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

NUMEROLOGY

A system of Divination and occult practice based on the idea that the universe is mathematically constructed and that all things can be expressed in numbers, which correspond to vibrations. According to the theory, because all letters, words, names, birthdates and so on can be expressed in numbers, which in turn are ascribed complex religious and mystical meanings, a person's life, personality and destiny can be determined.

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.

This formed the basis of a mystical system expanded upon by later Greek philosophers.

Kabbalistic mysticism (see GEMATRIA), ancient Near Eastern religions (especially those in Babylon and Egypt) and the Hindu, Buddhist and Chinese faiths have all erected elaborate divinatory systems based on mystical numerological correspondences.

In rnost occult systems only the numbers 1 to 9, together with 0, are considered in any depth, for all numbers greater than 9 can be reduced to a single digit by adding the digits together. This reductionism is the main tool of numerological divination. Consider the number 642 which can be reduced to 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 and then 1 + 2 = 3. The number 642 is therefore equivalent to the symbolic number 3. Each number has its own characteristics and values (male/ female, strong/passive, harmonious/disharmonious, and so on) and also corresponds to a letter of the alphabet (see NUMBERS).

Various formulae can be applied to a person's name, birthday and birthplace to determine a his or her character and destiny. Numerology is also used to determine propitious days for certain activities, such as selecting marriage partners or choosing a baby's name. There is an alternative; older form of numerology which makes use of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

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)

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