Numerology

Also known as Numeromancy and Arithomancy, Numerology is a system of divination and occult practice based on the idea that the universe is mathematically constructed, and all things can be expressed in numbers, which correspond to vibrations. The meaning of the word numerology comes from the Latin word "numerus", which means "number", and the Greek word "logos", which means "word", "thought", "expression". The formal study of numerology can be linked to the work of the philosopher Pythagoras, who developed many of the basic theorems that form the foundation of modern mathematics.
"… all things are number and that numbers influence the essence of things. Thus number is the mediator between the divine and the earthly. So, if one performs various operations with numbers, theses operations also affect the things related to these numbers”.
 Each number has its own characteristics and values (male/female, strong/passive, harmony/disharmony and so on) and also corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. By applying the principles of numerology - and using only the name and birth date as the basic data – one can decipher a person's personality, strengths and abilities, personal challenges, inner needs, emotional chemistry, and ways of interacting with others. Numerology is also used to determine propitious days for certain activities, such as selecting marriage partners or choosing a baby's name. Frequently it can be combined with other divinatory forms such as astrology, cartomancy, geomancy, and dream interpretation.
The modern phase of numerology began at the turn of the twentieth century when an American woman, L. Dow Balliet, and others during that time published books on the subject. In light of more research on the subject, interest in numerology has grown over the last fifty years.
Gematria
In addition to the occult meanings of numbers , another principle is basic to numerology- -that of gematria, or cryptograph. In Hebrew, consonants are used as number signs, but by providing them with vowels, one can often read them as words and can read words as numbers. Through this way of applying sound and number they were able to determine that by adding the numeric values of letters and words together they could create values that equaled the 'vibration' or 'quality' of the actual letter or word that was being spoken. This method was eventually named Gematria: "a system for discovering the true and hidden meaning of words, using numbers and letters of the alphabet. The numerical values of the letters of words are added together, and then interpreted according to other words with the same numerical values", from Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience. This allows special reading of the Hebrew Bible to find secret or hidden meanings in the text.  A combination of gematria and Pythagorean number symbolism formed the basis for the number magic of the medieval Cabala.

There is evidence that numerology was in use thousands of years ago in China, Greece, Rome, and Egypt -- long before the time of Pythagoras, who is generally accepted as the "father" of numerology. King Sargon II, who ruled Babylonia in the 8th Century BC used the numerical value of his name to determine the length of a wall in the city. Most of the earliest teachings were transmitted orally, only to the initiated, because the information was considered very powerful and sacred. Pythagoras, a philosopher and mathematician, lived and taught in Southern Greece in the sixth century B.C. Before settling down in Greece and establishing the world's first co-educational university for esoteric studies in Croton (modern Crotone), in southern Italy in 532 BC, he spent more than 20 years in Egypt and Babylon where he was initiated to the secret cults and magic practices.
From certain observations in music, mathematics, and astronomy, he believed that all relations could be reduced to number relations ('all things are numbers'). The teachings of Pythagoras were taken up by Plato and reinforced by the writings of the Jewish Cabala. Although little can be confirmed about Pythagoras directly, his teachings spawned a philosophical and religious movement, called Pythagorism, that spread throughout the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, a numerical mysticism evolved from the teachings of Merkabah, a sect of Judaism. In the 13th century the German Kabbalists developed gematria, a mystic numerical interpretation of the Scriptures. Continued interest by early Christian scholars, such as St. Augustine, led to the widespread use of numerology during the Renaissance. For their readings, modern numerologists have adopted the original Pythagorean system. During the 19th century, when scientific discoveries concerning light, magnetism, and electricity were being made, the theory that numbers corresponded to energy patterns of vibrations became popular.
Pythagorean System
Letters converted using nos. 1 to 9
Started about 600 BC
Sometimes called Modern Numerology
More popular because easier to use
Gives a more materialistic meaning
Uses full name given at birth
Conversion is done in sequence
Pythagoras a mathematician used it
All compound numbers reduce to single numbers.
Chaldean System
Letters converted using nos. 1 to 8
Sometimes called Mystic Numerology
Harder to use than Pythagorean system
Gives an occult or mystical meaning
Uses name most known as
Shows the behind unscene forces
Conversion is out of sequence
Unknown who originally taught it
Predates the Pythagorean system
Birthday affects personality and health tendencies given at birth
The Single and Compound number are both important.

Both the Greeks and Hebrews held 10 to be the perfect number. Pythagoras considered that 10 comprehends all arithmetic and harmonic proportions, and, like God, is tireless. All nations calculated with it because when they arrive at 10, they return to 1, the number of creation. Pythagoreans believed the heavenly bodies were divided into 10 orders. According to the Kabbalah, there are ten emanations of numbers out of Nothing. The emanations form the 10 sephiroth of the Tree of Life, which contains all knowledge and shows the path back to God.
Throughout the ancient history of numbers certain characteristics and values were assigned to the integers. One mechanism which enabled the assignment of these characteristics was the way in which the ancient Greeks recorded the numbers in dots or geometrical figures. Odd numbers which could not be separated were said to be masculine possessing the "generative parts," and represented assertion, power, and creativity. Even numbers capable of being split into and therefore possessed femine "openings" were considered feminine representing wholeness, stability or weakness.
 Currently there are several interpretation of characteristics for numbers 1 through nine; the following represents a consensus:
Chart of Characteristicsof Numbers
1 unity, creation, independence
  2 duality, emergence
 3 power, generative force
 4 solidity, dullness
 5 sensuality, pleasure
 6 perfection, harmony, balance
 7 mysticism, psychic, magic
 8 material, success, justice
 9 spiritual, mental achievement
 The numbers 11, 22, and 33 are said to be master numbers which are not reduced to a single digit. People whose names correspond to these numbers are said to be highly developed spiritually. The number 33 is that of avatar.

The basic calculations used in numerology are performed by simple addition. All numbers are reduced to the single digits 1 through 9 except the special master numbers 11 and 22 (some systems include 33). For example, the number 12 is reduced by adding 1 + 2 to get 3. Similarly, the number 1953 can be reduced by adding 1 + 9 + 5 + 3 to get 18. The 18 is then further reduced by adding 1 + 8 to get 9.

In most occult systems only the numbers 1 to 9, together with 0, are considered in any depth, for all numbers greater than 9 can be reduced to a single digit by adding the digits together. This reductionism is the main tool of numerological divination. Consider the number 642 which can be reduced to (6 + 4 + 2 = 12), and then (1 + 2 = 3). The number 642 is therefore equivalent to the symbolic number 3. Larger numbers that occur from adding the numbers in the complete birth date or from the values assigned to each name, are reduced by adding the digits together until the sum achieved is one of the core numbers. Merely add the components of the larger number together (repeatedly, if necessary) until a single digit (or the "master" numbers 11 or 22) results. Each of these number represents different characteristics and expressions.

Master number are the only exception to rule of reducing to the single digit. The master numbers 11 and 22 are intensified versions of the single digit number they replace (2 and 4). These numbers suggest a potential for a high degree of learning and/or achievement very often in a more stressful environment. In many individuals, the master numbers operate at a much more tangible or practical level, becoming essentially the same as the single digit parallel.

The first consideration of numerology is often the date of birth. This date, expressed numerically, as mm/dd/yyyy, is used to determine what is called the Lifepath Number and a variety of other factors in the numerology reading.
Ex: John Smith was born in December 24th 1953 (12/24/1953 or 24/12/1953)

Letters in a person's name are converted to numbers and then added together and reduced where applicable. The practice is to total the numerical value of a name or word.

                          numerology chart
     1      2      3      4       5        6      7        8         9  
  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

Day of Birth Number
We determine this number by calculating the sum of the month and day of birth.
The Day of Birth Number is a powerful indicator of your point of view and general stance in the world. It is the the day of the month on which you were born (apart from the month and year).
Day of Birth for John: 12/24
Day of Birth Number = 1+2+2+4 = 9
Expression Number
We determine the expression (or Destiny Number) by calculating the sum of the number values of all the letters in the person's full name.
The expression describes a person's natural abilities and potentials. For most of individual, these talents and skills exist at birth, although they are usually further developed as a person grows and matures. Most of the time these particular abilities form the central feature of an individual's work or career. This is sometimes referred to as your potential or destiny. Living up to attributes of this number may not be easy, but it is your goal in the here and now. It is your life's purpose, spiritual mission, and your field of opportunity.
Don't use nicknames, assumed name, deviations in spelling used, or omit any part of the birth name. Use it as it appears on the birth certificate. Don't worry about changes to the name (married name, etc.), just stay with complete birth name. Don't count Jr. Sr., III, etc. following the name
Expression Number of John Smith
JOHN = 1 + 6 + 8 + 5 = 20, SMITH = 1 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 8 = 24, 20 + 24 = 44, 44 = 4 + 4 = 8
Explanation:
Determine letter numerical values from chart:
J = 1, O = 6, H = 8, N = 5; S = 1, M = 4, I = 9, T = 2, H = 8
Sum the numerical values of names:
JOHN = 20 and SMITH = 24
Change the values to single digits:
20 = 2 + 0 = 2, 24 = 2 + 4 = 6
The sum of the single digits:
2 + 6 = 8
Interpretation
The name of "John Smith" has a numerological value of 8. From the Chart of Characteristics of Numbers 8 has the characteristics of material, success, justice.
 Life Path Number
We determine this number by calculating the sum of the month, day and year of birth.
This is the most important element in a numerology reading. It represents who you are at birth and the native traits and abilities that you will carry with you through life. Although a majority of people relate well to their life path, a few have little interest in pursuing that course.
The Life Path is the sum of the birth date. This number represents who you are at birth and the native traits that you will carry with you through life. The most important number that will be discussed here is your Life Path number. The Life Path describes the nature of this journey through life.
Life Path of John Smith
John Smith was born in December 24th 1953 (12/24/1953 or 24/12/1953)
The first method is to place the month, day and year in a column and do simple addition. Then, take the result and add the numbers together.
12       Number of birth month
24       Day of Month
1953   Year of birth
1989   =1+9+8+9 =27=2+7= 9
Therefore, the life path number is 9.
The other method is to first add the numbers of the day and get a result. Then add the numbers of the month and get a result. Then add the numbers of the year and get a result. Reduce any double digit numbers by adding. You will then add the three results to come to the final number - the Life Path number:
Month 12 = 1+2 = 3
Day 24 = 2+4 = 6
Year 1953 = 1+9+5+3 = 18 = 1+8 = 9
Then you add: 3+6+9 = 18 = 1+8 = 9
You will notice we arrived at the same number. However, by using both methods, should the final number be 11 or 22, which are considered master numbers you will not automatically reduce them.
 Interpretation:
The Life Path Number of John Smith has a numerological value of 9. From the Chart of Characteristics of Numbers, 9 has the characteristics of spiritual and mental achievement.
Soul Urge Number
This number is determined by calculating the sum of the number values of all the vowels (a, e, i, o and u) in the full birth name.
The Soul Urge (or heart's desire) describes what a person wants to achieve and the distinctive traits and obstacles which accompany that desire. The soul urge is significant in determining an individual's beliefs and perspectives. Although the life path and expression are generally easy to spot in a person, the inner motivation is often a very personal matter.
Here is a chart reflecting the number value of the vowels and sometime vowels:
1          2        3          4        5        6       7          8        9
A     -         -          -        E       -       -            -       I          
-        -         -          -          -        O     -          -        -              
-         -         U     -       W*     -     Y *       -        -                
A Y is also a vowel when there is no other vowel in a syllable  (Lynn or Carolyn) and when it is preceded by a vowel and sounded as one sound (Hayden). A W is treated as a vowels when it is preceeded by a vowel and produces a single sound, as in such names and Bradshaw.
 Soul Urge Number of John Smith
JOHN = O = 6 , SMITH = I=9
9+6 = 15 = 1+5=6
Interpretation:
The Soul Urge Number of John Smith has a numerological value of  6. From the Chart of Characteristics of Numbers, 6 has the characteristics of perfection, harmony and balance.
Realization Number
This number is determined by calculating the sum of the number values of the Expression and Life Path.
The Realization Number shows you what you might accomplish, given your Life Path and Destiny.