Soothsayer's Corner

By Leean Lester

If you think about it, things in our lives tend to revolve around us in cycles, or as some choose to say, circles.  Have you ever had the feeling of Déjà vu? Déjà vu is the experience of feeling like you’ve been there or done that before. And yes there are some cycles that no matter what we do in this lifetime, just seem to repeat over and over. Can that cycle be broken? Of course it can be! The thing to keep in mind is whether or not you have learned that life lesson. If you did, then there is a good chance that the cycle is broken and won’t be repeated. If you're lucky, perhaps in your next life you will have moved past the point of repeating that same cycle or issue. The choice is really up to you.

We can’t live without cycles. They’re all around us in our everyday world and in nature as well. If you look closer at these cycles, you will see that numerology plays a major role in our lives as well as in the world all around us. We really couldn’t function   without numbers. Have you ever tried just for a day or so to not use numbers? Try it sometime, and you will find that it is practically impossible!

Numbers are in a way just like air; we need them in order to function. They are a part of our everyday lives. The telephone, social security number, driver’s license number, street address, our birthdate, and the calendar are just a few examples of common places numbers pop up in our daily experiences. Have you ever wondered what this world would be like without numbers?

Taking a closer look at numerology, you will find that there are several systems out there. The most common form is the western kind that uses your birthday or your name or even a combination of both. Some numerologists will want to know your time of birth in order to give you more in-depth information. Some will also ask for your birth name and the current name you use to sign documents, in order to see what changes have occurred and to see which direction you are going.

Most forms of numerology use the numbers 1 – 9, and sometimes a negative number and even the zero is used. In some forms, you will find what are called the master numbers, numbers 11 – 99; each one has a special meaning. Most systems of numerology ask you to reduce the digit down as far as you can, for instance, 12 becomes 3, as the 1 and the 2 are added together to reduce the number 12 to a single digit. Likewise, 345 would also be reduced to the number 3, as 3+4+5=12, which you would then further reduce (1+2) to arrive at the number 3. The master numbers are not reduced. 

The Pythagorean method is the most common form of numerology. This method uses 9 numbers. Each letter of your name is represented by a number to create your numerological profile. The Chaldean approach uses both your name and your birthday. There is one system that uses only the numbers 1 – 8, excluding the 9. This one is known as The Hebrew system, or the 8-figure system. In some systems such as this one, the number 9 is referred to as taboo.

These systems of numerology can reveal a lot about a person. They can show you the inner personality, the outward impressions you give. The first letter of your name is known as the cornerstone, indicating how you approach others, while the first vowel in your name is called the instinctive reaction, indicating the way you act under stress or in a crisis. Even your initials can say a lot about you. 

There are Eastern formats of numerology that use your birthday, such as the Chinese type known as The Magic Square.  This method also uses the 5 elements, wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. No matter how the numbers are placed in this 9 square box, no matter how you add them up, whether diagonal, horizontal, or vertical, the total sum is always 15. 

Then there is The Yantra Life chart which comes from India and covers the 13 areas of your life: destiny/life path, enthusiasm and energy, family and friends, generosity, humanitarianism, intuition, joy of life, karma, love, money, nurturing, opportunities, and philosophy. I bet you probably didn’t even know that there were thirteen areas of life, huh?  In India when there is an important occasion, a numerological chart is done up to see the outcome. Then the chart is engraved on a piece of copper and is worn or carried around as a talisman or good luck charm. 

The I Ching teaches another form of numerology. This system uses three coins that are tossed six times and then added in a particular order. Many people have used this system to help see what might lie ahead and to try to plan accordingly for it.  It is still used today in parts of Asia. 

Another system of numerology is called the DNA chart; this method uses only your name. The DNA chart can show you your weaknesses as well as your strengths. It can also give you a peek at your past life lessons, lessons that you may be here to learn. There is very little out there in the way of information on DNA chart numerology. You may have trouble tracking down stuff on it, so contact me if you would like whatever information I have. 

There are still other forms of numerology that use dominoes or dice, a practice also known as cleromancy or sortilege. Dots, stalks, and even playing cards are also incorporated into different systems.   

As you can see, there are almost endless ways that numerology can be used for divination. Just like Tarot reading or any other method, numerology is just a tool; it’s not to be taken too seriously! Numerology can show you the possibilities available to you, helping you see things more clearly so that you can make whatever decisions are necessary in regard to your present situation or problem. Remember, numerology works according to each person’s interpretation of what their insight or intuitive ability might be telling or showing them. In other words, interpretations vary according to each person’s perception. 

Some forms of numerology are ancient, going back as far as the Roman era. Even our ancestors couldn’t function without the use of numbers. They had calendars, a money system, they had to keep track of the number of herd of animals they had, and so on.  Perhaps even as far back as caveman times, some form of counting or numbers was used. For man to have eventually ascribed mystical significance to these numbers, developing systems of numerology for divination and other purposes, is a natural progression. 

I have just scratched the surface.  There are lots of good books and materials out there on the subject of numerology if you’d like to learn more. I hope that you have found this overview of the many forms of numerology fun and fascinating. 

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