Saturday, September 02, 2006

Numerology A Criticism

Numerology is the study of numbers as they stand in relation to human life and events. In numerology, each number from 1 to 9 is thought to be governed by a planet. If any person is born on, say, 19th then his birth number will be worked out thus:

19 = 1+9 = 10 = 1+0 = 1.

Thus, 1 will be the number of that person governed by the planet Sun. It is thought to endow the person with all the qualities usually associated with the Sun like authority, domination , creativity etc. and are seen fit to occupy positions of command or authority in life. It is said that 4 is the affinity number of these people, which attracts them but brings about negative results.

Now, if we calculate the number of people coming under any of the nine numbers with the approximate population of the world as 6 billion it will be:

6 billion /9 = 66 crore 67 lakh people.

Therefore, each of the nine numbers cover a section comprising of no less than 66 crore 67 lakh people in the world. If we were to ascribe the above qualities to number 1 it will cover 66 crore 67 lakh people whereas it has been observed that one person with number 1 as his birth number is submissive and lacks in creativity and another number 1 person is authoritative and ambitious. Now, every date totaling a 4 should be negative for all the number 1 people, which is impossible.

Going a little further, if a person gains money on a particular day but his health is disturbed, then how is the difference to be specified numerologically?

Numbers are considered as having mutual affinities which are as described below:

‘1 and 4’, ‘2 and 7’, ‘3,6 and 9’, ‘4 and 8’ are series of numbers which are mutually attractive and 5 being ruled by the mercury is considered to be friendly with all the other numbers. ‘1 and 4’ and ‘2 and 7’ series are again considered interchangeable or have mutual affinity.

Based on the above information, it may be said that such and such a date or number will have significance in a person’s life but whether positive or negative is an important question. Another still more important question is that how will the person fare on other dates or other numbers which do not fall in his series of numbers. To say that all the other dates or numbers will have no significance in a person’s life is impossible. Hence, numerology leaves unanswered the question that how are the numbers related to him.

There are a number of systems allocating a number to every letter of the alphabet, the Pythagorean, Chaldean, Hebraic and modern being the important ones. With the help of this allocation the number of a name can be worked out and it can be seen whether it is in harmony with the birth number or not. This harmony or disharmony is then taken as a measure of the success or failure or the smooth- sailing or a chequered career of the person. Suppose, if a birth number 1 person has name number also as a 1 then it can be taken as an assurance that matters stand harmoniously and good success may accrue to the person. But it has often been observed that two persons with their name and birth number both being 1 and hence in harmony are doing almost opposite types of work and one is quite successful and the other is a wretched failure.

We will now consider two examples to test the veracity of the principle as per the chaldean system of allocating numbers to the alphabet. One is of Adolf Hitler born on 20th April1889

20.4.1889

2 4 26

2 4 8

ADOLF HITLER

14738 514352

23 + 20

5 + 2 = 7

Now, it can be seen that birth number being 2 and name number 7 stand in harmony and hence should assure a successful career. It is too well known that Hitler wanted to establish Nazi Germany as the greatest ruling power. He went ahead with his plans and started Second World War but his plans were foiled midway which ultimately resulted in his undoing. He died by his own hand. That his was an unsuccessful career there is no doubt about it. What became of the harmonious numbers then?

Another example is of Mahatma Gandhi born on 2nd October 1869.

2.10.1869

2 1 24

2 1 6

MAHATMA GANDHI

4 15144 1 31 451

20 + 19

2 + 1 =3

Now, it can be seen that the birth number of Mahatma Gandhi was 2 and name number was a 3. These numbers are in disharmony and should assure an unsuccessful career. It is but history that he waged a struggle to achieve independence for India. India became independent on 15th august 1947 and he was shot dead on 30th January 1948. That he was credited for the success of independence struggle there is no doubt about it which also earned him the title of “Father of The Nation”. What happened to the inharmonious numbers then?

The most important drawback in numerology is that there are no principles for prediction and hence one is to perforce rely on pattern conceptualization, searching for patterns of numerological significance. Therefore, observation plays the keyrole in numerology. Hence, numerology cannot serve as dependable tool for prediction.

The last but not the least in significance is that the year, month and date of the English calendar or more properly speaking, the Gregorian calendar now in vogue is not based on any planetary cycles or movements. Hence, there is no logic in ascribing the numbers and by implication dates from 1 to 9 to the planets.