If you have been around children lately, you have no doubt heard the constant refrain of “Six-Seven… Six-Seven… Six-Seven…” anytime the numbers 6 or 7 are mentioned, or sometimes for no reason at all.  It is a cultural phenomenon with no definitive origin and, stranger still, no real meaning. The media has gone so far as to label it a “cultural virus,” “brain rot,” and even “a disrespectful display toward adults.” However, to a Qabalist, the number is sure to pique their interest.

67 is the number of Binah (Understanding), because in Hebrew each letter also has a numerical value associated with it. We arrive at 67 for Binah (בינה) by summing the values of its individual letters:

Beth (2) + Yod (10) + Nun (50) + Heh (5) = 67

This practice is known as Gematria, a term derived from the Greek geometria (Geometry). As its etymology suggests, calculating these word values is not just numerology, but a method of exploring proportions and relationships. As we see in modern geometry, two shapes, such as a triangle and a rectangle, are considered equal in area if they occupy the same amount of space, regardless of their outward appearance. Similarly, in the geometry of language, words that share the same sum value are seen to be “geometrically equal.” Therefore, the power of Gematria lies in its ability to reveal congruence between outwardly unrelated concepts.

For example, the Hebrew word for “Sword,” Zain (זין), also shares the numerical value of 67:

Zayin (7) + Yod (10) + Nun (50) = 67

The shared sum of 67 reveals a profound link between Understanding and the Sword. As the third Sephirah, Binah (Understanding) acts as the “Divine Mother” who gives birth to form through the act of limitation. She provides the boundaries that allow us to distinguish one concept from another, effectively “carving” relative forms out of the primordial whole.

This mirrors the function of a Sword (Zain), which is defined by its ability to divide. Just as a blade separates one physical object into two, the faculty of Understanding separates a specific idea from the background of the infinite. Through this connection, Understanding is revealed to be an incisive power, a mental “sword” that defines reality by cutting away the undefined.

Critics often dismiss Gematria as “mental gymnastics,” arguing that with enough numerical stretching, one can bridge any two unrelated ideas. We share these concerns. Gematria can and often is abused, but the potential for misuse does not invalidate the system’s value. It is vital to understand that Gematria is largely an artificial system. Many names, spellings, and teachings have been deliberately selected or even manipulated by Qabalists to ensure the pieces fit and convey a specific philosophy. This should not trouble the student. The core of the tradition is one of deliberate design, not random coincidence.

Even if a comparison feels like “mental gymnastics,” such exercises are excellent for the mind. The primary goal of Qabalistic training is to learn to think relationally and perceive the inherent unity behind seeming diversity. Therefore, if a numerical correspondence is congruent with established philosophy, it is valid. As the wise admit: “One of the marks of true wisdom is that it turns even fancy to its purposes.”

Cultivating the discrimination to tell wisdom from folly is a required skill on this path, and until one has developed it, they will be unable to distinguish the true magical language from the mere “number play” of the tyro. In this sense, the ambiguous nature of Gematria acts as a deliberate safeguard, ensuring that the unprepared will not find the inner meanings until they are ready. To neglect the cultivation of your skills in perceiving these inner relationships is to ensure that the deepest teachings remain indecipherable.

With that in mind, please indulge us as we fancifully relate established correspondences with a modern internet meme. Know that it is all in the spirit of practice, and you might just learn something in the process!

In the “magical language,” certain numbers serve as established landmarks, specifically designed to catch the eye of the initiate. As we have seen, 67, the number of Binah, is one such landmark. While we have explored the understanding and formative aspect of the “Divine Mother,” it is equally vital to recognize that this sphere is intrinsically bound to the concept of Love. As the tradition teaches: “There is no love without understanding, and love must be discriminating, in the good and constructive sense of this word.” Indeed, the path on the Tree of Life associated with the Sword (Zain) is aptly named the Discriminating Intelligence.

In addition to “Understanding” and “Sword,” the value of 67 encompasses the words ChNT (חנט, “to ripen”) and ZLL (זלל, “to shake, or pour out”). These terms help illustrate that creation is a divine outpouring of universal love, and all of manifestation is a process of “ripening” toward a perfect, unified expression of that love.

This Divine Understanding does not just flow one way. While the Sword was used to carve out individual forms, it can also be used to break down these same illusions of “manyness.” By applying the sword of understanding to the manifold appearances of the world, we strip away the surface and remember that all things are truly parts of a greater unity. Ultimately, the highest form of Understanding is that which dissolves division and returns the seeker to the underlying reality: Unity. Love.

Therefore when one speaks the number “67,” they are in a very real sense verbalizing a universal will to love. Each iteration is a spark of that great outpouring from the Divine Mother. Each repetition is a step toward the ripening of the manifest world toward the perfection of the divine blueprint. Even a “sassy” 67 can serve as a sharp reminder to use the Sword of Understanding, cutting through the illusion of manyness to find the unity beneath.

Even if the speaker isn’t consciously aware of this depth, the refrain can serve as your reminder to think the same. As you do, you will be in a position to manifest such thoughts and progress in your own life and personal vehicle. So the next time a child smirks at you and says “Six-Seven,” join in the fun with them, or at least return the smile. The world can always use a little boost of fancy, love, and understanding. If you think about these things every time you hear it, then it is true, the refrain 67 will undoubtedly sow seeds of the same. Remember, even a cultural meme can serve as a powerful magical tool to those who know.