A Guide to Numerology, Pt. 1: The Basics

Hey all. I've recently started studying numerology, and I've noticed a lot of cool things that I've shared with others. This has earned me a few curious questions about numerology that I thought I'd put in a blog to educate those that are intested in the topic.

Disclaimer:

I am by no means an expert on this topic. I've studied numerology for less than a year. I'll also will only discuss the numerological system that stems from Pythagoras's method. I'm sure that numerology is studied in various cultures and regions of the world, I however, do not know them well enough to speak on them. This is very much a Greek focused practice. I also use numerology in tarot readings as well as cartomancy readings with playing cards. I know not everyone uses numerology in these readings, but this will be discussed here as well.

The History:

The Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras, is known as the father of Western numerology. He found that numbers have a vibration similar to musical notes, and he discovered that these vibrations could be mathematically explained. Confused by what I mean by vibertional tones? Think of a dial tone. If you're ever in a position where you need to dial someone's phone number, you'll hear a certain tone for each number you push.

In addition to numbers having their own individual tone, numbers can be associated with letters, which means words and names have a certain numerological value and vibration. These vibrations are believed to have an influence over peoples' lives in various ways. The study of numerology is the study of the vibrational properties of numbers.

The Value of Letters:

Each letter is assigned to one number (1 through 9), while one number is assigned to multiple letters.

1 = a, j, s

2 = b, k, t

3 = c, l, u

4 = d, m, v

5 = e, n, w

6 = f, o, x

7 = g, p, y

8 = h, q, z

9 = i, r

The Pythagorean (numerological) Method:

Pythagoras believed that adding up the numerological value of a person's birth name and date of birth will reveal a person's, "outer nature," the personality that's presented to the outside world.

Finding the Numerlogical Value of Dates and Names:

To find the numerological value of names and dates, one simply needs do add up the numbers and reduce down to a single digit. It may sound complicated, but in the end it is as simple as 1 + 1.

Example:

Jane was born on August 1st, 1984.

The name Jane is made up of 4 letters, and those letters are represented by 1, 1, 5, 5. All four of those numbers must be added up to find it's value.

This is expressed by the equation: 1+ 1 + 5 + 5 = 12, but we aren't done. The final number is 12, which needs to be reduced further because it's a double digit. So, the number 12 becomes the equation: 1 + 2 = 3. Here we see that the name Jane has the value of 3. However, to find the total value of your full name, you must do this process for each name, and then add up your final numbers.

Example:

If the values of Jane's middle name is 5, and her last name is 7, you would add up all of the final values, creating the equation:

3 + 7 + 5 = 15

Which reduces down to....

1 + 5 = 6

To find the value of dates:

You add up all of the numbers that make up the date. In this example, Jane was born on August 1st, 1984. August is the 8th month, so the equation is:

8 + 1 + 1 + 9 +8 + 4 = 31

Which reduces to...

3 + 1 = 4

These numbers, 6 and 4 are connected to certain vibrational frequencies that influence Jane's life (if numerology is to be believed), and these numbers can be applied to your numerological birth chart (which I will explain in a later post).

Generally, the final value of the full name does not get added to the final value of the date of birth.

Note on Master Numbers:

In the Pythagorean method, there are three Master Numbers (11, 22, 33), if the final value of either your full name or date of birth adds up to any of these numbers, you don't reduce any further. There is more nuance to this concept when we look at your full numerological chart, which I will explain in another post.

Let it also be noted, that a Master Number is a number with a stronger vibrational frequency.

Example: An 11 has the vibrational frequency of two 1's, as well as the frequency of the number 2 (because 1 + 1 = 2).

Example:

Say the value of your first name is 5, your middle name is 11, and your last name is 2. Though the middle name is a Master Number, it isn't the final value of your full name, so it must still be reduced.

The equation would be:

5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 9

If the value of your first name is 6, you middle name is 2, and your last name is 3.

The equation would be:

6 + 2 + 3 = 11

You wouldn't reduce this number further, because the final value of the full name is a Master Number.

I know it's a lot, but it gets easier with practice.

How Can Numerology Be Used?

Numerology was traditionally used to uncover truths about our personality, but it can also be applied to astrology and divination to predict the future. Futher explanation of this will be explored in future posts on the topic. Until then, if you wish to read up more on numerology's perceived role on our lives, check out the resources at Cafe Astrology HERE.

The Meanings Behind The Numbers:

As each number has an unique vibrational tone, so does the meaning that's associated to each individual digit.

Here is a quick over-view of those meanings, plus a few correspondenses:

* 1:

Manifestation, creation, assertiveness, transformation, change, new beginnings.

Tarot:

The Magician, The Sun, Ace of Wands.

Playing cards:

The Ace cards.

* 2:

Intuition, receiving energy, unity, insightful, flexible nature, balanced, inner wisdom.

Tarot:

The High Priestess, Judgement. 2 of cups.

Playing cards:

The two of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 3:

Creative, fate, expressive, artistic, charismatic, social activity, team work.

Tarot:

The Empress, The World, 3 of Wands, 3 of pentacles.

Playing cards:

The three of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 4:

Stability, strong foundation, dependability, traditionalist, trustworthy, balance.

Other numbers:

2. Four is 2 two's added together.

Tarot:

The Emperor, 4 of pentacles, 2 of pentacles, The High Priestess.

Playing cards:

The 4 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 5:

Dynamic, energetic, spontaneous, creative, challenges, daring, making decisions.

Tarot:

The Heriophant, 5 of wands.

Playing cards:

The 5 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 6:

Balance, harmony, nurturing, love.

Other Numbers:

3, and 2. Two three's added together makes 6. Three two's added together makes 6.

Tarot:

The Lovers, The Empress, The High Priestess, 6 of cups, 2 of cups, 3 of cups.

Playing cards:

The 6 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 7:

Possibilities, ideas, evaluation, planning for the future, moving forward.

Tarot:

The Chariot, 7 of pentacles.

Playing cards:

The 7 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 8:

Work, wealth, infinity, balance, practicality, ambitious.

Other numbers: 4, and 2. Two 4's makes up 8. Four 2's makes up 8.

Tarot:

Strength, 8 of pentacles, 2 of pentacles, 4 of pentacles.

Playing cards:

The 8 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

* 9:

Completion, enlightenment, worldly, sophistication, wisdom, endings, reflection.

Other numbers:

3. Three 3's makes up 9.

Tarot:

The Hermit, The World, The Moon, 9 of wands, 9 of pentacles, 3 of wands, 3 of pentacles.

Playing cards:

The 9 of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds.

The End.

We have now reached the end of the Guide to Numerology, Pt 1: The Basics. In my next post I will discuss how to find the numbers that make up your numerological chart, and what that all means. I don't know when I'll write it, so watch this space. Bye. :two_hearts:

- The Mother of Numbers, of the Left Hand Path chatroom.

Sources

Numbers 1 - 9, and What They Mean

Pythagorean Numerology

Cafe Astrology - Numerology

Numerology and Tarot