“The Eighth Path is called the Absolute or Perfect Intelligence because it is the mean of the Primordial, which has no root by which is can cleave or rest, save in the hidden places of Gedulah (Chesed), from which emanates its proper essence.”

Sepher Yetzirah

Hod pronounced as it looks, means Glory or Splendour.

This is the sphere of everyday thought, the Intellect as we commonly know it, but not the higher intellect, which is available, consciously, to the Adept.

We bring things into being in our lives by having clear (Yetziratic text = perfect) thoughts about them.  Only when such thoughts are perfected can we achieve our desires (Netzach).

In Hod a curious shift occurs. Our physical world seems more real to us than our thoughts, yet all mystical teaching stresses the opposite: that the world of concrete forms is really the impermanent result of higher creative impulses.

  Hod is the gateway into what we might call concreteness. This is the reason why intellectual people do so well in the world, - because they can make manifest the forms the hold in their head. That such people are often under-developed emotionally prevents them from moving their consciousness up the Tree towards Tiphareth.  We need both to ascend in consciousness.

Man’s concept of his God or Gods has its sphere of action in Netzach, but this needs a trigger to activate it.  That trigger is the picture or thought form generated in Hod.  A clear picture, with strong and balanced intent, plus the emotive force attached at Netzach gives an arrow of consciousness aimed at Tiphareth with mighty force, and the arrow is us!

On to the mysterious world of Yesod, home of the Subconscious.