The basic and most frequently used Numerology technique is called “theosophical addition” or “esoteric reduction” and consist in reducing to a single digit number any date or number. For instance, 2019 is three. 2+0+1+9=12 12=1+2=3
Tarot readers usually associate the numbers with the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana and subsequently with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Number three is attributed to The Empress.
However, we should bear in mind that in the oldest Tarot deck we know, the Cary-Yale Visconti deck, the Major Arcana cards were not numbered.
Another classic Italian Tarot deck, the Sola-Busca Tarot deck from 1584 has an entirely different numbering of the trumps. Numbering the cards of the Major Arcana seem to be something developed as a necessity of ranking and pointing the cards in order to play the Tarot card game, rather than a secret code of esoteric substance.
In the beginning, the numbering of the Major Arcana cards varies according to regions and time. The current, considered traditional numbering of the trumps is based on the pattern of the Tarot of Marseille, and most probably it is also strictly game related while the Tarot was at that time and it is still a highly popular card game in France – rather than an esoteric instrument of fortunetelling and divination.
Did you ever add up your birth numbers? Of course, you did! Let’s chose a random date, 28 February 1982, for instance. 2+8=10=1+0=1. February=2. 1+9+8+2=20=2+0=2. 1+2+2=5. In Numerology, this is called the “life path number.”
Traditionally, The Hierophant, also known as The High Priest, is numbered five (respectively V with the Roman number) in the Tarot deck. Accordingly, some may say, that would be your Tarot card. It is pretty entertaining, isn’t it? However, it is entirely irrelevant. Every universal (Astronomical, Astrological, Numerological, ‘esoteric’ or ‘spiritual’ if you do not mind) year begins with the Spring Equinox about March 19, 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. The first day of the year coincides with the first day of Aries. If you consider yourself a spiritual person and want to wish someone Happy New Year, you should wait until March. January 1st is just an ordinary day at the end of the first decan of Capricorn. 28 February (2 – being the second month of the calendar year) is approximately the 8th day of Pisces (12 – being the twelve sign and subsequently the twelve months of the universal year). It is not 28+2=3, but 8+12=2. Someone can exactly calculate the number of the day by checking the dates of equinoxes and solstices in that particular year, respectively by checking the astrological chart.
We suppose we are in the Age of Pisces, but some claims we are already in the Age of Aquarius. Unfortunately, we do not know for sure. We only know that an astrological age is a product of the Earth’s slow precessional rotation and lasts for about 2160 years. We do not know what year is this. 2019 being the year 2019 of the Age of the Pisces is possible but highly unlikely. However, without knowing the exact year, calculating the life path it is not possible. Many numerological formulas require the year of birth which practically makes these formulas useless.
We currently use the Gregorian calendar which is a so-called civil and administrative calendar, nothing but a convention. Proper to pay your bills and taxes, but inappropriate for esoteric operations such as Numerology. So, don’t bother, 28 February 1982, from esoteric and Numerology perspective means absolutely nothing.
You can ride a bicycle, but don’t expect to get you to the Moon.
(Excerpt from the book “Tarot renewal” by Attila Blága. Full or partial use of this text for commercial or non-commercial distribution by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorised by the author.)
