As above, so below and as below, so above. As within, so without and as without, so within. A harmonious energetic relationship connects all levels of reality and spans every facet of the same reality.
Above, Below, Within, Without per Either Hemisphere
The Eastern maxim that is counterpart (or correspondence!) to this axiom states simply: The interior reflects the exterior, and the exterior reflects again the interior. This statement tells us that our minds affect the world around us while the environment and our circumstances have an impact on our minds.
In the same way, all living things, which per animism includes all so-called inanimate objects as well (for everything is alive in animistic philosophy), are energetically connected to one-another and linked by unseen threads to the core of nature and to cosmic forces. Through this matrix of energetic connections, a network of related qualities and similar influences has formed.
Sages, magicians, mystics, and philosophers of the ancient world spent centuries studying and mapping these connections and relationships, and the fruits of their labors exist today as the tables and codices of magical correspondences employed by nearly all systems, schools, and traditions of the arcane studies worldwide.
Correspondence?
The term “correspondence” in magical vernacular means both:
- communication (exchange of information) between two or more vessels and
- similarity between, or reflection shared by two or more essences.
Correspondences are the shared frequency and emanations, and therefore attributes that connect something to something else. Such connections may be apparent, such as the sun, the color yellow, alertness, joy, and gold. Other links are more subtle, like a red rose, the sun, the higher self, generosity, protection, and the father. Whether obvious or hidden, the point is these connections exist as channels of energy that can be tapped into and traversed by the mind and subtle forces like magic.
How are Magical Correspondences Used?
In just about any way you can imagine. The purpose of correspondences is to allow you to attune to and direct energy that is relevant for your current magical objective.
From a high magic perspective, correspondences may be used to channel energy related to a spirit to aid in contacting or conjuring the spirit. Or you can use correspondences to raise the level of a specific influence to be cast into your spell.
One low magic methodology involves simply amassing items and events of correspondence to raise the desired energy to extreme levels and thereby force the magical effect you seek into the fabric of reality. An example of this would be a charm bag full of herbs, crystals, letters, symbols, oils, colored items, and etc., all corresponding to the desired effect the bag should have or bestow upon its carrier.
What do these Maps Look Like?
While this is a rather simplistic axiom, it can tend to get a bit overcomplicated if not approached with care. Here are three possible ways to move towards the maps and tables of correspondence for magical study and practice.
Web of Many Things
Speaking generally correspondences follow the categories of animal, vegetable, mineral, spirit, person, place, thing, idea, event, action, experience, or abstract. This is an imperfect list but a workable beginning.
Complex Hierarchical Explanation
In most of the western traditions and many from the east as well, a baseline hierarchy commonly followed for mapping correspondences includes polarity (aspect of duality), Zodiacal house, planetary sphere, elemental quality, principle, and attitude or disposition. These may be followed or accentuated by such listings as compass direction, season, time of day, animal, plant, crystal or metal, color, sound, fragrance, taste, texture, and finally miscellaneous or abstract reflections. This hierarchy is not perfect nor used by every school or system, but it serves as a good blueprint or mind map to establish the depth this axiom.
Simplified Hierarchy
Perhaps the simplest way to approach the correspondences is to view the whole spectrum of magical energies through the fourfold filter of Zodiac, planets, elements, and factors. Everyone and everything can be scrutinized through the lens of relevant zodiac sign, dominant planetary influence, primary elemental quality, and chief influential factor.
I am here referring to the 12 signs of the zodiac, 7 classical planetary powers (or the modern astrological system can be used), five elements including ether or spirit, and the four factors, also called natural forces or powers of nature. You can find a review of each of these headings on this simple hierarchy of correspondences page.
In this arrangement polarity, or the masculine-feminine attribute, is considered first or overlooked and determined after the fact. It’s a workable system for sure, but it does give up some nuance and latitude.
There are of course variations arising from cultural and era-specific considerations. Still, the cohesion and commonalities between systems from the west and the east and even between philosophies separated by centuries of change are still most remarkable.
The consistency of these systems of correspondence through the ages is a stout testament to their veracity and efficacy.
I have slapped together a decent foundation for a magical correspondence system you may examine, apply, edit, or reject as you see fit, and this can be accessed here.