2008 Woodie Awards
Is there really power in numbers?
Danielle Coley
Section: Opinion
The concepts surrounding numerology are some I have found intriguing and intoxicating. While I wouldn't go as far to say I am a devout enthusiast of the ancient art, I will admit I have found myself reading, studying and sometimes even delving into some of the principles it supports.
Never a stranger to criticism and skepticism, numerology is defined by Wikipedia.org as any of many systems, traditions or beliefs in a mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things. With evidence of its practice dating back as early as the ancient times of early Greece, numerology was mostly popular among mathematicians in its earlier days, according to Wikipedia. However, despite attempts to contain it earlier on, the website also says that the ancient art-form has branched off over time as an occult practice closely related to astrology and other divinatory arts.
In modern practice, the art-form gives nods to all of its different foundations including Greek philosophers, the Hellenistic philosophies of ancient Alexandria and early Christian mysticism. Using a process known as "digit summing," every number is reduced to just one single digit, allowing numerologist to define the characteristics that a particular number represents. Letters, particularly those of the English alphabet, also represent numbers, as "A" is the first letter of that alphabet, "B" is the second letter and so on. Each number symbolizes a different ideal with such examples as the number 1 standing for aggression, the number 4 for creation and the number 8 for power and sacrifice.
While some feel practice of such art forms constitute occult beliefs, others regard it a little more light-heartedly than that. On April 4, 2008, entertainers Beyonce Knowles and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter celebrated their nuptials on this particular date on account of their infatuation with the number 4.
Just last year, actor and comedic legend Jim Carrey starred in the suspenseful thriller "The Number 23," which highlighted Carrey's struggle with defining himself after discovering the overwhelming presence of the number 23 in his life.
I, myself, tend to not take numerology so seriously and simply like to have fun with it. And while my faith sometimes causes convictions in my heart considering its practice, I rarely hesitate in reading up on new facets of the practice.
Without a doubt, numerology can serve as a fun activity for students to participate in during those bored days in your dorm or the empty weekends that party and booze haven't filled up already. Although I'm not the strongest advocate there is for numerology, I believe if you try it, you too will see the power in numbers.
Never a stranger to criticism and skepticism, numerology is defined by Wikipedia.org as any of many systems, traditions or beliefs in a mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things. With evidence of its practice dating back as early as the ancient times of early Greece, numerology was mostly popular among mathematicians in its earlier days, according to Wikipedia. However, despite attempts to contain it earlier on, the website also says that the ancient art-form has branched off over time as an occult practice closely related to astrology and other divinatory arts.
In modern practice, the art-form gives nods to all of its different foundations including Greek philosophers, the Hellenistic philosophies of ancient Alexandria and early Christian mysticism. Using a process known as "digit summing," every number is reduced to just one single digit, allowing numerologist to define the characteristics that a particular number represents. Letters, particularly those of the English alphabet, also represent numbers, as "A" is the first letter of that alphabet, "B" is the second letter and so on. Each number symbolizes a different ideal with such examples as the number 1 standing for aggression, the number 4 for creation and the number 8 for power and sacrifice.
While some feel practice of such art forms constitute occult beliefs, others regard it a little more light-heartedly than that. On April 4, 2008, entertainers Beyonce Knowles and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter celebrated their nuptials on this particular date on account of their infatuation with the number 4.
Just last year, actor and comedic legend Jim Carrey starred in the suspenseful thriller "The Number 23," which highlighted Carrey's struggle with defining himself after discovering the overwhelming presence of the number 23 in his life.
I, myself, tend to not take numerology so seriously and simply like to have fun with it. And while my faith sometimes causes convictions in my heart considering its practice, I rarely hesitate in reading up on new facets of the practice.
Without a doubt, numerology can serve as a fun activity for students to participate in during those bored days in your dorm or the empty weekends that party and booze haven't filled up already. Although I'm not the strongest advocate there is for numerology, I believe if you try it, you too will see the power in numbers.
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