In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I'm joined by Andrew Clawson, bestselling author of thrillers and adventure novels, for a captivating deep dive into the enigmatic Emerald Tablet. 

We explore the tablet's myth, tracing the mysterious artifact’s journey through time—from its rumored roots in ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology to its influence during the Persian Empire.  

Andrew reveals how this powerful symbol of alchemy and ancient wisdom has inspired his storytelling, and how it weaves into the plots of his gripping novels. We also discuss undiscovered ancient civilizations and their influence on adventure storytelling! 

The Emerald Tablet by Andrew Clawson is available here. Here's what it's all about:  

An ancient Persian relic. A message etched in stone. A deadly quest across the globe to reveal the forbidden truth. 

Recovering ancient relics for the Italian mob can be deadly. When Harry Fox narrowly outwits a thieving artifacts dealer to escape with his life, he quickly discovers he came away with more than he bargained for. The stone tablet with a strange tale etched on it tells of lost knowledge from the cradle of civilization – the ancient Persian Empire.  

If Harry Fox thought hunting artifacts for the mob was dangerous, he has no idea what’s in store as he hurtles toward disaster to uncover the truth behind the Emerald Tablet. 

Takeaways: 

• The Emerald Tablet is a legendary idea more than a real artifact, tied to alchemy and mysterious ancient wisdom. 
• Its most famous line is “As above, so below,” hinting at a link between the cosmos and the human soul. 
• It was likely written in Arabic around the 6th–8th century and later translated into Latin, fueling Renaissance interest in alchemy. 
• It blends Egyptian, Greek, and Islamic thought, showing how ancient cultures influenced one another. 
• Though short, the tablet’s dense symbolism has inspired centuries of mystical, philosophical, and scientific interpretations. 

Got a Story Idea? 

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you! 

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A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time! 

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself. 

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Thanks for tuning in! See you in the next episode of The Adventure Story Podcast. 🏆🎙 

Mentioned in this episode:

What if we’re looking for Atlantis in the wrong place?

When an archaeologist dies protecting an impossible secret, her final message sends Eden Black racing into the Sahara — to track down an ancient crystal encoded with the knowledge of a lost civilization — a power that once turned a paradise into a wasteland.