For those unaware, numerology buffs like to line up the letters of the alphabet like so:
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Thus, if you're doing a numerological hand-waving over the name PERKY SKEPTIC, you would get 7+5+9+2+7 + 1+2+5+7+2+9+3 = 30 + 29 = 59, which you further would reduce to 5+9 = 14, and even further until you get a single-digit answer, 1+4 = 5. Five! The number of strife! YAY, my skepticism brings strife to numerology!!!
What kills me, looking back on all this, is how utterly arbitrary the whole system is-- yet there have been SELF-HELP BOOKS written on this, most notably Change Your Life With Numerology by Karen David, which I used to own a copy of before I sent it to the recycling bin. Even a quick Google search shows thousands of hits for changing your destiny by re-naming yourself to something more numerologically fortunate! An example of this which gets touted by many woo sources is when obscure people change their names, then go on to become famous under their new name-- like Elda Furry, who languished until her name-change to Hedda Hopper, who reportedly paid a numerologist ten dollars to tell her the name she should use. Well, jeez, it couldn't possibly be because the old name wasn't as catchy or memorable, it HAD to be the numbers, DUHhhhhhh... woo fail!
Even as a practicing Wiccan I never gave numerology much credence.
"So, Perky, if you never gave it much credence, how in the world did you become proficient enough at the system that you were able to remember it accurately and do it in your sleep???"
...
Well, you see...
*COUGH*I used to do numerological calculations on the names of all my roleplaying characters, and I've been playing RPGs for a really, reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally long time.
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9 comments:
Since part of the calculation involves adding the digits of a number together, it's clear that working in a different base would give you different answers. Does that mean that a person who lost a finger would get different numerological results?
ZOMG ALL AMPUTEES MUST CHANGE THEIR NAMEZ!!!! ;D
Your dreams are more interesting than mine.
Hell, your dreams are more interesting than my waking life. Just sayin'. =)
Ooh, ooh, I'm a 6! What does that mean? That I'm a snarky, obnoxious smart-ass? 'cause if it means that I might have to believe 8-D
Numerology is even more arbitrary when one realizes how many different systems there are. For example, there is gematria for the Hebrew alphabet. There are also other numerological systems for the English alphabet (such as A ->1 B->2 and without the wraparound that occurs in the system described above).
There are also many variants of numerology not connected to specific alphabets but just connecting numbers in general to mysticism.
Vaklam-- What can I say, I'm just gifted like that. ;) I'll try to make it up to you in some other way.... You know, a wifely way.... I MEAN SEX!!!!!1!!! :D
Cyberlizard-- Oh, yes, TOTALLY numerologically significant, the number 6! Means you are married... live in Florida... have 2 kids... and like lizards! ZOMG IT WORKS!!!!! ;D
Joshua-- Gah, that is so true!!! And here's the thing that shows how totally able to retroactively rationalize their beliefs people are-- I may do an actual post on this soon-- is that once someone decides they are hooked into the All Powerful awesome cosmic might of the Collective Unconscious, they can use ANY system of divination or spellwork, what have you, and consider their system to be RIGHT, no matter how arbitrary... because it's the system that works FOR THEM. And it works for them because clearly it's the way their Oversoul has chosen to impart messages to them. Once they have been seduced by that line of spurious reasoning, no amount of logic can talk them out of it until they come around to accepting logic over rationalization on their own.
I hide my head in a paper bag over my own previous rationalizations. :)
Okay, now this is just gettin' a little scary.
#1 JLK also used to be a Wiccan/Pagan, and is now also an atheist.
#2 JLK also used to be really into numerology. I still dig tarot cards, but no longer believe in their "predictive powers." I just think it's fun to freak people out with them. ;)
#3 JLK also loves RPGs, but is mostly confined to the Final Fantasy series for playstation. The online ones like Warcraft are waaaay too complicated for me.
But JLK does not have math dreams. When JLK dreams of a hottie, he (or she, for that matter) is usually giving me really bad advice about how to save my family and friends from some impending disaster. How's that for weird?
Oh, that is seriously weird coincidence, JLK! How cool!!!
Also, LOL on the dream-hotties giving bad advice on impending disaster!
Most of my dreams are non-math-related, but rather involve being chased by a shadow-conspiracy through space and time. Aliens and mutant powers are usually involved, and often complex gadgetry. My waking life is rather tame. :)
That's definitely weird, but also very cool.
I'm hoping for the day when neuroscientists "really" are able to hook us up to some wires so we can see our dreams played back to us. I find mine to be much more entertaining than the best prime time tv. lol
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