© Hans Decoz. 2000.
Updated March 2023. All rights reserved.
You took your first step on your Life Path as you entered the physical realm, untouched by this world, not yet influenced, not yet inhibited, free of concepts, expectations, and self-consciousness.
But, even at the moment of your birth, you were a person with your own unique character, as unique as your DNA. Everything that is you existed in potential, much like a play that is about to begin.
In this play, you have the freedom to live your life as you like – to fulfill its potential completely, or to make some smaller version of yourself. You make the decisions that affect the potential that exists within you through your commitment and effort.
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The Life Path number sets the direction of your life. However, the effect of this number is not always well-understood.
Most numerology enthusiasts, even professional numerologists, consider the Life Path to be unchanging, like a zodiac sign, but that is not the case. As with all numbers derived from your date of birth, it has to do with the momentum of your life; it lays out your personal evolutionary path and is therefore dynamic; its influence on you changes as you change because of your life experiences.
Your Life Path is a cycle; the longest cycle in your chart, as it begins the day you step into this world and lasts until you leave.
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You are not placed on your Life Path without the talents and tools you need to realize your potential; it gives you a broad outline of the opportunities, challenges, and lessons you will encounter in this lifetime.
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We will show the correct method first. Examples of incorrect (but unfortunately commonly used) methods are shown further below. You can also use our Numerology Chart Calculator and get a complete list of all your numbers.
We reduce each unit (month/day/year) of the birth date to a single-digit, or a Master Number. The Master Numbers are 11, 22, and 33, and they are never reduced during the calculation of a Life Path number.
Next, we add each of the resulting digits together and reduce the total again to a single-digit.
This age-old numerology method is based on the concept that your Life Path is based on your three Period Cycles. Therefore, in order to calculate your Life Path number, you actually calculate your Period Cycles first.
Your three Period Cycles are based on your month, day, and year of birth, and represent the early, middle, and later part of your life respectively.
Your complete life's cycle — your Life Path — has all the attributes reflected in the Life Path's number. However, the Life Path is influenced by the properties and traits of the Period Cycles. This is the reason the Life Path must be calculated based on the Period Ccyles.
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Example: August 12, 1990:
August is the 8th month - the 8 doesn't need to be reduced.
The day of birth is 12. We reduce 12 to 3 by adding 1 + 2=3
The year of birth is 1990. We reduce 1990 by adding 1 + 9 + 9 + 0=19. Then we add 1 + 9=10, and continue by adding 1 + 0=1. The year 1990 reduces to 1.
We now add the resulting single digits: (month) 8 + (day) 3 + (year) 1. Total is 12, which we reduce to 3 (1 + 2=3). The Life Path number in this example is 3.
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Another example: November 22, 1983
November is the 11th month. The 11 is a Master number and is not reduced.
The 22nd day and the 22 is also a Master number and is therefore not reduced
The year 1983 reduces to 12 (1+9+8+3=21), which reduces to 3.
month=11, day=22, year=3. Total is 36. We reduce 36 to 9. The Life Path is 9
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The double-digit numbers you encounter during your calculations are important, because they reveal whether you have a Master Number, or a Karmic Debt number.
They give more insight into the meaning of your Life Path. Therefore, the calculation method must be done correctly or you may miss a Master number or Karmic Debt number.
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For example, calculating October 15, 1998, by simply adding 1+0+1+5+1+9+9+8=34=7, would result in a 7 based on 34, which is incorrect.
Similarly, adding the units of the date of birth and then reducing the total is also incorrect. In our example of October 15, 1998, that would be 10+15+1998=2023=7. Again, although the final single digit is correct, the double-digit numbers associated with it are wrong.
The correct method for October 15, 1998: October reduces to 1, the day 15 reduces to 6, and the year 1998 reduces to 27, which in turn reduces to 9. Your number is therefore 1 + 6 + 9=16, which reduces to 7. Notice that only this method revealed the presence of a 16 Karmic Debt number.
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Below are in-depth descriptions of all possible numbers. Notice that we include the Master numbers, as well as Karmic Debt numbers
Use our Numerology Chart Calculator to verify your numbers - it's free, and use can use it as often as you wish.
You're a natural leader, valuing independence and determination. Once committed, nothing deters you from your goals, assuming responsibility for loved ones.
Read more about your 1 Life Path
You're a peacemaker with an artistic soul, sensitive and perceptive. Read more about your 2 Life Path
You're exceptionally creative and expressive, a natural in the arts. Wit and charm make you the life of the party, but discipline is key to developing your talents.
Read more about your 3 Life Path
You're practical, methodical, and committed, preferring hard work over shortcuts. Read more about your 4 Life Path
Your personality thrives on freedom, seeking adventure and variety. You're curious and outgoing, making friends easily with your inspiring demeanor.
Read more about your 5 Life Path
Your Life Path reveals your compassionate nature, driven to serve others. Your task is to balance help with respect for others' experiences.
Read more about your 6 Life Path
Life Path 7 individuals are spiritual seekers, devoted to unraveling life's mysteries. With analytical minds and deep concentration, they excel in research and problem-solving.
Read more about your 7 Life Path
Life Path 8 individuals are natural leaders with a knack for accumulating wealth. Their management skills shine in business and finance.
Read more about your 8 Life Path
Life Path 9 individuals are philanthropic and idealistic, striving for a better world through sacrifice and compassion. They see the big picture and attract diverse people to their causes.
Read more about your 9 Life Path
Life Path 11 individuals are sources of inspiration with high energy and intuition. Often misunderstood, they may feel shy but naturally galvanize situations, inspiring others effortlessly.
Read more about your 11 Life Path
Life Path 22 individuals possess immense potential, capable of great success or obscurity. Read more about your 22 Life Path
Life Path 33 individuals hold the potential to become spiritual teachers. They may influence generations if they fulfill their potential.
Read more about your 33 Life Path
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From Numerology Questions - a Dear Hans column:
Dear Hans,
My name is Leona ... Born 12/... I'm new to Numerology. My Life Path numbers come out to 22/4. My sister is 33 and my niece is 11.
Are we suppose to be doing something amazing for the world, our community, our family, ourselves? I would love to live my highest potential. Do you have any information/guidance for me and my family?
Thank you so much,
Leona
Dear Leona,
In numerology, as in life, nothing stands apart and on its own. Everything is connected to everything else. This concept forms the basis for all science, including Metaphysics, yet is all too often ignored.
As you know, there are numerous calculations that make up an individual's chart, all of which are interconnected. Unfortunately, the logic and relationship between all these different calculations is not always acknowledged even by many professional numerologists. As a rule of thumb, if a calculation is not part of a logical pattern, in other words if it is nothing more than a piece of math unrelated to the whole picture, it should be viewed with some suspicion.
A good example of that is the way the Life Path is calculated.
There are three methods, all of which will arrive at the same single digit result, yet only one is correct. The other two methods do not have a logical basis, follow the wrong "path," and can therefore result in a Master number where none exists, or miss a Master number that should have been included.
One method is simply adding the digits of a birth date in the order they appear. In your case, 12/12/1960, is 1+2+1+2+1+9+6+0=22, which reduces to 4. There is no connection, no logic, no interaction with any other aspect of the chart and is incorrect.
Another method is adding the month to the day to the year, as in 12+12+1960=1984=1+9+8+4=22. Again, no logical integration exists and the answer is wrong.
The third and correct method is based on the function and purpose of the Life Path as a cycle that runs from birth to death. The Life Path, in turn, reflects the combined effect of three important cycles, called the Period Cycles. These long-term cycles each cover about a third of your life span and are like the stepping stones to your maturity and, we pray, eventual wisdom.
The First Period Cycle is based on your month of birth and runs from birth to about age 33 (the exact age depends on your Life Path number), it reflects your personal evolution from childhood to maturity. Your day of birth gives you your Second Period Cycle and runs approximately from age 33 to 62. This cycle reflects your "productive" years. Finally, the Third Period Cycle is found by reducing your year of birth to a single digit (or Master number), and represents the last part of your life.
Your Life Path, Leona, is not the result of simply adding numbers as they appear, or any other random system, but the consequence of combining your three Period Cycles as their collective influence forms the basis for the largest cycle in your life; your Life Path.
For that reason, the correct method of calculation for the Life Path number is by first calculating each of the three Period Cycles. Your First Period Cycle is based on your month of birth, in your case the number 12, which reduces to 3. Your Second Period Cycle is found by adding the digits of your day of birth. In your case again 12, arriving at another 3. Your Third Period Cycles is found by reducing your year of birth, in your case 1960, as follows: 1+9+6+0=16=1+6=7.
Your three Period Cycles are 3, 3, and 7 respectively. Adding those, we find that you have a Life Path of 13, which reduces to 4.
As for your question "Are we supposed to be doing something amazing for the world, our community, our family, ourselves?" that can be answered with a resounding YES. The opportunity to make a difference exists for all of us, whether there are any Master numbers in your chart or not.
Hans Decoz
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