A Game of Numbers

In the early 1600’s changed from Roman numerals (I, V, IX etc) to the Arabic number system which we all know today.

The reasoning behind this is that Arabs were the first intercontinental traders and their system of counting was ingeniously advanced. With Roman numerals each symbol represented an amount:

I = 1

V = 5

X = 10

By positioning symbols in a certain way you could make other numbers. Placing a symbol after another one would translate as adding them to each other: XV would mean X(10) + V(5) = XV (15).

In a similar way, placing a symbol before another one would subtract it: IV would mean V(5) – I(1) = IV (4).

Instead, the Arabs used columns to denote value. This is where our system of ‘units, tens and thousands’ comes from and how most of us learned to count at school.

So:

                  Thousand    Hundred     Ten   One

One:                                        3      2

Two:                               5        4      0

Three:                  7          3        2      6

So column one indicates the number 32: three tens and one one, or ‘unit’. Column two denotes the number 540 and column three = 7, 326. All pretty familiar stuff.

Although all numbers have a mathematical value, they also have a symbolic or mystical value in many cultures across the world. Here I am going to look at the way they are commonly used for divination in .

The Meaning of Numbers

To begin with we need to explore the symbolism of numbers and gain a rough idea of how we might translate them to apply to our daily lives.

One: The number ‘1’ is the potential beginning of all things. Nothing can exist unless it was first thought of or conceived. Even then it needs energy to become. This is the number of that energy; it is the power of creation waiting to be channelled.

In Astrology, the 1^st house depicts us, as we were born, before anything changed us. The first sign of the zodiac is Aries the ram, a formidable creative and boundless energy charging headlong into the darkness of space.

By itself this force can be destructive; if it doesn’t have a form or a purpose it is known as ‘chaos’. Because of this, in numerology, people’s names can never be siphoned down to the number ‘1’. They may have a high presence of one in their full names (usually a charismatic personality trait), but the end product of their name can never be one, as we will see later on.

All other numbers are made from one: 4 = 1+1+1+1. So it can also be seen as the number of ‘god’, or the creative energy that runs through everything and can take any form. It is often thought of as a masculine number and can be likened to ‘Chokmah’ in Qabalah.

Two: This is the number of couples and conflict. When there is one, decisions are easy and nobody is there to question. Where there is two, there is strength but also sometimes disagreement.

This is the number of sharing and compromising, learning how to interact with others and caring for those around you. It is a socially strong number as long as it is in harmony, but when two is unbalanced it can become petty and argumentative.

This is also the number of business partnerships and pooling resources, ‘two heads are better than one’ mentality. There is the potential for great gain but also one that needs to be shared. A high 2 presence in a name can indicate an entrepreneur or somebody who is good with figures.

Three: This is the number of dreams and the potential of dreams. If ‘1’ is man and ‘2’ is woman, then ‘3’ is child. By this I mean that in any stable situation there is the potential to create something more, something larger than the sum of the whole.    

Threes are often dreamers. Left to itself, dreams will remain dreams, but someone with a strong ‘5’ presence might use those dreams as inspiration or muses for art, a strong ‘2’ presence might invent something useful and make some money.

Without dreams and fantasies there is little soul in the world. These things are best in moderation though, otherwise we could spend our whole lives dreaming and never actually achieve anything.

Four: Four is the number of stability, it symbolises the four corner stones of a foundation. It is a difficult number to sway or fool and people with a strong 4 presence are usually home-makers and good at balancing their money.

So 1 = Man, 2 = Woman (or vice versa), 3 = their child and 4 is their home, their place of safety. Fours are often very dependable, punctual and calm in a crisis, which makes them good advisers. Fours are tenacious and will work hard for what they want as well as being protective over loved ones.

Five: Five is the number of the goddess ‘Ishtra’. It is the number of pleasure and abandon. Art and laughter live here without guidelines or curfew. It is the number of the gambler and the joker but also of the drug addict and the drunk, because this number knows no boundaries and can lead to excess.

But it is also the number of the deeply charismatic and the motivational. Always off chasing the next thrill it is not a number for the reliable, but it screams young independence and desire. It is a sexy number and a mischievous one. These people tend to be passionate and life-loving.

Six: This is a lucky number. People with a strong six influence are unlikely to find themselves completely alone or penniless. They are good at spotting opportunities and investing in returns for the future. They are usually quite easy going but good at judging character. This number is like the bead at the centre of a dream-catcher. Each action they take spins out beyond their control, only to return to them stronger later on. If people with a strong six influence keep their integrity and kindness, their lives will be tinted with good fortune and unexpected assistance. If they fall to crime or deception they will find it very difficult to leave the past behind and move on. It is important for the number six to start as they mean to go on.

Seven: Seven is a difficult number to explain. It is often seen as deeply mystical, a sign of sacrifice and redemption. Often seven is linked to martyrdom and Jesus Christ or Odin. It is made from the numbers three and four, making a reality from dreams and ideas.

In astrology it is the house of adult responsibilities but also of marriage and support. People with a strong 7 influence tend to make good leaders and wise judges. They can also be healers and great humanitarians.

Sevens may also suffer more than their fare share of hard knocks and losses. It is not a gambler’s number. They may seem aloof or cold at times, but it is not for lack of understanding, more an ‘overload’ of understanding. They are often determined people and will make the best of whatever they have.

Eight: This number is a duality. As a figure, it is never-ending: when you reach the end you are at the beginning again. It is also like a scale on the piano – you complete it and move up to the next one, so it is also a number of constant progress.

People in this category can be good at tricks and deception; they can also be good at learning new skills and talents. Eights can often be restless and find it difficult to stick to any one course of action. They should also be wary of underhanded business or involvement in crime because they will usually be the first person suspected.

Eights can be quite self-absorbed but they are also fun to be around and are likely to be remembered by those they meet for one reason or another. They dislike rules and dogma and will always be the exception to the rule.

Nine: Nines tend to be thinkers. They are clever and can solve most problems by using their noggin. They can be dynamic and charismatic but also aloof and difficult to read.

This is 3 x 3, a number which the Celts held in high regard. To them, 9 was often seen as the furthest border, beyond which there was no return or something unknown. Nines can be very much on the edge and need to guard against depression and anxiety; sometimes they live too much in their head.

Ten: In this numerology game, the number ten does not exist. It is seen as a personification of the number one, but because ‘0’ is not taken into account either, the number 10 cannot be. There was a time when 9 was not used either and Libra was not a sign of the zodiac, but time moves on and cultures change. For this exercise though, ten is not included.

The Method

The method to basic name numerology is very simple indeed. The nine numbers are listed across the top and the letters fit into each number like this:

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

For this exercise you need to write down the following information on a clean sheet of paper:

First Name: This is seen as your individual personality, like your Sun sign in the zodiac. This is who you are as a living, breathing person and the gifts you were born with.

Middle Name: Not all people have a middle name, but it is seen to be a sign of the ‘inner’ you, or the subconscious you. It can show a second side to your nature that most people don’t know about or it can hint at your dreams and aspirations, something in your life that you will always be drawn to. Although it really doesn’t matter whether you have a middle name or not, those without are sometimes seen as easier to read, less of an enigma and more straight talking.

Last Name: This is your family inheritance. It indicates the kind of relationship you might have with your parents and how they shaped the way that you think about life. It can also suggest the social status you were born into or any financial support you have from your family.

Nick Name: A lot of people are known by an abbreviation of their full name (e.g. Robert = Rob, Edward = Eddy) or another familiar nick name. If this is a name you welcome or use regularly you might want to include it as it can give an indication of how other people view you and the way your personality is effected around close friends. Don’t bother with it if the name used is not one you appreciate.

As an example I am going to use a made-up name: Charlotte Elizabeth Grey, nick name ‘Lotty’.

Firstly, go through each name and number each letter using the chart above:

C    H    A    R    L    O    T    T    E

3     8     1     9     3     6     2     2     5

Now add all of those numbers together:

3 + 8 + 1 + 9 +3 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 5 = 39

Then add the result together: 3 + 9 = 12

Keep going until you have one number: 1 + 2 = 3

So the results are as follows:

Charlotte: 3

Elizabeth: 7

Grey: 9

Lotty: 2

Using the list of numerical meanings we can create a profile of the individual’s personality:

They may have been born a bit of dreamer and may be creative or artistic, often with their head in the clouds. They may also have some psychic ability and an interest in spirituality.

Their family name suggests that her parents are quite clever and intellectual. They may have put pressure on her to succeed academically and because of this she may feel a little suffocated or stressed at time. Because of her first name ‘3’ quality she might deal with this by retreating into a dream-word or using art as an outlet.

Her family and friends call her ‘Lotty’, which suggests a familiarity and ease. She may stick with one or two very close friends who will feel that they can depend on her. It also suggests an independent nature and one who may occasionally throw tantrums or be uncooperative.

Her middle name may suggest that she is rather self-reliant and patient at solving problems. She may be socially aware and have an interest in charities that deal with humanitarian issues. Because she is also a bit of a dreamer she may think a lot about marriage, the future and her ideal partner making it difficult for suitors to make the grade.

Bear in mind that this is a bit of a game and practice should be undertaken in order to improve accuracy.

Afterthought

Other aspects that may be important are:

1.      The number of the first letter of the person’s first name. This is often seen as an indicator of how they will go through life. In Charlotte’s case this is doubly significant as ‘C’ = 3 as does the total sum of her name. This may add strength to her artistic abilities and dreamer status. The number that the first letter of your name falls under is also supposed to be an indicator of the sort of career you might choose.

2.      If, as in Charlotte’s case, you have to distil the number more than once to achieve a name total, that second number may be of importance. In Charlottes case the second number we had to add together to get a single number was 12. The number 11 is classed as a mystical number and anyone who has a second distillation of 11 may have psychic abilities or a special destiny. Not all second distillation numbers are considered special and further research into numerology is advised if you are truly interested. As a simple rule for now, a ‘1’ before any other number will make the qualities of the second number very strong. So 12 might make a very strong business thinker or entrepreneur.

Using numerology in daily life.

Numerology has been used in divination for thousands of years. Even in the bible it is prevalent, for instance the cockerel that crowed two times on the morn of Jesus’ betrayal. The number two in this context may denote a stand-off, two forces that cannot agree or wish to go separate ways. It can signify arguments and disagreements.

I have already mentioned that the Celts used numbers and multiples of numbers (3x3 = 9 etc.). Most deities will have a number sacred to them and certain numbers play a key role in our lives such as ‘12’:  signs of the zodiac, months in a year, disciples, x 2 = the number of hours in a day…

To end with I will give a list of categories such as luck, love etc. and give the numbers most commonly associates with them. In daily life you can use these number games to pick up on subtleties all around you. For instance, if you hear a crow, listen to how many times it crows. Firstly think about what the crow represents or the object you are using for the number output. Then think about the number in relation to the object. Here is an example:

There is a divination done with wild pansies. These symbolise the feminine in nature, the flowery softness associated with young girls and a gift you may give a sweetheart. This divination is used as a sort of Valentines game to catch a glimpse of the future. You count the little black lines on the petals and these are the meanings:

Four lines: Your wish will be granted.

Five: There is trouble ahead but you shall overcome it.

Six: A surprise ahead and good fortune.

Seven: Your sweetheart is faithful.

Eight: Your sweetheart is fickle.

Nine: You may marry overseas.

It is said that if the middle line is longest you should ‘announce your engagement on a Sunday’. And you should never pick the pansy whilst the dew is still on it otherwise it may foretell the death of a loved one.

These may all seem like silly games, but there is power in numbers.

Types of numbers

Most numbers will belong to two or more categories depending on the circumstances. For instance, 5 is a powerful number of love but also a warning of mischief. There is always a link between meanings though as 5 in love is a passionate affair, without restraint or moderation it can quickly lead a person into trouble.

Financially Lucky Numbers: 3 and 6

Psychically Linked Numbers: 3, 6, 7 and 8

Healing Numbers: 4 and 7

Numbers of Love and Lust: 2, 5 and 8

Tranquil Numbers: 1, 4 and 6

Brainy Numbers: 7 and 9

Bibliography

Seasonal Magic, Paddy Slade. Capall Bann Publishing 1997.