There are people who first look at a new acquaintance’s birthday and then decide whether to go on a second date. That’s exactly what numerology is all about: according to this theory, every number has a personality, and a birthday becomes a mini-profile. It’s not considered a science, but it works great as a way to reflect on yourself and entertain friends in the kitchen. Let’s break it down.
Where Did Numerology Come From?
Its roots go back to ancient times. It’s believed that Pythagoras laid the foundations for the doctrine of the power of numbers as far back as the 6th century BCE. He claimed that numbers vibrate and can be used to describe everything in the universe. Later, medieval alchemists and mystics turned to numbers, for which they sometimes fell out of favor with the Church. Today, numerology is experiencing a new surge in popularity: people enjoy looking to numbers for clues to help them make decisions.
How to Calculate Your Number
There’s only one rule: add up all the digits of your birthdate until you’re left with a number between 1 and 9. Let’s take June 15, 1987, as an example. We calculate: 1+5+0+6+1+9+8+7 = 37, then 3+7 = 10, then 1+0 = 1. This person’s destiny number is 1.
The exceptions are the “master” numbers 11, 22, and 33. If you end up with one of these at any step, it’s usually not reduced: such numbers are believed to have special power.
What Each Digit Means
- One—a leader who is “my own person.” Loves to start new things, is ambitious, but can be stubborn.
- Two—a diplomat and peacemaker. Knows how to listen and work in a team, but relies too much on others’ opinions.
- Three—the life of the party. Creative, witty, and charming, but sometimes scattered and talks more than they act.
- Four — a person of order. Reliable, hardworking, and a lover of rules, but not a fan of change.
- Five—a freedom-loving free spirit. Loves adventure and adapts quickly, but consistency doesn’t come easily to her.
- The Six is the guardian of family and comfort. She is caring and responsible, though prone to overprotectiveness.
- Seven — a thinker and explorer. A deep soul drawn to science, philosophy, and solitude, though sometimes too withdrawn.
- Eight — a natural leader focused on results and money. The downside is rigidity and a love of control.
- Nine — an idealist and a generous helper. Thinks about the world as a whole, but can take things too personally.
Types of numerology: not just Pythagorean
- Pythagorean (classical) numerology is based on five core numbers: the life path, destiny, soul, personality, and maturity. This also includes the “Pythagorean square,” or psychomatrix: a nine-cell grid that describes character, health, luck, memory, and other areas based on your date of birth.
- Angel numerology focuses on repeating numbers that you see on clocks, tickets, and other numbers. It is believed that 111 encourages you to carry out your plans, 222 tells you “you’re on the right path,” 555 promises change, and 888 hints at financial growth.
- Vedic numerology originated in India and associates the numbers 1–9 with the planets: 1 corresponds to the Sun, 2 to the Moon, 3 to Jupiter, 5 to Mercury, and 6 to Venus. Here, the soul number is calculated based on the day of birth (if born on the 15th: 1+5 = 6), and the destiny number is calculated based on the entire date.
- Tarot numerology matches the sum of the digits in a birth date with the 22 Major Arcana. If the sum is greater than 22, 22 is subtracted from it. For our date, June 15, 1987, the sum is 37, so 37–22 = 15, which corresponds to Arcanum 15.
- Chinese numerology focuses on the phonetic associations of numbers with words. The number eight sounds like “to get rich,” which is why it’s so beloved. The number six is associated with success, and nine with infinity. The number four, however, sounds like the word “death,” so people in China try to avoid it, while the number seven is associated with deception.
Compatibility Based on Numbers
It’s even simpler here: add up all the digits of the two birthdates and reduce the sum to a single digit. For example, 06/15/1987 and 11/23/1990. The first date gives 37, the second 26; together, that’s 63, then 6 + 3 = 9. A 9 in a relationship signifies romanticism and a tendency to idealize one’s partner, so the couple should come down from the clouds to earth from time to time.
A two is considered the most favorable result: such relationships are strong and long-lasting. A five promises passion and instability, while a six promises calm and reliable intimacy. By the way, if you’re just looking for your soulmate, check out the dating section and don’t forget about the numbers—at least as a conversation starter.
Can You Trust Numerology?
Honest answer: There’s no proof that numbers influence fate. But numerology has practical value, just like any other tool for self-reflection: it prompts you to ask questions about your strengths, habits, and goals. If you want to analyze your birthdate in more detail, you can find an expert in the “Services” section, or you can simply do the calculation yourself in a minute and have a laugh at the coincidences.
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