A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z Hebrew: Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet • Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune • Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay Tzahday • Qoaf • Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv Pay Spelling: pay hey Pay’s shape is akin to that of beit and kaph. It is often considered to represent a mouth with a tooth or teeth formed from an inverted yoad. As previously discussed in aiyin, there is the implication that a divine inward illumination or ‘insight’ leads to speech, and that the mouth is the vessel through which insight is transformed into action through teaching or sharing. Additionally, however, speech is a source of suffering and harm when this gift is maliciously or ignorantly employed. Another interpretation is possible, which is that the shape of the letter denotes a side-view of a man’s head, with a thin membrane where the eye is, and an open mouth with the palate emphasized. This perspective might infer that seeing results in inward reflection, which in turn gives birth to speaking. We still use this mode to illustrate the physical formation of phonetic sounds (pre-palatial, velar, etc.). As a container with a ‘reflected yoad’ pay signifies the illuminative and expressive qualities of the divine channel in a person. Properly cultivated, attention to this spark results in insight, wisdom, and wise speech. When ignored, it results in ignoble speech, and vulgarity. The primary quality at play here is the source of one’s expressivity, and its purpose. It seems we are generally either making light, or forming from shadows — clearly, one of these is progenerative, and the other negative. Another relationship between aiyin and pay is that they represent the only two ways of transmitting knowledge — with aiyin we may read that which was written through the faculty of sight, and with pay we may hear that which is spoken. Both of these methods have advantages, however the music and character of the human voice conveys myriads of dimensions of meaning which are sacrificed for the comparatively modest utility of texts. In any case, both are strongly related to knowing in general, and knowledge or da’at. Both speech and knowledge are aspects of ‘dividing’. Speech divides silence in a rhythmic and musical fashion, while knowledge divides things, qualities, beings, relations and circumstances from the fundamental unity of experience and presence. Both also imply unique modes of measuring, according to one’s skill and understanding. o:O:o     o:O:o Family: Existential: Actualized in existence within the spiral/cone of transentient emanation. Existing within space-time. The second 9 letters. Archetypal: Chait Existential: Pay Supernal: (Pay-sophit) Position: The seventeenth letter. The fifth of ‘the doubles’, letters which have a dual pronunciation (hard or soft) with the exception of raysh. This can be understood as a polarity between a quality and its derivative opposite, and also a harsh or lenient perspective of judgment. Common associations: Primary Significations: The mouth, speech. Secondary Significations: Dominance and subjugation. The speaker and the listener. Body: The left ear Planet: Mercury Archetype / Tribe: Aaron Element: Path on the Tree of Life: Traditional: Geburah / Hod Hermetic: Geburah / Hod A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z Hebrew: Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet • Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune • Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay Tzahday • Qoaf • Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv