Numerology

The Basics of Numerology

By Michael McClain

Numerology is the study of numbers, and the occult manner in which they reflect certain aptitudes and character tendencies, as part of the cosmic plan. Each letter has a numeric value that provides a related vibration. The sum of the numbers in your birth date and the sum of value derived from the letters in the name provide an interrelation of vibrations. These numbers show a great deal about character, purpose in life, what motivates, and where talents may lie. Experts in numerology use numbers to determine the best time for major moves and activities in life. Numerology is used to decide when to invest, when to marry, when to travel, when to change jobs, or relocate. I'm not claiming that this book wil make an expert of you so that all these can be answered, but we can at least get you on the way.

The first question I asked when numerology was introduced to me was why does it work? The second question was how does it work? Well, if we could answer these it wouldn't be an occult study, would it? Is it a God force? Do numbers have vibrations or something like that? Who knows? Just be objective and give it a try.

Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician who lived from 569-470 B.C., is said by many to be the originator of much of what we call numerology today. The actual origins of numerology predate Pythagoras, the most popular being the Hebrew Kabbalah. In the twentieth century, the discipline seems to magically reappear in the form of a series of books published from 1911-1917 by L. Dow Balliett. It was helped along in the 1930s by Florence Campbell.  Within the next few decades, a wealth of literature was available to the public. Indeed, if you look at the previous centuries, it would seem that the discipline has moved rapidly.  Perhaps all of this was known at a much earlier time, and it was just hiding from us for a while.

Numerology Introduction

Numerology is perhaps the easiest of the occult arts to understand and use. All you need is the birth date and the complete name of an individual to unlock all of the numbers' secrets.

The first consideration of numerology is the Life Path number. The Life Path number comes from the date of birth expressed numerically as MM-DD-YYYY.

We will also be converting the FULL BIRTH NAME to a number. Most authorities agree that the full birth name recorded on your birth certificate is the name for all calculations. Nicknames, name changes, or marriage name changes do not dilute the importance of the name given by your parents at birth.

There are eleven numbers used in constructing numerology charts. These numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 22. The numerologist must reduce other numbers from adding the numbers in the complete birth date or from the values assigned to each name by adding the digits together until the sum achieved is one of the core single-digit numbers, 11 or 22.

For example, the date, February 8, 1966, is handled by adding 2+8+1966=1976. Then, 1+9+7+6=23, finally, 2+3=5. The individual has a 5 Life Path number.

In another example, a name with letter-values adding up to 48 would be reduced by adding 4+8=12; then 1+2=3. The individual has a 3 Destiny number.

Master numbers are exceptions to the rule that numbers must be reduced to a single-digit. The master numbers 11 and 22 are reputedly intensified versions of the single-digit number they replace (2 and 4). These numbers suggest a potential for a high degree of learning and achievement very often in a more stressful environment. In most individuals, the master numbers operate at a much more tangible or practical level, becoming essentially the same as the single-digit parallel.  Letters and numbers, you will learn, are interchangeable. Here is a chart of the values assigned to each of the letters in the English alphabet:

Numerology Keywords

The meaning of Numbers in a Nutshell

It's essential to understand that the root numbers used in numerology are, in their essence, all equal, one to the other. Each of the numbers has its positive traits, and likewise, each number has its negative potential. Here are brief listings of characteristics for each number as a simple beginning to understand attributes of each number:

The number 1

1 Positive Traits

Initiator of action, a pioneering spirit, inventive ideas, strong leadership skills, independence, drives to attain, individualistic style, executive abilities, strong will, and determination, courage.

1 Negative Traits

Overly assertive or aggressive, dominating, impulsiveness, egotistic, boastfulness, willful.

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The number 2

2 Positive Traits

Cooperation, adaptability, considerate of others, sensitivity to the needs of others, partnering, a judge or mediator, modest, sincere, spiritually influenced, diplomatic skills.

2 Negative Traits

Shyness, timidity, fearfulness, self-consciousness, drown in detail, depression.

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The number 3

3 Positive Traits

Self-expressive in many ways, verbalization, inspiration and keen imagination, artistic gifts, accurate impressions and insights, never-ending optimism, happy and fun-loving, and thoroughly enjoy life.

3 Negative Traits

Scattered energies, exaggeration, unfinished projects, lack of direction, moodiness, self-centeredness.

The number 4

4 Positive Traits

Strong sense of order and values, struggle against limits, steady growth, efficient, scientific mind, attention to detail, a foundation for achievement, a genius for organization, fine management skills.

4 Negative Traits

Lack of imagination, caught up in detail, stubborn fixed opinions, argumentative, slow to act, and too serious and confused.

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The number 5

5 Positive Traits

Expansiveness, new and visionary ideas, quick thinking, versatile and ever-changing, action-oriented, curious and exploring, promoting, resourceful in using freedom constructively.

5 Negative Traits

Restless, discontent, edgy temperament and speech, dissatisfaction, too many hasty decisions, impatience, lacking in application.

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The number 6

6 Positive Traits

A strong sense of responsibility, artistic, a nurturing disposition, community-oriented, balanced, sympathy for others, a humanitarian, unselfishness, love of home and domestic affairs, freely renders service to others.

6 Negative Traits

Self-righteousness, stubbornness dominate family and friends, meddling, egotistical, and susceptible to flattery and outspoken.

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The number 7

7 Positive Traits

Skilled at analysis and research, an intelligent seeker of knowledge, scientific and inventive, studious, meditating, charming personality and demeanor, love of solitude and peace, a perfectionist.

7 Negative Traits

Hidden motives and suspicions, overly reserved, arguments enjoined with silence or sarcasm, isolated, inflexible positions, very upset by distractions.

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The number 8

8 Positive Traits

Executive character and abilities, political skills, expert handling of power and authority, working for a cause, achieving recognition, exercising sound judgment, decisive and commanding.

8. Negative Traits

Workaholic, overly ambitious, lacking humanitarian instincts, mismanaging money, repressing subordinates, impatient with people, stressed, materialistic.

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The number 9

9 Positive Traits

Heartily friendly and pleasant, a hail-fellow, humanitarian instincts, a giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression, readily influenced to do good works, artistic and writing talents.

9 Negative Traits

Self-adulation, scattered interests, possessiveness, moodiness, carelessness with finances, wanting peer attention.

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The number 11 (see number 2)

Spirituality is emphasized more, but in essence, the two traits, positive and negative, apply.

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The number 22 (see number 4)

Exceptional projects are possible, but in essence, the four traits, positive and negative, apply. 

Master Numbers

Some Precautionary Thoughts on Master Numbers 11 & 22

The longer I study and think about numerology, the more disenchanted I get with the concept of Master Numbers. My first concerns arose when the traditional 11 and 22 master numbers were enjoined by 33/6, 44/8, 55/1, and 66/3. All of these latter-day master numbers seemed to be wanting their shot at greatness, too. For years I maintained a staunch conservative resistance to this change, and stuck with the original masters  excluding the new pretenders. Over the years, this has upset a few 33/6s along the way. But I steadfastly sent them on their way to find others who would feed their vanity and good fortune, in an ego sense, of being born on one of those rare dates producing a total of 33.

On reflection, it's hard to justify why, if the 11 can siphon off all of the potential superlatives of the spiritual 2, and 22 can steal the glory from the hardworking 4, then why can't the 33s do the same to the naturally nurturing 6. Seems only fair. But with most of the optimal trails of 2 and 4 expended on their higher level brethren, these two solid citizens are left with delineations reflecting personages resigned to the ordinary and humdrum. To me, it is very hard to read what numerologists say about 1 through 9, without coming away with the sense that the authors believe that the higher the number the more potential for the person. The 2 and 4 are usually particularly drab, indeed. I just have a hard time accepting this. I hold firmly to the idea that all numbers are totally and without qualification, equal in terms of human potential. It is simply that, that potential manifests, thankfully, in a wide array of different kinds of people.

Master Numbers can be a Problem.  I have the sense that upon learning one is a master, the reaction can go a couple of different ways. Neither are very desirable in my view.

In some, the discovery that your Life Path number or Destiny number is one of the master numbers can be a little freaky and intimidating. Not knowing what you are supposed to do with this wonderful gift can cause confusion and even paranoia. Not very healthy when a reading of the root number would give a much more accurate picture for both the 2 and the 4. With the potential for greatness included in the more comprehensive reads, it is far better to see the nature of your being and what the potentials are likely to be. As a member of this crowd with my 11/2 Destiny number, I'm feeling better already knowing that I no longer have to be so illuminating.

Beware of the Master Number Ego.  The other group of masters proudly hail their superlative status. They adopt the view that they are somehow better than all of their single-digit peers. Stands to reason, doesn't it? Their number is a master number and not just