature, the moon is receptive and introverted. It doesn’t have its own light, but it reflects the light of the Sun. The moon is associated with the water element, affecting the ebb and flow of the tides and the cycles of the female reproductive system. She is related to the inner self, where emotions and feelings are internalized. The day of the week associated with the moon is Monday; the astrological sign is Cancer, the metal is silver, and the grain is rice. Some herbs associated with the moon are cleavers, Chickweed, and Purslane.

Mars

Mars represents the warrior, the protector, and the hunter whose vital forces move up and outward. It corresponds to the blood and is associated with Tuesday; the astrological signs are Aries and Scorpio; the metal is iron, and the grain is barley. Some herbs associated with Mars are Nettle, Hops, and Hawthorne.

Venus

Venus represents the spirit rising above matter through the power of beauty, relationships, and love. She governs the law of attraction, harmonizing the parts to create a whole. Venus rules Taurus and Libra. She is associated with Friday, the metal is copper, and the grain is oats. Some herbs associated with Venus are marshmallow, peach, and Feverfew.  

Jupiter

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, represents expansion. Its gift allows us to expand our vision and see the world from a bird’s eye view, bringing new ideas and beliefs. Considered the “great beneficiary” for its uplifting, joyous effect, Jupiter is the planet of Inspiration and visions. Jupiter relates to Pisces and Sagittarius. The metal associated with Jupiter is tin, the day of the week is Thursday, and the grain is rye. Some herbs associated with Jupiter are Sage, Hyssop, and Dandelion.

Saturn

Saturn sets boundaries between the visible and invisible planets. It is the gatekeeper of time that connects and liberates matter and spirit, making it the ruler of life and death. Saturn forces us to let go and let things “die” to transform and grow; as such, he is the great teacher who pulls the rug from under your feet. The seven rings around Saturn represent our personal boundaries and limits. Saturn is governed by Capricorn and Aquarius; the metal is lead, the day of the week is Saturday, and the grain is corn. Some herbs associated with Saturn are Solomon’s seal, Comfrey, and Mullein.

Mercury

Mercury is the messenger who travels and connects the upper, middle, and underworlds. Therefore, he is considered the weaver of the “As above, so below.” Mercury stands on the threshold of consciousness between wakefulness and unconsciousness; as such, it relates to the respiratory system. Although breathing is part of the autonomic nervous system, it happens without conscious management; you can control your breathing if you choose to. As the messenger, Mercury rules our voice and ability to communicate. It is ruled by Gemini and Virgo, relates to Mercury or quicksilver, is associated with Wednesday, and the grain is millet. Herbs associated with Mercury are usually aromatic, such as Fennel, Elecampane, and Licorice.

Ancient cultures perceived the planets not just as physical bodies but as ensouled beings that influence life on Earth. We can hear echoes of this mindset in how the days of the week are named after the different planets and how some cultures practice eating “the grain of the day.”

For the alchemists, the astrological patterns were experienced as the light of nature shining through the physical world. Like a kaleidoscope, they formed and colored nature, unraveling patterns and solving riddles of the creation.

The alchemist who practiced the principle of “As above, so below” experienced the concept of holistic medicine as a complex relationship between the whole person, the whole plant, and the whole cosmos.

Biodynamic farming

Biodynamic farmers incorporate the saying “As Above, So Below” into their everyday practices. I was an herb farmer who had adhered to biodynamic practices for more than a decade and can attest to their benefits for the health of the soil and plants.

The biodynamic calendar

For thousands of years, the twelve zodiac constellations, through which the Earth, Moon, and planets pass as they circle the Sun, have been associated with one of the four elements: Earth, water, air, and fire.

Maria Thun and other biodynamic farmers found that seeding and transplanting root crops (potatoes, carrots, etc.) on a day when the moon is in an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) in its journey through the zodiac results in a better yield. The same is true for seeding and transplanting leaf crops on days in which the moon is in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces), seeding and transplanting flower crops when the moon is in an air sign (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius), and seeding and transplanting fruit crops when the moon is in a fire sign ( Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius).

Biodynamic preparations

Biodynamic farmers apply a unique homeopathic preparation made out of cow manure and herbs to their garden. Applying the biodynamic preparations aims to attract the influence of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. When sprayed on the soil or compost, these influences increase the garden’s fertility.

Men Know thyself

The foundation of Biodynamic Agriculture is not the practical applications of the biodynamic methods in the garden, but the inner work of the farmer. The biodynamic farmer sees himself as a modern alchemist who, through his work, builds a bridge between heaven and Earth.

The essence of the principle of “As above, so below” is that everything that happens in the macrocosmos affects what happens in the microcosmos. It means that whatever happens in your body affects you on the cellular level, but also that what happens in each one of your cells affects the entire organism.

Many times, I feel powerless in a world that is hostile and chaotic. “As above, so below” reminds me that we have the power to change only ourselves. However, this is a mighty power because if I am intentional with my thoughts, feelings, and actions, I can change the entire cosmos. YOU CAN TOO!