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Hod – Splendor, Majesty, Humility, Gratitude, Ritual
by Rabbi Nadya Gross
I love the attribute of Hod. As a human being, I am in co-creative partnership with the Creator and all of Creation. Furthermore, I love to create rituals that transform energy and create sacred space. I often turn to Hod for guidance.
This week the flow of creative energy moves from the right hip and leg to the left – balancing our stance on this earth. Hod is the receptive attribute which catches, contains and gives form to the unbridled, powerful force of Netzach. Last week, Kohenet Ruach D’vorah described so clearly that instinctual drive and passion to “get things done” and leave a lasting impression. Hod says: if you want to leave your mark on the world, let it shine with splendor and stand out for its beautiful form.
Hod recognizes and celebrates the beauty of this created world and all its component parts. It makes itself known through our senses; and then we want to see more, touch again, inhale the perfume, taste the sweetness… So we create rituals to reenact and recreate the wow moments, and to remember the sense of sacredness we experienced.
We make forms that carry the essence of those peak moments, whether through art, music, movement or other creative expressions. We are inspired to use our unique gifts and skills to offer our contributions to the magnificent world of which we are a part, to reflect and enhance the splendor and majesty of Creation.
And we make our offerings with deepest humility. We know that our creative capacity is not our own, but a gift from the Source of creativity. We are humbled to receive and feel called to give back with gratitude. Hod is also related to the word hoda’ah – gratitude. When we create something beautiful, using our gifts and skills, and giving form to the essential divine energy that runs through this realm, we are saying “thank you”.
In this week of Hod, I want to get in touch with my passion, my drive to make a lasting contribution, to leave my legacy; I want to allow that forceful expression to awaken my creative gifts – whatever they may be – and with gratitude to fashion my contribution to the ever-evolving and changing world so that it adds to the beauty of what is, and crowns it with splendor.
Some other Hod practices this week:
- Each morning, list 10 things you’re grateful for (in your life, your relations and the world)
- Sing praises to the natural world around you
- Create something to give away: bake a cake, write a poem or song, take a photo, and give it to someone who will be uplifted by your thoughtfulness