A Beginner’s Guide to Numerology
Learn your four major path numbers and the clarity they may bring you.
The first I remember having a favorite number was when I was a child. I was playing a game with my mother, and she asked me what my favorite number was. I immediately said, seven. I remember it like it was yesterday because, for some reason, I was sure seven was my favorite, even though I didn’t know why.
As time went on and I started to pay attention, I realized that what appeared to be coincidences involving the number seven seemed to happen often. Now, I don’t believe in coincidences, but at the time, it seemed strange that I’d look up at a clock and it was 7 minutes past 7 (not just once, but often) or that I was hired to start a new job on the 7th day of July.
Then, one day, I read an article about numerology, and it all started to make sense — not just my favorite number but all the numbers I’m connected to. So, I researched more, took a class, and have been in awe of the results ever since.
Numerology has been around for a long time. It can be traced back to ancient times, when people used it to help guide them in life. Today, a modern system is used in a similar way, also for guidance and for obtaining a clearer perspective on our lives. It’s a tool used for personal growth and development. It can highlight our strengths and identify our weaknesses.
In this article, I will explain the basics of Numerology so you can get started. While I provide you with a good amount of information, know that there’s so much more you can do with it. But it’s my intention here to spark an interest that takes you as far as you want to go in discovering yourself through Numerology.
Each number 1–9 and the Master Numbers (I’ll explain those later) hold a unique energetic frequency. Without getting technical, what’s important to know is that in numerology (the study of numbers), each numerical vibration means something.
The two most commonly known Numerology processes are adding up the numbers in your birthdate and the numbers that correspond to the letters in your given name. Then you reduce the number to a single digit, which is the key to clarifying your life. We’ll take this step by step.
The Four Major Paths
Each of the four major Paths provides us with information that together paints a complete picture. These paths are your Life Path, Soul Path, Personality path, and Destiny Path.
⇨ First is your Life Path Number: This is what you’re here to learn - what path is best for you to be traveling.
⇨ Second is your Soul Path Number: This represents who you truly are and where you’re going. It holds the keys to your authentic self from a soul-journey perspective.
⇨ Third is your Personality Path Number: This is how others see you. It’s the persona you project out to the world.
⇨ Fourth is your Destiny Path Number: This represents who you’re meant to be. It’s the expression of your life purpose in its entirety.
The numbers that relate to your Paths come from the energy vibrations of numbers 1–9 and/or from the 4 Master Numbers.
The Process
The process includes adding the numbers of your birthdate and your given birth name and reducing the numbers to a single digit. The exception is the Master Numbers. These numbers, 11–22–33–44, unlike numbers 1–9, do not get reduced. The Master Numbers represent a higher level of consciousness and hold a tremendous amount of wisdom and power within their message.
For the 1st number, your Life Path, you’ll work with reducing the numbers in your birthdate. However, for the remaining 2–4 numbers you’ll need the letter/number associations which I’ve provided in a chart below.
As we go through the process, I’ll use examples, but as you follow along, you might want to plug in your birth date and name to work through your personal reading. We’ll find all 4 numbers and then will go through the meanings of numbers 1–9 and the Masters.
The Life Path Number
Let’s begin with the 1st Number which relates to our Life Path — what we’re here to learn. It could relate to our career choices, lessons, challenges, opportunities, spiritual gifts, and so on.
Step 1: Write out your complete birthday in numbers.
Example: June 8th, 1975 would be 6/8/1975
Step 2: Write each digit out individually, and add: 6+8+1+9+7+5 = 36
Step 3: Reduce the numbers until you get to a single digit: 3+6 = 9
Your Life Path number is 9
Put this aside and go on to the next Path using the number association chart below.
Number/Letter Association Chart
The Soul Path Number
For the 2nd Number, your Soul Path — your conscious and subconscious journey to your authentic self. For this, you’ll need to write out your full given birth name.
Using only your Vowels, assign a number according to the chart. Add the numbers and reduce until you get a single digit or a Master Number. The example I’m using is Jean Anne Clark.
Step 1 Write out full birth name: J E A N — A N N E — C L A R K
Step 2 Assign numbers to the vowels: E = 5 + A = 1 + A = 1 + E = 5 + A = 1 = 13
Step 3 Reduce to single digit: 1 + 3 = 4
Your Soul Path Number is 4
The Personality Path Number
Your 3rd Number, the Personality Path, represents character traits, habits, and how you walk around in the world. Here you’ll reduce all the consonants in your birth name.
Step 1: J E A N A N N E C L A R K
Step 2: 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 9 + 2 = 33
Step 3: do not reduce because 33 is a Master Number
Your Personality Path Number is 33
The Destiny Path Number
Your 4th Number is your Destiny Path and represents your purpose in life. This is the combination of all you have, are, and will experience It reflects what you’ve come here to manifest. For this number, you’ll assign, add, and reduce your full birth name.
Step 1: J E A N A N N E C L A R K
Step 2: 1+5+1+5 + 1+5+5+5 + 3+3+1+9+2 = 46
Step 3: 4 + 6 = 10 which further reduces to 1
Your Destiny Path Number is 1
The Energy Focus
Before we begin to interpret your 4 numbers you’ll need to know the energy focus for each. The energy focus is the vibrational frequency held by each number. Each vibrational frequency holds its signature characteristics which are then used to interpret your numerology reading.
While interpretations are subjective, allow the signature characteristics to serve as a guide to help spark your intuitive interpretation. This is also a good time to call to the angels if you need further guidance.
Signature Characteristics Numbers 1–9
1: Character through creativity and confidence: manifestation, motivation; eagerness to explore new ideas and possibilities
2: Energy through cooperation and balance: alignment, peace, harmony, and sensitivity; a mediator or negotiator who is a peacemaker
3. Creativity through expression and sensitivity: exploration of new beginnings, positive change, expansion; leads by example
4. Health through stability and dedication to process: protection, dependability, strength in foundation; able to withstand change without sacrificing convictions
5. New Beginnings through freedom and discipline: adventurer, craves excitement, movement; major change on the horizon
6. Productive Action through vision and acceptance: service, nurturing, love, compassion; propensity to help others
7. Spiritual Truth through trust and Oneness: awareness, wisdom, deep thinking, research; seeking ways to live truthfully
8. Connectedness through abundance, no beginning, no end: balanced strength, success, humble leadership; infinitely connecting to spirit
9. Completion through integrity and wisdom: completion, where there is an end, springs a new beginning; a continued experience of expanded horizons
The Master Numbers:
11. Inner Strength and Power: a strong character with solid convictions, insights, and wisdom that enhances confidence; the ability to accomplish great things
22. Master Builder: combines intuition with practicality, a solid foundation through balance and discipline; the ability to build upon dreams
33. Master Teacher: devotion to the greater cause and brings about transformation through sensitivity and awareness; shared freely with others
44. Master Healer: healing through the wisdom of love, and compassion for self and for others; enabling a Spiritual Awakening.
Now, let’s review and interpret the numbers in our example. Note that based on the numbers and their associations, I’m interpreting the message. You may interpret them differently and that’s ok. Always trust your guidance.
1st: Your Life Path (what you’re here to learn) number is 9 — It’s time to expand your horizons, pay attention to when one door shuts another opens. Don’t miss it.
2nd: Your Soul Path (your authentic self) number is 4 — Your dependability serves as a strong foundation for which you can accomplish anything. Be yourself and you’ll go far.
3rd: Your Personality Path (how others see you) number is 33 — This is the Master Teacher Number and represents being sensitive toward the needs of others and devoted to sharing your knowledge for the greater good. What gifts can you share?
4th: Your Destiny Path (who you’re meant to be) number is 1 — As time evolves and your eagerness to explore expands to motivate you toward new possibilities. Go forward confidently.
There you have it — what the energetic value of the numbers in your name and birthdate represent.
A Step Further
As a stand-alone, each number and interpretation has meaning. However, to get a full picture, you may want to combine the 4 numbers and their meanings. I like calling to the angels for help with this step as it then becomes an angelic reading.
While your numbers will remain constant, the summary may change. This is because from moment to moment, you are changing. Therefore, the summary on one day may be different than on another.
I find this very interesting, as it shows the direction we’re headed in and allows us the opportunity to change course if needed or remain steady in the direction of our dreams.
Since I work with the angels, I asked the angels for help with summarizing this reading. For those who want to ask the angels for help, simply close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and ask the angels to help you.
Here is the summary the angels gave me for our example.
“Be aware of the learning opportunities made available to you. Do not be afraid to take reasonable chances, as your foundation is strong and can withstand directional changes. Share what you have learned with others as it reinforces those precise lessons within you. Be on the lookout for growth opportunities. As they surface, embrace them. This will expand your horizons and bring you full circle once again.”
I hope you found this article fun and enjoyed learning about this ancient method of finding clarity within.
In Love and Light ✨💚✨, Pam
This article was originally published on Medium.