If you're never heard of numerology, you aren't alone, but the spiritual practice is currently sweeping TikTok. It's become so popular, 'numerology' is now a breakout search term on Google with countless people seeking to know more about what numerology really means.
With that in mind, we spoke to spiritual teacher, entrepreneur and author of new book The Witch's Apothecary Lorriane Anderson to find out everything we need to know about numerology.
What is the meaning of numerology?
Numerology is a lot like astrology but numbers are used in place of planets and signs to provide insights about you and events occurring in your life. And by you, I mean everything from your personality to your purpose, how you give and receive love, challenges, strengths, weaknesses, and even a deeper understanding about the types of desires and goals you’re attracted to. You can also use the Numerology system to better understand your family, friends, and co-workers as well as to predict significant life events. In fact, each day, month, and year has its own number that you can use to understand what you might expect for any particular moment in time.
What is the history and science behind numerology?
Numerology is a very old system with many different expressions, and evidence suggests it dates back as far as the Babylonians. But perhaps the most common manifestation of Numerology is the Pythagorean system, believed to be created by and named after a Greek mathematician and philosopher known as Pythagoras. Although the Chaldean, and Kabbalah systems are quite common as well.
In Numerology, each of the 12 numbers (1-9, 11, 22, and 33) has a unique meaning that when combined, forms a code, just like a line of code on your computer. In fact, numerology and coding aren’t all that different. Numerology uses the individual numbers of dates as well as numbers assigned to each letter, to make various calculations, collectively known as your Numerology chart.
How do you work out your life path number?
For example, to work out your life path number, you’ll combine the numerical day, month and year of the day you were born, adding the individual numbers until you have reduced them down to one single digit.
Say your birthday is July, 5th, 1998. You would calculate your life path number like this:
7+5+1+9+9+8 = 39
then reduce this further until you get to one digit.
3+9 = 12 and then reduce again, 1+2 = 3.
3 would be your life number.
The only numbers that are not reduced are 11, 22 and 33 which are called master numbers.
How can I use numerology to find my life path for 2023?
While there are many other numbers to consider, a fun one to be aware of is your personal year number. Every year has its own number, detailing the collective energy humanity will experience as a whole. To find this number, add up the individual digits of the year. For example, 2023 adds up to:
2+0+2+3 = 7
But, the year number also impacts your energy and while you will feel the effects of the collective vibrations, you can go a little deeper to understand your personal lessons, goals, and challenges for the year by calculating your personal year number.
To calculate your personal year number, you add up your birth day and month with the current year. If your birthday is July 5th, 1998 then you’ll add as follows:
7+5+2+0+2+3 = 19, then reduce
1+9 = 10 = 1
1 is the personal year number
Knowing your personal year number can help you to make more informed choices such as an appropriate year for buying a house or starting a business, spending more time in solitude, working on financial goals and challenges, or even when to spend a summer in Italy.
What do angel numbers look like?
Angel numbers are repeating patterns of numbers such as 1111, 333 or 555 but they can also be numbers that are significant to you such as a birthdate. Typically, these are numbers that seem to “chase” you around. You may see them frequently on digital clocks, license plates, in magazines, online, posters, and other seemingly random places. You know it's an angel number when seeing the number itself is spontaneous, in other words, it isn’t something you’re looking for. If you just so happen to lift your head and the clock says 11:11, then that is an angel number. However, if you start starting at the clock at 11:05, hoping to see 11:11, then that doesn’t count.
Each angel number has its own meaning but all of them can be thought of as winks, guidance, assurance or even warnings from the universe or angels. The most common angel numbers are:
11, 111, 1111 (stay positive and open to new beginnings and opportunities)
22, 222, 2222 (be patient and open to working with others, can also mean a need for more balance)
33, 333, 3333 (a sign of good luck and abundance)
44, 444, 4444 (remember to apply action to dreams, also a need to find stability and grounding)
55, 555, 5555 (change and adventure are coming, remain flexible)
66, 666, 6666 (a need for self-care, self-awareness, or to be more mindful of others needs)
77, 777, 7777 (a sign of spiritual growth and mysticism. Also a sign to seek answers)
88, 888, 8888 (overcoming your current obstacles will lead to increased power, success and abundance)
99, 999, 9999 (the number of wisdom but also represent the end of a cycle. Release what’s holding you back and make space for something new)
Lorriane Anderson is a spiritual teacher, entrepreneur and author of new book The Witch's Apothecary (Rockpool Publishing, £18.99, May 2023).