Correspondence
The symbolic relationship between different levels of reality, where one pattern may reflect, echo, or reveal another.
Definition
Correspondence is the relationship between different levels, forms, or symbols where one thing reflects or reveals meaning in another.
Expanded Explanation
Correspondence is one of the central ideas in Hermetic and symbolic study.
It suggests that patterns in the heavens, nature, the body, metals, plants, colors, numbers, images, and the soul may relate to one another. These relationships are not meant to be careless comparisons. They require disciplined study, context, and symbolic literacy.
The phrase “as above, so below” is often used to describe correspondence. The greater world and the smaller world may mirror one another. The macrocosm and microcosm may be studied together.
Within hermetic alchemy, correspondence helps connect articles, encyclopedia entries, herbarium materials, books, traditions, and symbols into a living archive of related meanings.