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Life Path Number: How To Calculate And Find Its Meaning - Cosmopolitan

Move over, astrology! Numerology holds the key to your destiny. Numerology is the study of the relationships that numbers and letters have with your personality and life events (bear with me—I'll explain how it all works in a sec). It's an ancient metaphysical science(-ish), going back THOUSANDS of years. Numerology has branches and origins across multiple eras, cultures, and continents (which reinforces that there's gotta be something in it, right?).

Western (or "modern") numerology is the most popular in contemporary times. It was created by Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (yes, the triangle guy) more than 2,500 years back. The oldest system is probably the Chaldean system (developed by the Chaldeans of ancient Babylon). Other numerology systems include Kabbalah numerology, Chinese numerology, and Tamil numerology. For this piece, we're focusing on Western numerology.

How does numerology work?

Numerologists propose that every number has its own vibration and contributes an influence on the world. Big numbers reduce to a single-digit (or in some cases, double-digit) number that has a unique meaning and power all its own. Key personal information like your name and birth date have a unique vibration that can explain your traits, strengths, and life path or destiny. Yeah, it's big stuff.

Numerology doesn't force you to do anything. It can help you learn more about your potential, what you have the ability to achieve, what your path in life is likely to be like, and what you might encounter along the way.

Related Story What's a Life Path Number?

There are quite a few different numbers that are important in numerology—your Expression Number tells you about what you're going to get up to in your lifetime, your Relationship Number tells you who you're most compatible with, and your Heart's Desire Number tells you the career paths and goals you're most naturally drawn to. But the most significant number in numerology might be your Life Path Number (in Chaldean numerology, this is also called your Destiny Number), which provides solid deets about your character and the type of life you'll go on to live.

Your Life Path Number is calculated by adding all the numbers in your birth date together and getting that sum down to a single digit. There are two ways of doing this (adding across or reducing down), so we're going to focus on the method most in use: reducing down.

Related Story How to find your Life Path Number

To find your Life Path Number, simply reduce the digits of your full birth date until you reach a single-digit number—excluding 11, 22, and 33, which are considered Master Numbers (we'll get back to this). This number is your Life Path Number.

Let's say your birthday is November 11, 1992. To calculate your Life Path Number, you will reduce each component of this date to a single digit:

The month, 11, is reduced to 1 + 1 = 2.

The date, 11, is reduced to 1 + 1 = 2.

The year, 1992, is reduced to 1 + 9 + 9 + 2. This equals 21. Then, 21 is reduced to 2 + 1 = 3.

Then we add the reduced month, date, and year numbers (2 + 2 + 3) and arrive at 7 (if it were a double digit, we'd add those two digits together to reach a single digit). So, in this case, your Life Path Number is 7.

The only time you would NOT reduce the final number to a single digit is if you get 11 or 22. These are considered Master Numbers and represent a more intensified take on their root numbers. Master Numbers suggest a greater potential for success, pitted against greater challenges. We'll talk more about those in a minute!

The Life Path Numbers

Found your Life Path Number? Is it 1-9, 11, or 22? (If not, then go back and re-calculate it!) Here's what it means:

1: The ultimate individual

Keywords: Independent, unique, self-motivated, proactive, courageous, entrepreneurial

You carve out your own path in life, and you're especially drawn to careers that involve innovation, management, entrepreneurial ventures, life coaching, property development, leadership, and/or business. You're a go-getter!

2: The collaborative counselor Keywords: Peaceful, intuitive, wise, compassionate, collaborative, understanding

You're an understanding individual who values harmonious relationship in life and helps others willingly. You're a natural people person. Careers involving therapy, healing, teaching, esoteric practices, administration, accountancy, and mediation appeal to you.

3: The outgoing creative

Keywords: Funny, creative, charismatic, expressive, social, imaginative

You're a confident individual who thrives on being with others and having an ~audience~. You're drawn to careers involving acting, writing, teaching, travel, therapy, hospitality, personal care, and sales. People are just drawn to your natural talents.

4: The practical worker

Keywords: Conscientious, grounded, pragmatic, reliable, determined, practical

You're a dedicated and responsible individual who works hard to achieve a goal and never gives up. No matter what it is, you never give up. You're drawn to careers in accountancy, auditing, editing, property, law enforcement, engineering, and analysis.

5: The jack of all trades

Keywords: Versatile, charismatic, restless, resourceful, communicative, adventurous

You're a multitalented individual who craves freedom, adventure, and excitement. You're drawn to careers in and around events, PR, journalism, teaching, travel, consulting, and sales. You might dabble in a number of careers over your life instead of having one tried-and-true path.

6: The supportive adviser Keywords: Nurturing, compassionate, supportive, helpful, perceptive, wise

You're a perfection-seeking individual who wants to help make their corner of the world a nicer place. You're drawn to careers involving therapy, healing, nutrition, beauty, fashion, interior decorating, teaching, counseling, and hospitality. Others always want your advice!

7: The clear-eyed philosopher

Keywords: Analytical, questioning, intellectual, intuitive, problem-solving, philosophical

You're a truth-seeking individual who has a natural instinct for untangling big problems and seeking answers to life's big questions. You're drawn to careers involving innovation, engineering, technology, digital communications, strategy, esoteric practices, and journalism. You have a mind for big thoughts and big ideas.

8: The moneymaker

Keywords: Driven, ambitious, strong, materialistic, proud, organized, conscientious, entrepreneurial

You're dedicated to achieving the goals you set for yourself early on in life. You're drawn to careers in business, property development, leadership, the law, project management, banking, finance, and property. You have a mind for money and a natural talent for managing a budget.

9: The understanding caregiver

Keywords: Generous, kind, helpful, (very) creative, patient, passionate, caring

You're a just and caring individual who wants to help the planet and other people. You're drawn to careers in teaching, counseling, social work, law, the creative arts, HR, government work, and fitness. You just want to make the world a better place!

The Master Numbers

Now, let's talk about the Master Numbers! In numerology, 11, 22, and 33 are never reduced to a single digit. Instead, they're left as-is. These numbers hold special significance because they offers double the power of the number they reduce to. They aren't common, and those with Master Numbers have a lot to accomplish while facing great adversity. In fact, they're sometimes even considered "late bloomers" because they have a lot in life to work through before their natural talents can truly shine.

11: The intuitive inspirer

Keywords: Intuitive, inspiring, perceptive, open-minded, optimistic

You have all the qualities of a number 2 with the added benefits of 11. Meaning that you're an uplifting individual who seeks to help others improve their lives and be the best version of themselves. You're drawn to careers in life coaching, therapy, film and TV, writing, healing, esoteric practices, sports, politics, and invention.

22: The practical visionary

Keywords: Idealistic, focused, visionary, imaginative, practical, perfection-seeking

You have all the qualities of a number 4 with the added benefits of 22. You're a ~manifesting~ individual who has both the imagination and the drive to bring any idea to life. You're drawn to careers involving environmentalism, engineering, technology, architecture, health care, innovation, and politics.

33: The master teacher

Keywords: Creative, intuitive, compassionate, nurturing, responsible

You have the qualities of a number 6 with the added benefits of a 33. You're a natural artist, but you work best with others rather than solo. In fact, you want to help other people just as much as you want to shine on your own. You're drawn to creative careers that allow you to work with others, like film, teaching, comedy, acting, charity work, or counseling.

Life Path Number: What Does It Mean And How To Calculate - ELLE

In astrology, there's always more to learn. There are moon signs and rising signs and birth charts, of course, but there are also related practices, like the infinite world of numerology.

According to Tali Edut, one half of The AstroTwins, ELLE's resident astrologers, numerology can be thought of as "the vibration of numbers," and "like astrology, there's math and geometry behind it."

One of the easiest places to start with numerology? Learning your life path number. This number tells you about your "core personality," Edut explains. "Just like understanding your zodiac sign, your life path number encompasses a theme you'll deal with throughout your whole life." She adds, "It's so helpful in knowing your strengths and your areas of life you need to fine-tune…it's just another dimension of yourself to understand."

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What is a life path number?

One way to understand your life path number is to look at its correlations to astrology. As Edut explains, your life path number is a lot like your sun sign. "It's kind of the essence of who you are, the vibration of who you are," she says.

How to calculate your life path number

In order to find your personal life path number, you'll need to—you guessed it—do some math, and figure out the sum of all the numbers in your birthday. As an example, I'll use the date: Sept. 29, 2023.

First, I'll add all the numbers together. 9 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 3 = 27. At the end of the process, you want to only be dealing with single digits. Since 27 is not a single digit, I'll add 2 + 7 to get the life path number 9.

However, if the sum of all the numbers equals an 11, 22, or 33, you have what's known as a master number. In this case, instead of adding the two digits together, you stick with the master number, which can be written out as 11/2, 22/4, or 33/6. This shows the master number and what the summation of the two numbers would be. For example, 22/4, because 2 + 2 = 4.

It can all be a bit confusing, so if you're finding it hard to do this by hand—or you just want to check your work—you can also check out this life path number calculator from numerologist Felicia Bender.

What each life path number means

Now that you have your life path number, read on to figure out what exactly it can tell you about your personality:

One

If your life path number is one, you are an "initiator," Edut says. "The person who starts everything. They're restless and excitable and adventurous."

Two

Two, on the other hand, is focused on relationships. That person is "the giver, the caretaker," Edut explains.

Three

"Three is about fun, play, self-study, self-examination, creativity," she says. In short: It's a very social number.

Four

For four, you can think of four pillars or four walls, Edut says. "Fours are very much the anchors, the family-oriented people, the stabilizers."

Five

Fives are super fun, she explains, adding that they tend to love adventures, exploration, going out, learning, and trying everything they can. "They're the friends who, if you call them at two in the morning, will come and meet you for a drink. They're always up for anything. They can burn through money and resources with their joie de vivre."

Six

Sixes can be nurturers as well as lovers, Edut says. "They want everyone to feel safe and cared for. They're very creative, very visionary. They make a beautiful home, though they can carry the weight of the world on their shoulders sometimes."

Seven

Sevens are our nomadic free spirits. "They can be a little bit detached," Edut explains. "They're very scientific but also very spiritual. They're kind of the philosophers of life, questioning and asking why and wanting to know and understand everything."

Eight

"Eights are about money and power," she says. "They're sort of the ballers. They can sometimes be a little tortured with money as well, because they're so consumed by status at times."

Nine

The nines are the old souls. These are people who are ethereal, generous, dreamy, or as Edut calls them, the earth angels.

11/2

If you have the master number 11/2, Edut says, "You have both the energy of two ones and this two. You're people-focused but also a dynamo. A lot of famous people are 11/2s: Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, both of the Obamas. When you have that master number, you come in with a spiritual mission. It could be a tougher life to go through."

22/4

Another master number, Edut says 22/4s can be quite interesting. "Sometimes they're family-oriented, but they form these sort of alliances with people. They want everyone to get along. They want things to be harmonious, but they can get a little meddling sometimes, too."

33/6

The last master number is 33/6. These folks can be "a little bit of tortured souls," Edut explains. "They're always overthinking everything, questioning themselves, second-guessing themselves. They can worry way too much about what other people think of them and constantly feel this tug of war between the need for personal pleasure and responsibility to others."

Life Path Number 10: Meaning And Associated Personality Traits

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