Microcosm vs Macrocosm

​While not specifically metaphysical terms, the words microcosm and macrocosm are often used in metaphysical books and conversations. While some texts helpfully explain what these concepts are, not all are so accommodating; possibly leaving the reader (or conversation partner) a little confused or without context. What may sound like a couple of five-dollar words, are actually fairly simple concepts. A microcosm is simply  a smaller part of something that has the same qualities/features as the larger whole, which is the macrocosm. They are the same, separately and together. So, for example, a country can hold specific laws, values, history, cultural beliefs/standards, etc..(representing the macrocosm), and each town would still hold those same qualities, but in smaller form (a town, not the whole country). On a larger scale, the universe is made of many particles, substances, and energies, which are also contained in our galaxy (one small portion of the universe as a whole). We can even say that our solar system contains those same particles, substances, and energies, which makes it a microcosm of our galaxy, or the universe itself. As you can see, pretty much anything can be listed as a microcosm, as long there is something with the same feature/qualities larger than it that is the macrocosm.
In metaphysical books, these terms are usually used to describe the universe and man (as they say, we are all made of star stuff). Also, as I see it, as the human race we are one collective, all connected (whether we choose to believe so or not), made up of the same basic parts. As individuals, we are still part of that collective, but with our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The individual within the crowd, the microcosm within the macrocosm. Sometimes it is also used to describe our relation to the divine. As spiritual beings we all hold the divine within us.
Before today, had you heard these terms before? Did you have a good understanding of what they meant? If not, was this helpful? (I hope so!).