Note: Each week of the OmerFrom the second day of Passover until Shavuot, Jews count seven weeks – seven times seven days – to commemorate the period between the Exodus from Egypt and the Revelation at Sinai. When the Temple stood, a certain measure (omer) of barley was offered on the altar each day; today, we merely count out the days. 5784 we’ll include LilyFish Gomberg’s weekly guide to Counting the Omer (Taylor’s version). Find the introduction and guide here.
Find LilyFish’s playlist here.
Week Four: Netzach – Perseverance, Ambition, and Fortitude
Day twenty-two, the first day of week four, Chesed within Netzach, is “22.” Chesed, loving-kindness, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the resilience to maintain positive relationships. “22” is a song of self-love and strength, since it was a year from on of her major breakups and celebrated her return to self-love. She sings, “everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22.”
Day twenty-three, the second day of week four, Gevurah within Netzach, is “long story short.” Gevurah, strength, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the determination to overcome obstacles. “long story short” illustrates strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, reflecting the determination to surmount challenges and emerge victorious despite obstacles. Taylor sings, “long story short, it was a bad time, long story short I survived”
Day twenty-four, the third day of week four, Tiferet within Netzach, is “Timeless.” Tiferet, balance and compassion, within the perseverance of Netzach, symbolizes the enduring beauty of love. “Timeless” celebrates a love that stands the test of time and reflects the strength found in a relationship that both people work hard on. She sings, “”I’m gonna love you when our hair is turnin’ gray, we’ll have a cardboard box of photos of the life we’ve made and you’ll say, “Oh my, we really were timeless.”
Day twenty-five, the fourth day of week four, Netzach within Netzach, is “The Manuscript.” Netzach, perseverance and fortitude, within itself, signifies the strength to triumph over challenges. In “The Manuscript,” Taylor reflects on her past challenges, and in doing so recognises her own resiliance, thus crafting a narrative of empowerment and fortitude. She sings, ““The Professor, said to ‘write what you know’ — lookin’ backwards might be the only way to move forward…”
Before TTPD came out, day 25 was “Dear Reader.” In “Dear Reader,” Taylor vulnerably reflects on her perseverance and fortitude, illustrating the strength to overcome challenges and find solace within oneself, ultimately crafting a narrative of empowerment and resilience. She sings, “”Dear reader, bend when you can, snap when you have to. Dear reader, you don’t have to answer just ’cause they asked you.”
Day twenty-six, the fifth day of week four, Hod within Netzach, is “All Of The Girls You Loved Before.” Hod, humility and gratitude, within perseverance, Netzach, signifies the appreciation for past experiences. “All Of The Girls You Loved Before” reflects on gratitude for lessons learned in past relationships, and how past experiences have brought you to where you are today. Taylor sings, “Every dead-end street led you straight to me. Now you’re all I need, I’m so thankful for all of the girls you loved before… but I love you more!”
Day twenty-seven, the sixth day of week four, Yesod within Netzach, is “Look What You Made Me Do.” Yesod, truth and foundation, within the perseverance of Netzach, symbolizes the importance of embracing change for personal growth. In “Look What You Made Me Do,” Taylor literally looks back on the past versions of herself and appreciates the phases she’s gone through and the person she’s become. She sings, “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now… Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead!”
Day twenty-eight, the seventh day of week four, Malkhut within Netzach, is “Vigilante Shit.” Malkhut, majesty and authority, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the empowerment to take charge. “Vigilante Shit” explores themes of empowerment and strength in asserting oneself and one’s boundaries to make change. Taylor sings, “while he was doing lines, and crossing all of mine, someone told his white collar crimes to the FBI”
Week Four: Netzach – Perseverance, Ambition, and Fortitude
Day twenty-two, the first day of week four, Chesed within Netzach, is “22.” Chesed, loving-kindness, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the resilience to maintain positive relationships. “22” is a song of self-love and strength, since it was a year from on of her major breakups and celebrated her return to self-love. She sings, “everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22.”
Day twenty-three, the second day of week four, Gevurah within Netzach, is “long story short.” Gevurah, strength, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the determination to overcome obstacles. “long story short” illustrates strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, reflecting the determination to surmount challenges and emerge victorious despite obstacles. Taylor sings, “long story short, it was a bad time, long story short I survived”
Day twenty-four, the third day of week four, Tiferet within Netzach, is “Timeless.” Tiferet, balance and compassion, within the perseverance of Netzach, symbolizes the enduring beauty of love. “Timeless” celebrates a love that stands the test of time and reflects the strength found in a relationship that both people work hard on. She sings, “”I’m gonna love you when our hair is turnin’ gray, we’ll have a cardboard box of photos of the life we’ve made and you’ll say, “Oh my, we really were timeless.”
Day twenty-five, the fourth day of week four, Netzach within Netzach, is “The Manuscript.” Netzach, perseverance and fortitude, within itself, signifies the strength to triumph over challenges. In “The Manuscript,” Taylor reflects on her past challenges, and in doing so recognises her own resiliance, thus crafting a narrative of empowerment and fortitude. She sings, ““The Professor, said to ‘write what you know’ — lookin’ backwards might be the only way to move forward…”
Before TTPD came out, day 25 was “Dear Reader.” In “Dear Reader,” Taylor vulnerably reflects on her perseverance and fortitude, illustrating the strength to overcome challenges and find solace within oneself, ultimately crafting a narrative of empowerment and resilience. She sings, “”Dear reader, bend when you can, snap when you have to. Dear reader, you don’t have to answer just ’cause they asked you.”
Day twenty-six, the fifth day of week four, Hod within Netzach, is “All Of The Girls You Loved Before.” Hod, humility and gratitude, within perseverance, Netzach, signifies the appreciation for past experiences. “All Of The Girls You Loved Before” reflects on gratitude for lessons learned in past relationships, and how past experiences have brought you to where you are today. Taylor sings, “Every dead-end street led you straight to me. Now you’re all I need, I’m so thankful for all of the girls you loved before… but I love you more!”
Day twenty-seven, the sixth day of week four, Yesod within Netzach, is “Look What You Made Me Do.” Yesod, truth and foundation, within the perseverance of Netzach, symbolizes the importance of embracing change for personal growth. In “Look What You Made Me Do,” Taylor literally looks back on the past versions of herself and appreciates the phases she’s gone through and the person she’s become. She sings, “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now… Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead!”
Day twenty-eight, the seventh day of week four, Malkhut within Netzach, was “Vigilante Shit” but now is “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.”
Day twenty-eight, the seventh day of week four, Malkhut within Netzach, is “Vigilante Shit.” Malkhut, majesty and authority, within the perseverance of Netzach, signifies the empowerment to take charge. “Vigilante Shit” explores themes of empowerment and strength in asserting oneself and one’s boundaries to make change. Taylor sings, “while he was doing lines, and crossing all of mine, someone told his white collar crimes to the FBI.”
Week Five: Hod – Humility, Simplicity, and Gratitude
Day twenty-nine, the first day of week five, Chesed within Hod, is “Foolish One.” Chesed, loving-kindness, Hod’s humility gratitude, highlights the delicate balance of wanting love and kindness while maintaining self-awareness and humility, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s worth, even amidst uncertainty. “Foolish One” reflects the struggle of yearning for love while acknowledging the need to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace self-respect. Taylor sings, “the day is gonna come for your confessions of love. When all is said and done, he just wasn’t the one.”
Day thirty, the second day of week five, Gevurah within Hod, is “How You Get The Girl.” Gevurah, strength, within the humility of Hod, signifies the acknowledgment of consequences and the strength to face them. In “How You Get The Girl,” Taylor explores the resilience required to navigate the complexities of love, recognizing the importance of humility and accountability in the pursuit of reconciliation and understanding. She sings, “Broke your heart, I’ll put it back together, I would wait forever and ever! And that’s how it works. That’s how you get the girl.”
Day thirty-one, the third day of week five, Tiferet within Hod, is “Stay Beautiful.” Tiferet, balance and compassion, within the humility of Hod, signifies the appreciation for inner and outer beauty. In “Stay Beautiful,” Taylor celebrates the beauty found in authenticity and kindness, emphasizing the importance of humility in recognizing and cherishing the beauty that exists within oneself and others. She sings, “You’re beautiful, every little piece love! And don’t you know, you’re really gonna be someone… ask anyone!”
Day thirty-two, the fourth day of week five, Netzach within Hod, is “Begin Again.” Netzach, perserverence, within the humility of Hod, represents the strength to persist and endure despite challenges, all while maintaining a grounded and modest demeanor. Despite setbacks and heartache, in “Begin Again” Taylor finds the strength to move forward and embrace new beginnings with a humble and grounded perspective. She sings, “I think it’s strange that you think I’m funny ’cause he never did. I’ve been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end. But on a Wednesday in a café, I watched it begin again.”
Day thirty-three, the fifth day of week five, Hod within Hod, was originally “The Lucky One” but has been changed to “Clara Bow” Hod b’Hod, which emphasizes humility within itself, underscores the significance of maintaining modesty and groundedness regardless of circumstances. In ‘Clara Bow’ Taylor talks about how new artists are compared to iconic figures, who, despite their glory, are then looked down on. This resonates with the need to understand that sometimes, nothing will be enough.” She sings “You look like Taylor Swift In this light, we’re lovin’ it You’ve got edge, she never did The future’s bright, dazzling”
Day thirty-three, the fifth day of week five, Hod within Hod, is “The Lucky One.” Hod, humility, within itself emphasizes the importance of maintaining a humble and modest attitude even in the face of success or adversity. In “The Lucky One,” Taylor tells the story of a celebrity who achieved fame and success but eventually realizes the emptiness of it all, reflecting on the importance of staying humble and grounded despite outward success. She sings, “and they tell you that you’re lucky, but you’re so confused, ’cause you don’t feel pretty, you just feel used.”
Day thirty-four, the sixth day of week five, Yesod within Hod, is “peace.” Yesod b’Hod, foundation within humility, signifies the importance of maintaining a strong and grounded foundation while embodying humility and modesty in one’s actions and interactions with others. In “peace” Taylor reflects on the challenges of maintaining a stable and loving relationship amidst uncertainty and turmoil. The lyrics convey a sense of grounding and humility as Swift acknowledges the limitations of her own vulnerabilities and imperfections. She sings, “your integrity makes me seem small, you paint dreamscapes on the wall. I talk shit with my friends — it’s like I’m wasting your honor.”
Day thirty-five, the seventh day of week five, Malkhut within Hod, is “Mastermind.” Malkhut b’Hod embodies humble leadership, blending sovereignty with modesty and a profound understanding of one’s role in the broader context. In “Mastermind,” Taylor portrays herself as a mastermind, orchestrating events with intention and strategy. However, there’s a sense of humility in the acknowledgment that she’s been scheming to make themselves loved since childhood, indicating an awareness of her own vulnerabilities and desires. Taylor sings, “No one wanted to play with me as a little kid so I’ve been scheming like a criminal ever since, to make them love me and make it seem effortless. This is the first time I’ve felt the need to confess, and I swear: I’m only cryptic and Machiavellian ’cause I care.”
Week Six: Yesod – Truth, Foundation, Bonding
Day thirty-six, the first day of week six, Chesed within Yesod, is “Daylight.” Chesed, loving-kindness, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, signifies that love and kindness are foundational to who we are as people. “Daylight” celebrates the triumph of love over adversity and how that love has formed her. She sings, “I wanna be defined by the things that I love, not the things I hate, not the things that I’m afraid of, not the things that haunt me in the middle of the night. I, I just think that you are what you love.”
Day thirty-seven, the second day of week six, Gevurah within Yesod, is “tolerate it.” Gevurah, strength, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, represents the courage and determination to uphold the integrity of one’s core principles and values, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. In “tolerate it,” Taylor depicts the resilience needed to maintain one’s principles and values in the face of unreciprocated love. She sings “if it’s all in my head tell me now. Tell me I’ve got it wrong somehow. I know my love should be celebrated. But you tolerate it.”
Day thirty-eight, the third day of week six, Tiferet within Yesod, is “Sweet Nothing.” Tiferet, balance and compassion, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, signifies the harmonious integration of empathy and integrity, fostering a solid groundwork for genuine connection and growth. “Sweet Nothing” highlights the importance of finding balance and refuge within the authenticity of personal relationships, where genuine connection transcends the superficialities of the outside world. Taylor sings, “everyone’s up to something, I find myself a-running home to your sweet nothings.”
Day thirty-nine, the fourth day of week six, Netzach within Yesod, is “All Too Well.” Netzach, perseverance, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, represents the unwavering commitment to uphold one’s principles and values, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. In “All Too Well,” Taylor describes the perseverance needed to maintain integrity and self-worth in the aftermath of heartbreak and betrayal. She sings, “Time won’t fly, it’s like I’m paralyzed by it. I’d like to be my old self again, but I’m still trying to find it.”
Day forty, the fifth day of week six, Hod within Yesod, is “Change.” Hod, humility and gratitude, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, embodies the sincere acknowledgment of one’s limitations and the appreciation for integrity. Reflecting on the power of perseverance and resilience, “Change” embodies the determination to overcome obstacles and create positive change, highlighting the humility and gratitude needed to recognize one’s strengths grow into them. Taylor sings, “the walls that they put up to hold us back fell down!”
Day forty-one, the sixth day of week six, Yesod within Yesod, is “invisible string.” Yesod within Yesod, foundation within itself, symbolizing a deep-rooted sense of stability, integrity, and authenticity. In “invisible string,” Taylor explores the concept of fate and how seemingly random events are connected in the grand scheme of life, highlighting the interconnectedness of experiences and the foundational threads that guide one’s path. She sings, “cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart, now I send their babies presents. Gold was the color of the leaves when I showed you around Centennial Park — hell was the journey but it brought me heaven.”
Day forty-two, the seventh day of week six, Malkhut within Yesod, is “The Man.” Malkhut, majesty and authority, within the truth and foundation of Yesod, represents the alignment of leadership and integrity, showing that power is rooted in unwavering honesty and authenticity. Addressing gender stereotypes and double standards, “The Man” embodies the essence of empowerment and self-assurance even in the context of the double standards Taylor faces. She sings, “if I was out flashing my dollars, I’d be a bitch, not a baller. They’d paint me out to be bad so it’s okay that I’m mad.”
Week Seven: Malkhut – Majesty, Leadership, and Authority
Day forty-three, the first day of week seven, Chesed within Malkhut, is “White Horse.” Chesed, loving-kindness, within the majesty of Malkhut, signifies the harmonious alignment of compassion and authority, where benevolence reigns supreme. In “White Horse,” Swift juxtaposes the lack of kindness her ex showed her with her own forgiveness and empathy amidst heartbreak, highlighting the benevolence that prevails even in the face of betrayal and disappointment. She sings, “Maybe I was naïve, got lost in your eyes and never really had a chance. My mistake, I didn’t know to be in love you had to fight to have the upper hand.”
Day forty-four, the second day of week seven, Gevurah within Malkhut, is “You Need To Calm Down.” Gevurah, strength, within the majesty of Malkhut, symbolizes the potent combination of power and resilience. It embodies the authority and determination to uphold justice and integrity even in the face of adversity. In “You Need To Calm Down,” Taylor advocates for self-expression and acceptance, embodying the strength and assertiveness within Malkhut as she stands up for what she believes in and refuses to be silenced by negativity. She sings, “we see you over there on the Internet comparing all the girls who are killing it —but we figured you out, we all know now, we all got crowns, you need to calm down!”
Day forty-five, the third day of week seven, Tiferet within Malkhut, is “Call It What You Want.” Tiferet, balance and compassion, within the majesty of Malkhut, signifies the harmonious integration of inner and outer authority, where authenticity reigns supreme. In “Call It What You Want,” Taylor reflects on finding solace and security in her personal relationships amidst public scrutiny and criticism by asserting her truth and maintaining her sense of self, regardless of external judgments. She sings, “All the liars are calling me one, nobody’s heard from me for months. I’m doing better than I ever was.”
Day forty-six, the fourth day of week seven, Netzach within Malkhut, is “Shake It Off.” Netzach, perseverance and fortitude, within the majesty of Malkhut, embodies the resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and rise above negativity. In “Shake It Off,” Taylor embraces her inner strength and refuses to let criticism or setbacks define her, demonstrating the unwavering perseverance of Netzach in the face of external challenges. She sings, “But I keep cruising, can’t stop, won’t stop moving. It’s like I got this music in my mind saying it’s gonna be alright!”
Day forty-seven, the fifth day of week seven, Hod within Malkhut, is “Castles Crumbling.” Hod, humility and gratitude, within the majesty of Malkhut, signifies the acknowledgment of one’s shortcomings and the humility to accept responsibility for one’s actions. In “Castles Crumbling,” Taylor reflects on the consequences of her actions and the humility that comes with realizing the fallibility of her reign. In it, Taylor demonstrates importance of acknowledging one’s mistakes and seeking redemption. She sings, “And I feel like my castle’s crumbling down, and I watch all my bridges burn to the ground. And you don’t want to know me, I will just let you down. You don’t wanna know me now.”
Day forty-eight, the sixth day of week seven, Yesod within Malkhut, is “Mary’s Song (Oh My My My).” Yesod, truth and foundation, within the majesty of Malkhut, represents the enduring truth and stability found within the bonds of love and friendship. In “Mary’s Song,” Taylor reminisces about the innocence of young love, telling a story of a majestic relationship that started in youth. The song beautifully captures the essence of true connection and the enduring foundation upon which lasting relationships are built. Taylor sings, ““Take me home where we met so many years before, we’ll rock our babies on that very front porch after all this time, you and I.”
Day forty-nine, the seventh day of week seven, Malkhut within Malkhut, is “Long Live.” Malkhut, representing majesty and leadership, within itself, signifies the culmination of one’s journey and the celebration of enduring legacy and influence. In “Long Live,” Taylor celebrates the triumphs and challenges faced throughout her journey, embracing the legacy she has created and the lasting impact she has had. The song serves as an anthem of resilience and empowerment, encapsulating the essence of perseverance and the enduring spirit of victory. Taylor sings, “if you have children some day, when they point to the pictures, please tell ’em my name!Tell ’em how the crowds went wild, tell ’em how I hope they shine.”
