Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays - Theresa Cheung, Theresa Cheung - Страница 20

Numerology assigns characteristics to the cosmic combinations of the digits 1 to 9, suggesting traits and weaknesses for every day of the year. It is based on the concept that the universe is mathematically constructed and the vibrational energy of people, places and things can be expressed through numbers. By reducing birth dates and names to numbers a person’s personality and destiny can, allegedly, be determined.

Although numerology probably has its origins in ancient Babylonia and among the early Hebrews, and many different numerology systems have been used in different parts of the world, numerology is most often associated with the fifth-century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher, Pythagoras. Pythagoras believed that there were mathematical connections between the gods, men and numbers that could be codified and if certain number patterns appeared they could be used to predict the fate of a person. According to Pythagoras, numbers were the source of energy in the world and the numbers 1 to 9 represent the nine stages of life. He is quoted as having said, "The world is built upon the power of numbers."

In numerology all numbers are reduced to a number between 1 and 9 and each number is also associated with a letter of the alphabet. Any larger number than 9 can be reduced to a single digit by adding all the digits together; for example, the number 123 becomes 1 = 2 = 3 = 6. The qualities of 123 are therefore equivalent to the symbolic number 6. Using the single digits as a guide, the patterns of different dates and a person’s name can be analyzed to define character and predict the future. Briefly, the numbers 1 to 9 represent:

1 Independent, creative, ambitious, extrovert

Downside: can be selfish with tunnel vision

2 Sensitive, domestic, imaginative, musical

Downside: can be timid and gullible

3 Scientific, powerful, knowledgeable, multi-talented

Downside: can be superficial and hedonistic

4 Practical, stable, honest, trustworthy

Downside: can be stubborn and overly serious

5 Energetic, sensual, daring, flirtatious

Downside: can find it hard to commit

6 Perfectionist, creative, artistic, compassionate

Downside: can be supersensitive and overemotional

7 Intellectual, philosophical, imaginative, intuitive

Downside: can be impractical and secretive

8 Practical, just, trustworthy, powerful

Downside: can be opinionated, impatient and intolerant

9 Spiritual, humanitarian, visionary and healer

Downside: can be self-serving, possessive and volatile

What astrology does through stars and Sun signs, numerology does through numbers. Like astrology, numerology is a symbolic system and one of the many tools we can use to understand ourselves and our life purpose better. Just as astrologers believe no one sign is better than another, numerologists believe no number is better or worse than any other. All the numbers have potential as well as a downside. The downside simply suggests challenges associated with this number; if these challenges can be faced and overcome, they can be a source of incredible strength.

In this book we will focus particularly on the qualitative interpretations of numbers in relation to a person’s date of birth. In numerology, your date of birth is thought to have a permanent influence on your life. Although you grow older and may change your name, your birth date number (for example, if you were born April 17 your birth date number is 1 + 7 = 8) always remains constant.