The Basics
Numerology and astrology already coexist. Each sign is assigned a number they share in common with their native house starting at 1 with Aries and going counterclockwise around the horoscope wheel until you get to 12 and Pisces. This is why you will always look a bit off if you start talking about the signs with Capricorn which is sign 10 – the horoscope wheel does not begin in January.
Additionally, each month has an intrinsic number. I know that you already know this part. We use these numbers to denote dates in shorthand. But in case it’s not clear, our calendar year begins with January as month 1 and ends with December as month 12.
All numerology combines these intrinsic numbers in a particular way. Numerology deals almost exclusively with numbers 1-9 – with a given number, you continue to add the digits together until you have a single-digit number. In this way, our tenth month is also a 1 month because 1+0 = 1.
As another example, each year has a number that can be determined by adding all the numbers in the year together and then doing so again until you have reduced that number to a single digit.
2023 is a number 7 because 2+0+2+3=7.
The above are both easy examples because you add the numbers together only once – so let’s focus instead on 1999. 1+9+9+9=28. We would then add 2+8 together, equaling 10, and then 1+0 to equal 1.
Each number from 1-9 in numerology is considered to have an energetic feeling that is part of a circular story. 1 is the beginning and 9 is the ending of this story but remember that number 10 is actually a number 1 meaning that after 9 comes 1 all over again. In this way, numerology acknowledges the cyclical nature of life and the shedding/renewal stages that we all undergo.
Month Based Numerology
Actual dates don’t exist in a vacuum. Though all Novembers carry some “11” (and 2 because that’s 1+1) energy, the numerology of the year it takes place in is also combined to create a more unique numerological energy.
To get the number of a specific month you add the number of the month to the number of the year and then reduce until you have a single digit.
November 2023 is a number 9 because 11+7=18=1+8=9.
Technically we could denote September as an 11/2/9 if we wanted to but we are assuming that everybody knows the energy that is November/11/2 already. We could say that the energy of 2023 modifies November’s energy from a pure 11/2 to that of an 11/2/9.
It is worth noting that in each year, January (as month 1) will always be one number higher than the numerological value of the year. (January 2023 was an 8-month because 2023 is a 7-year). The month of the numerological return – where the number of the month matches the number of the year (in 2023, September is the 7-month in a 7-year) – should be considered highly significant.
Moon Based Numerology
Each full and new moon has an intrinsic numerology based on the number of the Sun and the number of the Moon added together and reduced to a single digit. In the case of a full moon, the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs and in the case of a new moon, the Sun and Moon are in the same sign.
All full moons in Gemini carry 3 energy. (Sun in Sagittarius (9) + Moon in Gemini (3) = 12 = 1+2 = 3). Our upcoming full moon on 11/27 combines that 3 energy with the 9 energy of November. 9+3 = 12. 1+2 =3. This Gemini full moon carries the energy of 3/3 which shows that it is supercharged with 3 energy.
All Sagittarius new moons carry 9 energy. (Sun in Sagittarius (9) + Moon in Sagittarius (9) = 18 = 1+8 =9) Our upcoming new moon on 12/12 combines that 9 energy with the 1 energy of December. 9+1=10. 1+0 =1. This Sagittarius new money carries the energy of 9/1 which shows that it is an ending and a beginning.
Natal Birth Date Numerology
You have a number, too, based on the date that you were born. In numerology, this is often referred to as your Life Path Number.
To find this, add the month, date, and year numbers and reduce until you get to a single-digit number.
A baby born today on 11/18/2023 would have a 9 lifepath number as 1+1+1+8+2+0+2+3=18 and 1+8=9.
I have found that your life path number will show you what numerological energy you are the most comfortable with. I am an 8 lifepath and I really enjoy 8 months and 8 energy, in general.
You may find yourself particularly empowered in months, years, or on lunar events that share your life-path number.
Using Numerology in Your Life
As always, you don’t have to use numerology if you don’t want. (Why do I have to say that?….)
Most cultures and magical practices acknowledge some type of superstition or attributions to numbers. Some examples are:
1 is the loneliest number.
3 is a crowd.
Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Make 3!
7 is lucky/unlucky.
These associations are often very cultural and you should use your own cultural perceptions of numbers over strictly following what pop-numerology sites say (IMO). With the notable exception that the increase in numbers in numerology should always be viewed as further along a path. 1 is the start and 9 is the end. Keep in mind that numerology is cyclical – a nine-month leads into a 10/1 month and so forth.
You will notice the use of numerology in the stories told through the suit cards in the tarot with, in this case, Ace/1 being a new beginning and 10 being the completion.
A very basic look at the numbers is as follows:
1 – a beginning, something new
2 – the first steps, connections being made
3 – creation, birth, a “party”
4 – the creation of structure, solidity
5 – first changes, challenges, sometimes strife
6 – resolutions, understanding
7 – enlightenment, changes of opinions, refinements
8 – repeated challenges, the learning curve
9 – completions, endings, lessons
These numbers are often baked into magical traditions and you might not even have realized it. The magic of the number 3 as a creation number is a good example as is the belief that something repeated 9x (3×3) can be especially sacred and “complete”.
There are many instances where you are instructed to repeat a certain prayer for a particular number of days or burn a candle for a number of days. All of this carries the energy of that number into your magical working. You can also use numberology by choosing a particular number of ingredients to put into a spell or by burning a specific number of candles, or in any other way where you can use a numerical value.
You can do that regardless of the numerical value of the date or amp up your spellwork by using the date to your advantage.
For example, since we know that the upcoming Gemini full Moon carries a double “3” energy, we could choose to incorporate the number 3 into any magic we did on that day. Likewise, our Sagittarius new moon will be a 9/1 day so we could combine the energy of the 9 for endings while setting a singular intention with the number “1” for beginnings.
Many people find that doing this type of magic requires less personal effort as you are working with the energy of the day rather than against it. This can be especially useful for low-energy witches or “spoonies” of all kinds.
This is really just a start – you can use the magic of numerology in any way that you can think of! Do you use numerology in your magic? I’d love to hear about it – feel free to comment on this post telling me how you use it!