The incredible complexity and accuracy of this ancient system of divination and character analysis might leave us wondering where exactly it came from.
Like many really old magical or metaphysical systems the absolute origins of numerology are a bit muddled. Like many pseudo-sciences, numerology did not enjoy much attention until it was brought to the attention of the public and its powerful member by a famous personality.
The Greek mathematician and mystic Pythagoras, in the sixth century B.C., is credited with bringing numerology to the attention of the world by stating that "number is the ruler of forms and ideas and the cause of gods and daemons."
Modern interpretations of numbers are largely based on the numerical correspondences that Pythagoras established. Nowadays most mathematicians regard his ideas as "pseudoscience"
Astronomers see astrology in a similar way. The truth is modern numerology is a mish mash of evolutionary contributions from a variety of different teachers and cultures including Babylonian magic, astrological pholisophy from Hellenistic Alexandria, the Jewish Kabbalah. The Indian Vedas, the Chinese "Circle of the Dead", and the Egyptian "Book of the Master of the Secret House" (Ritual of the Dead). Many of these texts are sacred and misunderstood and not readily available to the public
even today.
There were many famous numerologists in the world working in all of these cultures - it is likely their achievements are lost to time.
Arguably, the second most famous "founding father" of numerology was St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-43) who wrote that Numbers are the Universal language offered by the deity to humans as confirmation of the truth." Similar to Pythagoras, he too believed that everything had numerical relationships and it was up to the mind to seek and investigate the secrets of these relationships or have them revealed by the Divine Grace of God.
In 325 A.D., following the First Council of Nicaea, departures from the beliefs of the state Church were classified as civil violations within the Roman Empire. This means that numerology was no longer a science bestowed by God, but rather the devil. Astrology, magic and other forms of magic were also purged from society by the Catholic Church at this time.
However the Christian science of Gematria still thrived simply because many early biblical texts were written in Greek and Hebrew and the letters of these alphabets also had numerical equivlents. It was difficult to interpret or read these texts without taking the numerical vibration of the letter into account as well. Many "sacred numbers" within Christianity were analyzed by a priest name Dorotheus of Gaza.
Numerology is still used in some Greek orthodox circles. An early example of the influence of numerology in English literature is Sir Thomas Browne's 1658 Discourse "The Garden of
Cyrus."In it, the author whimsically indulges in Pythagorean numerology to demonstrate that the number five and the related Quincunx pattern can be found throughout the arts, in design, and
in nature - particularly botany.
Modern numerology has various antecedents. Ruth A. Drayer's book, Numerology, The Power in Numbers (Square One Publishers) states that around the turn of the century (from 1800 to 1900 A.D.) Mrs. L. Dow Balliett combined Pythagoras' work with Biblical reference. Then on October 23, 1972, Balliett's student, Dr. Juno Jordan, changed Numerology further helping it to become the system known today under the title "Pythagorean".
In the modern age many authors have written great works about numerology. One of the first books on the subject was published in the early 1800s and written by Mrs. L. Dow Balliett. This numerologist went back to the ancient sacred numbers found in the Bible and combined that knowledge with the basic vibrations of numbers as established by Pythagoras. Her works were later revamped by a contemporary author named Dr. Juno Jordan who established Balliett's initial
works as a Pythagorean system.
Most numerologists and automatic numerology programs you access on the inherent working today use the vibrational and meanings established by Pythagoras, Balliett and Jordan.
To refresh your memory those established vibrations are --
0. Everything or absoluteness. All
1. Individual. Aggressor. Yang.
2. Balance. Union. Receptive. Yin.
3. Communication/interaction. Neutrality.
4. Creation.
5. Action. Restlessness.
6. Reaction/flux. Responsibility.
7. Thought/consciousness.
8. Power/sacrifice.
9. Highest level of change.
10. Rebirth.
It is important to remember that although this is the most commonly used interpretation of numbers in the world. numerology does not stop at Pythagoras. In fact, since the seventies many New Age writers have made even more equivalences to numbers including the chakras, the archangels and other factors.
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