The Sephira Hod is associated with Thoth, Mercury & Hermes; all of which are mythological messengers & deities. All are associated with communication; which can be defined as 'imparting, exchanging and/or connecting information'. Mercury was the god of arts & sciences; of trade; of medicine and of magick. He was also the god of tricksters, liars & thieves. Here therefore is a duality between communications and deceptions.Hod itself is concerned with both inner and outer aspects of communication, which is the communication between the parts of total self and also communication with other 'selves'.
Hod is the Sephira of mental magick --- the magick of grimoires and spells; in layman terms the magic of grammar and spelling.
Hod is known as 'the perfect intelligence'. Its traditional virtue is that of truthfulness; its vices are falsehood and dishonesty. Associated with Hod are the words, names, verses and spells of traditional magick.
Hod's magical image is that of a winged hermaphrodite wearing an orange loincloth and sandals, holding a staff in its right hand and a lantern in the left. It is also associated with the caduceus.
Hod's negative powers are SMAL - Samael (the liars).
'if thought precedes action, what precedes thought?'