Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

NUMBERS

Occult numerology began with Pythagoras who, from certain observations in music, mathematics and astronomy, believed that all relations could be reduced to number relations ('all things are numbers'). In the 6th Century B.C., Pythagoras discovered that the four musical intervals known then could be ex-pressed in ratios between the numbers 1 through 4. Furthermore, he realized that the numbers one through four added together total 10, a holy number which represents the material and metaphysical totality of the universe, perfection. If the four notes could be expressed in numbers, he reasoned, then perhaps all of creation could be explained numerically as well. The universe is expressed in the numbers one through four which add up to 10, from which everything else springs.

Pythagoras and the philosophers who embraced his system of thought also believed that numbers possessed individual, sublime qualities. The Greeks recorded numbers in dots, arranging them in geometric shapes. Even numbers could be split in two and therefore had feminine "openings," while odd numbers could not be split and therefore had a masculine "generative part." Even numbers represented wholeness, stability or weakness, while odd numbers represented assertion, power and creativity.

The Kabbalists (see KABBALAH) expanded upon the Pythagorean concepts, using numbers in Magical Squares for various amuletic and talismanic purposes (see AMULETS; TALISMANS) and to create Names of Power used in magic rituals (see GEMATRIA). With scientific discoveries concerning light, electricity and magnetism in the 19th century, the ancient occult values ascribed to numbers became ascribed to vibrations of energy as well.

Numbers are of great significance in occultism because they readily form an esoteric code and at the same time they conform to a system that cannot be altered.

This point also means that occultists often see numbers as the key to understanding the universe, seeing them as something that exists beyond human invention and manipulation. There are innumerable languages, but there is only one set of numbers. Words can be tampered with, their meanings can change, but numbers have an eternal permanency.

Numbers have another virtue. There are basically only nine of them, even although their combinations are infinite. For this reason, occultists have evolved systems of reducing the endless variety of names into the more classifiable taxonomy of numbers. To convert any name into its defming number, there is a simple grid.

First, the numbers 1 to 9 are written down. Then under the numbers write down the 26 letters of the alphabet, in three rows of 9 and one row of 8. Then the name is written down, as it would normally be used, together with the number equivalents for each letter. The resulting numbers are then added. If the addition comes to two figures or more, these are added together and the process repeated until one reaches a single figure. This, the 'digital root', is the corresponding number to the name.

Occultists believe that this number is of great significance in a person's life and, if known, can give a very good indication of the individual's nature.

In a further process, you can add the vowels only, to establish what is known as your 'heart number', which is said to reveal your hidden inner nature; or the consonants only, to reveal your external nature - this is a distinction that goes back to written Egyptian and Hebrew, where the consonants only were written down. Numerologists also establish the birth number, found by adding the number values of the letters in the birth month to the actual date, so that 5 November 1980 comes out as 5 + 11 + 1 + 9 + 8 + 0 = 35 = 3 + 5 = 8. Your birth number and your number may not harmonise with each other, and such a conflict will be expressed in your own nature. The number values, briefly expressed, are as follows:

one - positive, single-minded, ambitious, inventive, self-centred, Creation, unity, intellect, the leader of all, unique, One is associated with God and the sun.
two - even-tempered, tactful, modest, indecisive. Regarded by Kabbalists as the most evil of numbers, two is duality and the Devil (as represented by his horns). It is female and links these attributes to women. Two is the number of uncleanness, for the Old Testament relates that God commanded the unclean beasts to go into Noah's ark two by two.
three - bold, witty, versatile, charming, lightweight. Sexual potency and procreation. Three is a triangle - or the symbol of male genitals. In Kabbalism it represents the Trinity, the ultimate creative force in the universe. It is regarded as a holy and complete number, for all things consist of three - a beginning, a middle and an end. 'Complete' numbers are important in Magick; many rituals require incantations to be Chanted three times. In Wicca and Neo-Paganism, three is especially significant, representing the Triple Goddess.
four - solid, practical, efficient, rather dull, melancholic, dullness, plodding, toiling and misery. The foundation and root of all numbers, associated with the earth and its four elements, cardinal points and seasons, all of which are important to Wicca and Neo-Paganism. The Magic Circle in Wicca is consecrated to the elements and cardinal points.
five - restless, speculative, adventuorous, unconventional. Regarded as number with both male and female elements, the first number comprised of even and odd. It represents male sexuality and, in general, sensuality, pleasure, adventure and impulsiveness.
six - harmonious, domestic, reliable, loyal. Seen as a number of wholeness, perfection, tranquil-ity, domesticity and female love. As the sum of three plus three, it also expresses creativity.
seven - scholarly, mystically inclined, withdrawn, dreamy. Reputedly the most mystical and magical of numbers, appearing innumerable times in Mysticism and Magick. It is associated with the moon, which at one time was believed to be the seventh planet from the sun. The moon, which has four phases of seven days each, controls the flux of life with its waxing and waning, according to primi-tive belief. In folklore, the seventh son of a seventh son is reputed to inherit incredible magical power. Seven represents wisdom, knowledge, mysticism, secrets, the mystery of time, the occult and the Psychic.
eight - strong-willed, struggling, drudging, veering from success to failure. The Pythagoreans called eight the number of justice and fullness. It has a dual nature - two circles - and may bring failure or success.
nine - idealistic, visionary, passionate, impulsive, unorthodox, naive. Another magical number, the symbol of completeness and the highest attainment of mental and spiritual achievements. In Ceremonial Magick, Wicca and Neo-Paganism, nine feet is the ideal diameter for the Magic Circle.

Serious students of Numerology make use of their own numbers in various ways, making use of numbers that happens to correspond, checking the numbers of potential friends or business partners, doing certain things on dates that contain their number, and so on. They do not regard the number as the product of sheer chance but as part of the harmonious working process of the entire universe.

A Biblical Perspective:

The Scriptures clearly prohibit Divination in any form. Divination is the attempt to divine the mind of Deity through some means other than God's way. It is an attempt to understand the past, present, or future by some means other than the revelation of God. The revelation may come through various means, but ultimately any revelation apart from God is divination. God's revelation and divination are opposites.

Divination usurps the rightful place of the Scripture in the life of the Christian. It attempts to give direction and guidance to the individual. The Bible is clear on the subject. Divination, is an abomination to God. Some would have us believe the Bible endorses Divination as an art that offers mankind an understanding of his true self, an opportunity to create his or her own reality to suit his or her personal spiritual goals. The following Scripture indicates otherwise.

'When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices Divination or Sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.' - Deuteronomy 18:9-11

Scripture also calls each of us to place our faith in Jesus Christ rather than the created universe. The book of Colossians reminds the individual to "see to it that no one takes you captive through vain philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of man, according to the elemental principles of the universe, rather than according to Christ." - (Colossians 2:8)

see also: NUMEROLOGY; GEMATRIA

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc