If you’ve been pondering big questions about life or wondering where you can turn to for guidance on a big career decision, you may be interested in numerology. Broadly, numerology is the idea that specific numbers have a significant relationship to your life and can point you in the direction you’re meant to be headed. If you’re already familiar with numerology, you may have heard of angel numbers, but what about life path numbers?
According to Tiffany McGee, a spirituality and relationship expert, founder of Nomadrs.com, and author of Manifesting Love: How to Unleash the Superpower That’s Deep Within You, numerologists consider the life path number a reflection of your natural talents, tendencies, and challenges.
Anyone can calculate their life path number, but there are some instances in which it will be particularly helpful. According to McGee, here’s how to know you’re ready:
- If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut: You’re not excited about your daily activities or feel like you’re stuck in a pattern of unhappiness.
- If you’re unhappy in your job: You’re not satisfied with your career or feel like you’re not using your talents and skills to their full potential.
- If you’re not living up to your potential: You’re not sure what your purpose in life is.
- If you’re constantly feeling restlessness or dissatisfaction: You feel like you’re always searching for something more, and you can’t quite put your finger on what that is.
Life path numbers are just one tool to help you get to know yourself. You can also learn more about your seven chakras, aura, and what specific angel numbers like 1111 or 123 mean for your life.
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Here’s everything you need to know about life path numbers, what they mean, and how you can find yours.
What is your life path number?
“Numerologists believe that, just like everything else in existence, numbers have energy,” explains Erin River Sunday, a consulting astrologer at Birthdate Co. “The life path number is one of the most regarded in numerology because it’s meant to reflect the individual’s purpose on Earth. It’s also sometimes called the ‘Birth Path’ or ‘Destiny’ number, again indicating its association with our soul’s recurring themes and ultimate direction in this lifetime.”
Your life path number may reveal things about you, like certain personality traits or skills you possess. On the flip side, it can also point to some of your shortcomings that you might have to work to overcome.
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Your life path number can help you find your purpose and figure out the next steps in your journey.
How to calculate your numerology life path number
Finding your life path number involves a simple bit of math, so get out your notepad.
Sunday explains, “The life path number arrives through a simple calculation of adding up all the numbers of your birthdate. This includes the month, day, and year. When they’re added together, a number 0-9, or 11, 22, or 33 will result, and it is referred to as your life path number.”
She notes that you’ll want to reduce the month, day, and year of birth to a single digit and reduce from there. Any zeros are removed, so a 20 becomes a 2, for example. Numbers 11, 22, and 33 aren’t reduced any further because they’re master numbers.
Here’s an example Sunday gave to illustrate the concept:
If your birthday is July 14th, 1991, that would be 7 + 5 + 2 = 14, and then 1 + 4 = 5. So, this person would have the life path number 5.
The 7 is for the month (July), we got 5 from adding the 1 and 4 in the 14th, and then we take the year and add each number individually as 1 + 9 + 9 + 1 to get 20. Remember, we remove all zeros, so we end up with 2. You add the 7, 5, and 2 to get 14, and then break it up as 1 + 4 to get 5 as the life path number.
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If it seems too complicated, or you don’t think you did it correctly, you can always use one of the many life path number calculators that are available online.
What does my life path number mean?
- Life path 1: If your life path number is 1, you’re active, confident, inventive, and thoughtful, according to Sunday. These people make good entrepreneurs.
Maskot//Getty ImagesIf your life path number is one, you have an entrepreneurial spirit. Is it time to dust off that old passion project and turn it into a business? - Life path 2: According to tarot reader and energy healer Dilosh from Girl & Her Moon, people with this life path number are usually peace lovers who are good at being diplomatic and mediating disputes. They also tend to be emotional, sympathetic, and nurturing.
- Life path 3: Sunday explains that people with this life path tend to be cheerful, enthusiastic, funny, and communicative. If this is your life path, you probably love to entertain.
- Life path 4: If your life path number is 4, some of the words Dilosh says might describe you are: logical, intelligent, stable, orderly, serious, realist, and pragmatic.
- Life path 5: The words Sunday uses to describe people with this life path are adaptable, brave, charming and social. These people like being the center of attention.
miniseries//Getty ImagesIf your life path number is 5, you might be a natural social butterfly. Get a dinner party on the calendar! - Life path 6: Dilosh notes that people with the life path number of 6 are known to be responsible, loving, empathetic, comforting and affectionate.
- Life path 7: According to Sunday, those with this life path number are typically dignified, natural, scientific, and studious. You probably enjoyed school, and maybe even went into education as a career.
- Life path 8: People with life path number 8 are real go-getters, according to Dilosh. You’re probably ambitious, goal-oriented, and a high-achiever.
- Life path 9: If this is your life path number, you’re artistic, compassionate, dramatic and philanthropic, according to Sunday. She notes that people with this life path number infuse everything they do with a deep sense of exploration.
thianchai sitthikongsak//Getty ImagesIf your life path number is 9, try leaning into your creative side.
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What are master numbers in numerology?
If you’re calculating your life path number and come across an 11, a 22, or a 33, that’s what numerologists call a master number.
“Numerologists associate these repetitive numbers with great power and ‘old soul’ energy,” explains Sunday. “There’s an inherently nervous energy to master numbers that’s begging to be channeled. People who find them in their name or life path will likely feel a strong pull towards achievement, self-sacrifice, and ultimate transformation in their lifetime.”
According to Dilosh, the master number 11 is associated with people who are spiritual messengers, peacemakers, artists, healers, counselors, sensitive, perceptive, passionate lovers, patient, and musical, among other things.
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If you come across master number 11, you may find your natural patience and sensitivity draws you towards giving back to your community.
If you find the master number 22 in your life path number, you may be a romantic or dreamer who uses your dreams and visions to inspire others, according to Dilosh.
The master number 33 means you are someone who has a spiritually empowering influence on others. Some of the other words Dilosh uses to describe people with this master number are generous, kind, humble, protective, understanding, creative, and charming.
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Master numbers are another clue as to your strengths in life.
McGee points out that finding your ultimate life path is a journey. “[It] requires self-reflection, experimentation, and an open mind,” she points out. Once you’ve calculated your life path, McGee recommends taking the following steps…
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Step 1: Start by reflecting on your values, passions, and strengths. Take some time to think about what you value, what you enjoy doing, and what you’re good at. These can be good starting points for exploring potential paths.
Step 2: Don’t be afraid to try out different jobs, hobbies, or activities. You never know what you might discover. This step can help you find out what you like and what you don’t like and what you’re good at.
Step 3: Once you’ve identified a potential path, start taking small steps toward it. Make a plan of action and set realistic goals for yourself. For example, if you desire to become a musician, why don’t you start learning how to play the violin?
