Numerology…An Introduction
Numerology is the study of the purported mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and the character or action of physical objects and living things.
Numerology and numerological divination were popular among early mathematicians such as Pythagoras , but are no longer considered to be part of mathematics and are now regarded as pseudomathematics by most mathematicians. Today, Numerology is associated with the occult along with Astrology and similar arts. This is similar to the historical development of astronomy from astrology , and that of chemistry from alchemy.
Esoteric significance of Numerology
The following summarizes the beliefs of some modern numerologists.
The association of various meanings to specific numbers in the time of the European Renaissance, when numbers were worked into the detailed fabric of musical, poetic, & architectural artifice, was both far richer and far more precise than the modern summaries offered here.
Numbers 0 to 10 are used in present-day numerology to determine character analysis and predict upcoming trends. Other numbers are thought to carry vibrational influences which must also be taken into consideration, as must also the connection of astrology, numbers, and locational addresses, eg, " Seven Star Road ."
One
One is the first number used when counting and therefore it is considered to have great power; without it there would be no numbering system as we know it. It often represents perfection, absolute unity, and so on. One can be happy, loving, selfish, individualistic, romantic, dynamic and charismatic, but on the downside it can be egotistical, self-absorbed, melodramatic, obstinate and alone. In the same way that two is often associated with feminine energy, one is often associated with male or masculine energy.
One is the origin, the beginning. Gaea. The Big Bang. The Word.
It is important to understand that One is not a deity as some may have thought, but rather, The One is a metaphorical representation of the One who is beyond numbers and beyond beginning. i.e. The One, but not
in calculation.
Two
Two can have many different meanings, representing partnerships and interaction with others on one hand, and disunion and polarities on the other. In symbolizing partnership, two implies that individual achievements are not realistic because accomplishments are best realized through co-operation and teamwork. While duality is required for the formation of life in sexually reproducing species, it is also required for asexual reproduction, though in this case the one is divided into two in a fission process instead of two combining as one to form three. With an asexual, or binary, number sequence there are no odd numbers, no synthesis, no creativity, and no return to the origin.
Two is seen when contrasted with the perfect, unified number one. Two represents polarities such as good and evil, black and white, male and female, left and right. One pole cannot exist without the other; this idea of complementary relationships is best symbolized with the Yin-Yang symbol. Polarity, though, can also create strife and discord. Two may be considered feminine, intuitive, and corresponds with our protective instincts. Negatively, two can be grasping, overprotective and cranky. The cranky aspect of the number two is derived from the disappointment and dissatisfaction of the human spirit when denied first place in anything.
Three
Three solves the discord created in the polarity of two, resulting in a new integration and wholeness. This can be seen in the divisions of a human: mind, body, and spirit, whose unification makes us whole , our visible world is three dimensional. Three can also relate to expansiveness and learning through life experiences. It is considered to be lucky, and is often associated with money and good fortune. Three can depict several people joining together to achieve a common goal, whether through a social or professional affiliation. Three also represents communication of all kinds, expression, drama, acting, and humor. It also represents the number associated with creativity. As a basis of all creation, the blending of creative energy of one (male) and two (female) create new life, so the resulting creation is associated with the number three.
Although three possesses attributes of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, negatively it can exhibit pessimism, foolhardiness and unnecessary risk taking. Three is seen as a very magical number. In some cases, the number three can take on some negative aspects and is seen as demonic or unnatural, as there are no creatures in our world who walk upon three legs.
Four
Four derives its significance from various sources. It is the first "composite" number; that is to say, the first number that can be created from multiplying numbers other than itself and 1, in that 2 X 2 = 4. The simplest solid object — a tetrahedron — has four sides; hence four denotes solid matter in general and the Earth in particular, as the Earth is a solid object bounded by four cardinal points (North, South, East and West). Time is another concept strongly associated with four, on the grounds that the year has four seasons and the month has (roughly) four weeks; Christian-oriented observers also note that the life story of Jesus is told in four gospels , each of which is in turn linked to one of the four classical "elements" of fire, air, earth, and water. Specifically, the Gospel according to St. Matthew is associated with earth since his Gospel stresses Christ's incarnation in earthly form; water is accorded to St. Mark since his Gospel emphasizes the importance of baptism , fire is ascribed to St. John since his Gospel is the most "spiritual," and air is assigned to St. Luke since his Gospel is the longest. The association with Earth means that four symbolizes being practical and "down-to-earth," while the fact that four is the first composite number is linked to the idea of an other-directed, "composite personality" that takes cues from different and often conflicting sources, leading to fiercely independent, "out-of-the-box" thinking. In the Jewish religion, the number four is significant because of the Tetragrammaton , the four-letter name of God which is so holy it is never spoken. In Chinese numerology (as well as that of other Oriental languages), the word "four" is a homonym of the Chinese word for "death" (see Tetraphobia ). As thus, some hospitals do not have a
fourth floor.
Five
Five is connected to sensual awareness in the form of the five senses as well as protection. It is also a number which represents service to others. It is highly analytical and has the ability to think critically, but can over-ponder an issue to the point that its significance is no longer relevant. This number governs our ability to think clearly and our intellectual capacity. Five represents openness to new experiences as well as new ideas. Seeking freedom, it is often the adventurer. Five is about pushing life to its limits. It is a multifaceted number with links to our state of physical and mental health.
The number five is sometimes referred to, if presented in a negative manifestation, as the "addiction" number, meaning that "all things in moderation" is a good thing, but too much of anything can become negative.
Six
Six relates to tact, beauty and harmony. It is very much a relationship builder which corresponds to one-on-one encounters. It deals with that which we are attracted to and those things we find great pleasure in. Six possesses charm, grace and the ability to make small talk on any stratum, and is therefore much of a diplomat. Six is very nurturing, and is considered the mother/father number. It is considered to be a minor money number, so a little extra income will be available wherever this number is found. Negatively, six can be unfaithful, jealous, bitter and vengeful. As the "cosmic parent" number, negatively this number can represent martyrdom, the inability to say "no", and overbearingness instead of "letting the child stumble in learning to walk".
Six can also denote perfectionism, as it is the first perfect number .
Seven
Seven is considered to be a spiritual number because it is illusive and contains veils which must first be uncovered, one after another, before illumination will ultimately be found. Seven is said to be sacred , and this is evidenced by the fact that there are seven days in the week , ancient texts such as Genesis propose that the earth was formed in seven phases, the ancient solar system consisted of seven luminaries (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), human body consists of seven plexuses or chakras and some versions of the Kabbalah have seven sephiroth . While seven possesses qualities of dreaminess , spirituality and psychic awareness, negatively it can be dubious, deceptive and insincere.
Eight
Eight is considered to be the number of karmic influences where we are called upon to pay debts incurred in this and previous lives. It represents hard work and lessons learned through experience, and can therefore be a difficult number for some because of the very restrictiveness of its nature. More than any other number, eight seeks money and material success. However, the hardships eight faces in pursuit of its rewards are extreme. Huge reversals in life are common for the eight. Because reputation and community standing are of paramount importance, those who have it figured prominently would be wise to lead honest lives, otherwise any indiscretions will more than likely be uncovered in a most unflattering manner. Although it is considered "good luck" in Chinese culture , it is of no particular importance according to the esoteric beliefs of Chinese numerology .
Nine
Nine was considered to be a sacred number by the ancients and was consequently not assigned a numerical equivalent to any letter in the Chaldean alphabet. It represents change, invention and growth which springs forth from inspiration. Nine is the humanitarian. Nine has traditionally held esoteric significance which is evidenced by the fact that it takes nine calendar months to bring a baby into the world from its initial conception.
Ten
Ten is a higher octave of the number one and signifies an end of an important cycle in which a change in circumstances will soon be forthcoming. It carries with it much esoteric significance which is evidenced by the fact that it takes ten lunar months to bring a baby from conception into the world, there are ten sephiroth in many versions of the Kaballah , the most common number system used today is based on the number ten, and most currencies in use today have been decimalised. People generally have ten fingers on which to count, leading to an easy adoption of ten as the base of our intuitive number system.
This belief is also central to Chinese numerology . It should be noted that ten is considered to be a modern number of completion because it was only within the last several hundred years that is has been used as the fundamental building block of number systems, currencies and measurements. When ten replaced twelve as the ultimate number, it heralded a change in man's thinking patterns to become more scientific in his approach to questions of an esoteric nature. (Note that advocates of Dozenal would disagree).
Eleven
Eleven is a higher octave of the number two and is considered to be a master number (the second master number being 22). 11 is considered the path of spiritual awareness and knowledge beyond the grasp of others. It carries psychic vibrations and has an equal balance of masculine and feminine properties. It is also related to open-mindedness, intuition, idealism, and visions. Because eleven contains many gifts such as psychic awareness and a keen sense of sensitivity, it also has negative effects such as treachery and betrayal from secret enemies.
Twelve
Twelve is a higher octave of the number three and is an indicator of great understanding and wisdom. Much of its knowledge is gleaned from life experiences, which enables a sense of calm to prevail in even the most turbulent of situations. Twelve is significant in ancient man's life because there were twelve tribes in Israel , twelve disciples followed Jesus, there are twelve astrological signs in the zodiac, there are twelve months in the year, and our modern clock is divided into two groups of twelve hours. It is considered to be the ancient number of completion as it signals the end of childhood and the beginning stages of adulthood. Additionally, the ancient numbering and measuring systems are based on this number, as evidenced by terms such as a dozen (12), a gross (12 times 12), a shilling (12 pence) and a foot (12 inches). Negatively, twelve can suffer from a form of depression brought about by a feeling of resignation that life's events have transpired in such a way.
Thirteen
Thirteen is a higher octave of the number four and is one more than twelve, the ancient number of completion. Thirteen is considered to signify the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one, as evidenced by the fact that there are thirteen lunar months in the year and thirteen signs in the Celtic and Native American systems of astrology. While thirteen foretells new beginnings, it also signifies that outmoded systems must come to an end to make way for much needed transformations.
Thirteen may also be interpreted as 12 + 1 and is regarded by many as the number of the initiate, this is seen in a chromatic musical octave. But thirteen's real significance cannot really be discussed without reference to sacred geometry, more particularly the Flower of Life, which is from the Temple of Osiris and shows the never ending destruction and creation of life. It is also very significant to the creation pattern and the platonic solids. See also triskaidekaphobia . Thirteen is also a significant astrological number. The sum of thirteen is 91, (1+2+3..), which is each number of days in a season. Other notable examples include the thirteen original, revolutionary U.S. colonies. The U.S. Legion of Merit award displays thirteen stars in a symmetrical, six-pointed "meta-star" arrangement.
Twenty-two
Twenty-two is a higher octave of the number four and is considered to be a master number. It contains the secrets to many esoteric questions, as evidenced by the fact that there are twenty two letters in the Hebrew alphabet, twenty two pathways in many versions of the Kaballah, and twenty two cards in the Major Arcana. Twenty two carries with it psychic gifts such as heightened sensitivity, intuition and psychic awareness, but is also predisposed to pitfalls such as treachery from hidden enemies and over sensitivity. It is also an approximation of pi times 7, and also the number of pounds in 10 kilograms.
The number 22 also has a profound Biblical meaning. The 22nd and last letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is Tav, with the sound of 'T'. Before the Jews picked up new 'fonts' in Babylonia Tav was written as + in Phoenicia and as x by the Hebrews, in other words as a cross. The cross is the meaning of 22. That is why there are 66 books in the Bible, 3 x 22. The Bible hints at the 3 crosses (22) of Calvary . Of those 66 books 44 have less than 22 chapters. Exactly 22 books have 22 chapters or more. The last (66th) book of the Bible - Revelation - ends with chapter 22.
On the cross Jesus allegedly said, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, thus quoting Psalm 22. Christians consider Psalm 22 as the Psalm of the Cross. Another intriguing thing is that the God of the Bible only asked one man to sacrifice his son , namely Abraham. It is reported in Genesis 22 . The chapter number refers to the cross (+ x). Great Britain has both kind of crosses, the St. Andrew's cross (x) of Scotland and the St. George's cross (+) of England . The two flags of England and Scotland - with the two crosses - together form the Union Jack, numerologically 22 + 22 = 44. No wonder that the telephone code of Great Britain is 44. (Source: the Bible, The Telephone Guide, Flags). Bible verses weren't numbered until the fourth century when organized Christianity got its kick off at the Council of Nicaea .
Fifty-one
Fifty-one has the meaning of repentance in the Bible. The number gets its meaning from Psalm 51, king David's Psalm of repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba. The number 51 is confirmed by the 153 fishes (3 x 51) the disciples caught in John 20. Peter had denied Jesus three times. After the catch he was asked three times by Jesus, if he loved him. The three times 51 fishes stand for Peter's threefold repentance, for the three questions and for the three denials. The Old Testament also gives an example of 3 times 51, with the third 51 being the repentance. Elijah sits on a mountaintop (2Kings 1)and is summoned to come down by a captain of fifty and his fifty (51). 'Man of God' says the captain, 'the kings summons you to come down.' Not in the mood Elijah says that if he is a man of God, let fire come down and destroy them all. And 51 charred bodies are the result. The second captain and his fifty undergo the same lot. When the third 51 arrive - 153 soldiers in total - the third captain starts pleading with Elijah. Repentance saves his skin. Most likely the 51 for repentance comes from the Jubilee Year (50th). When the people got their property back they would say in the 51st year: Let's not mess up now!
There are 51 and 3/7 degrees in the angle of the Egyptian pyramids, which is 1/7 the arc length of a circle. Kepler identified the angle of 51 and 3/7 degrees as a septile. Western astrologers regard the septile aspect between planets to be one of a fated quality, because the number seven (septile) is related to fate in astrology.
Zero
Zero is a powerful number, which brings great transformational change, sometimes occurring in a profound manner. It has much intensity, so caution is needed wherever it appears to ensure that extremes are
not encountered.
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