Numerology Lesson Four - The Life Path

In Numerology Lesson Three we discussed the Core Concept. We provided an overview of the four major areas of Numerology. When combined, they create our unique individual core vibration. Over the next four lessons we will discuss in more depth each of these four aspects.

In this lesson we are featuring the Life Path. We like to think of the Life Path as a 'seed' that is planted on the day of birth. Your accumulated wisdom lies within it. Perhaps you could call this your 'heritage'. It is much like a record that you can rely on for tapping into your innate talents and abilities. As you become aware of this part of our nature, life seems to become more simple. If more parents understood their children's Life Path, it would be much easier to provide direction and help to build confidence.

Some Numerology systems call this part of your nature the Birth Force or Birth Path. No matter what you call it, its meaning remains the same. It is what you will always have on hand. Your Life Path is one of your greatest assets. You can always count on this part of your nature to be there for you.

The Life Path and the Expression work hand in hand. Dr. Juno Jordan, one of our favorite Numerologists, used an analogy from business to contrast the Life path (or Birth Force) and Expression (or Destiny) numbers. She said, "The Birth Force represents the stock on hand and the Destiny the business to be established." We like that analogy because it can help you to understand how important your Life Path is. When we surrender to our nature and use our tools, we can progress and begin to allow our purpose to unfold.

Also, we often find that the Life Path qualities often appear as opportunities, challenges, and lessons. We are learning how to embrace the qualities of the Life path in a balanced way.

Let's begin by calculating the Life Path for the following Birthday:
 

In the example above, we have a 1 for the Life Path (a 1 'seed' to use our previous metaphor). The person with the Birthday above can gain insight regarding the 1 vibration (qualities of the 'seed') and know that they have and can further develop those abilities. Let's do a quick review of the number 1.

We can be assured that this person has a strong will. They are someone capable of leading and taking initiative. The person is probably fairly independent and may even work in a field that requires originality and self-direction.

Remember that all vibrations can be expressed as 'balanced', 'under-balanced', and 'over-balanced'. If the person in the example above is expressing their 1 in a balanced way, they will use their leadership and pioneering spirit. Some other qualities that may be active are the capabilities to generate creative thought, inventive ideas, determination, a sense of humor, inspiration, and clear thinking.

Now, if there are other aspects within the core that are at odds with the 1 vibration, we may find the 1 will express itself in an under-balanced or over-balanced state. If this person has conflict in accessing their innate tools, they may appear to lack confidence, show signs of insecurity, become dependent on others, or become passive (under-balanced). If they feel threatened or have difficulty in channeling this vibration, then they might become bossy, opinionated, or dominating (over-balanced).

When working with an individual, the job of a Numerologist is to guide. When working with a person's full chart--which you will be able to do after completing this entire course--you will easily be able to see where conflicts between different numbers could occur. Your job is to assist in the blending of these vibrations in such a way as to empower the person. There will always be a reason why conflicting numbers are present in a persons life. Most likely it is to strengthen or develop the person in some way.

Try to find the intention behind the creation of a potentially conflicted combination of numbers. Ask yourself, What positive attainment could come out of this combination?" By doing so, you will then be on a useful track! Don't spend a lot of time pointing out the 'negative' aspects. Highlight the possibilities that they may exist.

Numerology Home Play

A. Discover the Life Path for some people you know:

1. Grab a pencil and some paper (some people use a calculator but we recommend you do the simple arithmetic by hand so that you can quickly calculate the Life Path when you don't have a calculator).
   
    
2. Write down the full birth dates of at least five people who you know.
   
    
3. Pick the first person's birth date.
   
    
4. Calculate their Life Path number.
   
    
5. Recheck the calculation (it's always important to recheck your first calculation!).
   
    
6. Look up that person's specific Life Path number in the chart in Numerology Lesson One.
   
    
7. Take a minute to think of that person in light of their Life Path.
   
    
8. Repeat the above process with all of the names on your list.
   
    
9. As other people come to mind, calculate their Life path numbers as well (if you have the birth dates of your parents and/or siblings, their Life Path numbers can provide lots of interesting information regarding your family).

B. Analyze the names of some well-known people such as:

• John Franklin Delano Roosevelt: January 30th l882
  
  Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 1882-1945. The 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945). Governor of New York (1929-1932), he ran for President with the promise of a New Deal for the American people. His administration was marked by relief programs, measures to increase employment and assist industrial and agricultural recovery from the Depression, and World War II. He was the only U.S. President to be reelected three times (1936, 1940, and 1944). He died in office.
  
   
• Michael Luther King: January 15, l929
  
  King, Martin Luther, Jr. (Note that we don't use the 'Jr.' to calculate his Birth Force.) 1929-1968. American cleric whose eloquence and commitment to nonviolent tactics formed the foundation of the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 1960's. Among the many peaceful demonstrations he led was the 1963 March on Washington, at which he delivered his "I have a dream" speech. He won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, four years before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
  
   
• Richard Milhous Nixon: January 9, l913
  
  Nixon, Richard Milhous 1913-1994. The 37th President of the United States (1969-1974). Vice President (1953-1961) under Dwight D. Eisenhower, he lost the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy. Elected President in 1968, he visited China (1972) and established détente with the USSR. Although he increased U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, he was also responsible for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops. When Congress recommended three articles of impeachment for Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal, he resigned from office (August 9, 1974).