Numerology: assigns a numeric value to a letter, word, or phrase in the belief there is a divine or mystical relationship between a number and coinciding events. Countless cultures have believed in some form of numerology. The Chinese believe even numbers are lucky. Traditional medicine and acupuncture have a mystical association with numbers.
Gematria, an Assyro-Babylonian system of numerology later adopted by Jews assigns numerical value to a word or phrase in the belief that words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other.
I included the element of numerology in my upcoming book Salem’s Daughters where a popular paranormal cable television show is doing a special three hour live show at the bed and breakfast to try and determine why so many people are dying on the property. Edited Scene:
Denise turned her head, flung her hair from side to side, and treated the audience with her wicked sexy smile. “One aspect of being a paranormal investigator is that I’m also a numerologist. We focus on specific digits and their order, values, and their sums ... For the sake of tonight’s show, I’ll present my knowledge and experience and tell you what I think they mean.”
"There are six cats here in the basement with us. The number six has various meanings, depending on the culture and the time period. But what I’m getting, right here right now, is six is the number of man. More specifically, the sixth commandment of the Old Testament comes to mind: Thou Shalt Not Murder. And that commandment has been broken at least nineteen times on this property in the past, and five times recently at Murcat Manor. If we can conclude one of the many evil elements that has its roots here, it carries the name of Murder.”
“There are thirteen cats total in this bed and breakfast ... thirteen is associated with corruption and disintegration that results in revolts. So we have identified a second root that has its tentacles wrapped around this bed and breakfast: Rebellion.”
Honorable Mention: Near-Death Experience, Necromancy, Nazca Lines
Tomorrow: Out of Body Experiences
Question: Do you believe there is a divine or mystical relationship between numbers and well, pretty much everything in our universe?
Honorable Mention: Near-Death Experience, Necromancy, Nazca Lines
Tomorrow: Out of Body Experiences
Question: Do you believe there is a divine or mystical relationship between numbers and well, pretty much everything in our universe?
I don't think much about numerology until something weird happens that supports the theory of the number. Like being the 7th in line and winning the door prize.
ReplyDelete/Scribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge
Jenn, things like that do get your attention.
DeleteMagic numbers :) I knew there was a reason I preferred even numbers ;) I've always been fond of 2 and 4.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I don't quite numerology, but found your post interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Everything is numbers at some point, I have a favorite set of numbers that I see every day somewhere in my travels. 1234, not kidding.
ReplyDeleteJeremy, wifey and I wake up in the middle of the night at look at the clock. The time is 2:22 or 3:33 or 4:44. This happens multiple times a week.
DeleteHi Stephen - interesting post .. I'm not sure I relate to numerology for superstition - yet apparently it exists and still does so. Our ancestors used the stars and numbers to work out so much of our life, which they passed down to us in various tracts or word of mouth ... it's a subject that enthrals still and is often used in books etc ... I'm born on the 13th .. so I have to take that as read!! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletewe often deny things about which we have no knowledge, i have no knowledge of numerology therefore i deny it has any validity
ReplyDeleteEverything does come down to a mathematical equation, so it's possible.
ReplyDeleteAlex, our universe is built on mathematics and there are countless incredible and amazing things built into this universal language that now I'm inspired to do a mini series on science and numerology.
DeleteHello Stephen.
ReplyDeleteSince the Bible is a book of both history and prophecy, it's use of numbers is definitely not numerology. Numbers given in the Bible are either literal or symbolic. For example, number 12 represents a complete, balanced, divine arrangement as in the 12 Tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28) or the choosing of the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). Then there is the symbolic use of number 7 in the book of Revelation where 7 is used in connection with the things of God and His congregation (Revelation 1:4, 12, 16; 5:1; 8:2) and also things of Satan the Devil (Revelation 13:1; 17:3, 10).
True, numerology does indeed have its origin in ancient Babylon whose people practised various forms of occult, including divination and spiritism...things actually condemned by God (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
As always thank you for such a well thought out response! And yes, anything used to predict the future, except Biblical prophecy, is strictly prohibited. That being said, numbers in prophecy is vital. Just look at the book of Revelation and all the reference to numbers used.
DeleteI used to have a book on numerology and studied it for a while. Rather complicated for someone to whom numbers are a puzzle anyway.
ReplyDeleteNumbers fascinate me. First of all, God is into numbers and meaning big time. Secondly, both of my kiddos were born on the 4th of a month. I was married on the 28th of a month, told that I was getting a divorce on the 28th of a month and my divorce became final on--you guessed it, the 28th of the month. Things like happen to me all the time. So interesting.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, patterns like this that seem to occur over and over have to at least grab our attention and hav us wonder if there is a significance.
DeleteI really don't know if I believe in lucky numbers or even lucky colors, but it's always interesting to know what your lucky numbers or lucky colors are.
ReplyDelete.. contradicting much? :D
I don't think a lot of people today give this much thought as our culture is so busy with what's going on with this celebrity or Kim Kardashian's Photo shopped ass. Texting and YouTube and video games occupy their minds and time. But since humans have first walked this Earth, numbers have taken on divine or mystical meanings and deeply influence decisions we make.
ReplyDeleteHer ass is PHOTOSHOPPED!?
Deletedisillusioned,
Al
I've done a little bit with numerology and found some stuff that I learned about certain numbers interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at the maths, so anyone's guess is as good as mine. Then again, the answer to everything is 42. :)
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious about numerology.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by Numerology and have a couple of books on it. I find it interesting but I wouldn't base my life on it. Most hotels do nave a 13th floor. In Europe there are many castles that have been built with numbers in mind-Schloss Eggenberg near Graz is one
ReplyDeleteBirgit, we were on a cruise ship a couple weeks ago, and they don't have a thirteenth deck.
DeleteBirgit, we were on a cruise ship a couple weeks ago, and they don't have a thirteenth deck.
DeleteI like how you used that in your book. I've never thought of using numerology in my fantasy books but now you're giving me ideas.
ReplyDeleteI love your excerpt. I also love that with all "practices" (like law and medicine) numerology can be interpreted many ways so there is always lots of wiggle room for why it didn't work.
ReplyDeleteI have no knowledge of numerology. It has been around a heck of a long time, so I should learn more. Maybe after April. :-)
ReplyDeleteNot really--but I did see that Jim Carrey movie about the number 23 and now whenever my husband asks what Powerball number he should pick, I always say 23. Feels like that one's going to win someday. Probably not, though!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, this is the only Jim Carey movie I missed. Now its on my list to watch this weekend.
Delete'Do you believe there is a divine or mystical relationship between numbers and well, pretty much everything in our universe?' I can't believe no-one has said 'Yes, and the answer is 42!' ;)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously I totally believe in Numerology, numbers are always shouting at me.
Looking forward to tomorrow's post :) x
Suzanne, David's comment above is pretty close.
DeleteNot sure with numerology; I know some characteristics are given to numbers, like 6 being the number for man, etc., but just don't know about it all to make a good conclusion about it all.
ReplyDeletebetty
This topic can go in so many directions. Numbers are amazing as are their patterns. I could build a series on this using science and mathematicians and leave the mystical out and it would still blow your mind.
ReplyDeleteMost of our world revolves around math and numbers, so I wouldn't be surprised if there was something to numerology. I don't understand a lot of it, though, because I was never very good at Math.
ReplyDeleteMath.
It figures.
Enjoyed your excerpt; recognize that much of our culture(s) is number-based; and definitely am curious about the relationship of numbers and all that is.
ReplyDeleteThey say the number 8 is lucky. If you keep the number 8 with you at all times, you're supposed to get good fortune. I hope that's the truth!
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
I don't really, no. I did have an ex-boyfriend from High School who saw (still sees) my birthday numbers everywhere and read into it a lot. Not my thing, though :P
ReplyDeletei haven't had any experiences with numbers or numerology that I remember. I believe that numbers have meanings more than what we mundane ly see.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a huge believer in numerology! Her number was 26 and the forms of it! Like 8! Her lucky number
ReplyDeletei'm so not a numbers person i can barely count. I can make no sense of when people connect numbers to events. i would really like to be able to see or understand it in order to believe or disbelieve it.
ReplyDeleteI take numerology with a grain of salt. I won't assign numbers to words, but if a number comes up organically, then I might pay a little more attention.
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from Laws of Gravity
Numerology is fascinating. I've taken a few workshops (mini-workshops) in numerology -- just enough to whet my appetite and want to learn more. I'm going to look forward to reading Salem's Daughters. My favorite numbers are 6 and 3. What does that say about me?? :)
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
Michele, I've never taken a workshop But over the years I do some research over the Internet.
DeleteI only know a little bit about numerology, but I have always found it very interesting. I would like to read up on it and find out more. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
It is an interesting subject!
ReplyDeleteThat's one unlucky bed and breakfast. I don't know too much about the study of numerology but it's funny how lots of people have a lucky number that they feel good about if it comes up for them somewhere. I'm the same, although I wouldn't call myself superstitious!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I believe in it to the point of some cultures and philosophies do , but I do believe that some numbers in the Bible have a meaning. IE: Three - the number of the Godhead, Trinity Four - the number of the earth (4 seasons, 4 compass points) Seven - The number of perfection Forty - the number of testing
ReplyDeleteVisit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
with the A to Z Challenge
This is interesting. I'm not sure...
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Ever heard of that phrase "way over my head"? That's me. Me and numbers. We aren't the best of friends...
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is a correlation between numbers, and how they relate to our lives. Thanks for giving us food for thought, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Very cool post, Stephen! Numerology applies to my writing. My novel (to be published) has 18 chapters, and 18 is a special number in Judaism. When I started, I'd thought that if I end up with 18 chapters, that'd be pretty awesome. I did, and I didn't count the chapters until I'd polished my draft. The chapter is titled "L'Chaim" - to life!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I also should explain that "chai" means 18 and "life." The length of my book is a sign of good luck, and the final chapter is flavored with a burst of Jewish spunk. It's nice how it all came together that way.
DeleteCool! L'Chaim to L'Chaim To Life! And it's just a fun word to say.
DeleteCool! L'Chaim to L'Chaim To Life! And it's just a fun word to say.
DeleteI don't think so, but I don't know enough about numerology to make an informed opinion. I was surprised to find that in certain sets of random data like the stock market, river length, or city population, there's a 30% chance the first digit is a one. I'll be blogging more about that phenomena for R-day. I like the writing sample here.
ReplyDeleteUsually 3 and 7, 3 being a holy number (though for some reason, it seems celebrities die in groups of 3 =\ ) and 7 being a number of completion.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post! I remember when I first learned that most multi-story buildings don't have a 13th floor, and I was just dumbfounded that we still carry out superstitions like that. But you're right: numerology is still with us!
ReplyDeleteCommenting from www.kaitlinthrogmorton.com via the A-Z Challenge, by the way. :)
ReplyDelete