***Chapter One: Basic Arithmacy***
Arithmancy(from the Greek arithmo,meaning "number," and
mance,meaning "prophecy") has been used by magicians and wizards for more
than two thousand years to help people analyze anbd develop their strengths
and talents, overcome obstacles, and chart their future paths. Also know
as "numerology," arithmancy is based on two very old ideas. The first is
that a person's name contains important clues to their character and destiny.
The second advanced more than 2,500 years ago by the Greek sage Pythagoras,
is that each of the numbers between 1 and 9 has a unique meaning that can
contribute to the understanding of all things. Arithmancers combined these
two ideas and, over the centuries, developed many complex systems for converting
names into numbers and analyzing the results. One of the most widely used
systems involves extracting three key numbers from a person's name-the Character
number, the Heart numbert, and the Social Number-and interperting the outcome
according to a set of established meanings. This system, which we suspect
was widely know by the Middle Ages and is still used today. All it requires
is a pencil, paper, and the ability to add and spell.
The first step in analyzing a name is to convert it to
a set of numbers.
Each letter of the alphabet is given a numerical value between 1 and 9, according
to the following chart:
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9
A B C D E F G
H I
J K L M N O P
Q R
S T U V W X Y
Z
As should be clear, the letters A, J, and S have the value of "1," B, K,
and T have the value of "2," and so forth. To analyze any name, write it
down, and under each letter enter the corresponding number value. As an example,
we'll analyze the name NICHOLAS FLAMEL, he created the SORCERER's STONE:
N I C H O L A S F L A M E L
5 9 3 8 6 3 1 1 6
3 1 4 5 3
When you have all the numbers written down, add them up.
In this case, the rusult is 58. Accdcording to the procedures of arithmancy
when a total exceeds 9-whic it usualy does-it must be "reduced" to a single
digit by adding the component numbers together, more than once if necessary.
Thus, 58 reduces to 13 ( 5 + 8 = 13 ), which reduces to 4 ( 1 + 3 = 4 ) the
final result- the reduced number of all the values in the name-is known as
the Character iNumber. This number indicates the general personality type
of the induvidual, according a to a system of interpretations to be presented
shortly.
The next number to derived is the Heart Number, which
refers to the individual's inner life and is said to indicate desires and
fears hidden from others. The Heart Number is the total of all the vowels
in the name, reduced to a single digit. These numbers equal 22, which reduces
to 4 ( 2 + + = 4 ).
The third number to be derived is the Social Number, which
refers to the outer personality, the face an individual shows to the outside
world. THe social number is determined by adding up the value of the consonants
in the name. The total is 36, which reduces to 9 ( 3 + 6 = 9 ).
With the Character, Heart and Social numbers in mind (
4,4,9 ) it is now possible to sketch out a portrait of the subject using
a set of positive and negative personality traits traditionally associated
with each number. these traits are based partly on the ideas of Pythagoras,
but were also influenced by many others.
THE MEANING OF NUMBERS
1: THis is the number of the individual. Ones are independent, focused, single-minded,
and determined. They set a goal and stick to it. They are leaders and inventors.
Ones find it difficult to work with others and don't like to work with others
and don't like to take orders. THey can be self-centered, egotistical, and
domineering. They ar often loners.
2: Two represents interaction, two communication, cooperation, and balance.
Twos ar imaginative, creative, and sweet natured. Peace, harmony, commitment,
loyalty, and fairness are characteristic. But two also introduces the idea
of conflict, opposing forces, and the contrasting sides fo things: night
and day, good and evil. Twos can be withdrawn, moody, self-concious, and
indecisive.
3:THree represents the idea of completeness or wholeness, as in the trios
" past-present-future" and "mind-body-spirit." THe Pythagoreans considered
three to be the first "complete" number bewcause, like three pebbles laid
out in a row it has a beggining, middle, and end. Three inidicates talent,
energy, an artistic nature, humor, and social ease. Threes are often lucky,
easygoing, rich, and superficial.
4: Like a table that rests solidly on four legs, four indicates stability
and firmnes. Fours enjoy hard work. They are practical, reliable, and down
to earth; they prefer logic and reason to flights of fancy. They are good
at orginazation and getting things done. Like the cycle of the fours seasons,
they are also predictable. They can be stubborn, suspicious, overly practical,
and prone to angry outbursts. THe conflicts posible with "two" are doubled
in four.
5: Five is the number of instability and imbalance, indicating change and
uncertainty. Fives are drawn to many things at once but commit to none. They
are adventurous, energetic, and willing to take risks. They enjoy travel
and meeting new people but may not stay in one place very long. Fives acan
be concieted, irresponsible, quick-tempered, and imatient.
6: Six represents harmony, friendship, and family life. Sixes are loyal,
reliable, and loving. They adapt easily. They do well in teaching and the
arts, but are often unseccessufl in business. They are sometimes prone to
gossip and complaceny. They Pythogoreans regarded six as the perfect number
because it was divisable by both two and three, ans was the sum as well as
the product of the firts three digits (1+2+3=6, 1 x 2 x 3=6)
7: Preceptive, understanding, and bright, sevens enjoy hard work and challenges.
They are often serious, sholarly, and intersted in all thing mysterious.
originality and imagination are mor important than money and material possesions.
Sevens can also be pessimistic, sarcastic, and insecure. Seven is sometimes
considered a mystical or magical number because of its associations with
the biblical seven days of creation, and the seven heavenly bodies of ancient
astronomy (sun,moon, mercury,venus,mars,starun, and jupiter).
8: Eight indicates the possibility of great succes in business, finance,
and politics. Eights are practical, ambitous, hard working, commited, and
power hungry. Eight is said to be the nmost unpredictable of numbers and
can indicate the pinnacle of siccess or the depths of faliure; the potential
to go either way is present from the beggining.
9: Represents completion and achievement to thge fullest degree, as it is
the "complete" number, three times three is nine. Nines dedicated themselvesto
the service of others, othen as teachers, scientists, and humanitarians.
Strongly determined, they work tirelessly and are an inspiration to others.
However they work tirelessly and are aninpiration to others. However the
can alos be arrogant and conceited when things don't go their way.