Toward Ecosophy

In the two previous posts in this sequence we’ve talked about the two basic numbers used in classic numerology, the birth number and the name number.  Several people have posted wondering what the sum of those two numbers might mean. That sum does have a meaning, but it’s not an obvious one:  it’s your own personal time number.

Every year, of course, has a number, and every day of every year has a number, which consists of the year number plus the month number plus the day number.  (Oddly enough, nobody back in the day seems to have tracked months as independent factors with their own numbers and influence—just years and days.) You can take the year number 2022, for example, and add the digits together to get 6; 2022 is therefore a 6 year, and has certain general characteristics as a result. Similarly, the digits in 28 January 2022 can be added together—2 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 2—to give you a day number of 8, and that day has certain general characteristics as a result.

It’s a matter of common knowledge, however, that you don’t necessarily have the same kind of day, or the same kind of year, as everyone else. That’s where your time number comes into play. As usual in numerology, the way this works is very simple; you add your time number to the day or year number, and that tells you what that day or year will bring to you.  If your time number is 6, for example, 2022 won’t be a 6 year for you—it’ll be a 3 year (6 + 6 = 12, 1 + 2 = 3). In the same way, if your time number is 3, 28 January 2022 may be an 8 day for the world in general but it’s an 11 day for you.

If you haven’t done so already, work out your birth and name numbers, and add them together before we go on.

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Got it? Here’s what the numbers mean.

1. Ruled by the Sun, this is a number of new beginnings and opportunity. This is a time of practical action and constructive change, focused on a single achievable goal.  It's a good time to take direct action and to start new things in motion, so long as they aren't complex or roundabout. It’s a bad time to negotiate deals and contracts, for example, but fortunate for signing them if you’ve already worked out the details. Move ahead forcefully during this year, make prompt decisions, and deal with difficulties as they come up rather than trying to sort things out in advance.

2. Ruled by the Moon, this is a number of ups and downs, ebb and flow, and variability. This is a time of variable outcomes and of indecision, and is unfortunate for action. Spend your time weighing possibilities and researching options rather than trying to make things happen, and let other people carry the ball to the extent that you can. It’s a fortunate time for planning and research. It is very often a time of contrasts, so that what starts badly is likely to end well, and what looks promising to begin with may well fail to live up to your hopes. The more attention you pay to balance, nuance, and maintaining your calm, the better the results will be.

3. Ruled by Mercury, this is a number of complications, minor changes, and many things to do. It’s not the time to try to focus your attention on one thing, for if you do this you’ll find obstacles boiling up all around you while unexpected opportunities slip past you ungrasped. Instead, be attentive to your surroundings and circumstances, and pursue different goals and options as the situation suggests.  The opportunities and challenges you face will all be easier to deal with if you can bring other people into the picture, for cooperation rather than conflict is highlighted at this time. Stay nimble, keep moving, have fun, and it will be a successful time for you. 

4. Ruled by Venus, this is a number of stability and steadiness, but also of being stuck in one place, of staying quiet and avoiding trouble. It is favorable for anything involving hard work and patience and is beneficial for doing personal projects and pursuing routine activities, but trying to push events to a conclusion will have bad results. If you take your time and focus on things that don’t depend on chance or on anyone else’s contribution, on the other hand, this can be a time of steady gains.  Choose a project already under way and take care of the dull, necessary things that have to be done to make it a success; later on, you’ll be glad you did.

5.  Ruled by Mars, this is a number of unexpected changes in which the risks and rewards are both considerable. It is marked by instability and sudden shifts for good or ill. New prospects may beckon, though not all of them will be as good as they look—make sure to do your research and be sure you understand the downsides before you commit to anything.  Since chance is more likely than not to break your way, this can be a lucky time, but only if you’re prepared to handle the challenges as well as the opportunities.  Don’t take unnecessary chances or to do anything on a whim, but this can be a good time to take decisive action, once you know what the dangers are.

6.  Ruled by Jupiter, this is a number of harmony and peace. It's a favorable time for ease and comfort, for settling disputes amicably, for following precedents and using established approaches. Social events are especially fortunate during this time.  If you kick back, take it easy, and encourage other people to do the same, you’ll look back on a period of success and happiness.  It's a bad time for conflict, which will prove ruinous for those who start it, and unfavorable for direct action, sudden changes, or new beginnings. Take no chances you can possibly avoid; slow and easy is the motto to follow at this time.

7. Ruled by Saturn, this is a number of contemplation and mystery. Things get weird during a 7 time period as factors you don't yet know about take charge. It is favorable for study and preparation, for creativity of all kinds, for meditation and the cultivation of your inner life, and for all things religious and spiritual in nature. Seek advice from others, and work out the details of plans already decided on. Avoid depressing thoughts, as it will be easy to be dragged down by them. This can be a lucky day for you if you pay attention to your intuition, because you will be closer to the hidden side of life than at other times.

8. Ruled by Uranus, this is a number of success earned by practical effort. Sustained work at this time brings substantial rewards, and big projects are as easy as small ones. Complexity is not a problem at this time; you can focus on the big picture rather than the little details, and it will all work out.  This is not the best time, however, for starting brand new activities in motion.  Instead, work on finishing up projects already begun. Many people find this time especially attuned to finance—it is a favorable time for seeking a new job, making an investment, or advertising the goods or services you offer—but anything that involves constructive effort on your part will thrive during this time.

9. Ruled by Neptune, this is a number of completion and karma, adding together the influences of the previous eight numbers. The cycle that began with 1 ends at this time, for good or ill, and the time will be shaped by the consequences of whatever has taken place earlier in the cycle. Your actions in previous days or years will determine how your efforts turn out. This time can therefore be wonderful, terrible, or anything in between.  If you don't like the outcome, this is a very good time to try to learn from your mistakes and prepare to try again.

11. Since it sums to 2, this number is ruled by the Moon, and under most circumstances it has the same influence as 2. If you have planned and prepared carefully, however, this is a time where you can take decisive action to achieve your goals. You can still fail by slapdash decisions, however, Choose your time well and follow your plan, and you can achieve improbable things.

22. Since it sums to 4, this number is ruled by Venus, and under most circumstances it has the same influence as 4.  During this time, however, your inner life will be more vivid and powerful than usual, and if you choose to cultivate it you can find important inner guidance and insight. Be sure to temper your inspiration with the practicality of 4, however, because it is easy to go off the deep end during this time, overvalue your inner perceptions, and go through the day or year baffled by the fact that nobody thinks that your insights are as important as you do.

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So there you have it. Take some time to work out previous years and days, and see how well their numbers match your experiences.

One other thing you may find useful is the art of horary numerology, which as far as I know was just invented a few weeks ago by one of the commenters on this journal. As horary astrology is a way of getting answers to questions by calculating an astrological chart for the moment that the question was asked, horary numerology is a way of getting answers to questions by doing a numerological analysis on the time of the question. If you have a question, look at the nearest clock, and add together the numbers of the hour and minute.  Add those to the numbers of the day, month, and year, and then add your time number to the sum of those.

For example, let’s say that today you were wondering whether to sign up for a certain online class and you glanced at the clock, which said 5:49. 5 + 4 + 9 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9; to that you add today’s day number, 8, and your own time number—let’s say this is 7. 9 + 8 + 7 = 24, 2 + 4 = 6; 6 is a favorable number so long as conflict is avoided, and it’s especially favorable for dealing with people, so the answer to your question is “yes, this is a good opportunity.”  Give this a try and see how well it works for you.