Exploring the Master Numbers

About Numerology

Numerology is the study of numbers as meaningful constructs related to human consciousness.  Numbers occupy our lives in many ways, starting with number values associated with the letters of words, especially our names.  We have the numbers of our birthday, month, and year.  Most countries have a number sequence for citizens (in the United States, it is the 9-digit Social Security Number or SSN).  Most of us have a phone number; if we drive a car, we have a number plate.  Each word and sequence of numbers can be reduced to a number between 1 and 9, and each of those numbers has spiritual meaning.

This article will explore master numbers: 11, 22, 33, and 44 based on the work for Faith Javane and Dusty Bunker in their book Numerology and the Divine Triangle (ISBN 13: 9780914918103).  In numerology numbers are derived from totals based on such numerical sequences as your birth date or phone number and the total value of the assigned numbers of the letters of your name or the name of your business.  Every so often, the total will add up to (3+8=11) or reduced down to (83=11) a duplicating number. The duplicating numbers 11, 22, 33, and 44 are considered as master numbers.

Numerology Everywhere

Significant numbers are everywhere in our lives.  And every name, whether of a street or a country or a person, has a numerological value. For a detailed article about all the various significant numbers in your life, please read my Ask Astrology article entitled, “The Many Numbers in Your Life”. For the purpose of this article calculations used below are based on the Pythagorean number system, which is used by Javane and Bunker.  Most commonly numerical calculations for a string of important numbers or for names reduces to 1 to 9.  But every so often the number will add up to or reduce to a repeating master number: 11, 22, 33, or 44.  Some numerologists just reduce these numbers while others will write them as 11/2, 22/4, 33/6 or 44/8

The Master Numbers and Their Meanings

Master numbers elevate and intensify the energy.  They also indicate a more spiritual, global, or high consciousness expression of energy. If you happen to end up with a master number in your Life Path Number, which is the total of your birthday (in my case, 4+1+2+1+9+6+8=31=4, which is not a master number), or your Path of Destiny, which is the total of your full name (in my case, Philip Franklin Young, reduces to a 3), then you can expect to have a life outside the norm.  You can expect your life journey to be filled with “more”, you might be more aware or more sensitive.  You might get more attention from people who encounter you; you might experience more wealth or poverty than the majority.  In essence, you will find yourself somewhere on one end or the other of the “scale”.

Number 11

If one of your two main numbers is the master number 11, then your energy will be guided by your connection to humanity and how you are here to be some kind of beacon for its development.  If the 11 is your Life Path number, then your keywords are: altruism and community (21).  According to Javane and Bunker, “You must practice ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’ and use it as your foundation.  11 is one of the most difficult vibrations because the demand for high standards is constant” (21).

If your Path of Destiny (name) number is 11, then you have been given the gift of prophecy, which “places you in the position where selfless service to humanity can be expressed. You have the ability to tap the creative source and imbue your work with an inspirational touch that will affect the souls of those who come into contact with whatever you create” (35).

In a necessary result of circumstance, I ended up being put up for adoption and adopted in 1968.  In 2003 I tracked down my birth mother and met her.  During one of our conversations, she informed me that she had chosen a name for me and, in essence, given it to me after my birth.  It was Charles Edward Otto.  I was already familiar with my numerology for my given name from my adoptive parents, so I was curious to see what the name my birth mother gave me totaled.  Below is the calculation; as you can see, it turns out to be an 11.

Number 22

If your Life Path number happens to be 22, then you must “express a basic building urge, accomplish things in a big way, and work with large groups or business concerns. Your path is to learn to take charge of large organizations and corporations and to handle money efficiently and usefully for the benefit of large groups of people” (21).  22 to reduces to 4, which is the number for foundations.  2 represents the number for relationships, so it is fairly clear that 22 is an amalgam of 2 and 4.

If your Path of Destiny (name) number is 22, then, “you have confidence in your ability to lead and therefore naturally assume great responsibility.  This fulfills your urge for important accomplishments. Serve well and you will be rewarded in direct proportion” (35-36).  2 for the Path of Destiny is the number for the peacemaker and the negotiator and 4 is the number for building useful products and outcomes.

Number 33

If your Life Path number is 33, then you should “develop a strong desire to protect others.  You would like to live close to nature, and this urge may influence you to choose a life in agriculture” (21).  This number is also associated with divine connection and you may find a “place within the ministry or priesthood could lead you to the realm of your dreams as a world savior” (22).  33 reduces to 6, which is about family responsibility; only now it is the world as your family.  3 energy strives to express, communicate, and share knowledge through creative activity.

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If your Path of Destiny (name) number happens to be 33, then “your mission is self-sacrifice and service to others. You often undergo crucifixion in your emotions and suffer for the woes of the world” (36).  Others will be naturally drawn to you for solace and comfort.  6 represents the home life (33) in the Path of Destiny sequence and 3 attempts to uplift and inspire others (34).

Number 44

Number 44 is not as commonly recognized as 11, 22, and 33.  55, 66, 77, 88, and 99 are not considered master numbers, but might very well be if enough data could be gathered about these numbers aligned with significant meaning tied to the reduced number and the repeating number (for example 55 is 10=1 and 5).

If Number 44 is your Life Path number, then you should have “the strength and complete mental control over your life while on earth.  It requires discipline in every department of life so that you may be instrumental in promoting the material advancement of the world” (22).  44 reduces to 8, which is the number of power and ambition (21).  4 is the number of foundations. I would think a martial arts or Tai Chi master would be fine examples of this number.

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If Number 44 happens to be your Path of Destiny (name) number, then it will “demand great discipline and perseverance and the ability to make the best of any given situation. You are very resourceful, drawing upon your great wells of common sense and logic to solve any problems that arise” (36).  The Path of Destiny 8 provides courage and stamina (34), while the 4 gives organized thinking to your mind.

One Last Thought

Our Life path numbers are determined by the happenstance of birth, which can now be controlled by Caesarian operations scheduling a birth date and time. If your mother wanted a 22 number for your Life Path, your birth would have to be close to May 23, 2019, and scheduled that day; multiple dates exist in 2019 for 11 or 22 Life Lesson births. It is not possible to have a 33 or 44 Life Lesson number in 2019.

You can construct a master number in a birth name with careful effort, but that may not necessarily be the desired outcome if you read carefully the descriptions of these numbers.  While greatness is often discussed, so is requisite suffering and struggle. It is probably the best approach to find several names you might want for a child and run the various numbers, making sure to match them with the other numbers in the family.

Noting master numbers in other types of numerical sequences and names can help you see if their energy is manifesting through those numbers or names.  If so, then the potential power is worth paying attention to.