Have you ever wondered if the numbers you’re seeing in your everyday life are trying to tell you something? Do you see certain numbers or numerical patterns repeating? Maybe in your date of birth and your phone number, or your address, or perhaps even an employee number at work. The idea that numbers can speak to you isn’t as far-fetched as you might think. It’s an ancient study called numerology — and like astrology or the tarot, it can be very enlightening.

　　Numerology is the study of numbers and how they relate to you through your astrological #. Just as every colour vibrates on a different frequency, every number does too — and just as you’re naturally attracted to some colours more than others, different numbers resonate with you more than other ones. You have many numbers that will come and go in your life, depending on what’s happening at the time, but some numbers will stay with you throughout your entire life. The main one is called your life path number, and it is calculated using your date of birth.

　　

Calculate Your Life Path Number

Your life path number is the most important number in your numerology reading. In most cases, it will be a single numeral from 1 to 9, although there are also some master numbers that are not single. The only two exceptions to the single digit rule are the numbers 11 and 22. These numbers have a special resonance, and because of that, they are not reduced to a single numeral. To find your life path number, use our Life Path Number Calculator.

　　

How to Find Your Life Path Number

To calculate your life path number yourself, add the day, then the month, then the year of your birth. For example, if you were born on 17 November 1971,

　　Add the numbers in your birth date — the 17th — together [1 + 7 = 8]Then add the month. November is the 11th month, so you’d need to add 1 + 1 to get 2Finally, add all the numbers in the year together; 1 + 9 + 7 + 1 adds up to 18, which can then be added together ( 1 + 8) to get 9Now, add those single-digit numbers together: 8 + 2 + 9 = 19. That can then be reduced twice; 1 + 9 = 10, and then 1 + 0 = 1. In this instance, the life path number would be 1.

　　Try it! Take your birthday and then reduce it to a single number, starting with the day, then the month, then the year, then add that together, reducing the numbers as shown until you get to a single digit (unless you get 11 or 22).

　　Great! So you now know how to find your life path number. Your astrological number is one-way numbers can speak to you, but what does it mean?

　　

Reading Your Life Path Number

Life Path Number 1Life Path Number 1 is determined, independent, and original, but you need to learn some patience. It doesn’t always have to be all about you! Once you master that, you’ll find your natural leadership abilities will start to shine.

　　Life Path Number 2If 2 is your Life Path Number, then you’re very diplomatic, very sensitive, and you need harmony in your life. Sometimes it can be hard to motivate you because you do enjoy taking the easy road. However, when it’s something that speaks strongly to you, you can be determined to the point of stubbornness!

　　Life Path Number 3You’re the proverbial social butterfly! You like people, you are curious and inquisitive and enjoy a good conversation, even a good debate! Just make sure that your wide and varied interests don’t give you an air of superficiality.

　　Life Path Number 4Helpful, caring, traditional, and sympathetic all describe you if you’re a Life Path Number 4. You just have to watch your sensitivity, though, for your caring can easily turn to clinging if you allow it. It’s nothing that a bit of attention and perseverance can’t bring back into balance.

　　Life Path Number 5You’re social and curious and enjoy your life. There’s a lot of creativity about you, and you could be luckier than other Life Path numbers. Just keep your ego in check, though, because it could easily run away with you.

　　Life Path Number 6Life Path Number 6 is the path of focus, responsibility, and attention to detail. You’re very dedicated to the things and people you believe in but watch your criticism. Your analytic nature tends to make you a bit judgemental. You don’t always have to be right.

　　Life Path Number 7Some say this is a lucky astrological number, and indeed for you, it may be! You’re balanced, you seek harmony and beauty, you’re contemplative and intuitive. It doesn’t matter whether you’re introverted or extroverted; you can be the center of attention or you can enjoy your own company equally.

　　Life Path Number 8You’re ambitious and influential and love investigating what makes things — and people — tick. It’s easy for you to take control, and you could find that this can lead to you taking control of your financial karma in a very positive way. Just remember not to get too bossy; it could be detrimental to your success.

　　Life Path Number 9This is the Life Path Number of the idealist. You’re humanitarian and you want the best for everyone. It’s easy for you to express yourself, but you may find that you have trouble with commitments and attachments.

　　Life Path Number 11One of the Master Numbers, if 11 is your Life Path Number, then you’ve got a specific purpose here on Earth. You’re intuitive, and a born leader, but you have very high expectations of yourself and others. This can lead you to frustration and withdrawal. Don’t let it.

　　Life Path Number 22This is the second of the Master Numbers, and if this is yours, then you were born with the potential to shine and be incredibly successful. Resourceful and with the aptitude for power and fame, you may have to work hard to transcend ego and see the bigger picture, so that you can be who you were truly born to become.

　　Understanding your astrological number and how it describes your personality can also be helpful when looking for other human connections. Knowing how to find your life path number can help you understand what is known as your life path friendship compatibility to help when you are choosing individuals to make bonds with.

　　

Is Your Name Important?

Numerologists can not only calculate your life path number, but they can find out a lot about you from your name. They will look at your full name at birth, the name you use now (if you changed it when you got married, for example), any nicknames you use, and more. Numerologists will also do readings for you using only the vowels or only the consonants in your name to find out aspects of your personality. These interpretations work with your Life Path Number to help you understand more about who you are, and what you are meant to do with your life.

　　If you changed your name at some point in your life — by marriage, or deed poll, or if you use a variation on your name (Bob instead of Robert, for example, or Andy instead of Andrew or Andrea) — then this will also influence how you resonate with your Life Path Number. A good numerologist will do several readings for you, looking at each of these outcomes individually, then put them all together to help you understand what makes you who you are. The study of numerology is one of those practices which is easy to learn, but can take a lifetime to really understand!

　　

Let the Numbers Speak to You

Like any of the other esoteric arts, numerology has its place when it comes to understanding your role in the story of your life. Numbers can speak to you in other ways, too — for example, when you see numeric sequences appearing on digital clocks, license plates, and so on. Pay attention to those numbers. After all, everything in the universe can be broken down to a mathematical equation; why then can’t the universe use those numbers to communicate with you on a one to one level? Food for thought, indeed!

　　

What is Your Lucky Number? Take Our Quiz to Find Out!

* Editor’s note: This article was previously published August 2nd, 2016 and has been updated for astrological accuracy.