Have you ever made a wish for 11:11? Then you're probably already familiar with the power of numerology. Numerology is the study of numbers and their mystical meanings. In this ancient practice, all numbers are believed to have unique vibrations. According to numerology, the numbers in your life can serve as tools to help you better understand yourself and guide your life with a greater sense of purpose—much like the signs in astrology. Your life path number stays with you throughout your life in the form of your personal desires, motivations, and goals. Think of it like your numerology sign. Knowing how to find your life path number and use it to your advantage is one of the best ways to start aligning with this energy.
"Life path numbers help us understand the physical world and where we are going in life," numerologist and tarot reader Tai Soleil tells Bustle. “Once you know your life path number, it can be used [to understand your path] when you are distracted or discouraged.”
Your life path number represents your core essence, life-long goals and your approach, so it is considered the most important aspect of our personal numerological makeup. Being consistent with your life path number not only helps you make sense of life; It can move you in the direction of your numerological destiny.
If you want to know how to find your life path number and apply its meaning to your life, keep reading.
What is a life path number?
Just like your zodiac sign reflects aspects of your personality, your life path number represents your core values and overall life mission. The life path number can be any number between 1 and 9 or one of the three main numbers, namely 11, 22 and 33. Each of these numbers is associated with unique qualities, strengths, and weaknesses, and they are believed to have deep meaning and have a huge impact on your life's path.
The meaning of your life path number is to help you realize your greater possibilities in life and align with your soul purpose. They are considered the most important numbers in your personal numerology chart - similar to the importance of your sun sign in astrology.
“Life path numbers help us complete our personal hero’s journey, guiding us through the stages,” Sorey said. “The meaning of life path numbers always brings us back to reality.”
On a spiritual level, your life path number can help you understand your soul's calling. In other words, it helps you tap into your deepest desires and spiritual path. If you belong to the seventh path in life, you may seek personal spiritual meaning, but if you belong to the second path in life, you will care about bringing peace to others. On a secular level, your life path number can also help you find the career that's best for you. For example, if your life path is number one or number eight, you may be destined for a leadership or diplomatic role. If you're in the second or third life path, you're likely to turn to a more artistic career path.
The meaning of life path numbers
Each life path number embodies some type of personality archetype. Because your numerology represents quality, it is reflected not only in your personality but also in your overall mission and life goals. Understanding how these numbers work can help you navigate life through a spiritual lens. Here is a quick overview of what each life path number represents.
Life Path 1: You are a natural leader, diligent, independent, and ambitious.
Life Path 2: You are an empathetic, emotionally intuitive, and artistic peacekeeper.
Life Path 3: You are a communicative, independent, and creative artist.
Life Path 4: You are a wise person, organized, methodical and down to earth.
Life Path 5: You are a free spirit, sociable, adventurous, and adaptable.
Life Path 6: You are a family-oriented, compassionate, and reliable caregiver.
Life Path 7: You are a truth seeker, spiritual, analytical and intuitive.
Life Path 8: You are an entrepreneur with responsibility, power and discipline.
Life Path 9: You are a humanitarian, fair, philanthropic, and considerate.
What is a primary number?
The master number symbolizes the double energy of the single digits it contains. For example, the master number 11 has twice the power of the life path number 1, representing leadership and collectivism.
Master Number 11: This number represents the subconscious mind and is associated with intuition, spirituality, and collaboration.
Master Number 22: This number is associated with manifestation and has to do with creation, building a foundation, and stability.
Master Number 33 : This number symbolizes knowledge and is associated with enlightenment, creativity and influence.
How do I find my life path number?
To find your life path number, all you need is your date and year of birth. You can use an online life path number calculator, but it's just as easy to do the math yourself.
The first step is to format your birthday as a numeric date - so if your birthday is October 3, 1992, format the date as 10/3/1992 . It consists of three numbers: one for the month, day and year. Therefore, in our example we use 10, 3 and 1992. Next, you'll simplify each of these three numbers into the unit number (or main number, if present). To do this, just add the individual digits of any number of digits until each number is a single digit (since the month has 10 digits, we add 1 and 0 together to get 1; since we have With 1992 as the year, we add 1, 9, 9 and 2 together to get 21, then reduce again by adding 2 and 1 to get 3). Finally, these three months/days/years are added together and reduced to a single digit or master number, which represents our life path number.
If this sounds confusing, let's break it down using our example date of birth 10/3/1992, which is simplified to the numbers 1, 3, and 3. The number 1 represents the month (because the month is 10, and 1 + 0 = 1 ), 3 represents the date (because the date is 3, and 3 is already a single digit), and 3 represents the year (because the year is 1992, and 1 + 9 + 9 + 2 = 21 , which again reduces by adding the two digits of the original sum to give the number 3, i.e. 2 + 1 = 3 ). Now that you have three numbers, you can add them together to get your life path number. If the numbers are two digits, add the numbers until they are reduced to a single number. In this example, the life path number is 7 because 1 + 3 + 3 = 7 .
The only exception to the single digit rule for life path number calculations occurs when the numbers 11, 22 or 33 occur, as these numbers are considered "master numbers" in numerology. If this is the case, you can leave the numbers unchanged instead of reducing them to a single digit.
How do I use my Life Path Number?
Once you know how to find your life path number, you can begin to study the qualities and vibrations associated with that specific number and apply them to your life. The meaning of each life path number is based on ancient numerology teachings, and many numerologists also connect life path numbers to other patterns such as astrology. Once you understand the type of energy contained in your life path number, you can apply it to your romantic, platonic, and family relationships, or to your professional life as well. Becoming familiar with the motivations, strengths, and weaknesses of your life path number also helps with shadow work, which involves deep introspection and confronting your less desirable qualities.
"Being aligned with your life path number is about reflecting on your values and life goals," numerologist Jasmine Wolfe tells Bustle. "Whether you realize it or not, the energy of this number is always there, but how you want to use it is up to you." Learning how to use your life path number and understanding how its energy manifests in your life can help you better Understand your own inner workings and motivations. Once you can identify your underlying motivations through your Life Path Number, you can begin moving toward your higher goals.
Just like the meanings of the zodiac signs, life path numbers should be used as a spiritual guide rather than a rulebook. Your relationship with them will be unique depending on how you interpret their energy and the way you choose to use it. Your life path number indicates the energy around you, but is in no way meant to limit your interests and abilities.
“Understanding life path numbers is like stepping back into who we have always been while also realizing who we can become,” Wolfe said. "But first, you have to look at how its [energy] manifested itself in your past, how it manifests itself in the present, and how you want to use it in the future."
