Presents a thorough explanation of numbers and letters, starting with their origins and exploring the implications of their nature in names and in language.

Do the secrets of life lie hidden in numbers? Mysteries and Secrets of Numerology investigates the ancient and widespread belief that numbers have unexplained powers to influence our lives, everything we do, and everything around us, so that, as the brilliant scientist and philosopher Sir James Hopwood Jeans wrote, "The Great Architect of the Universe now begins to appear as a pure mathematician." Numerology extends throughout the history of the world – from Pythagoras to the mysteries of ancient Babylonia and India, from Norse runes to Egyptian hieroglyphs and ancient Hebrew Gematria. Names, places, and dates all seem to have mysterious numerological significance. Some are positive and supportive; others appear to be negative and act as warnings. Where does the truth lie? In the face of so much global and historical evidence, and in the light of the power of numbers in nature, science, and technology, the secrets and mysteries of numerology are well worth investigating.

Why is the number seven lucky--even holy--in almost every culture? Why do we speak of the four corners of the earth? Why do cats have nine lives (except in Iran, where they have seven)? From literature to folklore to private superstitions, numbers play a conspicuous role in our daily lives. But in this fascinating book, Annemarie Schimmel shows that numbers have been filled with mystery and meaning since the earliest times, and across every society. In The Mystery of Numbers Annemarie Schimmel conducts an illuminating tour of the mysteries attributed to numbers over the centuries. She begins with an informative and often surprising introduction to the origins of number systems: pre-Roman Europeans, for example, may have had one based on twenty, not ten (as suggested by the English word "score" and the French word for 80, quatrevingt --four times twenty), while the Mayans had a system more sophisticated than our own. Schimmel also reveals how our fascination with numbers has led to a rich cross-fertilization of mathematical knowledge: "Arabic" numerals, for instance, were picked up by Europe from the Arabs, who had earlier adopted them from Indian sources ("Algorithm" and "algebra" are corruptions of the Arabic author and title names of a mathematical text prized in medieval Europe). But the heart of the book is an engrossing guide to the symbolism of numbers. Number symbolism, she shows, has deep roots in Western culture, from the philosophy of the Pythagoreans and Platonists, to the religious mysticism of the Cabala and the Islamic Brethren of Purity, to Kepler's belief that the laws of planetary motion should be mathematically elegant, to the unlucky thirteen. After exploring the sources of number symbolism, Schimmel examines individual numbers ranging from one to ten thousand, discussing the meanings they have had for Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, with examples from Indian, Chinese, and Native American cultures as well. Two, for instance, has widely been seen as a number of contradiction and polarity, a number of discord and antithesis. And six, according to ancient and neo-platonic thinking, is the most perfect number because it is both the sum and the product of its parts (1+2+3=6 and 1x2x3=6). Using examples ranging from the Bible to the Mayans to Shakespeare, she shows how numbers have been considered feminine and masculine, holy and evil, lucky and unlucky. A highly respected scholar of Islamic culture, Annemarie Schimmel draws on her vast knowledge to paint a rich, cross-cultural portrait of the many meanings of numbers. Engaging and accessible, her account uncovers the roots of a phenomenon we all feel every Friday the thirteenth.

The Essential Guide to the Ancient Art of Numerology Do you truly understand your strengths and weaknesses? Are you living at your full potential? Could simply changing the spelling of your name alter your life? While most numerology books focus only on your birthday, The Secret Language of Your Name is the first comprehensive guide to incorporate an exploration of the letters of your name. With this extra step, you are given a unique, complete reading that reveals specific individual keys to success and happiness in all facets of life. Prepare to learn: • how to pinpoint your greatest strengths and weaknesses; • what makes friends, family, and coworkers tick; • how different spellings of your name can affect your future, even what happens when your name changes in marriage; • how to choose the best baby name—with numerical representations of nearly 5,000 names; • whom you are most compatible with in love and business; • how to choose an ideal career path; • and more! With each new challenge, you’ll find yourself reaching again and again for this definitive guide.

Secrets of Numerology

Paranormal experts Lionel and Patricia Fanthorpe analyze the fascinating history of numerology and its natural occurrence in our everyday lives.

This is unlike any other book on numerology, because it reveals the science behind this ancient mystical art and explains why it works. It is also the first book to present a thorough explanation of the numbers and letters, starting with their origins--the how and why of their design--and exploring their nature in names and language. In addition, it introduces the Inner Guidance Number, a powerful tool for accessing our inner knowing. Note: This is a repackaging of The Secret Science of Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Numbers and Letters by Shirley Lawrence (New Page, 2001; ISBN: 9781564145291), which has until recently only been available via Lightning Source.