Move over, astrology! Numerology holds the key to your destiny. Numerology is the study of the relationships that numbers and letters have with your personality and life events (bear with me—I’ll explain how it all works in a sec). It’s an ancient metaphysical science(-ish), going back THOUSANDS of years. Numerology has branches and origins across multiple eras, cultures, and continents (which reinforces that there’s gotta be something in it, right?).
Western (or “modern”) numerology is the most popular in contemporary times. It was created by Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (yes, the triangle guy) more than 2,500 years back. The oldest system is probably the Chaldean system (developed by the Chaldeans of ancient Babylon). Other numerology systems include Kabbalah numerology, Chinese numerology, and Tamil numerology. For this piece, we’re focusing on Western numerology.
How does numerology work?
Numerologists propose that every number has its own vibration and contributes an influence on the world. Big numbers reduce to a single-digit (or in some cases, double-digit) number that has a unique meaning and power all its own. Key personal information like your name and birth date have a unique vibration that can explain your traits, strengths, and life path or destiny. Yeah, it’s big stuff.
Numerology doesn’t force you to do anything. It can help you learn more about your potential, what you have the ability to achieve, what your path in life is likely to be like, and what you might encounter along the way.
What’s a Life Path Number?
There are quite a few different numbers that are important in numerology—your Expression Number tells you about what you’re going to get up to in your lifetime, your Relationship Number tells you who you’re most compatible with, and your Heart’s Desire Number tells you the career paths and goals you’re most naturally drawn to. But the most significant number in numerology might be your Life Path Number (in Chaldean numerology, this is also called your Destiny Number), which provides solid deets about your character and the type of life you’ll go on to live.
Your Life Path Number is calculated by adding all the numbers in your birth date together and getting that sum down to a single digit. There are two ways of doing this (adding across or reducing down), so we’re going to focus on the method most in use: reducing down.
How to find your Life Path Number
To find your Life Path Number, simply reduce the digits of your full birth date until you reach a single-digit number—excluding 11, 22, and 33, which are considered Master Numbers (we’ll get back to this). This number is your Life Path Number.
Let’s say your birthday is November 11, 1992. To calculate your Life Path Number, you will reduce each component of this date to a single digit:
The month, 11, is reduced to 1 + 1 = 2.
The date, 11, is reduced to 1 + 1 = 2.
The year, 1992, is reduced to 1 + 9 + 9 + 2. This equals 21. Then, 21 is reduced to 2 + 1 = 3.
Then we add the reduced month, date, and year numbers (2 + 2 + 3) and arrive at 7 (if it were a double digit, we’d add those two digits together to reach a single digit). So, in this case, your Life Path Number is 7.
The only time you would NOT reduce the final number to a single digit is if you get 11 or 22. These are considered Master Numbers and represent a more intensified take on their root numbers. Master Numbers suggest a greater potential for success, pitted against greater challenges. We’ll talk more about those in a minute!
The Life Path Numbers
Found your Life Path Number? Is it 1-9, 11, or 22? (If not, then go back and re-calculate it!) Here’s what it means:
1: The ultimate individual
Keywords: Independent, unique, self-motivated, proactive, courageous, entrepreneurial
You carve out your own path in life, and you’re especially drawn to careers that involve innovation, management, entrepreneurial ventures, life coaching, property development, leadership, and/or business. You’re a go-getter!
2: The collaborative counselor
Keywords: Peaceful, intuitive, wise, compassionate, collaborative, understanding
You’re an understanding individual who values harmonious relationship in life and helps others willingly. You’re a natural people person. Careers involving therapy, healing, teaching, esoteric practices, administration, accountancy, and mediation appeal to you.
3: The outgoing creative
Keywords: Funny, creative, charismatic, expressive, social, imaginative
You’re a confident individual who thrives on being with others and having an ~audience~. You’re drawn to careers involving acting, writing, teaching, travel, therapy, hospitality, personal care, and sales. People are just drawn to your natural talents.
4: The practical worker
Keywords: Conscientious, grounded, pragmatic, reliable, determined, practical
You’re a dedicated and responsible individual who works hard to achieve a goal and never gives up. No matter what it is, you never give up. You’re drawn to careers in accountancy, auditing, editing, property, law enforcement, engineering, and analysis.
5: The jack of all trades
Keywords: Versatile, charismatic, restless, resourceful, communicative, adventurous
You’re a multitalented individual who craves freedom, adventure, and excitement. You’re drawn to careers in and around events, PR, journalism, teaching, travel, consulting, and sales. You might dabble in a number of careers over your life instead of having one tried-and-true path.
6: The supportive adviser
Keywords: Nurturing, compassionate, supportive, helpful, perceptive, wise
You’re a perfection-seeking individual who wants to help make their corner of the world a nicer place. You’re drawn to careers involving therapy, healing, nutrition, beauty, fashion, interior decorating, teaching, counseling, and hospitality. Others always want your advice!
7: The clear-eyed philosopher
Keywords: Analytical, questioning, intellectual, intuitive, problem-solving, philosophical
You’re a truth-seeking individual who has a natural instinct for untangling big problems and seeking answers to life’s big questions. You’re drawn to careers involving innovation, engineering, technology, digital communications, strategy, esoteric practices, and journalism. You have a mind for big thoughts and big ideas.
8: The moneymaker
Keywords: Driven, ambitious, strong, materialistic, proud, organized, conscientious, entrepreneurial
You’re dedicated to achieving the goals you set for yourself early on in life. You’re drawn to careers in business, property development, leadership, the law, project management, banking, finance, and property. You have a mind for money and a natural talent for managing a budget.
9: The understanding caregiver
Keywords: Generous, kind, helpful, (very) creative, patient, passionate, caring
You’re a just and caring individual who wants to help the planet and other people. You’re drawn to careers in teaching, counseling, social work, law, the creative arts, HR, government work, and fitness. You just want to make the world a better place!
The Master Numbers
Now, let’s talk about the Master Numbers! In numerology, 11, 22, and 33 are never reduced to a single digit. Instead, they’re left as-is. These numbers hold special significance because they offers double the power of the number they reduce to. They aren’t common, and those with Master Numbers have a lot to accomplish while facing great adversity. In fact, they’re sometimes even considered “late bloomers” because they have a lot in life to work through before their natural talents can truly shine.
11: The intuitive inspirer
Keywords: Intuitive, inspiring, perceptive, open-minded, optimistic
You have all the qualities of a number 2 with the added benefits of 11. Meaning that you’re an uplifting individual who seeks to help others improve their lives and be the best version of themselves. You’re drawn to careers in life coaching, therapy, film and TV, writing, healing, esoteric practices, sports, politics, and invention.
22: The practical visionary
Keywords: Idealistic, focused, visionary, imaginative, practical, perfection-seeking
You have all the qualities of a number 4 with the added benefits of 22. You’re a ~manifesting~ individual who has both the imagination and the drive to bring any idea to life. You’re drawn to careers involving environmentalism, engineering, technology, architecture, health care, innovation, and politics.
33: The master teacher
Keywords: Creative, intuitive, compassionate, nurturing, responsible
You have the qualities of a number 6 with the added benefits of a 33. You’re a natural artist, but you work best with others rather than solo. In fact, you want to help other people just as much as you want to shine on your own. You’re drawn to creative careers that allow you to work with others, like film, teaching, comedy, acting, charity work, or counseling.
Tarot Reader
Kerry Ward has been reading and teaching tarot for over 25 years, and alongside her work as Horoscope contributor for Cosmopolitan UK, has worked for Cosmopolitan US, too. You can book a personal, written tarot reading with her, which comes as a beautifully illustrated brochure, while she is also the published author of Power Purpose Practice, Card of the Day Tarot and The Good Karma Tarot. She also created the Crystal Magic Tarot deck. Follow her on Instagram @mytarotbella for weekly forecasts, insights, and tarot teachings, or find her on LinkedIn.