’Tis true without lying, certain and most true, that in this episode of Texting, Tomek and I analyze the canonical alchemical text known as Tabula Smaragdina, or the Emerald Tablet. Press play above to hear the full conversation, which some might say includes as much dross as gold, insofar as my co-host and I discuss everything from the multiple personae of Hermes Trismegistus to the distillation of urine in search of the philosopher’s stone, Sherlock Holmes’ cocaine habit, and the comedic potential of the word “ejaculate” (the noun, not the verb). If, however, you wish to separate the subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry, you may want to focus on our close reading of Isaac Newton’s translation of the text, which begins around the 45-minute mark. Either way, let us know what you think.
And be sure to watch the video version of the pod if you’d like to see the slideshow with our ugly mugs on the side:
Thanks to Rich for another awesome thumbnail!
Show Notes
Here are some tunes to help establish the proper mood for this episode:
For background information on the text and the textual history, I recommend this video from Dr. Justin Sledge’s Esoterica YouTube channel:
The Why Files offers a more whimsical perspective:
And here’s that clip in which Katt Williams turns Joe Rogan on to the Tabula Smaragdina:
If you haven’t seen it already, Graham Hancock’s Ancient Apocalypse series on Netflix is worth watching:
I’m putting these books on my reading list:
And don’t forget to order your copy of the first volume of my blank verse epic, Of Letters and a Man, which is centered around Cadmus, whom I consider an avatar of Thoth, or vice versa. (I made the plug during the pod, so I may as well do it here too, right?)
Check out this portrait of pudgy Paracelsus:
My Blakean misquotation corrected:
I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man’s.
Watermelon Jolly Rancher, anyone?
Would you join this dude’s church?
The Next Text
Tentative title: “We’re Too Dumb to Have Smartphones.”
As Above, So Below