Numerology
The study of numbers and what they are said to mean
Numerology is the study of numbers and the meaning that is attached to them. It reads a person's name and date of birth as numbers and says what each number stands for.
Three schools
The three main schools are the Chaldean, the Kabbalistic and the Pythagorean (named, as in the theorem, for Pythagoras). They differ in how they turn letters into numbers, but all of them aim to read a hidden meaning in numbers. This page uses the Pythagorean system, which is the most common in the West.
The Pythagorean letter table
Each letter has a value from 1 to 9, running through the alphabet in order and starting again after 9.
- 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 numbers one to nine
- new beginnings, leadership, independence
One is the number of beginnings and of leadership. In numerology it is linked with initiative, energy and confidence, and its shadow side is competitiveness.
- partnership, balance, sensitivity
Two is the number of pairs. In numerology it stands for cooperation, patience and sensitivity, and in the older tradition for the Moon and its changing phases.
- expression, creativity, sociability
Three is the number of expression. In numerology it is linked with creativity, communication and a cheerful, social nature.
- structure, order, discipline
Four is the number of structure and order. Its themes are responsibility, discipline and commitment, to family, work or a task, and its shadow side is stubbornness and inflexibility.
- change, freedom, curiosity
Five is the number of change. In numerology it is linked with freedom, movement, curiosity and a dislike of routine.
- care, responsibility, harmony
Six is the number of care. In numerology it is linked with family, harmony, loyalty and a giving, artistic nature.
- reflection, analysis, inner life
Seven is the number of reflection. In numerology it is linked with study, analysis and a search for meaning, and with a need for solitude.
- power, authority, material success
Eight is the number of power. In numerology it is linked with ambition, authority, career and material success, and with the need for balance and control.
- completion, compassion, idealism
Nine is the last single digit and the number of completion. In numerology it is linked with compassion, idealism and the wider world.
Eleven and twenty-two are called master numbers. They are usually left as they are instead of being reduced to 2 and 4, and are read as stronger versions of those numbers.
Try it
The same digit sum is used to find a tarot birth card.
Add the digits of a number until one digit is left: 1984 becomes 1+9+8+4 = 22, which stays as a master number. A life path number is made this way from a birth date, and a name number from the letter values of a name. Nothing is sent anywhere: the sum is done in your browser.
Tarot, astrology and numerology are traditions of symbolism. This page says what the tradition associates with its subject. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.