HOD
Hod is Hebrew for Splendor.
It corresponds to Mercury in astrology and also represents the left hemisphere
of the brain. Both Mercury and the left brain hemisphere are connected with
those brain functions that have to do with reasoning and analytical analysis
as well as language aquisition. Hod works in conjunction with Netzach, which
corresponds to the right brain hemisphere. Hod adds structure to our awareness
by enabling us to verbalize our thoughts and impressions. It puts things
into words and creates a map of the interconnections between those things
that we experience in the universe. Whenever we go to an unfamiliar place
such as a new town or a new store, there is often a moment of confusion
because that internal map of the place has yet to be created. To create
this map is the primary function of Hod. Both Hod and Netzach are connected
with prophecy, but Hod corresponds to the kind of prophecy that might be
thought of as intellectual extrapolation. For example, sometimes we look
at a person and we can see that they are not on a good path and that if
they continue in this manner, then bad things will happen to them. This
is the kind of prophecy that Hod represents. It is a projection from the
present situation to its logical conclusion. Hod and Netzach also correspond
to the left and right legs of the body, respectively. Just as the legs support
of the body, so do the left and right hemispheres of the brain support our
understanding and perception of the world. By itself, Hod is completely
passive. It, the left hemisphere of the brain, will try to adapt to and
passively analyze whatever situation it finds itself in. The word Hod is
also related in Hebrew to Hade, the word for echo. This points to the incessant
manner in which thoughts and words tend to bounce around the rational mind.