Numerology FAQs: The Top 10 Questions about Numerology
1. What is Numerology?
Numerology uses your birth date and birth name (if available) to describe your goals, personality and motivations. Different types of Numerology have existed for thousands of years and have been used by various cultures. The kind of Numerology we use in the West is called "Pythagorean" or Modern Numerology.
In Numerology, we add together the numbers in your birth date and/or birth name. The goal is to get to a single digit, but if you come up with a multiple of "11" (11, 22, 33, etc.), you stop because that is called a Master Number.
You can think of it as each number having a unique vibration, like a musical note. Combining all those vibrations and notes gives you a unique lesson to learn.
Want to learn more about what numbers mean? Scroll to the end of this article and find out more!
2. What birth data do I use?
You just need your birth date, like February 4, 1972. You do not need your birth time or location. A complete Numerology chart also uses your birth name. We assign numbers to each letter, then add up, slice, and dice the numbers to reveal more information.
3. Does Numerology really work?
Good question! When I started learning Numerology many years ago, it seemed too easy, and I did not want to believe everything I read. So, I researched because I don't want to promote something I cannot back up with information.
I created a database with 500+ birthdays and names of people, businesses, and events to see if their Numerology said anything about their lives, mission, products, or what they accomplished. I was surprised by the close correlation between the number and how people lived their lives or ran their companies.
4. What are the Life Path and Destiny Numbers?
The Life Path uses the Birth Date to reveal the lesson you set out to live in your life. It is like the underlying storyline in a play or movie where you are the main character. While you may have twists and turns in your life, there's usually a general theme.
For instance, my Life Path is a "3", and I have the lesson of being a communicator. It took me years to see what was right in front of me. I had always been writing, reading, teaching, and speaking. I even knew my Life Path was a 3, the mark of someone who would enjoy these pursuits. But it took me a few decades to wake up and finally start living the "3". I started my own freelance writing business and now enjoy writing about Numerology, astrology, and psychic mediumship.
The Destiny Number adds together the numbers assigned to the letters in your birth name. The Destiny Number is a vibration or story you will grow into over time, like your North Star. For instance, the Destiny Number in my birth name is a Master Number of 11. But I had to go through all the growing pains and life experiences that everyone else does to be able to teach something to someone else.
Your Destiny Number is something you grow into over time, while the Life Path is the theme of the road you travel on the way there.
Life Path = Month + Day + Year (Add together, then reduce to a single digit or Master Number)
Destiny = Numbers in your name
5. Are there any other numbers in my birthdate and name?
Numerology gets very creative with the numbers in your birthdate and name. With your birthdate, we can look at the DAY you were born and see what that means. You can also use the month, day, and CURRENT year to develop the theme for the year you are experiencing, the Personal Year.
With your birth name, we can also look at creative sets of numbers. For instance, we can look at the vowels in your name (a,e,i,o,u – and sometimes y) to determine your "Soul Urge," also known as "Heart's Desire'. It is the yearning for what you really want to do in life, despite what you think you want to do and experience.
Finally, the Personality number is based on the consonants in your name. That is the outer personality you show the world, even though it may be quite different from your Destiny, Life Path, or Soul Urge Number.
6. Can Numerology predict my future?
Numerology has over 20 different numbers that reveal various things about you. The most common predictive number is the Personal Year. It is the "theme" for the current year. For instance, a "1" year can be a year of new beginnings, a "5" year can be one of change and chaos, and in an "8" year, you might come into some money or increase your power or influence.
You calculate this number by adding together your [birth month] + [birth day] + [year on your last birthday]. For instance, if you were born on August 15, your Personal Year would not start until August – not January.
Other predictive cycles can also run for 1 to 9 years. But that is a story for another article.
Personal Year = [Month] + [Day] + [Current Year] Reduce to a single digit
7. Is Numerology better than Astrology?
They are different. One is not better than the other. I am both a Numerologist and an Astrologist, so I understand both approaches.
Numerology, while effective, uses numbers and cycles and is less detailed than an astrology profile. But you need less information – only the birth date, not the location and time. Many people do not have their birth time or location due to a lack of records or other inaccuracies. So, Numerology is a methodology to use.
Numerology can reveal situations that Astrology does not reveal. In my research, I analyzed 73,000 dates and found cycles that were not represented in astrology, in addition to global trends.
Astrology, when you have the correct birth time and location, can be much more precise and predict situations and events accurately. But you need to be an experienced astrologer to correct or rectify charts to hone in on an accurate birth time.
I enjoy both modalities, and they complement each other nicely. It depends on what information you have available and whether it is accurate.
8. What are Master Numbers? And Angel Numbers?
Master Numbers are multiples of 11. For instance, 11,22,33 are Master Number Life Paths. There were a few 44s in the 1900s, but we won't see those again for some time.
Master Numbers reveal a higher potential, if not a more challenging, Life Lesson for someone to learn. For instance, if you have an 11 Master Teacher energy in your birth day, Life Path, Destiny, Soul Urge, or Personality. You may feel driven to set an excellent example for others or actually teach others.
However, it is hard to be a Master Teacher 24/7/365. That is why sometimes they can act more like a 2 (1+1=2) and want to be sensitive to others.
Master Numbers are infrequent but not rare. A fair percentage of people on Earth have 11s in their names, and they can be anyone from a retail clerk to an international leader. Some infamous criminals have this number, so don't expect people with Master Numbers to be wearing a halo.
Speaking of halos, what about Angel Numbers? It looks like Angel Numbers are triple numbers, like 222, 333, etc., and people believe your angel is talking to you when you see those numbers on a clock. I have had that same experience, which can be a little freaky.
I think of Angel Numbers as trying to attract my attention in that moment so I know what is going on and am aware of what I am thinking or experiencing. It is an excellent opportunity to ground yourself in the present moment and understand what you should be learning.
9. What if I change my name?
I recently read a Pew Research article that said that 80% of women take their husband’s last name. Millions of people change their names for various reasons each year, so Numerology has to keep up.
There are different schools of thought on name change. Some say the birth name always stays with you, and you should use that. Some say it’s like a 50/50 or 70/30 thing, where you retain some of your birth name and some of your updated name.
I have changed my name before and know others who have changed their name many decades ago. It comes down to what name you resonate with. I can barely remember my original name, but I identify with my changed name, so I often use that.
It just takes some time and practice to see which name represents what is happening in your life.
10. Is it hard to learn Numerology?
Numerology is pretty simple to learn, but I love numbers. It’s basic math and requires understanding some formulas, what each number means and how it plays out over time.
Compared to Astrology (which, again, I enjoy), Astrology takes much longer to learn fully and incorporates more than just your Sun sign.
If you want to get started with Numerology, here are recommended resources.
1. JudyAnnMichael.com/judy-tv – You can see my videos where I explain each number in detail.
2. WorldNumerology.com – A site developed founded by Hans Decoz, one of the early 20th century leaders in Numerology. There are free charts and lessons. Also his book, available on Amazon is an easy read and good reference.
3. Matthew Goodwin & WideningHorizons.com - I learned so much from Matthew’s books 1 and 2, also a leading numerologist from the 20th century.
There are other great books on Amazon if you are ready to study Numerology more in depth.
Number meanings
#1 - Positive: Natural leader, independent, individualistic, pioneer, self-reliant. Negative: arrogant, egotistical
#2 - Positive: Sensitive to others, intuitive, insight, diplomatic, counselor. Negative: overly sensitive, vulnerable
#3 - Positive: Optimistic, inspiring, cheerful, communicative, imaginative. Negative: Distracted, lack of focus, impractical.
#4 - Positive: Organized, dependable, systematic, builder, doer, dreams-to-reality. Negative: controlling, lack of creativity.
#5 - Positive: Creative, free spirit, adventuristic, craves excitement, adaptable. Negative: chaotic, undisciplined, bored.
#6 - Positive: Loving, caring, counselor, nurturer, healer, harmonize opposites. Negative: doormat, nosy, hover mother.
#7 - Positive: Analytic, pursue truth & knowledge, introspective, mystic, philosopher. Negative: perfectionist, distant, aloof.
#8 - Positive: Money, authority, power, competitive, goal oriented, tenacious, manifester. Negative: intolerant, power hungry, impatient.
#9 - Positive: Humanitarian, idealistic, volunteer, compassionate, desire to transform humanity. Negative: over sacrifice, seeks approval.
Master Number 11 - Positive: Intuitive teacher, channel, sets example for others. Negative: a “2”, needs grounding, not grounded.
Master Number 22 - Positive: Master builder and organizer of dreams, accomplish great things. Negative: a “4” – avoids risks.
Master Number 33 - Positive: Christ consciousness, comfort others. Negative: a “6”, co-dependent tendencies
Numbers for each letter in the American English Alphabet
#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
