CHAPTER 1
WILL: INDIVIDUALITY
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The Number One Name Number
One is the number of the self, of individuality, will, independence, andoriginality. The number one personality expresses leadership and pioneeringefforts and the promotion of fortitude and honesty, sometimes to the point ofbeing too blunt and frank. Ones can be strong willed and ambitious, courageousleaders and original thinkers. They are prone to self-centeredness and a desireto be first in all things—literally, Number One. They can be very demanding aswell as commanding, are often extremely witty and charming, and are very regaland dignified. They hide their insecurities behind a brash and assertive manner,while at the same time maintaining an aura of personal mystery andsecretiveness. They can sometimes appear to be stupidly selfish, putting theirown needs and desires before others regardless of personal consequences. In suchcases, one can note that the Greek root for the word idiot means "a man alone."When in this negative mode, ones seldom listen to others, but they love to givedirections. When things do not easily go their way, they can become passive,dependent, stubborn, and procrastinating, fearful of making decisions or showinginitiative. Ones need to find the balance between their own extremes. One is amasculine number, and in a woman suggests a strong animus (male spirit).
In relationships, it is best for a one to seek a spouse or companion who isstrong willed and assertive but supportive and patient. Despite all of theirbraggadocio about self-reliance and individuality, ones fare best within thesecurity of a steady and stable relationship. They need affection and attentionand are capable of giving totally to their mates. They approach love and romancewith a straightforward intensity, with little time for small talk and subtlety.Their emotions are stronger than they would like to admit (out of a fear ofvulnerability and exposure), but attraction and loyalty are the key componentsto their relationships. When romantic difficulties arise, ones can be prone tosudden fits of temper, caustic bluntness, and silent withdrawal, and can becomeirritating martinets over such issues as cleanliness, rules, and their owncapricious whims. However, they recover quickly and do not harbor grudges,expecting to be forgiven as they themselves forgive, or forget. When theirbalance is upset, they can be stubborn, tyrannical, domineering, and even harshand brutal to those involved with them. They can be emotionally fickle andunreliable, and inclined to dominate and manipulate others' feelings. They canbe afraid to engage in emotional relationships, have great difficulties trustingtheir own feelings, be demanding of attention while refusing to give any back inreturn, and have a strong need to win an argument merely for the sake of theiregos.
In terms of careers or employment, ones fair best when they have the freedom tobe independent and original. It is difficult for them to take orders, and theyare generally better off working for themselves. Designer, entertainer, artist,explorer, inventor, manager, and athlete are all professions suited to peoplewith the name number one.
Typically, ones are robust, energetic, and healthy. They are, however, inclinedto overestimate their own limits and can jeopardize their health throughoverwork and lack of rest. Ones are often prone to headaches and arthritis.
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The Number One Birthpath Number
People with the number one birthpath number are natural-born leaders andpioneers, fearless, adventurous, and driven by their own morals and convictions.They are full of initiative and absolutely compelled to forge ahead. They havebeen born into this world to learn individuality, self-reliance, and the properexpression of will, the I am. More than likely, they have had to deal with adominating, interfering, or unyielding parent in childhood, which created earlytension and conflict between parent and child. The resulting resentment explodesin their late teens or early twenties and a period of rebellion follows, asones, in order to assert their self-identity, refuse to take orders or advicefrom others, especially spouses or partners. During this rebellious stage, theirstubbornness, assertiveness, isolation, and selfishness can be extremelyirritating and, for them personally, myopic and self-defeating. Ones need tolearn that pure rebellion and reaction do not necessarily lead to independenceand self-fulfillment.
Quite likely, their sense of adventure and enterprise could remain dormant orunrealized in their early years, with them believing that they most desirestability, security, and comfort. Early marriages, therefore, are ill advisedfor those with the number one birthpath, who, with their impatient andcourageous spirits, are also inclined to act impulsively and not look beforethey leap.
Challenge, accomplishment, and action are the modus operandi of the number onebirthpath. They are, indeed, constantly out to prove themselves. Challenges willbe met and overcome for the sheer sake of proving the one could do it. Oncesuccess has been achieved, however, the number one is prone to walk away,seeking new fields to conquer. On the negative side, when feeling lessconfident, ones can be guilty of procrastination, concocting any number ofseemingly logical and realistic excuses why a challenge should not or can not bemet. This never lasts for very long. Inevitably, life itself will compel thenumber one to take some form of action, whether chosen or not. Ernest Hemingwayhad a one birthpath number. He was a pioneer and innovator, creating a modernliterary style and vision that was concerned with individuality, courage, andmasculine expression through a declaratory, albeit blunt, prose style. All ofthese elements, including the need constantly to meet a challenge, test, andprove himself, were also reflected in his life. They were both his strength andhis weakness. His full birth name, Ernest Miller Hemingway, makes his namenumber a three, the number of self-expression and creativity (see the chapter onnumber three).
CHAPTER 2
PEACE: COOPERATION
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The Number Two Name Number
The lesson of the number two is primarily that of cooperation and peace, of thedevelopment of the awareness of Other beyond the Self. As a result, twos arediplomatic, tactful, and persuasive, and are good listeners, able to mediatebetween conflicting parties and bring about harmonious resolutions. Masters ofthe art of persuasion, they are able to accumulate and quote facts and figuresaccurately to enhance their bargaining positions. When negative, this abilitycan be used to manipulate and distort information to win an argument or supportan opinion. When thwarted or blocked, twos can be cunning and scheming in orderto get what they desire. Also, they can become too involved in the minor andpetty details of things like dress, work, or manners in order to impress others;they can come across as contrived and hypocritical.
They are very astute at working behind the scenes to accomplish their goals.Highly adaptable and flexible, twos cope well in a wide variety of circumstancesand with people from diverse social, ethnic, religious, and politicalbackgrounds.
Twos are likely to have encountered considerable criticism and conflict in earlychildhood, making them extremely sensitive to tension, discord, and strife inany form. They are highly gregarious creatures and thrive in the company ofothers, but can be hurt deeply if they are misunderstood or rejected. They canharbor a deep unconscious fear of other people's reactions to them, making themoverly self-conscious. It is important that they realize and confront this fearand rid themselves of it.
Twos operate on the belief that good will always triumph over evil. Thisattitude, coupled with their innate charm, enables them to attract the peoplethey need to get things done. Partnership and team effort are important to twos.They find their strength in roles that support and enhance leadership ratherthan in leadership itself. This does not mean that they lack ambition or thedrive to reach the top, only that the ambition expresses itself in a subtle,cooperative, and harmonious way. Typically, twos are found in careers andprofessions pertaining to politics, public relations, technology, and religion.Two is a feminine number, and in a man suggests a strong anima (femininespirit).
With their strong need for understanding and discomfort with being alone, twosfare best when in steady relationships or marriages. They are likely to chooseas a spouse someone quiet, reserved, and supportive, who is clean and orderlyaround the home. In romance, details pertaining to both partner and environmentare very important. For a two, such things as small flaws in a partner's body, acluttered kitchen sink, or a dripping tap can ruin the pleasure of the moment.
Twos have a strong penchant for critical speech, which psychologically andphysically makes them prone to sore throats, tonsillitis, and thyroidconditions. The number two is related to the brain and nervous system, and withtheir sensitivity to conflict and strife twos can be susceptible to nervousdisorders.
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The Number Two Birthpath Number
Like people with the number two name number, those with the two birthpath areoften born into families where a parent or parents are inclined to pettiness andnegative criticism. The number two child is rarely complimented or givenpositive reinforcement for his or her efforts or accomplishments, but is moreoften reminded that whatever has been achieved isn't good enough. Such anenvironment can serve to undermine the two's self-confidence and ability to copewith criticism later in life. As a result, a two may find it hard to make adecision out of fear of being wrong.
Often, those with a two birthpath number are targets of unwarranted criticismand gossip, especially in adolescence and the early years of adulthood. It isimportant for twos to learn not to respond negatively to these attacks, butrather to shed themselves of judgmental and critical attitudes in themselves.
Twos are natural diplomats who are able to achieve their goals through gentlepersuasion and tact rather than force. More often than not, they are found inthe middle ranks of their chosen careers. When a two does reach a position ofleadership, it is always through diplomacy, influence, and finesse. They are attheir best when working with a team rather than in solitude, and are expert atuniting divergent groups or people in a cooperative effort. Often, twos are theones doing the real work behind the scenes for those who publicly receive theglory. When balanced, twos are calm, patient, and poised, always willing toconsider varying points of view, expert at intuitively evaluating people andsituations and making fair and accurate judgments. In their negative modes, twoscan become caught up in trivial details, use distorted logic, and becomestubborn, unyielding, and intolerant.
Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio tend to be prominent in the natal horoscopes of peoplewho have the number two birthpath.
CHAPTER 3
CREATIVITY: SELF-EXPRESSION
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The Number Three Name Number
Three is the number of creativity, beauty, joy, and self-expression. Threes workin the realm of the creative imagination; as a result, they can be prone tovivid elaboration and exaggeration in conversation, having little time orpatience for the prosaic and mundane. They are blessed with optimisticdispositions and are generally cheerful and highly sociable. Threes valuefriendship and are good and loyal friends. They are particularly comfortablewith potential lovers and, being perpetual romantics, are often involved inadventurous affairs.
Threes embrace the good life and all it has to offer. They enjoy luxury andlavish surroundings. If they give luxury, ease, and self-indulgence priorityover creative expression, they can become shallow, egocentric, contrived, andsuperficial. Gifted with natural eloquence and wit, threes can be highlyentertaining, informative, and fascinating. Their lives are a maze of colorfuland intriguing experiences, making them marvelous raconteurs. They also tend tohave lovely voices. When negative, they can talk too much while saying verylittle, be scattered and undisciplined, oversexed, confused by emotional issues,unable to bring their imaginative ideas to practical fruition, and havedecidedly gaudy taste in dress and decorum.
In romance, emotional harmony is particularly important to them, and they aredeeply affectionate and capable of giving to the point of self-sacrifice. Athree will prefer a spouse or partner who is dedicated, strong, and responsible,someone who will appreciate his enthusiastic and vivid imagination and worldviewwhile complementing him with a sense of practicality and realism.
Threes are quite naturally attracted to careers in the arts, media,entertainment, law, education, social work, travel, and the clergy—any careerthat provides an outlet for their imagination and self-expression. AudreyHepburn, whose full name was Audrey Ralston Hepburn, was a three.
In health matters, the number three is related to the voice and sexual organs,both symbolic of creative functions. When creative functions are blocked, orthere is emotional imbalance and disturbance, sexual guilt, or confusion, theseorgans, along with the kidneys, are prone to ailments. Threes have strongintuitive and psychic abilities and can be inspired in speech and art, but inorder for them to receive and channel these impulses it is important that sexualguilt be overcome.
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The Number Three Birthpath Number
Where the number one birthpath number represents aggressive male or yang energy(the primal assertion of the self), and the number two female or yin energy(that which is intuitive and nurturing), the number three is the product of theunion of these two and represents the form and function of creative self-expression.In archetypal terms it is the number of the word spoken, the avatar,the manifestation of creative consciousness and bringer of the universalmessage. When threes are in balance and harmony, the manifestation of theircreative abilities and the opportunities to express them flow naturally.However, threes are often born into families in which their creative gifts aremet with considerable resistance, repression, hostility, or indifference—theobstacles that threes must overcome.
Sexuality—libido—is an intrinsic aspect of the creative force. The same creativeenergy that is expressed in the physical act of sexual intercourse is channeledinto other forms of creative expression. Feelings of sexual guilt, shame, orembarrassment that can come as a result of early childhood experiences andrepression can leave a subconscious scar that inhibits the creative process inlater life. Threes so afflicted may be prone to self-sabotage in their creativeendeavors, scattering their energies by starting several projects at once andfailing to complete or excel in any of them, or prematurely terminating aproject in midstream. It is of absolute necessity that threes recognize and cometo terms with this internal conflict. Once the struggle is won, life can beglorious for a three. At their very best, they are inspired, imaginative, andable to plumb the deepest recesses of emotion, intuition, and collectiveconsciousness. They make excellent hosts, and benefit greatly from the companyof other creative seekers and doers. However, they must always be careful thatthey do not waste their innate talents in self-indulgence, luxury, and faciledilettantism or pretentiousness.
When three appears as the birthpath number, Libra or Sagittarius is oftenprominent in the natal horoscope.
CHAPTER 4
WORK: DISCIPLINE
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The Number Four Name Number
A person with the number four name number is characteristically loyal, honest,dedicated, and hard working. They are reliable, steady, and methodical, andstrive to build solid foundations in their homes, businesses, and communities.Preferring work to socializing, they do not give themselves over easily tolife's pleasures. They can be rigid and fixed in their attitudes and habits, andthus risk confining themselves to a narrow rut. The early childhood of a fouroften takes place in an environment in which there is an overemphasis on hardwork. Fours can be inclined to be tight with their money and possessions and tosee hardship where none actually exists.
Fours are generally conservative. Hard work, thrift, prudence, and orderlinessare the virtues they most admire and adhere to, and they are often intolerant,resentful, or even hostile toward people whom they perceive as not pulling theirown weight or not willing to earn their own way in life. Fours take pride intheir work, and their self-image is based upon their accomplishments, property,and social standing. Imagination is not a great strength or resource. They likeroutine and get ahead in life on practicality, organization, technical skill,and industriousness. They are not inclined to take risks that might in any wayjeopardize their solid sense of security.
If fours feel confined or boxed in, they are usually the people responsible forthat condition. However, when harshly restricted by circumstance, they are notshy about giving voice to their discontent. Their resentment builds slowly andthen explodes. When they are unhappy with their work or its rewards, or feelthat the work is beneath their dignity, those around them will suffer, and fourscan become extremely resentful toward those who seem to be getting more thanthey deserve.