N is for Numerology

Do you have lucky numbers? Is 7 inherently lucky and 13

inherently unlucky? According to St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354–430), “Numbers are the Universal language offered by the deity to humans as confirmation of the truth.” The Aztecs believed numbers were living aspects of the divine. Pythagoras gave them spiritual qualities as well.

Numerology is another way we look for meaning. Some would say it’s a waste of time, but I’ve found it entertaining if nothing else. Numbers are definitely weird. My mind understands words very well. I can diagram sentences at the drop of a hat or revise a paragraph without batting an eye. I love that sh. . .stuff. Numbers, not so much. I like them, respect them, but understand them? Nope. I am, however, struck with the wonderful precision, odd truths, and eternal nature of numbers.

One common way to determine what number is important to you is to add the numbers of your birthday. If you were born on May 8, 1942, you would add 5+8+1+9+4+2. This gives you 29. Now add 2+9 to get 11. Eleven is a master number in some methods and has it’s own meaning. Otherwise you would add 1+1 to get 2 and 2 would be your number. Now you would consult numerology charts to see what that means. The number indicates your personality traits similar to the way your zodiac sign does the same thing. You can also give the letters in your name numbers based on the alphabet and add them up the same way. Interesting, but not earth shaking.

What appeals to me more is the way numbers seem to crop up in unexpected places and ways. If you study the meanings or personalities of numbers and if you can accept the idea that numbers show up for a reason, things can get weird. Notice the numbers you come across in a day. Any repetitions? When you reduce them by adding the integers until you get one number, what do you see? When you look at the clock, do you regularly see three of the same number—2:22 for example?

Number tricks—easily explainable by somebody who gets it—seem to justify belief in the divine nature of numbers. Try this Best Year Of Your Life trick.

Write down the year in which you were born.
Write down an important year during your lifetime.
Next, write down the number of years that have elapsed since that important year.
Put down your age this year on your birthday.
Add up the numbers on your list.
Divide by 2.
Your answer should be the current year.

Some numbers carry special meaning. Three signifies divine perfection in several religions—the Holy Trinity and the Triple Goddess to name just a couple of examples. Biblical number theories abound with 666 being a memorable number.
For a very complete description of number meanings and history, this site is quite useful: http://www.crystalinks.com/numerology2.html
Happy counting.