Birthdays are useful, no less because it is a day to call your own and an excuse to make demands for that sand wedge you have always wanted. But beyond that, many ancient cultures also believed that the time of birth reflects a person's general character and disposition. One branch of this belief is the study of numbers or numerology. Dating back some 10,000 years, the identity of its originators have largely been lost in the mist of time although the ancient Egyptians, Hindhus and Chaldeans are acknowledged as masters of this craft. From this knowledge, gain an insight into an ancient practice and understand why some golfers are able to behave so gracefully while others become the monsters you hope never to meet.

How It Works

In numerology, each number is said to reflect a related cosmic vibration which influences our lives. The number can also reveal a great deal about a person's character, purpose in life, motivations and inherent talents. Basically, there are eleven 'master' numbers in a Numerology Chart which are, one to nine, 11 and 22. Any number apart from these are considered repetitions. According to its tenets, all numbers, no matter how high, can be reduced to a single figure by adding together each individual digit until one of the master numbers is attained (11 and 22 are also 'master' numbers and are not added together).

The Life Path Number

This is the basis for many numerology systems and the number indicates likely lifelong traits. Some also believe it indicates an individual's path through life. To find out your Life Path Number, add the digits of your day of birth with the month of birth and the sum of the year of birth. Then add the resulting number together until you obtain a master number. That will be your Life Path Number. For example, for a person born on 21-8-1967, the results will be 21+8+(l+9+6+7) = 52. Adding 5 and 2 gives you a Life Path Number of 7. If the result is a two-digit number except 11 and 22, keep adding the two numbers together until you get a single digit number.

What It Means

Number 1

Characterized by individualist desires, independence and the need for personal attainment. This person leads well and has strong inner and outer strength which can lead to great heights of freedom and independence. Able to accomplish great tasks, the Number 1 person has a flair for taking charge of any situation. An independent and highly motivated attitude also shows through markedly. The number 1 person is characterised by strong personal desires and feels compelled to follow their own convictions. Creative, inspirational, enthusiastic, ambitious, aggressive and talented, they make good inventors.

Number 2

Life Path 2 produces extremely sensitive people who generally, have a most delicate ability to be balanced and fair. They are responsible for every thought, word and action and will never get into arguments nor try to aggravate another but rather, they are masters in settling disputes. By nature sincere, they are good mediators. Good manners, tact and sincerity helps this person get along well with others. A creature of habit, he will often be predictable and dependable.

Number 3

The number 3 emphasizes expression, sociability and creativity. Truly gifted threes possess the most exceptional creative skills - verbal and written - and make good actors and the like.

Good entertainers, bright, effervescent, sparkling and optimistic, they have an active imagination, are well-mannered and sensitive about the feelings of others. The bright side of this path stresses harmony, beauty and of sharing creative talents with the world. They live life to the fullest, often without much worry about tomorrow and effectively cope with the many setbacks in life and readily bounce back for more.

Number 4

Life Path 4 produces trustworthy, practical and down-to-earth of individuals, the conerstone members of society. They carry out instructions with dedication and perseverance and are very dependable. They also make excellent organizers and planners with strong willpower and determination. Once a decision is made, it will be followed through to the end. They are loyal and devoted in marriage and are also dependable business partners despite having few friends. If patience and determination can ever win, they can achieve great success in life.

Number 5

The person with the Life Path number 6 has a strong sense of responsibility, is idealistic and most happy when being useful. They are quick to offer advice, service, and support to others and feel obligated to assume the burden of others. Always working with determination and compassion, they are sympathetic and kind in nature while being generous with personal and material resources. Wisdom, balance and understanding are the conerstones of this Life Path. They often assume great responsibilities in the community, around the home and family. At the same time, this person is very human and realistic about life, the most important thing being their home, family and friends.

Number 7

A Life Path 7 person has a peaceful and affectionate soul, and is by nature rather reserved and analytical. They are hard thinkers, intellectual, scientific and studious, and will not accept a premise until they have dissected the subject and arrived at their own independent conclusions.

This is a spiritual number which denotes a sort of spiritual wisdom. They like to spend a lot of time in solitude with their inner thoughts and dreams and dislike crowds, noise and confusion.

They also have the ability to rely on experience and intuition to recognize deception and insincerity. These people may not have a wide circle of friends and are basically not very social and like being alone, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Focused on the material world, this number produces many powerful, confident and materially successful people. Usually very independent, forceful and competitive, you will find the number 8 involved in practical, down to earth affairs with little time for dreams and visions. To carve a satisfying niche for themselves, they use their ambitions, organizational ability and efficient approach, mainly focused towards money, power and control. They are well equipped for competition both in the business world and other competitive fields of endeavor.

The keys to the nature of a number 9 person are compassion, generosity and a very humanitarian attitude. Trustworthy and very honourable by nature, they have deep concerns for the less fortunate and will lend a hand when needed. Materially, they are rewarded in many ways but are frequently let down by others as their generosity is misused and abused. They often express deep emotional feelings through painting, writing, music, and other art forms and their magnetic and open personality attracts people to them. They are also sociable and are liked by people because of their sympathetic, tolerant and broadminded qualities.

The number 11 Life Path connotes illumination and is associated with spiritual awareness. Their attitude towards life is somewhat intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary and cultured. These extremes make them interesting with much to offer society. These characters are deep thinkers and are interested in understanding life's more mysterious and intriguing facets. Inventive with broadminded views, they will succeed in many ventures. Much of the idealism is people-oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. The number 11 is a talented visionary and an 'ideas' person.

Number 22

The Life Path 22 is the higher of the 'big' master numbers and the most powerful of all the Life Path numbers which, consequently, is also the most difficult to live up to. They are endowed with many powers from within and can reach great heights in life. Although they are society's master builders, their idealistic nature is grounded in practical terms, allowing them to conceive grandiose, far reaching schemes and carry them through to the end. If these people have the desire and are willing to work, it will bring enormous success, prestige and fame. This is a powerful life path both for material gains and for the higher good that is often achieved for mankind.

NOTE : Life Path Number characteristics based on 'Numerology: Life Path Number' by Michael McCain