The metaphysical study of numbers that helps a person understand significant personal characteristics and determine key moments for life decisions is called numerology. Numerologists, like psychics, take the information from a person's name and birth date to interpret the meanings of those items. However, in the case of numerology, the actual numeric totals of a name and birthday are the essential players, rather than just the date itself.
In some ways, numerology is the most straightforward of all the psychic arts. Calculating the value totals of names and birthdays is direct and simple. However, learning about yourself and applying what you learn through the functions of numerology, still requires an openness to change, self-awareness and personal giftings that some find difficult to pursue.
The Essential Numbers
The numerology charts utilize only the single digit numbers one through nine, plus 11 and 22, which are considered the two Master Numbers. The master numbers intensify the characteristics of their single digit complements (2 and 4, respectively). The master numbers can indicate a higher degree of learning or skill in the characteristic areas, particularly under stress.
There are several kinds of numbers that numerologists use in a person's reading to help unfold his potential.
The Lifepath number is the sum total of your birth date, which describes the overall characteristics of your personality and direction in life.
The Destiny number is the numeric total corresponding to the letters of your full, given name. It describes your tasks or life achievements as opportunities to reach your individual potential.
The Soul Urge or Heart's Desire number is your internal values and deepest desires. This is derived from the numerical total of only the vowels of your full given birth name.
The Inner Dreams number by corollary is the sum total of the consonants of your full given name, representing your fantasies or secret dreams. However, it is also connected with the first impressions people have of your personality.
The Birthday Number adds support to the Lifepath qualities, sometimes modifying, clarifying or expanding on some of the Lifepath exercises your Lifepath number reveals. The birthday number is simply the day of the month on which you were born, with no reductions or calculations.
Additional Functions of Numerology Readings
Numerologists can add layers of understanding to these core numbers with also discussing whole periodic segments of a person's life or the cycles associated with certain birth and lifepath numbers. Since humans are often creatures of seasons and habits, recognizing the repeating patterns of an individual's life and personality traits is useful for directing transitions, major decisions and changes in life as well.
Numerology readings are often used to help couples choose a name for a child, to seek guidance on mates that are good matches, or to determine career options. In addition to that, a skilled numerologist can use a reading to recommend good times in a person's lifepath or life period cycle to make major changes, geographic moves, job transitions or plan significant events like marriage. The functions of numerology vary according to each person, just as the numeric characteristics are unique to each distinct individual.