Everything You Need To Know About Life Path Numbers
Do you catch yourself noticing 11:11 or other repeating numbers a lot when you look at the time? Or maybe you see 4:44 or 2:22 often? There is something about the synchronicity of repeating numbers that makes it seem like it is more than just a coincidence and maybe it is a sign. I have often seen a set of numbers (sometimes referred to as "Angel Numbers") over and over again and someone has told me I should play those numbers in the lotto. I always thought it was a silly superstition but there is some cosmic, spiritual meaning to be gained from having a sense of deja vu when you see what appears to be your lucky numbers.
Numerology is the study of numbers and their spiritual significance. It is the perfect complement to astrology if you are looking for more in-depth answers in your own personal journey. Oftentimes we look for meaning in dreams or patterns to guide us in the right direction. This life has a greater meaning for all of us and some things are more than just a coincidence. Honestly, the feeling of knowing that something is put here for a specific reason is what drives many of us to search for these answers. Connecting those dots between what we know intrinsically and can't explain to what we know to be true can bring you comfort and relief that you are on the right path.
What is Numerology?
Shutterstock
Different numbers have different meanings and can signal changes or things to come in the future. Essentially, Numerology is how to interpret the numbers that appear around you to know their meaning in your journey. According to an article on REFINERY29:
"Each number, from one to nine, has a spiritual meaning, which can be applied to individuals in various ways."
What is a Life Path number?
It can be argued that your Life Path number is the most important number in your personal numerology because it has a significant influence over the direction of your life. The number is a representation of who you are at the core. Or, put another way, the person you spend your life evolving to become. As Angelica Ray, Intuitive, Healer, and Coach says, "You are able to have a better understanding of your purpose, some of the innate talents and gifts that you possess, and of the obstacles that you might experience. Ultimately, it can speak to general aspects of the path that your life might take."
Some have likened your Life Path number to the Sun sign in Astrology as an indicator of what is important to you, how you respond in situations, and how you process life in general. Don't simply think of your Life Path number as a list of traits, instead think of it as a specific set of positive and negative traits that manifest however you desire.
How do you calculate your Life Path number?
Shutterstock
To calculate your Life Path number, you need to use your birth date: the month, day, and year. Basically, your Life Path number is the sum of all these numbers reduced down to a single number in a specific method. One important note to make is that there are Master Numbers (e.g. 11, 22, and 33), but this specific method of calculating your Life Path number prevents these numbers from happening. Life Path numbers only occur through the single digits of 1 to 9.
According to Numerology.com:
"There is only one correct way to calculate your Life Path number. First, you must reduce each of the three parts of your birthday to a single digit or Master Number, then add up THOSE digits to find your Life Path number. If you end up with a two-digit number that isn't one of the Master Numbers, keep reducing it until you get to a single digit."
OK, so let's use my birthday for example 09/16/1985.
Start with the month, 09:
0 + 9 = 9
Then the day, 16:
1 + 6 = 7
Then the year, 1985:
1 + 9 + 8 + 5 = 23; reduce 23
2 + 3 = 5
Now add them all together and reduce if need be:
9 + 7 + 5 = 21; reduce 21
2 + 1 = 3
My Life Path number is 3.
So what does each Life Path number mean, from 1 to 9?
Life Path number 1 - This number reflects someone who is an innovator and a pioneer and is full of energy and motivation. People with this Life Path number are normally natural leaders that are capable of creating opportunities for themselves. What they need to learn is how to become confident in their own abilities and practice trusting each other.
Life Path number 2 - People who fall into this category are quiet but are very powerful. They tend to be calm, cooperative and have an appreciation for partnerships in life. They need to learn to find their voice and make sure they speak up and advocate for themselves when their needs are not being met.
Life Path number 3 - These people are creative and communicative with a youthful energy that is very exciting to others. People who have a Life Path number 3 are very positive and charming. What challenges they have to overcome is they are naive about the world. They need to accept and explore deep, tough issues and emotions that will help them on their personal growth journey.
Life Path number 4 - This is a practical person who is singularly focused on service and hard work. They are strong and can act as a stable foundation in other people's lives. They will have to learn to loosen up their way of thinking and processes to really understand that love and enjoyment are also fulfilling.
Life Path number 5 - People who have the Life Path number 5 truly live a well-lived adventurous life. These people have a curiosity and taste for life and thrive on variety and upbeat social settings. The thing they need to learn most is commitment because they have a constant need to change their situation. This may ultimately lead to an unfulfilling life.
Life Path number 6 - These are the lovers, nurturers, and protectors of the Life Path group. They have a very big heart and a large capacity to support others. During their journey, they must realize the importance of self-love and to put their own needs in a position of priority.
Life Path number 7 - The people who have a Life Path number 7 are naturally inquisitive people with an appetite for searching for the truth. They will need to learn to be more social as they like to spend a lot of time alone. They need to learn about relationships and vulnerability in their journey.
Life Path number 8 - This group tends to find a lot of success in life because they give things constant attention, intention, and effort to their work. They will excel professionally most of the time. However, they need to work on how to work well with other people.
Life Path number 9 - Those who fall into the group of Life Path number 9 have a sensitivity toward humanity and support all things that are for the greatest good. They are the tolerant, loving, and deeply connected group and are very in touch with their inner wisdom. They have the challenge of releasing past pains by addressing their needs and values.
For a deeper explanation of each number, Allureis a great resource for a break down of each group.
What do we do when we find our Life Path numbers?
Shutterstock
Once we find our Life Path numbers Angelica suggests, "All of the different modalities are pointing the same energies. It is very common to see synergies and commonalities amongst these different modalities. The Life Path number is helpful because it can point you more towards a path rather than Astrology which can be a little bit more present-focused or character-focused. The Life Path can speak a lot about the road ahead."
Angelica does recommend working with a numerologist because they are better able to break down patterning and add context around timing. Also, they are able to help decipher intricacies around tendencies, the path forward, lessons, and journey. It is always better to get a reading by someone who is trained in the language of the energy so that you get a much more in-depth experience than online.
The best way to use your Life Path number in your everyday life is as a guide that points you toward a specific direction in your life.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Shutterstock
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images