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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

THE KABALA
OF NUMBERS
A HANDBOOK OF
INTERPRETATION

BY

SEPHARIAL
MANUAL OF OCCULTISM,"
AUTHOR OF "A
" PROGNOSTIC ASTRONOMY,"
ASTROLOGY,"
"KABALISTIC
"NEW
MANUAL OF ASTROLOGY," ETC. ETC.

WILLIAM
164

RIDER AND SON, LIMITED
ALDERSGATE

ST.,
1911

LONDON,

E.C.

CONTENTS
PAGE

CHAP.

.

.

INTRODUCTION

.

5

I. THE POWER OF NUMBERS
II.

17

GEOMETRICAL RELATIONS OF THOUGHT

III. NUMEROLOGY

.

.

25

.

.

38

IV. VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM
V. NUMBER, FORM,
VI. NAMES,

S

COLOUR, SOUND

.

.

74

.

VIII. REDUCTION TO LAW.

.

83

.

IX. NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM
X. THOUGHT-READING

.

.

.

.

.

XIII. THE KABALISM OF CYCLES

"94

102

BY NUMBERS

XI. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS
XII. OF THINGS LOST

54
62

NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS

VII. CHANCE EVENTS

1

111
120

129

.

XIV. SUCCESS AND FAILURE

.

.

.

138

XV. THE LAW OF VALUES

.

*

.

143

XVI. GOD GEOMETRISES

.

.

Vii

162

THE

KABALA OF NUMBERS
INTRODUCTION
THE science of numbers is of remotest antiquity.
Among the Aryans and Greeks, the Assyrians and
Egyptians, we find indications of a development
which gave to numbers their real significance and
employed them in a system of symbolism which
had respect to something more than mere enumeration.
While it is true that a figure is a symbol denoting a quantity, it is also a fact that a quantity
thus symbolised may denote much more than a mere
number, as we may learn from chemical analysis,
where two bodies consisting of an equal number
of atoms of the same elements are of an entirely
different chemical nature. This is the case as
between phenylisocyanide and benzonitrile. But
here we have a difference in the arrangement of
the atoms, the single atom of nitrogen being active
in the one and passive in the other molecule. The
position serves, however, for a general thesis which
regards all bodies as compounded of elementa drawn
1

2

THE KABALA

OF NUMBERS

from a single base, their specific differences being
due to the domination of one over another element
in them. The astrologers affirm that individual
character answers to a similar analysis, for whereas all men are constituted from the same cosmic
forces, one has more of Saturn in him than others,
being born under the dominance of that planet,
while another has more of the nature of Mars, on
account of its ascendancy or elevation at his
birth, corresponding differences of character being
observable in them, the one being ponderous,
melancholic and taciturn, the other energetic,
enterprising and demonstrative. Man, in fine, is
a modification of cosmic elements, a composite of
cosmic forces, like any other body. But also
something more. Behind the coloured glass there
The intelligence striking
is always the light.
through the composite of personal organisation
reveals itself as character.
Similarly, behind the cosmos there is an Intelligence which manifests to us through cosmic elements as Nature. God geometrises, and in Nature
we have the geometrical expression of the Divine
Intelligence. Crystallisation takes place according
to definite laws. All the superior metals crystallise
at the angle or complemental angle of a regular
polygon, which may be inscribed in a circle; and
these angles are those which are indicated by the
astral science as operative. Water, which the
ancients referred to in a mystical sense as the
mother of all things, their material base, crystallises
at an angle of 60 degrees. The universe is but the

INTRODUCTION

3

crystallised ideation of God; it is a divine thoughtform. It is by the study of numbers, therefore,
that we may learn the laws of divine expression,
from the constitution of the universe down to the
most trivial occurrence in its evolutional progress.
What we call an event is but a displacement and
rearrangement of the parts of our sphere of reality.
Changes taking place in the cosmos are accompanied by changes in all its constituents, and these
changes may converge to a cataclysm. They may
also produce a shower of rain, an epidemic, or a
rise of a penny per cental in the price of wheat.
Admitting man's relations to the cosmos, and it
would be difficult to deny them, there is really no
end to the concatenation of effects which may arise
from any single cosmic disposition, as, for instance,
So
8
, when our earth lies in the diameter of the
Martian sphere of influence.
In the study of numbers, therefore, we are not
concerned with figureology, or mere symbolism,
but with quantities and geometrical relations. This
study has its principles, its alphabet, its language
and terminology, and its signification. In the course
of these pages I shall endeavour to show that there
is a signification attaching to numbers which for
lack of a better term I must call occult ; for although
it would be a comparatively easy matter to trace a
relationship existing between man and the universe,
it would be by an argument of a mystical nature
only that any connection between numbers and
events could be traced. Yet, if I show that this
connection exists, there will be at least sufficient

4

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

ground on which to establish such an argument,
from which, possibly, might arise a deeper understanding and wider appreciation of that ancient
key to the mysteries of the universe which was
rediscovered and partially formulated by Baron
Swedenborg in the Doctrine of Correspondences.
In this doctrine, Matter is the ultimate expression
of Spirit, as Form is that of Force. Therefore, for
every spiritual Force there is a corresponding
material Form. The whole of Nature thus becomes
an expression of the underlying spiritual world, and
its physiognomy is to us the chiefest source of inspiration. The laws governing this expression are
ttaceable only in terms of numbers, i.e. of geometrical ratios. The moral sense is only a subconscious recognition of the integrity and harmony
of natural laws, a reflex of the greater environment.
There is an analogy between the laws of Matter
and those of Mind. They may arise from a common
cause. The science of numbers is the key to both.

CHAPTER I
THE POWER OF NUMBERS
FIGURES are the means employed by us to express
definite quantities. They do not express anything
of quality. Thus, if we say 2 eggs and 2 eggs
make 4 eggs, we leave out of consideration the fact
that one or more of them may be bad. From this
we learn that 2, or any other number, is potentially
good or evil, its quantity being unaffected.
Every number has a certain power which is not
expressed by the figure or symbol employed to
denote quantity only. This power rests in an occult
connection existing between the relations of things
and the principles in nature of which they are the
expressions.
Revelation first took a demonstrable form when
man evolved the numerical sequence 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89,
by whatever symbols it was expressed.
In this series0 stands for infinity, the Infinite boundless Being,
the fons et origo of all things, the Brahmanda or egg
of the universe, the solar system in its entirety;
hence universality, cosmopolitanism, circumambulation, voyaging. But also for negation, circum-

6

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

ference, limitation, and privation. Thus it is the
universal paradox, the infinitely great and the
infinitely small, the circle of infinity and the point
at the centre, the atom.
1 symbolises manifestation, assertion, the positive
and active principle. It stands for the Logos, the
manifestation of the Infinite and Unmanifest. It
represents the ego, self-assertion, positivism, egotism, separateness, selfhood, isolation, distinction,
self-reliance, dignity, and rulership. In a religious
sense, it symbolises the Lord. In a philosophical
and scientific sense, the synthesis and fundamental
unity of things. In a material sense, the unit of
life, the individual. It is the 0 made manifest. It
is the symbol of the Sun.
2. The number of antithesis; also of witness
and confirmation. The binomial, as plus and minus,
active and passive, male and female, positive and
negative, profit and loss, etc. It stands for the
dualism of manifested life--God and Nature, Spirit
and Matter, and their relationships. It denotes
agreement, also separation, the law of alternation,
subject and object, reflection. As uniting in itself
opposite terms or principles, it denotes creation,
production, fruition, combination. Primarily the
two conditions, the manifest and the unmanifest,
the explicit and the implicit. The symbol of the
Moon.
3. The trilogy; the trinity of life, substance,
and intelligence, of force, matter, and consciousness. Creation, preservation, and resolution. The
family-father, mother, and child. The three di-

THE POWER OF NUMBERS

7

niensions. The three postulates-the thinker, the
thought, and the thing. Duality reflected in consciousness, as in time and space, making a trinity
of states, as the past, present, and future; therefore, extension of the self; the self-extensive faculty ;
volition ; procedure ; penetration. The symbol of
Mars.
4. The number of reality and concretion. The
material universe. The cube or square. Physical
laws; logic; reason. Appearance, physiognomy,
science.
Cognition by perception, experience,
knowledge.
The cross, segmentation, partition,
order, classification. The swastika, the wheel of
the law, sequence, enumeration. The intellect;
consciousness, as discerning between the spiritual
and material, the noumenal and phenomenal worlds,
represented by the higher and lower triad. Hence
discernment, discretion, relativity. The symbol of
Mercury.
5. Expansion is represented by this number.
Inclusiveness, comprehension, understanding, judgment. Increase, fecundity, propagation. Justice,
reaping, harvesting. Reproduction of self in the
material world, fatherhood, rewards and punishments. The seed-fruit or pomegranate, multiplication. The symbol of Jupiter.
6. The number of co-operation. Marriage, interlacing, a link, connection. Reciprocal action,
counterpoise. The interaction of the spiritual and
material, the mental and the physical in man, the
psyche, psychology, divination, communion, sympathy. Psychism, telepathy, psychometry. Al-

8

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

chemy. Conversion. Concord, harmony, peace,
satisfaction. Goodness, beauty and truth, as tested
by harmony. Attainment, restitution. Intercourse,
reciprocity. Connubiality, the relations of the
sexes. The symbol of Venus.
7. The number of completion. Time and space.
Duration, distance. Old age, decadence, death, or
endurance, stability, immortality. The seven ages,
days of the week, etc. The seven seals, principles
in man, notes and colours. The triad and quaternary ; the perfect man, Adam Kadmon ; the cycle of
evolution; wisdom, perfection, equipoise, balance,
rest. The symbol of Saturn.
8. The number of dissolution. It denotes the
law of cyclic evolution, the breaking back of
the natural to the spiritual. Reaction, revolution,
fracture, rupture, disintegration, segregation, decomposition, anarchism. Lesion, separation, divorce.
Inspiration following respiration, afflatus, genius,
invention. Deflection, eccentricity, waywardness,
aberration, madness. The symbol of Uranus.
9. The number of regeneration. A new birth.
Spirituality, sense-extension, premonition, going
forth, voyaging. Telesthesia, dreaming, clairvoyance, clairaudience. 'leformation, nebulosity, pulsation, rhythm; reaching out, extension, publication;
archery, prediction, revelation; a thought-wave,
apparition, wraith, mist, cloud, obscurity, exile,
mystery. The symbol of Neptune.
These are some of the links in the almost endless
chain of associated ideas centring about the nine
digits and the cipher. In some systems of interpre-

THE POWER OF NUMBERS

9

tation, the cypher is put last, so that the first and
last are brought together to form 10, the perfect
number in the decimal system ; but in the Hebrew
scheme, the number 12 has that distinction, being
the product of 3 into 4, as 7, another sacred number,
is their sum. The foregoing interpretation of the
numbers is applied to the unit value of any number,
as 731 = 11 =2, in which 2 is the unit value. Thus, all
numbers have final reference to one of the nine digits.
The following Minor Key to the interpretation of
numbers may prove useful, being in many respects
more concise and easier of application than the
foregoing :-In this system1. Denotes individuality and possible egotism,
self-reliance, affirmation, distinction.
2. Relationship, psychic attraction, emotion, sympathy or antipathy, doubt, vacillation.
3. Expansion, increase, intellectual capacity,
riches and success.
4. Realisation, property, possession, credit and
position, materiality.
5. Reason, logic, ethics, travelling, commerce,
utility.
6. Co-operation, marriage, reciprocity, sympathy,
play, art, music, dancing.
7. Equilibrium, contracts, agreements, treaties,
bargains, harmony or discord.
8. Reconstruction, death, negation, decay, loss,
extinction, going out.
9. Penetration, strife, energy, enterprise, dividing,
anger, keenness.

10

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

In this scheme the answering planets are respectively1.

The Sun.

2. The Moon (New).

3. Jupiter.
4. The Earth or Sun.
5. Mercury.

6.
7.
8.
9.

Venus.
The Moon (Full).
Saturn.
Mars.

Although in the Hebraic system the number 12,
as already stated, appears to have stood for perfection, the earliest enumeration would seem to
have been made from Chaldean sources, which is
distinctly decimal. Thus, we have1

2

3

4
1T

5
017

6

7

8

9

70

80

90

I
10

20

30

40

50

60
o

y

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

3,

i

I

1

Y

thousands being indicated by a dot over any of
these numeral letters. Here it is clearly seen that
the notation of numbers did not have any other than
the decimal basis.
The Greeks, according to Liddell and Scott,
employed the following system of enumeration:la

10

loop

23

3
e
8,r
4S
7"
6y
60- 700 807r
30X 40A 5y
2000r 300r 400v 5000S600 700i 800
X

20K

90
90-

A stroke to the right, above, raised the power of a

THE POWER OF NUMBERS

11

unit by 100; and one to the left, below, raised it by
1000. Thus e= 5, e'.=500, ,e= 5000.
The vau -=6, and samech = 60, of the Hebrew are
not represented, nor is the final 7 900.
By a slight variation from the above scheme,
but by a method consistent in itself, the following
kabalism has been developed from the Apocalypse' :--

=

'0 NLKWV
'Ewroa-rTgwy
'Irou9

:ravpos

2

'Hop ;v
'E-rLOLJ/Lia
2
1

7retp"1pa

AIcpaa-La

1000
The Conqueror
Intuitively Wise - 999
The Higher Mind = 888
The Cross
- 777
The Lower Mind - 666
= 555
Desire
- 444
Serpent Coil
a 333
Sensuality

These are the seven principles of the human
being, and represent the stages of his evolution
from the animal to the divine.
The principles corresponding to them in the
esoteric philosophy of the East areThe Conqueror
Intuitive Wisdom .
The Higher Mind .
The Cross
.
The Lower Mind
Desire

.

.

Serpent Coil .
Sensuality
.

.

.

Atma.

.

.

Buddhi.

.
.
.

.
.
.

Buddhi-Manas.
Antaskarana.
Kama-Manas.

.

.

Kama.

.

.

Lingam.

.

.

Sthula.

1 The Apocalypse Unsealed, by James M. Pryse.

12

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

The use of glyphs in the form of literal numbers,
for the purpose of veiling certain revelations or
teachings not intended for general readers, is a
feature peculiar to all Oriental systems. The
Hindus have such glyphs, and they also make use
of numbers to veil their knowledge. Thus, we have
what are called Mantrams used as invocations in
the ordinary way, but understood by the instructed
to cover choice secrets of natural or spiritual knowledge. The Acharyavagabhedya mnemonic gives
the number of days expired from the beginning
of the Kali Yuga to the beginning of the reformation under Sri S'ankaracharya, namely, 1,434,160,
which, being reduced to years, gives K. Y. 3927.
But, as the Kali Yuga began in 3102 B.C. (February),
we derive the year A.D. 825. The great philosopher
was therefore twenty years of age, having been born
on the 8th April (0. S.) 805 A.D.
The value of 7r, which expresses the relations of
the circumference to the diameter of a circle, was
concealed in the great cycle known as the Age of
Brahma, 311,040,000,000,000 years. This age is
one hundred years of Brahma, and a Brahmic year
This
is therefore 3,110,400,000,000 solar years.
number, divided successively by the days of a year
=365, the Indian hours (ghatikas) in a day =60,
and the minutes (vighatikas) in an hour =60,
yields the value 314159, etc., which is the familiar

355

value of 7r or 3

113

1 Light of Truth (Siddhanta Dipika), July 1910, et seq.
by V. V. Rmanan, Madras.

Edited

THE POWER OF NUMBERS

13

Similarly, the Hebrews expressed this value in
the name of the seven male-female creative powers,
Elohim (trans. God), thusNa = 1=
S1 =30=
,h = 5=
i = 1=
m=40=

1
3
5
1
4

Value,

14

t

These 14 correspond to the seven Prajapatis and
their S'aktis, the positive and negative, active and
passive, principles in the Oriental cosmogony.
These figures being disposed at the angles of a
pentagram, the symbol of the Grand Man, the
Adam Kadmon of the Kabalists, are found to read
31415,

3

5

4

14

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

and they express the following geometrical and
cosmogonical concept :-

A kabala, as embodying any secret information (Heb. np), may assume a variety of formsliteral, numerical, or hieroglyphic; but as we
are now concerned chiefly with the nature
and power of numbers, it will be advisable to
confine ourselves to these, their connection with
the literal form, and the uses to which they may
be applied. In this connection we shall have
to make use of a symbolism which has relation
to the planetary system. It will be well, therefore, in this place to give. the planetary numbers
as revealed by John Haydon in his Holy

Guide :The number of the Sun is
,,
,,

1 positive.
4 negative.

THE POWER OF NUMBERS

15

The number of the Moon is 7 positive.
,,,
2 negative.
That of Saturn is
8
3
That of Jupiter is
9
That of Mars is
6
That of Venus is
That of Mercury is
5
It will be seen that an extension of these numbers
according to their cosmic order yields the glyph of
the divine number 15, which, as expressing the
name rr Jah, the Hebrews replace in their enumeration by it, i.e. 9 and 6. Thus, we have the signs
of the zodiac and the planets ruling them, with their
numerical values-

8

3

9

65

2

4

7

1

2

5

6

9

3

8

Then the sum of the five planetary numbers,
plus half the value of Sun and Moon together
=positive 35, and negative 34. The sum of these
is 69=15, and +35-34=1. Hence the saying:
"Jehovah elohanu, Jehovah achad," has reference
to this one source of all creations, for achad =1814
=14, the Bi-septenary of Powers employed in the
creation.
It will be necessary for the reader to bear in
mind the numerical values of the planets, and also
the days of the week ruled by them :-

16

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday

ruled by 0 Sun.
,,
D Moon.
.

,,

& Mars.

Wednesday
Thursday

,,
,,

0 Mercury.
2~Jupiter.

Friday

,,

9 Venus.

Saturday

,,

Tz Saturn.

In the course of this study of the Kabala of
Numbers we shall have frequent occasion to refer
to these values.
The values given by Haydon appear to be without any or due foundation, and those who have
used these planetary numbers have hitherto offered
no reason for attaching particular values to the
several planets.
In the course of the following exposition I have
supplied this deficiency and have given the
paradigm from which Haydon derived his values,
which are traditional among the Kabalists.
It may be well to note that, among the various
alphabetical systems of enumeration, the most
commonly in use is the Hebraic; but that which is
capable of the most universal application is the
phonetic, which is related to the planetary values.

CHAPTER II
GEOMETRICAL RELATIONS OF THOUGHT
BEFORE we can begin to understand how numbers
may have any symbolical meaning or any necessary
significance in our daily life, we must consider the
geometrical relations of our thought.
The unit idea of Being is expressed in the form
of a circle, which is zero, of indefinite dimension,
being either the infinite totality or the sniallest
particle. When we posit Being we include all
within the circumference of our thought and perception. When we posit a being, we place the
point within the circle. We know that that, or
any other of its kind, is the centre of its own circle.
Thus every unit of life has its own universe, its
sphere of influence, and its relations with the things
of its sphere of existence. It is a microcosm, a
centre of cosmic energy, a reflection in time and
space of the One.
If we trace the action or direction of this unit of
life we follow a definite line of thought, or sequence
of events, involved in its progress. The point has
been put in motion, has been given a direction;
the point generates the line,

17

2

18

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

What we at first conceive to be a straight line
of definite direction we soon perceive to be a curve,
the directing force being outside of the life-sphere
of that unit.
We discern that it has an orbit, and is responding
to a gravitational ptll. So that what was generated
within the circle answers to the circle.
Further, we see that none of these units pursues
a perfect or circular orbit, but that its course is
marked by a certain eccentricity which entails that
at certain stages of its career it wanders further
from its gravitational centre than at others, and
then we observe that its progress is slower.
Also, we observe that none of them keeps to a
uniform plane, but shows a certain inclination or
list of its own-sometimes being above and again
below the normal plane. Moreover, it is seen to
have an obliquity or deviation from the upright,
and an oscillation on its own line of obliquity. It
is, in fact, an average human being or a planet, as
you please. It is a little world in itself, a microcosm.
Now get back to the point, which is merely
position. The point is put in direct motion and
the line is generated. This line, when put in direct
motion, generates the superficies ; and this, again,
the solid. Given a line in motion, we may derive
the circle or the square, the symbol of the Spirit or
that of Matter. From the motion of the circle we
may derive the cylinder or pillar, and. the sphere.
But if one limb or semicircle remains fixed, its
complement will by its motion describe an ellipse,

GEOMETRICAL RELATIONS OF THOUGHT 19
and at two points lying in the same plane the
centre of the circle will coincide with the foci.
Beyond these three motions we cannot proceed.
It is similar in the case of the square, and its resultant cube, cylinder, and cone.

Therefore our thought, which is three-dimensional, is capable of generating from the evolutions
of a point these figures-the .sphere, the cone, and
the cube; and their superficial equivalents-the
circle, the triangle, and the square ; with their
perverts-the oblong and the ellipse. These figures
have always been used in symbolical thought to
represent states of consciousness. But we are only
concerned with them as related to the numbers
1, 3, 4, which denote God, Humanity, and NatureOsiris, Horus, Isis. For we answer to the universal paradigm of the One Being, compounded of
spirit, soul, and body.
Therefore we consent in our very being to this
necessary geometrical relation of thought, and since
all geometrical relations are expressions of numerical
ratios, we give natural assent to the power of
numbers on which, in the Pythagorean concept,
the universe is founded. That this is truth the
great Kepler has demonstrated, and also Newton.
When, therefore, we ascribe certain qualities or
properties to a number, it is on account of a particular connotation or association of ideas impressed
upon us by reference to universal standards, principles, and laws. Thus, the circle, with its centre,
represents to us the sun; and by correspondence of
the natural with the spiritual, it also conveys the

20

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

idea of the Deity. For, as all bodies within the
system are illumined and warmed by the rays of
the sun, which is their gravitational centre, so
all souls are enlightened and quickened by the
wisdom and love of God, who is their universal
attractor. And as there is but one Sun who is
supreme in the system, so there is but one God
who is the universal Lord. It answers to the
number 1.
So the triangle represents to us and connotes
the idea of humanity, in its threefold aspect of
spirit, soul, and body , its three-dimensional world
of relativity and thought, and its threefold concept
of time. It answers to the number 3.
The cross represents matter, but the cross is
only the cube unfolded. Its number is 4.
What we have said of certain numbers we hold
to be true onl b reason of the correspondence
existing between the higher and lower worlds, the
sphere of causes and that of effects, the noumenal
and phenomenal worlds. Not that numbers have
any qualities or virtues of their own, but that they
acquire such by reason of their quantitive relations
to the causative world, which is the world of
thought. A number is a seal or impress of natural
law as surely as is the shape of a flower, the sound
of an atmospheric vibration, the colour of an etheric
wave. The orbit of a planet has relation to its
mass, bulk, and velocity ; and similarly the significance of a number answers to definite archetypal
or noumenal relations,
By all of which we mean no more than this : that

by

GEOMETRICAL RELATIONS OF THOUGHT 21
there is a system of interpretation in numerology
which is supported by experience, but has its origin
beyond the realm of the phenomenal world. If no
such system existed, it would be impossible to prove
the geometrical relations of thought. But this is
done daily by those who make use of numbers for
purposes of divination.
Divination may be regarded as both a science and
an art. It assumes the properties of a science when
there is a conscious process of discrimination, calculation, and interpretation involved. It may be
called an art when it is conducted by subconscious
and automatic means. This distinction is necessarily only a crude one, and open to many objections. I think I am right in saying that the activity
of what we call the subconscious mind, in.contradistinction to the attentive mind, and the related
functioning of the automatic faculty, are facts admitted by science. But, however that may be, it
is nevertheless a fact that there is a certain submerged area of the mind-sphere which is linked up
with the World-Soul and is capable of automatically
reflecting the things contained in the memoria
mundi. This we see in the phenomena of psychometry, telepathy, and spontaneous clairvoyance.
I regard astrology as in the nature of a science, as
much so as astronomy, on which it is based, but
inclusive also of the higher chemistry of nature,
which has regard to the properties and reactions of
the celestial bodies. The man who affirms the
solidarity of the solar system and denies interplanetary action is an illogical fool. If he affirms

22

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

interplanetary action and denies the possibility of
planetary influence in human life, without inquiring
whether such is a fact or not, he is a mere impostor.
The whole universe is linked up by such correspondence as is affirmed by astrologers to exist
between the macrocosm and man. I cannot tell you
why the sign Aries is related to the encephalon. I
can only assert it as a fact in nature brought home to
me by repeated experience of the effects of planets in
that sign. We know that there is a force in nature
which. we call the attraction of gravitation. Science
recognises the fact while yet unable to demonstrate
the attraction. What has been hitherto regarded
as a " pull " will later be more successfully demon-

stratedas a "push." Professor HIinton has said: " We
know a great deal about the ilow of things; it is
the Why we do not understand." I totally disagree
with him. We are deplorably ignorant of the first
principles of existence. Our science is a mere record
of observed phenomena and experimentation. It
must always be so while we are ignorant of the
nature of Life itself.
On the other hand, we leave our science behind,
and make appeal to philosophical and religious
the
principles when answering t to Why of existence.
as this it will be convenient
In such circumstance
to regard the whole universe merely as a symbol of
mind. The laws of thought imposed upon us by
nature are as fully satisfied heree
)
o
1

3

4

:
(.,EOMETRICAL RELATIONS OF TTOC

T 23

as by the most complex demonstration of the Principia of Newton or the three laws of Kepler. It is
merely a matter of interpretation if we regard the

universe as a symbol; and what else it, or any part
of it, may be I have not yet di.scovered.
All symbols, i.e. ideographs, are geometrical expressions of thought. So figures are expressions of
numbers, as numbers are of quantitive relations.
When the astronomer affirms that the planets move
in elliptical orbits, he is employing a symbol and
expressing a quantitive relationship. He is not
expressing a fact, for hlie knows that no body could
describe an ellipse about a moving focus and not
be left behind in space. Yet lie affirms the elliptical
orbit and the proper motion of the sun through space
at one and the same time. When affirming the
elliptical orbit, lie finds it convenient to posit a
symbolical or fixed focus in the sun and a kenofocus
in space. The demonstration is elaborate. It
answers to observed phenomena. But so did the
epicycle of Ptolemy. The ancient Chinese formulated a theory of eclipses which was found to be
workable and in line with the events, but they had no
conception of the earth as a spheroid. So, whether
it be epicycle, ellipse, or cyoloidal curve, it is pure
symbolism; an expression of quantitive relationship, not necessarily of fact.
Similarly, when the chemist uses the symbol lUO
or H102 -water, he expresses a quantitive relationship which does not inform us in any way concerning
the process by which nature derives the fluid from
the two gaseous volumes. You are left to discover

24

THE KABALA OF N UMBERS

the nature of oxygen and that of hydrogen, and
whether the compound is mech .anical or chemical.:
In this case it is mechanical, as if one should take
two apples and one orange, and say, " Here is fruit."
If we admit the symbolisn of the astronomer
and that of the chemist, recognising it as an empiricism, we may not be accused of being unreasonable
in asking that ours also may be recognised on the
same grounds.
Whatever science we may study we shall find
that it has its own terminology, its symbolism, and
its empirical methods. Mathematics, as the basis
of all science, is itself a universal symbolism, a
language into which all knowledge is eventually
rendered communieabl)e. The key
translated and rend
to all knowledge is in the science of numbers.

CHAPTER 111
NUMEROLOGY
HAVRIxo cleared the ground by a,
general consideration of the principles involved in the science of
numerology, we may now proceed to an exposition
of the subject both from a traditional and empirical
point of view. I trust I have made it clear tihat no
claim is made for any occult power or mystic virtue
inhering in numbers as such. If they )possess
any
such power, it is solely by reason of associated ideas
in the human mind. I regard numbers only in the
light of symbols, and in this light I conceive it
quite possible, nay, even probable, that the higher
Intelligences who guide the destinies of mankind
may employ them as an universal language in order
to signal to our minds something concerning the
trend of things which is essential to our welfare. If
minds may be instructed by visions, dreams, and
oracles, they may also, and more generally, be so
by means of the mute language-I might say indeed
the mute eloquence-of numbers. If. as Pythagoras
said; .'The world is built upon the power of
numbers," then numbers must be the key to the
understanding of the world. That many remarkable
25

26

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

prophecies have been, and can be, made by means
of numbers is certain, and both Nostradamus and
'Ab6 Goachinl made use of them for this purpose.
It was the recognition of the numerical value of
letters that caused a change of name whenever a
change of vocation or destiny was intended. The
change of Abram's name to Abraham, that of Jacob
to Israel, and similar occurrences recorded in the
Hebrew Scriptures, have a definite pointing in this

direction.
Some systems proceed by literal values, i.e.
the numerical power of letters, and others by the
sound or phonetic values. I may give an instance
of the two methods for the purpose of distinction :N
5
B
2

a

1
u
6

p o
8 6
o n
6 5

1
3
a
1

e
1
p
8

o

n

5
a
1

r
2

o
=36=9, Mars.
1
t e
ars.
4 1= 36 = 9,

Total, 36 +36=72=9, Mars.
Here the phonetic value of the letters of both
Christian and surnames amounts to a unit value of
9, which is the number of Mars, of fire, and the
sword, of incision, direction, force, violence, and
strife. It is a nae that is " painted red all over."

The key used is that of Hlaydon.
The literal
values for the
= 10 = 1,
Sun;
according to
would denote

enumeration, using the Hebraic
same name, yields Napoleone = 361
Buonaparte = 815 =5, Jupiter, which,
the ancient Hebrew interpretation,
dignity, power, egotism, rulership,

NUMEROLOGY

27

increase, and expansion. A highly fortunate combination of names.
At various stages in his remarkable career, he
changed his signature from Napoleone Buonaparte
(the original Corsican form) to Napoleon Btuonaparte,
Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon, and finally N--.
Many interpreters have used, with great success,
the values attached to numbers by the Tarot,'
cspecially the Twenty-two Major Keys, which, as I
have elsewhere shown, represent the three stages
of initiation into the Mysteries, consisting of the
ten, seven, and three steps respectively, and ending
in 21, " The Crown of the Magi," or 22, " The Fool."
In the Tarotic enumeration, in its present form
at least, the Twenty-two Keys are thus briefly
defined :I. The' Magician. Symbol of the Creator, who
produces the universe apparently by the magical
power of thought. The adept.
Symbol of the creative will, volition, desire,
mastery of physical forces.
IL The Priestess. Symbol of the divine Sophia,
creative imagination (allied to the creative will),
Isis or Maya.
Symbolises the Onosis, the creative power,
attraction and repulsion, the law of the sexes,
chemical affinity, imagination.
11L. The Empress. The first product of the
divine will and imagination, Urania.
The Key to the Taot, A. E. Waite. London: Win. Rider
& Son, Ltd.
2 A Manual of Occultim. Win. Rider & Son, Ltd., 1911.

28

THE KABALA OF N UMBERS
Svmbolises

ideation,

production,

expansion,

growth, riches, plenty.
IV. The Cube, or the Emperor.
Rllealisation of the virtues, affirmation and negation, discussion and solution. Happiness by attainment. Materi al effects. The concrete. Establishment, foundation.

V. The Hierophant or Master.

Denotes the

universal law, religion, discipline, precept and
teaching. Liberty, regulation.
VI. The Two Wazs, or the Lovers. Denotes
discrimination, knowledge of good and evil, conscience. Privilege and duty, instinct, sex relations.
VII. The Chariot of Osiris. The knowledge o
the seven principles, magnetic power, intellection,
senation, fulfilment of ambitions.
VIII. Justice. The sword and balance. Donotes r:tribution, judgment, reason, moderation,
temperance, impartiality.
IX. The Hermit or Veiled Lamp. Denotes inpetion classification,
carnation, prudence, iru
selection, science, discovery, carefulness.
X. The Sphinx, or Wheel of Fortune. Cause and
effect, the moral law, periodicity, revolution, circulation.
XI. The Muzzled Lion. Denotes power, force,
determination, conquest, direction of force, determination, mastery, vitality.
XII. The Sacrifice. Spiritual debasement, reversal, overthrow, inversion, madness, depolarisation, loss, undoing.
XIII. Death the Reaper. Change, reaction, dis-

NUMEROLOGY

29

appointment, denial, catalepsy, collapse, ruin and
death.
XIV. The Two Urns. The vital forces, friendship, social obligations, reciprocal affection, chemistry.
XV. Typhon or Satan. Evil, wilfulness, mystery, controversy, fatality, passion, malice, riot and
lawlessness.
XVI. The Stricken Tower. Sudden calamity,
pride of intellect, ostentation, cataclysms, earthquakes, storms, overthrow, accidents.
XVII. The Star. Faith, ass urance, hope, illumination, intuition, birth, success, expectations.
XVIII. The Twilight or Moon. Darkness, doubt,
hesitation, negation, imbecility, lunacy, an adverse
change.
XIX. The Great Light or Sun. Vital energy,
magnetism, joy, happiness, strength, success,
honours, elevation, attainment.
Spiritual awakening,
XX. The Resurrection.
genius, aspiration, activity, new regime, utility,
work, occupation.
XXI. The Crown. Long life, power, adeptship, steadfastness, endurance, position, honours,
distinction, wealth, inheritance.
XXII. Folly. Necessity, privation, egotism, cre-

dulity, error, vanity, blindness, ruin, insanity.
As in the enumeration of name values, it is the
unit value which is finally significant, though the
gross value is of some consideration. It may be
convenient to reduce one or two of the alphabets
to their numerical equivalents. The following are

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

30

the unit values of the letters standing against them

in the two enumerations, viz. :H ebraic.

1-A I Y Q J

Py thagoreav.

I-A K T

-B C K R
3-- L 8
4-D MT

2-B LU
3-C MX
4-D NY

5-E N
6-U VW X

5-E OZ
-- F P J

7--0Z

7-GQV

8-F Ph P H
9-Th Tz

Hi
8-H RF
9-1 S Hu

The phonetic values, which have relation to the
planetary enumeration, are as follows :-

1-A E Y or I (long)
2-B, K, R, PP, G (hard), O (short), Q, X
3-J, G (soft), 8h1, L
4-D, T, M

5-N
6-U, O0, V, W, S

7-Z, 0 (initial)
8---,

Ph, F, H (aspirate), Ch (hard)

9-Th, Tz
Now each of these systems has to be employed
in relation to its own method of interpretation.
The Hebrew method is employed for the kabalistic interpretation of the Scripture as in the Zohar.
It is especially suited to the Tarotic interpretation
by the Twenty-two Major Keys.

The ancient writers veiled their secrets by
employing one of three methods :-

NUMEROLOGY

31

(a) The Temurah, in which the letters of a word
were replaced by others after a definite method.
They first wrote the alphabet in three lines, representing the units, tens, and hundreds., These
lines, each of nine letters, were again divided into
three groups, making nine in all. Any letter
falling in the same group could be interchanged
with another in the same group. Thus9

8

3

2

'

4

3

1

70

90

80

900

800 700

6

5

1

7

T

b

17

60

50

40

30

600

500

400

300 200 100

20

H

10

(b) Girmetria.-This was an arithmetical method
by which each word was replaced by another
having the same numerical value.
(c) Notarion.-Selection was made of certain
letters according to the rules of the art, these letters
being taken from the beginning, middle, or end of
the words in a sentence, so as to produce a single
word from their combination.
Finally, they had a secret writing, which was
based upon the Temurah.
Thus the sentence,
: Let there be light," appears in this
" God said
glyph as follows :-

( 04 q

o

o n:

The Pythagorean al)habet is used in connection
with the interpretation employed in that system.

32

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

In this system, every number up to 50, rising
thence by tens to 100, has a definite signification;
and every succeeding hundred has a separate meanof a
ing. To these original interpretations others
fanciful nature have since been added, as 365=
" astronomy and astrology," no doubt on account of
thle division of the year into 365 days; and 666 =
"enmity, secret plots, maliciousness," because of
its use in the Apocalypse as the number or name
of The Beast, which some took to be the devil
incarnate, while others fitted it to the names of
several illustrious persons in history, imputing to
them an evil character; when infact, as Mr James
Pryse has shown, i m ant no more than the animal
mind-i.e. the natural or lower intelligence of the
average man, called in the Greek 'tH fipv.
The value or signification of the numbers, according to the Pythagorean scheme, is as follows :1. Impulse, passion, ambition.
2. Death, fatality, destruction.
3. Religion, faith, destiny.
4. Solidity, strength, power.
5. Marriage, pleasure, joy.
6. Perfection of work.
7. Rest, happiness, equilibrium.
8.Protection, justice.
9. Grief, anxiety, mnaiming.
10. Reason, success, aspiration.
11. Discord, offence, deceit.
12. A fortunate writing-a town or city.
13. Wickedness, wrong.
14. Sacrifice, loss.

Apocalypse

NUMEROLOGY
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.

Virtue, culture, integrity.
Luxury, sensuality, good-fortune.
Misfortune, disregard, oblivion.
Miserliness, hardness, tyranny.
Foolishness, insanity.
Wisdom, rigour, melancholy.
Mystery, fecundity, production.
Chastisement, penalty, hurt.
Revolt, bigotry, prejudice.
Travelling, exile, inconstancy.
Intelligence, progeny.
Benevolence, charity.
Bravery, heroism, daring.
Gifts, tokens, omens.
News, a chronicle.
Marriage, celebrity, celebration.
Goodness, aspiration, publicity.
Marriage nuptials, consummation.
Gentleness, virtue, grace.
Suffering, retribution, penalties.
Health, peace, competence.
Intuition, genius.
Fidelity, marital joys.
Malice, greed, deformity.
Laudation, honours.
Wedding, feasting, holiday.
Disgrace, scandal, abuse.
Short life, misery.
Worship, religion, sanctuary.
Elevation, kingship, ovation, magnificence.
Progeny, population.
Fecundity, fruitfulness.
3

33

34

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS
47.
48.
49.
50.
60.
70.
80.
90.
100.

200.
300.
400.
500.
600.
700.
800.
900.
1000.

Long life, happiness.
Justice, judgment, a court.
Avarice, cupidity.
Freedom, release, easiness.
Marital bereavement.
Initiation, science, integrity, virtue.
Protection, recovery, convalescence.
Affliction, disfavour, error, blindness.
Divine favour, ministry of angels.
Hesitation, fear, uncertainty.
Philosophy, knowledge, protection.
Long journeys, pilgrimage, exile.
Holiness, sanctity, selection.
Perfection, perfect performance.
Might, dominion, authority.
Conquest, empire, power.
Strife, war, feuds, eruptions.
Mercy, charity, sympathy.

In the calculation of a name the values given
above in the Pythagorean alphabet are set down
in place of the letters. The total is then made,
and the number is dissected by hundreds, tens,
and units.
Thus, by taking out the unit values in the name
of the great Liberal Minister of State, William
Ewart Gladstone, we haveWilliam
= 4922913 =30 =3
Ewart
=
54181= 19 =1
Gladstone = 721491545 = 38 = 2

NUMEROLOGY

35

Then, from the total 312 we derive300 -philosophy, knowledge,
12 =a fortunate writing, a city,
and from the unit value of the sum 312 we get
6 = " Perfection of work," the very characteristic
of the man.
The phonetic alphabet is used in connection with
the planetary significations as given in Chapter I.
I consider these values as altogether the most
reliable and uniformly satisfactory. It should be
observed that only those letters which contribute
to the sounding of the word or name are to be employed. I have already given an instance in the
case of Napoleone Buonaparte, the sum and unit
values of which name = 9, the number of the
sword, strife, etc. Tested by the same code, we

haveGladstone =23146465 =31 = 4
6314 =14 = 5
William =
16124 =14 = 5
Ewart
Sum,

14 = 5

Here the number 5 dominates the characteristic
signature, being inherent in the personal names of
the great statesman, displaced in the family name
and appearing in the sum of the whole appellation.
It denotes reason, logic, ethics, travelling, commerce,
utility.
It will be seen that logic, ethics, and utility are
outside the sphere of party politics, universally

36

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

ascribed to this character, and are dominant in the
enumeration of the name. A glance at his most
successful opponent in the political world will be
of interestBenjamin =2153145= 21 =3
Disraeli = 472131=18=-9
Sum,

12 = 3

Here we have expansion, increase, capacity, riches,
and success repeated in the forename and the sum,
while in the surname 9 contributes that element
of strife, energy, enterprise, and keenness which is
associated with the political career and policy of
this striking and successful personality.
The conjunction of Jupiter = 3 and Mars = 9 in the
name denotes a tendency to extravagance, while it
also contributes an index of tremendous enthusiasm.
In the combination of Mercury = 5 and the Sun = 4
in Gladstone's name, on the other hand, we have a
more careful, orderly, and practical disposition indicated, the predominance of the number 5 giving
logic and rhetoric in a marked degree.
In the name of John Milton we have the Sun and
Moon combined, showing genius, change, travelling,
distinction; but the sum of the name is 8, which
closes the life in tribulation and deprivation.
The illustrious name of William Shakespeare is
compounded of a double Mercury, which confers
reason and logic, and yields the sum of 10 =1, the
Sun, denoting honours, distinction, individuality.
His eminent contemporary, Francis Bacon, Lord

NUMEROLOGY
Verulam and Viscount St Albans,
values-

37
yields the

Francis = 821566 = 28 = 1
Bacon = 21225=12=3

Sum, 4
the numbers showing individuality, distinction,
ambition, riches, increase, expansion, pride, realisation, and materiality ; a fortunate combination in
many respects.
There is another kabala of great interest and
instruction which has respect to the date of birth,
and brings out successive periods of good and evil
fortune in the life, when interpreted by the Tarotic
alphabet from which it is derived ; but this I must
deal with in another chapter.

CHAPTER IV
VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM'
IT has already been shown that the Hebrews,
Aryans, and Greeks had each their methods of
kabalism-that is, of using numbers in place of
letters, and of giving to numbers a specific signiIt will now be my object to illustrate
ficance.
some of the more generally approved methods of
kabalism, so that others may apply their own tests
andgain advantage of personal experience in this

study.
The Hebrew alphabet has special reference to
the Tarot-which is obviously of Semitic origin,
although it has received a more catholic interpretation. The method of applying the Tarot
to the resolution of a person's signature is as
follows :
The values of the letters are set down against a
person's name and multiplied successively by the
number answering to the converse position of the
letter in the name. The Christian and surnames
being thus dealt with, the totals of each name are
extended and added together, to which also the
place of the Sun at his birth is added. The sum of
38

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

39

all is the key number of the name, and this, added
to the year in which the person is born, yields the
sum of the nativity, which, when extended and
added, gives the Tarotic signature of the person.

ThusJohn Milton, 9th December 1608 (0. S.) =19th
December (N. S.). Sun in 9th sign, 28th degree.
J
o
h
n

1+4= 4
7x3=21
8x2=16
5xl1= 5

M 4x6=24
i 1x5= 5
1 3x4=12
t 4x3=12
o 7x2=14
n 5xl= 5

Sign

46

72

9

Degree

28

Then 4+6+7+2+9+2+8=38
1608

Key
Year

1646

Sum

Here the key number, 38=11, answers to the
Tarotic Key called The Muzzled Lion, which
denotes force, determination, mastery, vitality;
while the sum of the nativity, 1646 =17, answers
to The Star of the Magi, denoting hope, illumination, intuition, success. This interpretation is
certainly apposite to the character and work of
the epic poet.
The key number, when thus obtained from the
Sun's position and the enumeration of the name,

40

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

is further applied to the current year in order to
obtain the signature of that year. Thus38
Key number
Year 1674
1712=13

Then 13 is the signature of the year 1674 in regard to
John Milton, native of the 28th degree of Sagittarius.
The 13th Major Key of the Tarot is The Reaping
Skeleton, change, collapse, reaction, death; and in
the year 1674 John Milton died.
Other examples of an equally striking nature
will be found in my Kabalistic Astrology.
Another method of using the Tarot Keys consists
in adding together the year and the age a person
attains in that year, making a sum which answers,
when reduced, to one of the Tarot Keys. Thus,
Napoleon was born in 1769. He became First
Consul for life in 1801, aged 32.
1801 +32 =
1833 = 15, an evil portent. Typhon seated upon
the iron cube in the Inferno.
Emperor in 1804, aged 35. 1804 +35=1839=21.
The Crown =position, power, honour, distinction.
Divorced Josephine in 1809, aged 40. 1809 +40
= 1849 = 22. The Blind Fool = selfishness, vanity,
inconsequence, blindness, detachment, conspicuous
folly, etc.
Defeated at Waterloo, 1815, aged 46. 1815 +46
The Stricken Tower = the descent
- 1861 - 16.
of Typhon, pride of intellect and its consequences,
humbling of the autocrat, overthrow, reversal,
ruin, catastrophe.

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

41

It is not necessary to multiply instances. These
will occur to every reader, and considerable interest
will be found to attach to the calculation and interpretation of the numerical values of personal
instances. It will hardly be necessary to point out
that only great import attaches to the names and
dates of great men. Where one literally gains a
crown under the 21st Key of 'the Tarot, another,
of less ambitious life and smaller powers, should be
well pleased with a commensurate fulfilment such
as a rise in position or some passing honours. The
measure of one's soul in the universe is an equation
not easily solved, and I know of no means outside
of direct revelation-other than astrology which can
aid in that direction. Yet it is well to know in
what sphere of activity the powers may be most
profitably employed, and to this end the Kabalists
have devised a key based upon the square of three,
which is the Table of Saturn or Fulfilment. The
square of 3 is 9, and if we arrange the digits 1 to 9
in such form that they make a magjc square, i.e.
so that it counts to the same total in any direction,
we shall have this figure :4

315

9

2

7

42

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

Here it will be seen that the sum of any three
figures, in any direction, = 15, which number
has already been mentioned as one of the
sacred numbers, as it embodies the name of the
Deity.
These numbers, 1 to 9, are divided into three
groups, namely, the spiritual, the intellectual, and
the material. Thus, the Sun 1, Jupiter 3, and Mars
9, are the spiritual numbers. The Moon 7, Mercury 5, and Venus 6, are the mental numbers;
while Saturn 8, Sun 4, and Moon 2, are the physical
numbers. We have, therefore, a second arrangement of these nine figures, which now stand as
follows :
3

1

9

6

7

5

2

8

4

On the base line we find the vital or solar principle, the astral or lunar, and the principle of mortality involved in their association, represented by
Saturn.
In the middle region we have the emotional
principle of Venus and the intellectual or Mercurial
principle, united as Hermes-Aphrodite, to form the
psychic or soul principle proper to the human being

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

43

in process of evolution, represented by the positive
lunar principle.
In the superior region there are represented the
principles of freedom, that of expansion, and that
of individuality, denoted by Mars, Jupiter, and the
Sun respectively.
The next step is to take the date on which a
person was born, employing always the date at noon
preceding the hour of birth, for this is the true
solar date, being 12 hours behind the secular date.
Thus, 26th June, at 5.40 p.m. = 26th, while 26th
June, at 9.0 a.m.= 25th, the 26th day not being
complete until noon of the 26th. Let us suppose,
for instance, a person born on 26th June at 10 a.m.,
in the year 1899. This gives us the date 25 -6 -99.
The century figures are not employed. From this
we derive the following table :9'

6

5

2
The first point that strikes us is the double 9;
but as this is common to the year, it must not be
taken as specially applicable to the person, but to
the generation. He comes, then, of a stock making
for spiritual enfranchisement, zealous and enthusi-

44

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

astic. Next we observe the 6 as peculiar to the
month of the birth. This gives artistic faculty
and intellection, tending to expression in art. Next
we have the 2 as still more closely related to the
individual. It shows material changes, flexibility,
unstable fortunes, no strong bias, but much sensibility.
Lastly, the number 5 claims our attention, and
this is the number which gives the final and personal
touch to the direction of character and fortunes:
It shows a capable intellect allied (through 6) to the
artistic and ornamental; some accomplishments.
Next we take the sum of the figures 25699 =31
=4, which shows a practical tendency to the whole
character, a disposition to realise.
Finally, we take the combinations represented
by the planets.
Moon (2), conjunction Venus (6).
Mars (9), conjunction Mercury (5).
The first of these shows art, music, poetry; the
social accomplishments; refinement. The other
denotes keenness, alertness, acumen, with some
degree of cupidity, cunning, and opportunism.
Having observed that the sum of the nativity is
4, it will be seen that any date whose figures add
to the unit value of 4 will be fortunate to this
person; while those which have the unit value of
8 will be unfortunate. The key to this effect
being that the Sun (4) is opposed by Saturn (8),
Saturn tending to destroy both D and 0. For,
on the material plane, Saturn (8) is the element of
corruption involved by the relations of the Sun

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

45

(male) and Moon (female) elements of Nature, as
here shown :-

But, in its relation to the higher union of the Sun
(spirit) and Moon (soul), it subserves the purposes
of development and evolution, being, as it were,
the corruptible husk whence spring the spiritual
germ and its envelope or sheath. Wherefore, it is
said: " It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption," which has reference to the soul of
man. For which reason we posit the numerical
analogue0

It will be seen that the planetary numbers are
employed throughout, and also the planetary
interpretations as already set forth. In this
scheme1 stands for individuality, domination, egotism.
2. Flexibility, change, instability, travelling.
3. Expansion, increase, growth, opulence, congestion, riches.

46

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

4. Realisation, materiality, practical results,
pride, ostentation.
5. Intellection, learning, activity, commerce,
language, science.
6. Art, poetry, music, the social accomplishments, affection, love, sympathy.
7. Psychic force, influence, popularity, voyages,
adaptability, versatility, progress.
8. Corruption, disease, death, decay, loss, hurt,
imperfection, obstruction, privation.
9. Freedom, energy, keenness, acumen, zeal,
penetration, fire, fever.
The following synoptical charts will prove of
interest :
Napoleon I.
14/8/69.

Cecil Rhodes.
5/7/52.

6

7

5'

2
Sum, 28 =1.
Conjunctions.
Sun and Mars.
Sun and Saturn.

Sum, 19 =1.
Conjunctions.
Moon and Mercury 2.

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM
Shakespeare.

Milton.

3/5/64.

47

19/12/08.

3

1'

6
4
Sum, 18 =9.

2

8

Sum, 21 =3.

Conjunctions.
Jupiter and Venus.
Mercury and Sun.

Conjunctions.
Sun and Mars.
Moon and Saturn.

The most amusing parallelism, and one that I
think will conjure an answering smile to the lips
of my readers, is to be found in the following :Cagliostro.

Sepharial.
19/3/64.

19/6/43.
3

1

9

4
Sum, 23 =5.
Conjunctions.
Sun and Jupiter.
Sun and Mars.
Venus and Jupiter.

Sum, 23 = 5.
Conjunctions.
Sun and Jupiter.
Sun and Mars.
Venus and Jupiter.

48

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

This clearly shows some constitutional affinity,
and the same may be traced in the famous parallelism
of St Louis of France and King Louis XVI., thusSt Louis.
23/4/1215.

3

Louis XVI.
23/8/1754.

1

3
5

2

4
Sum, 15 = 6.

5
2

8

4

Sum, 22 =4.

Wherein we see that in the chart of St Louis the
Sun is dominant and conjoined with Jupiter, while
in the case of Louis XVI. the superior Sun is in obscuration, and Saturn involved by a conjunction with
the inferior Sun and the Moon. In the one case we
have the Christian saint who was anxious to give up
his throne and become a monk; and in the other an
unfortunate monarch who was deposed and executed,
his son being consigned to prison, where he died.
Now, by the numerical values of the names
Louis IX. and Louis XVI., we obtainLouis IX. = 3619 =19 =1, Sun,
Louis XVI. = 36116 =17 = 8, Saturn,
clearly showing the difference of their fortunes.
Those who would pursue the subject, however, may
find some interest in the remarkable kabala of the

VARIOUS METHODS OF -KABALISM

49

two kings of France set forth in my Manual of
Occultism.
The chart of Oliver Cromwell shows a remarkable
feature. He was born 4/5/1599, or, old style, 25th
April of the same year :9'

5
4
Sum, 27 =9.
Here the zeal, fire, and sword of Mars is most
conspicuous, as it comes twice in the year number
and also in the sum of the nativity ; the conjunctions being Mars and Mercury, Mercury and Sun.
The unfortunate exile, Napoleon III., has a chart
quite in line with his known character and destiny.
He was born on the 20th April 1808, of which the
chart is-

2

8

4

Sum, 14 =5 ; conjunctions, Moon and Saturn,
Sun and Saturn; a fairly rotten basis on which to
effect a restoration.

50

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

It would be possible to adduce an indefinite
number of instances in which the character and
fortunes are clearly denoted. I may here cite an
illustrious example or two before concluding :Queen Victoria, 23/5/19-

9
5
2
Sum, 20 = 2.
In which the conjunctions are: Sun and Jupiter,
Sun and Mars, Mars and Mercury.
Horatio Nelson, 29/9/58-9

5

Sum, 33 =6.
The deprivation of the right eye and right arm
are shown by the conjunction of Moon and Saturn;

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

51

the dominant double Mars, the zeal and fighting
genius of the great admiral ; while Mars and Mercury
conjoined point to his astuteness, acumen, and
alertness of mind. The sum 6 gives that Venusian
touch to the character which is in line with the
best traditions of the naval profession.
It should be carefully observed that the old
style dates must be converted to new style before
dealing with them; and, further, that the astronomical date must be taken in all cases, the observation being that, when the birth took place in the
afternoon, the date is the same as the secular or
civil date; while if it took place in the morning, the
astronomical date will be that of the previous day
in the civil calendar.
Emperor William II. has a characteristic chart27/1/59.

1

9

7

5

2
Sum, 24 =6.
The conjunctions are those of Sun and Mars,
denoting the spiritual zeal and tireless energy of
an enthusiastic nature, with Moon and Mercury,
showing learning, activity, commerce, etc. The

52

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

sum of the nativity gives just that touch of art and
sociability which rounds off the corners of a naturally intense and keen nature.
The chart of the Empire, proclaimed 18th
(morning) of January 1871=17/1/71, is very

remarkable11'

Sum, 17 =8.
Conjunctions, Sun and Moon.
It shows a triple Sun and double Moon, which
surely ought to make it shine ; but the sum of the
chart is unfortunate.
The chart of the Union of Ireland and Great
Britain does not show elements of stability2nd January 1801.
1'

2

VARIOUS METHODS OF KABALISM

53

But, if it was effected in the forenoon, then a double
Sun presides over its destiny, to the greater advantage of the kingdom.
On the whole, I think, it will be seen that the
chart of the Square of Three, when properly dealt
with, is capable of yielding some very striking
results, both in regard to character and fortune.
The Chinese use this chart in their divinations,
and it is, perhaps, the oldest form of which we have
any record.

CHAPTER V
NUMBER, FORM, COLOUR, SOUND
THE system of numerical kabalism I am here un-

folding is linked up with other subjects through an
astrological tradition. Once we admit the possibility that numbers may have an othic or symbolical
value in human affairs, we have to seek for a key
to this relationship.
But, before doing so, it should be made clear what
it is we are affirming. It is this: Numbers have
a signification or symbolical value irrespective of
(a) our recognition of their symbolism, and (b)
what we are led to recognise as natural causation.
Let us look at these two theorems for a moment.
If I posit the formula of the law of permutations
(2" -1) I am putting up a symbol which is intended
to signify or signal something to the mind, as, for
instance, that the possible combinations of any
three principles, sounds, or colours, = 2 x 2 x 2 -1
=-7. You may or may not read the signal, but
that does not in any way alter either the law expressed by the formula or the truth of the expression. I say, therefore, that numbers have a symbolical value irrespective of our recognition of their
54

NUMBER, FORM, COLOUR, SOUND

55

symbolism. I have already affirmed the universe as
a symbol. It exists, and has existed, for immense
ages as a symbol, quite outside of our recognition as
such. We are only now beginning to read its meaning. God 1 has been signalling us from our infancy.
We have been ages learning the code; but we have
it, and now we are engaged in reading the message.
The ancients displayed their knowledge of the
symbolism of nature when, after the Triune Deity,
they placed the seven great powers or archangels.
" The One produced the Three, the Three produced
the seven. These ten are all things."
There is no natural sequence between the number
8 and the things that number signifies to us.
We find it attaching to all that is sinister and unfortunate. It is the chief terminal number, as we
have seen, as it denotes death, decay, ruin, privation,
loss, imperfection, and corruption. The idea is
universal. The eighth division of the heavens is
astrologically held to signify death and loss. The
8th sign of the zodiac is Scorpio, with its associated symbols Serpentarius and Draconis, nocturnal, poisonful, and death-dealing. After the 7th
day of creation or unfoldment, death makes its
appearance in the world. That is to say, after the
universe has attained its fulness of evolution, it
will begin to devolve, as a tree that has put forth
leaf and flower and fruit begins to die down to its
root. In our kabalism also we find this number
in evidence wherever there is maiming, physical or
1 The Lord Creator of our universe, not the inscrutable Absolute
and Unmanifest.

56

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

mental imperfection, as in the case of Nelson, injured in sight and limb ; Milton, blind of both eyes ;
Louis XVI., decapitated; and an unfortunate host
of others. I cite only an instance. If we can trace
this covert agreement between the symbolism of
nature and events of human life, or expressions of
individual character, we may surely affirm that it
exists apart from natural causation, for there is no
causative relation between the occurrence of a
number in a man's name or the date of his birth,
and any event or characteristic we may associate
with such a number.
A number, then, is merely a quantitive relationship, and a figure is that by which we symbolise it.
The human personality is only a symbol by which
a man expresses himself to his fellows. The physical universe is the personality of the universal Soul.
Accepting numbers as symbolical, therefore, we
are led to seek for the key to this relationship. It
exists, and can be traced to the ascriptions of the
ancient astrologers. They affirmed planetary action
in human life, and traced a connection of a symbolical nature between the domination of a particular planet and the repetition of a certain number
in the life of an individual. Had they been the
ignorant instead of the most enlightened of their
time, they would have given to numbers something
more than a symbolical signification. As it was,
they regarded them as part of the system by which
the gods signalled us, and in this light also they
regarded the whole cosmos, the sun, moon, the
planets, comets, and stars, as portents carrying to

NUMBER, FORM, COLOUR, SOUND

57

us not an influence in a natural or causative sense,
but a significance in a symbolical sense. They
learned to interpret the language of nature, and
hence arose their systems of astrology and numerology, which latter they afterwards used to hide their
secrets from the uninitiated. Hence arose kabalism.
In this system they had a conception of the
relations of man to the universe, calling him, in
fact, the microcosm.
They divided the microcosm into four principles,
the imperishable soul which reflected the Trinity of
Deific Powers, the rational soul, the animal soul,
and the gross body. These they related to the
cosmic bodies, conceiving them to be enveloped
by an aura which defined their sphere of action
and maintained their relationship, just as they held
that the solar system was limited by a crystalline
sphere. They placed them in this order :S SOUL
Venus
Mercury

DIVINE

SOUL

RATIONAL

0
Sun
Moon
ANIMAL

SOUL

Mars
MATERIAL

12

BODY

Saturn
The cosmos was thus completed, the surrounding

58

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

and enfolding sphere of Jupiter, which they called
the auric body, being thus represented--

Now, by replacing these cosmic 'symbols with
their corresponding numerical symbols, the basis of
this system of numerology is at once apparent-

3

3

5
4
272+7
88

4-ti

9

NUMBER, FORM, COLOUR, SOUND

59

The total of these figures is 45=15 x 3, the triple
name rr, in the understanding of which we are exhorted to praise.
Having shown the basis of the planetary enumeration, which will better appeal to students of esoteric philosophy than to others, I may now proceed
to a consideration of planetary forms.
Observe, then, that 9 is associated with all sharp,
keen, and pointed things, such as are made of steel
and iron, spears, lances, scalpels, swords, knives,
flints, tongues of flame, etc.
8 is a symbol of involution, and represents all
serpentine and scroll forms, the convolute @ and
double convolute S, the letter s, and all sibilant
sounds, as in hissing.
7 represented by crescent forms, dexter curves,
and horned shapes.
6 is associated with symmetrical and well-formed
bodies, graceful curves and rounded figures, in
which symmetry and balance are the prevailing
feature.
5 is related to sharp but disjointed forms, articulations, links, and jointed bodies.
4 is connected with square bodies, rectangles,
crosses, and horizontal lines.
3 with triangles, tripods, and bodies having three
divisions; also with integumenta, envelopes, and
spheroids, ovals, and bodies capable of expansion
and contraction.
2 is a number associated with sinister curves,
forms having round bases, as bowls, vases, etc.,
parallels and pairs of things, such as pillars, etc.

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

60

1 represents upright columns, monoliths, spheres,
circles, perpendicular lines, and orifices.
The colours associated with the planets, numbers,
and forms, are-9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Red or crimson.
Black or deep brown.
Silver or opalescence.
Pale blue or turquoise.
Indigo or dark blue.
Orange or ruddy gold.
Violet.
Yellow or cream.
White.

The notes or sounds answering to the planetary
and therefore also to the numerical powers, and
their appropriate colours, are as follows :C

D

E

F

G

A

B

4
1

8

5

7
2

9

6

3

Those of my readers who have a faculty for interpretation will do well to consult the 1623 folio of
Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, in which the
key to this " gamouth," or gamut of the spheres,
is set forth to some extent under a glyph of names
and words. I am very certain that Shakespeare
was neither Kabalist nor Rosicrucian, but he employs knowledge of both faculties. The astrologer
will observe that the poet was born with Neptune
in the mid-heaven, a position of no little significance.

NUMBER, FORM, COLOUR, SOUND

61

Some mystics consider that Uranus falls into the
system of numerology by regarding it as the first
of a new gamut, corresponding to the Sun, then
1 +9=10 Uranus, while Neptune, " the superior
Venus," will have to wait realisation until we have
evolved up to 6 + 9=15, which is a deific height to
which, for the moment, we need not aspire, contenting ourselves by "filling up the spaces in
between."

CHAPTER VI
NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS
ONE of the most interesting forms of the kabalism
of numbers is that which relates names to incidents
by means of the numerical value of letters.
To each letter of the alphabet a unit value is
given, the valuation following the Hebrew code,
as already given. These values are then multiplied
by the inverse order of the letters, the products
being finally added together. The unit value of
the sum of these products constitutes the kabalistic key number. This key number being referred
to the Tarot, an interpretation is obtained.
Each of the Tarotic numbers has a fourfold
interpretation, namely, a spiritual, intellectual,
psychic, and physical, the correspondence running
through from the world of principles to that of
causes, thence to the world of effects, terminating
in the world of ultimates, which is the concrete
world of physical phenomena.
The full interpretation of the Twenty-two Major
Keys of the Tarot will be found in my Manual of
Occultism, but I have thought it wise to give a
brief rendering of the keys in these pages, as the
reader is constantly referred to them. The method
62

NAMES,

NUMBERS,

AND INCIDENTS

63

followed in this kabalism will easily be understood
by the following example:Francis Bacon, which is
8215213 21276 =-39.
Francis has 7 letters, therefore the highest multiplier will be 7. Then
7 times 8 = 56
2 12
6
5
1
5
4
5 20
3
2
6
2
1
2
1
3
3
104 =5
Bacon has 5 letters, and the multiplication begins
with that number and falls to unity5 times 2=10
4
1
4
3
2
6
7 14
2
1
5
5
39 =12
The interpretation of the whole name is therefore
as follows :
5. The Hierophant or Master of the Secrets =
universal law, discipline, religion, liberty within
the limits of the law.
12. The Sacrifice =repression, inversion, overthrow, downfall, -the debasement of that which is
superior to the ends of the inferior.
For the sum of the name we have 5 +12 =17,

64

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

The Star of the Magi. This denotes revelation,
knowledge, illumination, success.
" The star " presiding over the destiny indicates
a remarkable birth, a brilliant career, but danger of
untimely dissolution or obscuration.
In connection with this kabala I am glad to be
able to cite an instance of Bacon's mastery of
kabalism which was published in the Associated
Accountants' Journal recently. It employs an
anagram, cryptogram, and a numerical kabala.
In the 1623 folio edition of Love's Labours Lost, Act
iv. Sc. i., occurs the concatenabolic word " honorificabilitudinitatibus," which is found to be the key
word of the anagram : Hi ludi orbi tuiti F. Baconis
nati, which is rendered: These plays entrusted to
the world were created by F. Bacon. The numerical
value of the letters follows the order of the alphabet,
the letters I and J being identical. Then the word
is enumerated thusH ON ORIFICABI

L I TUD I NITATIB

8, 14, 13, 14, 17, 9, 6, 9, 3, 1, 2, 9, 11, 9, 19, 20, 4, 9, 13, 9, 19, 1, 19, 9, 2,

TS

to, 18

The first and last letters in each part of the anagram
are used for the kabala, thus8H
I
9
11 LUD
' I
9
14 ORB
I
9
19 TUIT
I
9
6 F.
2 BACONI S 18
13 NAT
I
9
73
This is the first key.

+

63 =136

NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS

65

The second key is obtained by adding together
the value of all the letters included between the
first and last in each word :
UD
20, 4,

R B U I T
17, 2, 20, 9, 19,

AC O N I AT
1, 3, 14, 13, 9, 1, 19=151

The last key is found in the number of letters in
the word: Honorificabilitudinitatibus, which is 27,
and also in the cryptogram, Hi ludi orbi tuiti F.
Baconis nati, which also is 27.
Reference to the folio under these numbersPage 136
Line
27
Word 151
disregarding all words in parenthesis, brings us to
the remarkable word (honorific., etc.) from which
we set out in this most remarkable kabalistic
enumeration. Bacon was a Rosicrucian, and would
be familiar with the employment of the kabala in
all its forms. Can we say the same of Shakespeare ?
If not, we must conclude on the evidence before us
that a man of immeasurably greater erudition and
faculty set his seal and signature upon his own work
and committed it to the play-actor for production,
casting his bread upon the waters in certain knowledge that it would return to him after many days.
An interesting kabala may be derived from the
use of the following values :A
J
S
1

B
K
T
2

C
L
U
3

D
M
V
4

E
N
W
5

F
O
X
6

G
P
Y
7

H
Q
Z
8

I
R
9
5

66

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

It has been used to show the affinity or connectedness between names used in conjunction, and
those also that are used in substitution or become
welded by association and the force of circumstance. By this code
William = 34 = 7.
Gladstone = 34 =7.

Napoleon =38=2.
Bonaparte
Jack
Flo
Harry

= 38 =. 2.
= 7 for John
=7.
= 7 for Florence =7.
= 7 for Henry =7.

This observation is by " Numerary "=7, whose
Christian names are William=7, and Henry =7.
He gives the following instance of associated
names :Crippen = 9.

Le Neve = 9.

As casual observations they are useful and interesting, but the code does not lend itself to a symbolical interpretation. The Hebrew code in connection with the Tarot, and the planetary code in
connection with astrology, do, on the other hand,
lend themselves to a very consistent symbolism.
Thus, it has been shown that the name of a warship
has a numerical value which, when reduced within
the limit of the 22 keys or letters of the Hebrew
alphabet, answers to the ascription of the Point of

NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS

67

the Tarot, to which it is directly referred by that
number.
Among American ships there stands out in tragic
relief the ill-fated Maine, =41155 = 16, and Point
16 of the Tarot is The Stricken Tower, the citadel
overthrown, catastrophe, etc.
Among our British vessels there are three which
bear the sinister names of
Serpent =3528554 =32 =5
Viper = 61852 =22
Cobra = 27221=14
Point 22 is Blind Folly, unforeseen danger, error.
Point 14 is The Two Urns. The vessel broken in
two.
The significance of the number 8, which is the
serpentine or reptile number, and its associations
with death and loss, has already been mentioned.
Among vessels whose value is 8 there is the troopship Birkenhead= 2122558514 = 35 = 8.
The Royal George, another ill-fated vessel, has
the value of 12, The Sacrifice, the victim, reversal,
overthrow, etc.
In the Manual of Occultism, I published a kabala
called the "Secret Progression." It is there applied
to the solution of a somewhat complex problem,
which was this :
The number of births which took place in 36 large
towns in Great Britain in a particular week of the
year were given from the published reports of the

68

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

It was required to find the
Registrar-General.
number which would take place in the same towns
in a corresponding week in the ensuing year. This
problem was successfully resolved by the kabala
of the Secret Progression.
This kabala, when perfected, answers four tests,
viz.: the minor additive, the major additive, the
minor differential, and the major differential. The
whole process having been displayed in the instance
cited, I will only, in this place, give an illustration
of the two additive keys. This case concerned a
lottery result submitted to me by a correspondent.
The past five winning numbers in the first thousand
were342, 651, 298, 542, 631,
and I had to find the next.
Minor Additive.
1. 342- 9=-9
-- =3
12
-- 7
2. 651=12=3
=
44
=14
3=7
3. 298 =19=1
4. 542 =11=2
=6
=12
5. 631=10=1= 3=

3=3

_=

6.

?

...

=13

3=3

2

There is a numerical series of 14, 13, 12, which
requires that the number shall be one whose integers
add up to 2, 11, or 20..

NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS

69

Major Additive.
342
= 993=21
651
=43
=77
298= 949=22
840 =12
= 58
542
= 24
=39
631 1173=12
?

3

This yields a number which, added to 631, gives
a sum the integers of which have a unit value of 3.
From these two numerical series 14, 13, 12-77, 58,
39, which show equal intervals, we have obtained
some notion of the constituents of the number required. The Major Additive Key gives us a closer
inspection, but there are yet too many numbers
answering to the requirements of the process. These
are rapidly disposed of by the Differential Methods
(minor and major), and in effect we have the number
497, which answers all the tests. Its integers = 2
as required by the Minor Additive process, thus,
4 +9+7=20=2. When added to 631, the last
winning number, the sum of 1128 =1 +1 +2 +8 =
12=3, as required by the Major Additive. The
number of the winning ticket in the first thousand
of the 6th series was 497.
A correspondent sends me the following case of a
successful divination by this kabala. The figures
are taken from the actual results of a public lottery
held at stated intervals. The numbers used are from
1 to 90, and out of these only one number is drawn.
The previous five winning numbers were 30, 46, 77,
30, and 79. The 6th is required to be known. Then,

70

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

By the Minor Diferential.
30= 3
46=10

77=14
30= 3

4=11= 2

8

11=15= 612
= 24= 6

-13
=16
79=16
=19=10
? 10
The intervals being equal, the number required
will be one whose integers add to 10.
By the Major Diferential.
30
16
7... 7
4616 7
'
11
2
31
4 ... 4
6
8
47 11 ... 2
12
30
6
6
79 49 13 ... 4 10 10 16
?
6 ... 6
The intervals being equal, the number required
is one whose difference of 79 yields a number whose
integers add to 6.
There is no need to proceed further, as there is
only one number fulfilling the requirements of both
tests, viz. 19, whose integers add to 10 and whose
difference of 79 yields 60, whose integers add to 6.
Number 19 was the winning number.
These numerical progressions appear to have been
successfully used by that much-abused initiate who
called himself Count Cagliostrom They have been
found to have a connection with the sequence of
events when derived from a radical epoch. Thus
the House of Brunswick began with George I. in

NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS
1714, which is therefore a radical epoch.
progressionGeorge I. ascends
1+7+1+4

1727
17

Stuart Rebellion
1 +7 +4 +4

1744
16

George III. ascends
1 +7 +6 +0

1760
14

American Rebellion
1+7 +7 +4

1774
19

French Revolution
1 +7 +9 +3

1793
20

The Grand Alliance
Prince George Regent.

Then by

1714
13

George II. ascends
1+7+2+7

71

1813

The fall of Robespierre the Incorruptible, in 1794,
affords an epoch in the history of France. ThusRobespierre fell
1+7 +9 +4

1794
21

Napoleon fell
1+8+1+5

1815
15

Charles X. fell
1 +8 +3 +0

1830
12

1842
Death of Due d'Orleans
(Eldest son of Louis Philippe and
heir to the throne of France.)

72

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

Thus history reveals to us this correlated successiveness or law of numerical sequence which we
find to have representation also in the lives of
individuals. Those who diligently apply themselves
to the study of numerology will continually find
confirmation of this law, which is observed by
nature in cosmic relations, as in the common
expression of Kepler's law, by which we know
that a projectile force varies inversely as the
square of the distance, the application of which
to the solar system gave rise to Bode's law, which
is thus represented:
0

3

6

12

24

48

96

192

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

7

10

16

28

52

100

196

these figures being an approximation to the proportional distance of the planets from the Sun, where
R.V. Earth= 10. The actual figures in these
terms are-

c

9

3*9

7*2

10

15"2

*

2

-

52

T2
h

1T

95-4 191*8

If the planets had no influence on one another,
and their motions were consequently uniform,
then their distances would not display the proportional differences noted.
The whole groundwork of astronomical science
points to the regard which nature has to quantitive
relations--that is to say, to numbers-and con-

NAMES, NUMBERS, AND INCIDENTS

73

sequently the study of numbers, their properties and
combinations, serves to educate the mind to an
anticipation of the greater problems of celestial laws
by the %operation which the universe is what it is
of
and the destiny of man such as we find it, both racial
and individual.
Nothing could be more convincing in regard to
the integrity of Nature and her conservancy of the
established relationships of her components than
the astronomical fact that, in a system of mutual
interaction-where everything is in a condition of
unstable equilibrium-the ratios of the distances
and motions of the planetary bodies remain
undisturbed. Thus, while constantly maintaining
the invariable laws of her constitution, Nature
affords opportunity of change, development and
evolution to every living product.

CHAPTER VII
CHANCE EVENTS
WHEN we speak of a chance event, we really
express our ignorance of the law governing the
occurrence. We do not seriously assume to mean
that Nature has not provided for such event, or
that it had no natural causation. We speak of
coincidences, as when an astrologer makes a
singularly pointed prediction which afterwards
proves to be in line with the facts. But we must
not think that in the use of that word we have
disposed of the scientific possibility of prediction.
We may take comfort in it as did the old lady in
the blessed word " Mesopotamia," but that is all
that it can do for us. The use of the expression
" coincidence " is a scientific statement of a fact.
We assert thereby that the time and circumstance
prescribed in the prophecy coincide with the event
in fulfilment-that the prediction, in short, is true
to time and nature of event.
But many coincidences make a law. If some
apples fell off the trees into space, some obliquely
into our neighbour's garden, and others directly
to the earth, the law of gravity would never have
74

CHANCE EVENTS

75

been discovered. Ages ago things were supposed,
to fall because they were heavier than air, and a
good deal of suffering would have been spared the
pioneers of scientific thought had this belief been
maintained. The fact, however, that all the apples
fell in lines perpendicular to the tangent of the
earth's circumference, i.e. in a straight towards the
earth's centre, and that one of them coincided with
the thinking-box of a scientific man, set the whole
world wondering. The attraction of gravitation had
been discovered. Modern science has said much
which is contrary to the Principia of Newton.
To-day it has stumbled up against certain phenomena
which seem to indicate that, after all, it may not be
the attraction of gravitation that does these things.
The facts do not answer to the theory of attraction.
When it is seen that intermolecular ether is negative
to spatial ether it may be found convenient to look
at the obverse side of the door, and, instead of
reading " pull," the scientist may find " push "
as an answer to his question. In other words,
bodies may be impelled towards the earth by the
" push " of spatial ether, instead of being drawn
to the earth by the " pull " of the earth's mass.
So much, then, for the argument from coincidence.
Suppose that, instead of relegating everything we
do not understand to the domain of chance, we
endeavour to seek a law which shall not only
include the facts but render the prediction of
others of a similar nature possible. I will hazard
a suggestion which may form a working basis for
an intelligible theory of prediction.

76

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

We have already viewed the universe as the
personality or embodiment of a Creative Power.
We have seen that it is a symbol, and that it answers
to a system of physiognomy by which we have
learned something concerning the character of
the Creator whose forces ensoul it. Let us, then,
regard the universe as man. The Rosicrucians
so regarded it, and called it Adam Kadmon; Swedenborg called it the Grand Man, the Macroprosopus.
The astrologers have for many ages related the
encircling zodiac to the zones or divisions of the
human body. Aries they found to correspond to
the head, Taurus to the neck, Gemini to the arms,
and so down to the feet, which correspond to
Pisces. " As above, so below" ; the great is reflected
in the small. The circle of the zodiac has its
mundane relations.
An empiricism continued
through many centuries determined the signs
corresponding to various areas of the earth, to
territories, kingdoms, cities, and towns.
The method employed was that of the scientific
experimentalist. Here is a toxine, let us see what
effect it will have when injected. The experiment
yields certain results, and research is made for an
antidote, something that will neutralise the action
of the poison. Or, a bacteriologist makes a culture
of germs and studies their effects upon animal
bodies. He also experiments on the culture itself
to ascertain what medium favours the development of the germs, and what tends to sterilise the
medium and render it fatal to the development of
the germs. Then, by empirical means, he has two

CHANCE EVENTS

77

great facts before him: (a) that certain germ
cultures produce certain morbid conditions in
animal bodies, and (b) that certain media neutralise
the action of these germs.
The astrologers followed the same method.
They observed the effects following immediately
upon the ingress of the various planets into the
signs of the zodiac, and what happened during
the stay of the planet in each sign. They determined
the specific natures of the planets and their modifications by a careful and patient empiricism. Then
the deductive method was more extensively employed, and, from like causes, like effects were
anticipated. A retrospective calculation gave
them the means of ascertaining the past effects
of planetary positions, while a prospective calculation enabled them to predict what might reasonably be expected from identical causes in the future.
When two clouds are electrified, one becomes
negative to the other, they rush together, and their
impact produces thunder; while the discharge of
electricity produces lightning, as if the terminals
of a battery were brought together. The lightning
flash is only a big spark.
Now, the astrologers had already discovered
that Mars was a positive planet and a heat producer,
while Saturn was a negative planet and a cold
producer. They were naturally curious to observe
what effects would transpire when these planets
were in conjunction, i.e. in the same part of the
heavens as seen from the Earth's centre.
There were two means open to them, one being

78

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

to " wait and see," the other retrospection. By a
combination of the known orbital motions of the
two bodies, they were able to construct a table of
the past conjunctions of these planets through the
entire circle of the zodiac. Astronomy, chronology,
and history conspired to the result, and the effects
of the conjunctions of Mars and Saturn in the
successive signs of the zodiac were predicable in a
general manner for all time. Needless to say
they were of an adverse, and most frequently of a
violent, nature.
There is a conjunction of these planets every
alternate year, the conjunction falling in the next
sign on each occasion; so that in 265 years it performs nine revolutions, and comes nearly to the same
place in the zodiac.
If we trace the conjunction through recent years,
we find a singular uniformity of ill effects attending
upon the countries ruled by the sign of conjunction.
Sagittarius rules Spain and Italy, the opposition
Gemini ruling the United States; Capricorn rules
India, Aquarius rules Russia, Pisces rules Portugal,
Aries rules England, Taurus rules Ireland, Cancer
rules Scotland and Holland, Leo rules France,
according to ancient observations. Let us trace
some recent events :1897. November, Mars and Saturn conjoined in
Sagittarius.
Hispano-American War, 1898.
1899. December, conjunction in the same sign.
King Humbert of Italy assassinated, 1900.

CHANCE EVENTS

79

1901. December, conjunction in Capricorn.
Bande-Mataram Agitation, 1902.
1903. December, conjunction in Aquarius.
Russo-Japanese War, 1904.
1905. December, again in Aquarius.
Russian Revolt, 1906.
" Red Sunday," 1906.
1907. December, conjunction in Pisces.
Assassination of King and Crown Prince
of Portugal, 1908; Followed by Revolution.
1909. December, conjunction in Aries.
Death of King Edward VII., 1910.
Democratic Ascendancy, 1910.
1911. August, conjunction in Taurus.
1913. August, conjunction in Gemini.
What we may expect to follow will best be
defined by reference to the past effects of similar
positions. The last conjunction in Taurus was
1881. This was the year of the Agrarian outrage
in Ireland, and the murder of Burke and Cavendish
in Phoenix Park.
Using our greater period of 265 years, we find
the following parallel :1644. Saturn and Mars in Aries.
+265 MarstonMoor. Overthrowof theRoyalists,
1644.
1909. Democratic Ascendancy, 1910.
Death of King Edward, 1910.

80

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

1646. Saturn and Mars in Taurus.
+265 The Irish Rebellion, 1646.
1911. The Irish Protest, 1911.
1648. Saturn and Mars in Gemini.
+265 London invested by Cromwell, 1648.
King Charles in flight.
The House of Lords abolished, 1648.
King Charles beheaded, 1649.
1913.
1650. Saturn and Mars in Cancer.
Great Floods in Holland, 1650.
Scotland invaded and reduced by Cromwell,
1650.

+265

1915.
The question now arises, what connection have
planetary periods with numerology ? In a general
sense they tend to establish the physiognomy of
Nature as a scientific study. If the powers that be
elect to signal us by means of celestial phenomena,
why not by numerical figures ? If by planetary
periods we may trace the periodicity of events, why
not by numerical sequences ?
What we have to remember is that there is no
such thing as chance in a universe controlled by
law. We have to reduce all our observations to a
statement which, if not conformable to any known
law, is at least not in conflict with such laws as we
know. A law should include all the facts. A
theory should be sufficiently elastic to admit new

CHANCE EVENTS

81

An intelligent theory of the uniobservations.
verse leaves room for variety of interpretation.
The Hindus say that the period of 120 years is
the sum of a human life. Ptolemy, who had no
associations with Hindu thought, ascribed the
periods of the planets as follows :Moon 4 years, Mercury 10, Venus 8, Mars 15,
Jupiter 12, and Saturn 30, and all these periods are
comprehended in 120, which is their least common
measure.
From this we derive a very interesting kabala as
follows
4 years into 120 = 30
Moon
Saturn

30

,,

,,

,,

4

=

The Moon and Saturn are opposed to one another
in nature, and rule opposite signs.
Mercury 10 years into 120 = 12
Jupiter

12

,,

,,

,,

=

10

Jupiter and Mercury are opposed to one another,
and rule opposite signs.
Venus
8 years into 120 = 15
Mars

15

,,

,,

,,

8

=

Venus and Mars are opposed to one another, and
rule opposite signs; the whole scheme being thus
symbolically expressed:Plan.

Signs.

Per.

Per.

M

15

8

2

12

10

T2

30

4

Signs.

Plan.

9

s

)

82

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

Outside of this scheme is the Sun, ruler of S,
with a period = 1 year =360 ° , embracing 3 times 120,
the symbol of divinity, or the Trinity in Unity.

The period of Mars multiplied by that of Venus
= 120 years.
The period of Jupiter by that of Mercury =120
years.
The period of Saturn by that of the Moon = 120
years.
In one day the Sun completes its apparent circuit
of the heavens, and advances 1° , making 361°.
This quantity is 19 x 19, and Ptolemy gives the
period of the Sun as 19 years. It is also to be
observed that the Sun and Moon are conjoined in
the same point of the zodiac every 19 years. Thus
we see that there is a connection between periodicity
and the symbolism of the heavens, and between
symbolism and numerology.

CHAPTER VIII
REDUCTION TO LAW
WE have now come to the point where it will be
advisable to attempt the task of reducing these
detached or chance experiences to law.
In this process I shall make use of three keys
already referred to in this work, but not yet clearly
set forth.
The first is the astral key, the second the name
key, and the third the number key. The last two
may conveniently be dealt with together in a
separate chapter. I will take the astral key first
as being the foundation of the system of symbolism
I am about to use.
The circle of 24 hours is a natural symbol corresponding to the zodiacal circle of the year. Everyday
the Sun rises, passes the meridian of a place, and sets
upon the west horizon, completing a day of mean
value 12 hours, the night being of value 24 -D.
At the equinoxes, March 21 and September 23,
the Sun rises at 6 and sets at 6, the day being at
the mean value. During the summer the day is
longer and in winter shorter than the mean, according to the latitude of the place.
The cfrcle of 24 hours is divided into day and
83

84

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

night. The day of 12 hours (+ or -) is divided
into 12 equal parts called planetary hours, which'
are each of equal length, but more or less than 60
minutes according to the season of the year.
The planetary enumeration of the hours begins
at local sunrise, the first hour being ruled by the
planet which gives its name to the day, thus-( Sun
rules Sunday.
Monday.
,,
D Moon
& Mars
,,
Tuesday.
0 Mercury ,,
Wednesday.
Thursday.
4C Jupiter ,,
Friday.
,,
Venus
9
b Saturn
,,
Saturday.
Then the Sun will rule the first hour on Sunday,
the Moon the first hour after sunrise on Monday,
and so on. The other planets rule in rotation, as
shown in the following table of Planetary Hours :HORARY

SPECULUM
PLANETARY HOURS.

DAYs.

1

2

Sunday

.- O

9

Monday

.

Tuesday

.

3

4

5

T

7

8

9
)
2

O9

)

D

T
2

1

0

0

)

Friday.

.

)

d

0

Saturday

.

4

D 1
)

0

12

2

)
)

.

t

10 11 12

4

Thursday

12

9

O

--

)

Wednesday.

6

2

12

4

-0 O

-

)

12

2

2* ,

O

9

REDUCTION TO LAW

85

The night hours begin at 13 in continuation of
this table, which only gives the 12 diurnal hours.
If the nocturnal of Sunday are continued on after
T 12, it will be found that they terminate at 24 ,
and the next hour, being the first hour after sunrise
on Monday, is ruled by the Moon.
The next thing to determine is the hour of local
sunrise. A very slipshod and wholly erroneous
method in common use-through the agency of a
would-be Kabalist, who should be astronomer also
but is not-consists in adding the longitude west
of Greenwich to the time of sunrise at Greenwich.
This would be a correct procedure for the time of
the Sun's meridian passage if applied to the right
ascension of the Sun or the time of its apparent
transit at Greenwich; but, in regard to sunrise, it
leaves out of consideration the important factor of
ascensional difference due to latitude of the place.
The calculation is not difficult, so that I do not
hesitate to inflict it upon my readers, especially as
they are presumed to have a penchant for figures:Formula.-To the log. tan. of the latitude of the
place, add the log. tan. of the Sun's declination=
the log. sine of the Sun's ascensionaldiference under
the said latitude.
Add this ascensional difference to 90 ° when the
Sun's declination is south, and subtract it when the
declination is north. Multiply the result by 4, and
call the degrees minutes, and the minutes call
seconds. The result will be the time before noon
at which sunrise occurred locally. There is, of
course, a small second difference due to the variation

86

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

of declination, but this is quite inconsiderable if
the declination be taken for 6 a.m. every day.
Example.-Time of sunrise, 30th April 1911, at
Greenwich. Sun's declination from Ephemeris at
6 a.m.

.

.

140 26' N.

.

Lat. of Greenwich
51 28' N.
Then tan. log. 14 ° 26' 9*41057
,, 510 28' 0*09888
+ ,,
= sine ,, 18 ° 51'
90*0
Add

9'50945

1080.51 '

Multiply by

4
435m 248=7h 15m 248

Take from 12
Mean time of sunrise

4

0

0

44

36

But, on reference to the almanac, it will be seen
that the Sun is before the clock by 2m 448, i.e. the
Sun passed the meridian nearly 3 minutes before
the clock indicated noon. Therefore, from
Take

4. 44" 36
2 44
4" 41

52

remains the Greenwich mean time of sunrise.
Astronomers further correct this quantity by
aberration, parallax, and nutation; but with these
we are not concerned in the present instance.
Now, let us find sunrise at Liverpool on the same

REDUCTION TO LAW

87

day, the latitude of the place being 53 ° 25', and the
declination of Sun as before.
Log. tan. 53 ° 25' 0"12947
,, 14 26 9"41057
,,
To

sine 20 ° 17'
900 0'

Add

20"17

Mult.

9'54004

110*17
4
441m 88 -=7

21 m 88

We have already found that the ascensionatl
difference for London was on 30th April, 18° 51',
and for Liverpool it is 20 ° 17'. The difference of
1° 26' multiplied by 4 gives 5m 448 as the difference
due to latitude only, so that, if the place were in the
same meridian as London, the Sun would rise on
it nearly 6m earlier than London. But Liverpool
is 12m 16s W. of London, and thus we have:
+
-

12m 16s
44
5

+ 6 32
to be added to the Greenwich mean time of sunrise,
which is found, in its corrected value given in the
almanac, to be = 4*37 a.m.
Then toSunrise, London

.

Add Liverpool equation

.

.

.

Time of sunrise at Liverpool .

41 37m a.m.

+7
4 44

88

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

which is a very different thing from merely adding
the W. long. to the time of Greenwich sunrise, as
given by the author of The Mysteries of Sound and
Number, thus :
By the almanac,
Liverpool West,

4h 37m a.m.

12
4 49

It naturally follows that a system which requires
that the time of an event be known within 4 mins.
must in these circumstances prove an egregious
failure, and require any amount of juggling with
the phonetic values in order to accommodate itself
(after the event) to the facts.
The view of the Kabalist is that the divisions of
time should be natural and not artificial, and that
the phonetic values should be constant.
We have found the beginning of our natural day
at sunrise. Let us now find the length of the day:The time of sunrise 4h 39 m 52s
Taken from
12 0
0
7 20

8
2

14 40

16

Multiplied by
= Length of day

An easy rule is to multiply the time of sunrise
by 2, and it will give the length of the night, which,
taken from 24 hours, gives the length of the day,
which is double the time of sunset. Thus-

REDUCTION TO LAW
Sunrise at

4h 39

m

89
528

2
Length of night = 9
From
24

19
0

44
0

Length of day
14 40 16
And 7h 20m 88, the time of sunset, x 2= 14h 40 m
16, as before.
Divide the length of day by 12 to obtain the
duration of each planetary hour of that day. As
14h 40m 16s+12=1 h 13m 211s.
This quantity, being added successively to the
time of sunrise, will give the beginning of the 12
planetary hours.
Thus, for the given day we have-

1. 0
2. 9
3. 4
4.

BEGINNINGS OF HoURs
Sunday, 30 April 1911
4" 39 " 52 a.m.
8. 0 1" 13" 21 p.m.
5 53 13 ,,
9. 9 2 26.42 ,,
7" 6.34 ,,
10. 0 3*40" 3 ,,
8. 19- 56 ,,
11. D 4- 53" 25 ,,

5. T
9" 33" 17
6. 4 10 46 38

,,
,,

7.

,,

c

12*

0-

0

T2
6"

12.
13. 4

7

6. 46
20" 8

,,
,,

Night begins.
It will be seen that there are 6 planetary hours
from sunrise to noon, and 6 from noon to sunset.
The former are positive, and the latter negative. In
the present demonstration, we are concerned with
the latter part of the day during the negative hours.
The planetary numbers have already been given,
and on the Sunday in question they rule as follows:-

90

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS
SUNDAY

Morning
0 1 positive.

D 7

,,

Afternoon
( 5 negative.
04
,,
3
,,
M 9
,,

T 8

,,

)

2

,,

3

,,

b

1

,,

9 6

,,

0 5

,,

This means that during the afternoon of Sunday
the first hour is ruled by S, whose number is 9,
but as it is a negative hour it is represented by 5,
which is the negative of 9. Thus+
0

1

4

=5

)

7

2

=9

Tz
2

8

1

=9

3
6 =9
5 =5
& 9
9 6
3 =9
5
9 =5
We thus see that the positive and negative
values of all the planets add to a sum whose unit
value is 5 or 9, whence we have the kabalistic
value 5+9=14, i.e. the two aspects (male and
female, positive and negative) of the Sevenfold
Powers.
SUBDIVISIONS

We have obtained the length of the natural day,
and also that of the planetary hours. We now
have to subdivide the hour into 7 equal parts
as nearly as may be, giving to each part a successional rule, and therefore a numerical value. It

REDUCTION TO LAW

91

will then be seen that each section yields an event
which is in harmony with its nature.
For this purpose take the negative hours in the
afternoon of Tuesday, the 26th April 1910. The
time from noon to sunset is 7 h 11m. Divide this
by 6 and obtain 1h 11 m 50s for the length of each
planetary hour of the afternoon.
This quantity has now to be divided by 7 in
order to obtain the planetary subdivision of the
hour. This amounts to 10m 16s nearly.
We are now able to construct a table as follows:HOURS NEGATIVE
Commencement of
4 1. 11.50 p.m.
o 2. 23.40 ,,
hours on Tuesday,
26th April 1910.
9 3. 35.30 ,,
y 4. 47.20 ,,
Tuesday, 26th April 1910.
Sunset 7h 11m. Hor. lh 11m 50s. Div. 10 m 168.
H. M. S.

H. M. S.

t
0
9
0
)
h
4

1"11-50
1*22* 6
1*32-22
1*42"38
1*52*54
2* 3*10
2*13"26

Hor. S

H. M. S.

2*23"40
2"33'56
2*44"12
2*54-28
T2 3* 4*44
4 3*15* 0
325"16

3"35"30
3*45*46
) 3*56* 2
12 4* 6*18
4 4*16"34
& 4'26"50
0 4-37" 6

Hor. 0

Hor. 9

0
9
0
)

H. M. S.

# 4*47*20
) 4*57*36
12 5* 7*52
4 5*18* 8
& 5*28*24
0 5*38"40
9 5*48*56
Hor.

In bringing this matter of numerical values to
the test, we must have recourse to names. On
the above date there was racing at Newmarket,

92

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

and the following were the names of the winners of
the several races :
2.0 Boabdil.
2.30 Brillante.
3.0 Castellane.
3.30 Ulster King.
4.0 Paltry.
4.30 Grain.
5.0 Glacier.
The period from 1.53 to 2.3 p.m. is ruled by the
D. The hour being negative, we consult the sign
in which the Moon is placed on this day, and find
by the almanac that it is m Scorpio, ruled by Mars,
whose number is 9.
Boabdil= 261243 =18 = 9.
The period from 2.24 to 2.34 is ruled by the Sun,
whose negative number is 8.
Brillante = 223154 =17 = 8.
The period from 2.54 to 3.5 is ruled by the D in
Scorpio =9, or negative 5.
Castellane = 21641315 = 23 = 5.

The period from 3.25 to 3.35 is ruled by Mars,
positive 9.
Ulster King =236412252 =27 =9.
The period from 3.56 to 4.6 is ruled by D,negative 2.
Paltry =823421= 20 = 2.
The period from 4.27 to 4.37 is ruled by &.
Grain =2215 =10=1.
This is a first exception. The period from 4.58
to 5.8 is ruled by the Moon in m = 9, or negative 5.
Glacier = 23162 -=14= 5.
But this may be thought fortuitous or possibly

REDUCTION TO LAW

93

forced. Let us therefore look at the next day,
27th April, when the winners were as follows :2.0 Betsy Jane Period c
2.30 Desespoir
,,
3.10 Neil Gow
,,
O
3.45 Lady Frivoles ,,
4.15 Orn6
,,
O
4.45 Acunha
,,
The D was now in Sagittarius =Jupiter = 3
positive, 6 negative.
Betsy Jane =21461315 =23 =5, won in negative
Mars 5.
Desespoir = 41616822 = 30 = 3, won in Moon period
with Moon in Jupiter's sign = 3.
Neil Gow =51322 =13= 4, won in period of Sun
negative.
Lady Frivoles = 314182637 =35 = 8, won in period
of Saturn.
Orn6= 2251=10 =1, won in period of Sun.
Acunha = 12651= 15 =6, won in period of Moon
in 3 or negative 6.
It is not my purpose in this place to formulate
a racing system, but merely to demonstrate the
value of sounds, their relationship to numbers,
and the connection of both with symbolical planetary periods, which links the whole matter together
into a single concept, namelyThe circle =infinity or zero, since all circles are
equal to one another and converge in the point
at the centre.
We can now pass on to a consideration of other
kabalas.

CHAPTER IX
NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM
THERE is a great variety of kabalas in existence;

but most of them have fallen into disuse, owing, no
doubt, to the general disposition to rely wholly
upon the rational faculty, or what is called the
common-sense judgment of things. This doubtless
is all that is left to the average man, since the
intuition has been dulled by constant dependence
on external phenomena, and the instinctive or
automatic faculty has been left behind in the
process of evolution. But, as we have seen in the
course of our demonstration, the soul of man (the
luni-solar principle~gravitates between the animal
and the divine, between instinct and intuition.
The automatic faculty at play in the domain of
sense is called instinct, while its operations in the
domain of the intellect are recognised as intuition.
Divination, which depends so largely upon this
faculty, is universally associated with the symbolism of numbers.
One such system may here be cited. Everybody
knows the magical formula called Abracadabra,
3
which some derive from a/ paXtL, the limitless or
94

NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM

95

eternal, but which I think may be with greater
reason defined as the creative word. The form
it takes is that of an inverted triangle, a rectangle,
or a double equilateral.
The two forms are here displayed :ABRACADABRA
ABRACADABR
ABRACADAB
ABRACADA
ABRACAD
ABRACA
ABRAC
ABRA
ABR
AB
A

ABRACADABRA
BRACADABR
RACADAB
ACADA
CAD
A
CAD
ACADA
RACADAB
BRACADABR
ABRACADABRA

From this paradigm the numerologists invented
a scheme of divination which takes this form :A question being put in so many words as is
convenient for its expression, the number of the
words is counted and set down; and this figure is
followed by the number of letters in each of the
words.
The figures in this line are then successively
added together, the first with the second, the second
with the third, the third with the fourth, and so on
until they have been paired and added, the one to
the other. The sum, abated by 9 whenever it
exceeds that amount, is set down beneath, so as
to form a second line of figures. These are then
treated in the same manner, by successive pairing

96

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

and addition, and a third line is produced. Each
successive line being one figure less than the one
above it, it follows that the process eventually
brings out a single figure. It is this figure that is
dealt with in the divination. The number is
referred to its planetary equivalent and the interpretation made thence in accord with the nature
of the question.
A single illustration will doubtless suffice.
A person asks : " Shall I gain my desire ? "
There are 5 words in this sentence, so the figure 5
is set down. " Shall" contains 5 letters, " I" 1,
" gain " 4, " my " 2, " desire " 6. Then the first
line will stand thus : 55126, and the kabala, when
completed, will be as follows :55126
1638
792
72
9
Here the resultant figure is 9, which is the
number of Mars, and in reference to the question
it reads"Not without some effort, and possibly strife,
and being gained will prove a source of danger."
Had the number 8 been the resultant, it would
import delay or probable disappointment, for 8 is the
number of Saturn =privation.
Had 3 resulted, then Jupiter would augur
acquisition, and that readily; for Jupiter denotes
increase, acquisition, expansion, good fortune.
6 brings peaceful solutions and pleasures; 5

NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM

97

travelling, activity, worry, and anxiety, restlessness, etc.; 2 or 7 bring changes, uncertainty
and vacillation. But 7 is powerful with the influence of women or the public, and 2 shows a faint
heart and a change of intention or desire. As 7
is the number of " completion " and the Moon
denotes women, we may understand the cryptic
utterance:
" The stone that the builders rejected, the same
shall become the head of the corner" (corner-stone
or capital), an interpretation that should gratify
the vanity of those who clamour for women's
rights, but will be realised only by those who
wisely recognise and use their privileges.
A variant of this kabala is as follows :
The resultant digit being an even number, the
triangle is searched along the right side and the
top line for three other even numbers, which are
extracted in order as they occur. But if the
resultant be odd, then the left side and tops are
searched for three other odd numbers.
These, when found, are set down together with
the resultant first obtained, and the whole are then
added together. The sum is then divided by 9,
and the remainder is the number from which the
augury is taken.
Thus, in the example given, the resultant being 9,
an odd number, the left side of the triangle of
figures yields three others, viz.: 771, all being odd.
Then 9+7 +7 +1 =24=6, from which the augury
would be taken and an interpretation made in
terms of Venus in relation to the question.

98

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

Here it should be remarked that the divination
is to be effected always by a method which has
previously been determined upon, for the numbers
signify nothing of themselves. They gain their
significance by the associations we attach to them
in our thought, and in this sense only are they
symbolical, i.e. by association or by employment.
If, therefore, Nature employs a numerical symbolism, we may conformably employ certain numbers as
symbols, and indeed all numbers, by reference to
their components or their unit values. The method
employed is therefore of importance, for it would
be unreasonable to use one method for deriving
our symbol, and another for its interpretation.
Decide, therefore, what method of divination you
intend to employ, and use that method both in
enumeration and interpretation of your question.
Nature uses a symbolism which is wholly unintelligible to the great majority of people, and this
fact appears to sustain the argument that numbers
have a significance apart from our recognition of
it. This, at first sight, may appear contradictory
to what I have just said regarding the significance
of numbers; but I spoke of them as symbols, and
they appear as symbols only when we have learned
their true significance and begin to employ them as
expressions of quantitive relations. Nature exists
quite apart from our individual consciousness, as
natural history will inform us, but we cannot exist
as individuals apart from the consciousness of
Nature. Consequently, nothing of our thought or
experience is outside of natural expression. It is,

NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM

99

therefore, entirely symbolical, and our best divinations are those which are derived from a strict
regard to the language and figuring of Nature.
When I said that Nature uses a symbolism, and
that it has consciousness of us as individuals, I
regarded it mediately as the expression of Divine
Intelligence. It is in reality the Deity, who is
conscious in and through Nature, as man is conscious
in and through his body.
The celestial motions are part of the symbolism
we are considering; each of the planets is a symbol
of some special focal centre of deific force. The
Moons are symbols, and so are comets. The Sun
has been used by us as a symbol of the deific Power
for ages. It is probably so used throughout the
humanities of all its satellites. It is the first and
greatest revelation of God to man.
But Saturn and Jupiter and all of the bodies of
the system exist and perform their functions, and
symbolise the different aspects and quantities of
the One, altogether apart from the consciousness
and understanding of the average clodpole. Therefore, we say Nature is a symbol, and that it attains
signification for us only when we understand it.
Its language being understood, we may employ it,
interpreting its dark passages by aid of the few
sentences of which we are sure.
If cosmos had no laws, if the planets moved in
mixed orbits as they listed and at varying velocities
irrespective of their mutual distances, their numbers
would cease to have any basis or significance and
2 x 2 =9 would be as true as that 2 +2=4. It has

100

THE KABALA

OF NUMBERS

been suggested that probably the decimal system of
enumeration was universally adopted because when
a man had counted up to ten he had no more
" digits " on which to count. This may be true,
probably is ; but it does not solve for us the problem
as to why man had ten digits, or, although a freak
may be furnished with twelve, Nature gets back to
the decimal basis as speedily as possible, as if anxious
to correct an error. And it is said, too, that there
cannot be more than ten ciphers, because unity, 1,
and zero, 0, begin and end the expression of the
Deity; and when combined they are < phi, the
source of all things and the end of all, the alpha, A,
and omega, 0, united as W, the symbol of the
palingenesis. But so also do all the other pairs,
as 2 and 8 =10, 3 and 7 = 10, 4 and 6 = 10, for 1 and
9 are the same as 1 and 0. In effect, we find only
5 is left behind, unpaired and unrelated; and 5 is
the symbol of Mercury, the intelligent principle in
man which stands in the midst of the universe and
cognises that which is above and that which is
below. The secret of numbers is open to every one
who uses his five senses, and reflects upon the quantitive relations of the things sensed.
We are as much subject to the laws of sense as
to those of thought. Our enumeration is no more
arbitrary than our perceptions of colour or sound.
Certain combinations of colour and of sound satisfy
the sense, while others, on the contrary, offend it.
But what of the barbarian standards ? Do they
not point the fact that ours is a cultivated sense ?
They do; and by this culture we intend nothing

NUMBER AND AUTOMATISM

101

but the bringing of our own senses into harmonious
relations with a higher standard of perception that
is to say, into closer relations with the soul of things.
If we have finer perceptions of harmony, it is because
we have finer mental perceptions of the harmonies
of Nature. Before figures were invented to express
quantities, there was a mental perception of quantitive relations. The idea of Venus de Milo existed
in the sculptor's mind before it received material
expression in stone. The idea will persist after the
figure has perished by the hand of Time. Number,
as a universal concept, is variously expressed by
figures of different forms. These forms are inconstant, as also are those by which we express
sound, but number and sound as mental phenomena
persist after we have ceased to see and hear.

CHAPTER X
THOUGHT-READING BY NUMBERS
WHAT I have previously said in regard to the

geometrical relations of thought will have prepared
the reader for the following illustration of the process of thought-reading by means of numbers.
Thought is of two orders, conscious thought elaborated by the functions of the attentive mind, and
unconscious, or what is now called subconscious,
thought. This latter function of the mind is abundantly illustrated by the phenomenon of spontaneous telepathy. At any given moment a person's
mind is negative to some others and positive to the
rest. Every brain, while functioning, creates definite vibrations or waves in the etheric ambient.
These waves impinge upon the brains of others,
and, if in syntonic relations with them, will cause
an apperception of personality, so that the individuals affected will immediately create a mental
image of the person whose thought is projected,
and whose presence is shortly made apparent to
the senses. There is then the proverbial " talk
of angels." Yet it will be found upon inquiry not
only that the transmitter is unconscious of any
102

THOUGHT-READING BY NUMBERS

103

effort towards self-projection, but wholly oblivious
of the vicinity of the percipient. The conclusion,
based upon a close study of this familiar but little
understood phenomenon, is that the subconscious,
or subliminal, mind of the projector is not only
aware of the presence of other minds, but is capable
of projecting itself into immediate relations with
them. This projection is received by the percipient
as a subconscious impression which presently wells

I

/

! THE WORLD SOUL
up into the region of the attentive mind in such
way as to create a subject of thought. Extremely
sensitive persons not only have an apperception of
a presence, but also a vision. By the same or
similar functioning of the subconscious mind, we
are made aware that certain people are inimical to
our interests. We smother the impression in deference to our good taste, or " the proprieties," admit
them to our confidence, and everlastingly regret the
fact that we did not act upon our "first impressions."

104

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

There is, as I have said in a former chapter, a part
of us which is in touch with the world-soul, and
capable of sharing in the universal experiences of
that universal principle. We may express this relationship as in the diagram on the preceding page.
The world-soul is again in its turn linked to the
universal soul.
The world-soul is the planetary
or earth consciousness; the universal consciousness is centred in the solar sphere, which is the coordinating centre of the system, spiritually, psychically, and physically. That is why the seers and
prophets call the Lord of the Universe the " Day
Star " and the " Sun of Righteousness."
But to get back to our position. The geometrical
relations of thought are such that every idea is
capable of numerical expression, and this fact
appears to have been known to the Orientals, for
it was from one of them that I had first illustration
of it. It was the occasion of a meeting of friends
interested in spiritual and psychic matters. I was
invited by a Swami to take in hand or think of any
object I might select. I immediately complied,
taking special precautions that sight of the object
was not obtained by him. In his absence from my
room I took a postage-stamp, of value one anna, and
placed it in a rather large box, holding this latter
in my hand. I then recalled the Swami and bent
my thought upon the stamp within the box. The
Swami asked me to give him a number, the first
that came into my mind, and I gave him one. He
then immediately described the subject of my
thought. It was of "square " form, but longer

THOUGHT-READING

BY NUMBERS

105

than it was broad ; very thin, it had two colours on
one side only, its edges were like a saw, and the
value of it was one anna. Needless to say, I was
much impressed by the experiment, but said at
once that the number asked for was o~ly a blind,
and that it was a feat of direct thought-reading
without contact. The event proved that I was
quite wrong, for he presently described things
spoken about in letters as yet unopened, and further
made prediction of certain events which afterwards
transpired. On each occasion he required that I
should give him a number. Finally, he convinced
me most forcibly by revealing the process to me so
that I was myself able to repeat the experiments
quite successfully, and have since used the method
on many occasions for describing people's thoughts,
answering questions, predicting events, and finding
lost things. It is a feat for which one may claim
no merit, being wholly dependent on the working
of the subconscious mind in the consultant himself.
The argument is that the subliminal mind knows
that concerning which the supraliminal mind exercises itself, but it lacks the means, while the attentive mind is functioning, of impressing itself. In
the use of numbers, however, it finds an automatic
means of expression.
It is my intention to give the reader a partial
knowledge of the process, sufficient, in fact, to
enable him to make experiment of the numerical
relations of thought. I remember that one of the
earliest opportunities I had of testing my proficiency
in this method was when, on a certain evening, I

106

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

was suddenly surprised to see my vis-a-vis at the
dinner-table put her hand to her throat with an
expression of alarm. I gave her instant attention,
and was relieved in some measure when she exclaimed: " I have lost my coral necklace, with all
my keepsake pendants on it!"
I immediately
undertook to trace the lost article, and, having got
a number from her, I announced that the article
would be found near an iron railing or partition,
and close to where a horse was standing. So much
I learned from the number given to me. What
followed was merely diplomatic resource, or, as a
dramatic artist would say, " business." I knew
that the lady had just been walking by the riverside,
and I also knew that kine and horses were at grass
in the fields beyond the hawthorn hedge which ran
along one side of the tow-path. I did not, however,
recollect any iron gate or railing. The suggestion
of a hunt was quickly followed up, and I led the
way, keeping an eye open in the gathering gloom
for indications of some iron. We had gone about
half a mile when the whinny of a horse was heard,
and I laughingly remarked that that was half the
necklace. Coming up to the place where the horse
stood, we found to our immense satisfaction that
its nose was resting on a length of iron railing which
had been introduced to repair a gap in the hedge.
We stopped at that, and on striking a light, found
the broken necklace on the towpath where, in
another step, we should have crushed it under-foot.
This was the beginning of a career of usefulness in
numerology, which has now been under cultivation

THOUGHT-READING BY NUMBERS

107

for many years. We never talk of things being lost
nowadays. We say they are " unnumbered," or
that" the ticket has come unstuck "! We find them
by the aid of numbers. Other incidents connected
with the power of thought-reading by numbers will
be found in my Manual of Occultism. And now, to
dispense with the undesirable personal element, let
us see how much of the method can be discreetly
communicated.
On a question arising in the mind of a nature
which cannot be answered by reference to the
ordinary channels or means of information, let
9 numbers be set down spontaneously as they
occur, and to these let there be added always the
figure 3, whether that figure has been previously
employed or not. Make a sum of the 10 figures,
and observe the nature of the figures which are
represented in the sum. For the interpretation of
the numbers I must refer the reader to succeeding
chapters, as the matter is of some length.
The process employed is based upon the occult
fact that, if the mind is concerned about any matter,
the figures that are then automatically delivered
by the mind bear a direct relationship to the nature
of the thought, and in themselves afford the means
of a solution. An instance of this may be cited
from the Scripture, which the Kabalists have
revealed. In the prophecy of Jacob concerning
the future of his sons, Judah is referred to as a
lion's whelp. " The sceptre shall not depart from
Judah, nor the law-giver from between his feet,
until Shiloh shall come." The sceptre is Regulus,

108

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

the law-giver is Cepheus, and Shiloh or Shuleh is
Cor Scorpio, whose rising is the signal for Regulus
to depart from the mid-heaven with its opposition
point of Cepheus from the nadir. The last two
words of this sentence in the Hebrew are : ,b 0
.
Reference to the Hebrew alphabet will give the
numerical values :
Iod
= 10
n Mem
= 40
2 Beth
=
2
w Shin
= 300
=
1
Iod
=
10
H Aleph
8
=
n Heth
= 300
t Shin

0

Iod

7

-

10

Lamed

=

30

H6

=

--

5

Total = 358

Total = 358
From this we learn that the spontaneous utterance of the dying patriarch, "Shiloh shall come ! "
contained the numerical revelation of the Messiah:
When, therefore, we speak of thought-reading
by numbers, we do not refer to the conscious
thought of the transmitter, nor to any special
psychic faculty in the percipient, but to the subconscious thought, or knowledge rather, of the
transmitter, whose external or attentive mind is
seeking a solution; and to the system of numerology which enables that solution to be found
either by oneself or another.
In the East, but more especially in India, the
science of numbers has been continuously studied,

THOUGHT-READING BY NUMBERS

109

not only with a view to the higher mathematics,
but for purposes of cryptic expression and divination.
Thus, they number the years according to a
certain sequence, from 1 to 60. The year of the
cycle is then multiplied by 2. From the product 3 is
subtracted. The result is then divided by 7, and
the remainder will indicate the crop conditions of
the year according to the following sequence :The remainder being
1. Dearness and scarcity.
2. Plenitude and cheapness.
3. Average yield and steadiness.
4. Dearness and poverty.
5. Plenty and cheap.
5. Adequate at steady value.
0. Scarcity and famine prices.
From this we learn that there is an expectancy
of similar conditions every 4th year, with an intervening period of famine every 7th year.
They have also a numerical system of Arudha
by which lost things are found. The number of
the asterism occupied by the Moon, the age of the
Moon and quarter are added together, and from
these, 3 is subtracted. The sum is multiplied by
8 and divided by 7, when, if
1 remains, the article is underground.
2. It is in a pot or kumbha.
3. The article is in water.
4. In the open air.
5. In a shell or husk.
6. In manure or soil.
7. In ashes.

110

THE KABALA

OF NUMBERS

I have not made experiment of this method,
as the losing habit is not upon me, and the Victorian
code conduces to honesty among menials; but it
appears to me that the possibilities in regard to
the whereabouts of a lost article are by no means
exhausted in this category of seven places.
I have, however, seen hidden things exactly
located by means of a system of sulydna based
upon similar factors, but it was confined to the
house in which the divination was made.

CHAPTER XI
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS
IN the preceding chapter I have given the rule
for the automatic resolution of questions by means
of numbers. The mind having been fixed upon
the question to be asked or the matter upon which
information is sought, nine numbers are set down,
to which 3 is added, and the total is then referred
to the nature of the question.
EXAMPLE

What am I thinking of ?
985627142 =44
3
Add
47
The answer: "You are thinking of a value,
measure, or weight, a matter of proportion, and of
yourself in certain relations."
THINGS THOUGHT OF
The sum of 10 numbers being :

1. You think of position, of elevation, things
above you, a master or progenitor, a pinnacle,
head, or prominence, and its levelling or downfall.
111

112

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

2. Of distance, things remote, a journey or a
foreign land.
3. You think of a personal event, an ailment,
probably a fever, heat, or anger.
4. Of a domestic affair. The family circle.
Love and pleasure; of the heart, or something
greatly desired.
5. Of marriage; an understanding or agreement ;
of things in union or harmony.
6. Of news, things related, a brother, means of
communication, journeys.
7. Of a house, of things underground, of land or
water in expanse, of the ocean, change, or removal.
8. Of antique things or foreign products, a foreign
country, of the Orient.
9. Of a death or loss, of defective contracts, of
means of restitution.
10. Of an unfortunate alliance, troublesome
agreement, or disputation.
11. Of the value of property, a mine, or matter
relating to real estate.
12. Of pleasant surroundings, some festivity,
gala, convivial meeting, fine clothes and personal
comforts.
13. Of money, speculative matters, gain.
14. Of a short journey, a cruise, or matters
connected with messages across the water; a
female relation.
15. Of a bereavement or death; funereal vestments, mourning; a loss or misfortune.
16. Of a fortunate and happy alliance, a wife,
a good understanding or agreement.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS

113

17. Of a servant; or nearer to yourself, of some
discomfort, disease, or ailment.
18. Of a pleasant journey; a thing of gold; love,
domesticity, or joy; a brother, or a message
desired.
19. Of some restraint, confinement, imprisonment, seclusion ; a child.
20. Of a journey or letter; something carried;
yourself in communication with another; a roadway.
21. Of gain, money, some financial advantage,
things in possession, of something white and
silvery, a rupee.
22. Of an unfortunate marriage or a sick partner,
a bad contract, difficulties, an enemy or rival.
23. Of good living, rich clothes, plentiful food,
faithful servants, good health, creature comforts,
position.
24. Of uncertain position; a family dispute;
children; an unfortunate venture; illicit love
affairs.
25. Of much gain, great wealth, gold, the sun,
something shining or brilliant.
26. Of peaceful possession, good property, the
house, of level ground, foundations.
27. A closed place or room, a short journey by
boat; of a brother, or person in relation to yourself; a letter or a messenger.
28. Of yourself in imagination; of white linen;
a bowl or silver pot; a new moon.
29. Of ill-health; a blood disorder; poor fare ;
a time of poverty and trial.

114

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

30. Of happy children, a pleasant experience,
union, a fortunate dowry or legacy.
31. Of something underground, a snake in the
house, a scorpion or reptile, a foreign land.
32. Of a king or rajah, a golden vestment, the
sun, your own individuality and character.
33. Of a pleasant message, a good position,
a brother, some distinction.
34. Of financial benefit, a purchase of food or
other necessaries, grain, etc., some corporeal benefit.
35. Of a female, a birth, a plot or scheme, something secret to yourself; a confinement.
36. Of a loss by speculation, a sick child, an
unhappy family, misery and trouble.
37. Of an unfortunate contract, an unhappy
marriage, a house or property, a stable.
38. Of a death by malaria or enteric fever; of
a journey, a message; of a sister; a neighbouring
tank or pool.
39. Of a closed place or temple ; a gilded chamber,
a king's sequestration or exile.
40. Of money, things of value, jewels or apparel,
the price of grain.
41. Of yourself or your figure, your apparel,
investiture, food, position, credit.
42. Of a friend, a woman of quality, a patroness
or her favour, a gathering of people, a convention.
43. Of ancestral property, an old man, an old
building, the value of minerals, a cemetery.
44. Of a brother, a letter from across the seas or
from a great distance, a book of theology, a sdstra,
of good health, of personal comforts, a luxury.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS

115

45. Of a marriage, of gain or loss, a thing of small
value, an anna, tilt, bias, inequality, fraud.
46. Of a friend, a man of position and honour ;
something of gold, of value, a jewel, a ring of gold.
47. Of yourself, of justice, of equity, of value,
measure, weight, proportion, peace, satisfaction,
rest, a death.
48. Of a robing-room, a private place, a servant
in hiding, a woman's health, of news from a distance.
49. Of a change of position, your own mother,
a thing of distinction, a capitol, a woman in power,
a queen or rAni.
50. Of a painful journey, a sister in distress, a
doleful message, a call to office.
51. Of gain and affluence, a stake or bet, of
children, money from afar, a profession.
52. Of personal disease or death, things lost,
hidden, or occult, of a manservant; a red cloth;
hot food ; a doctor; yama ; a reptile.
53. Of high office, the rajah or king, a man in
power, loss of gold, a dead lion.
54. Of a dangerous illness, a woman in distress,
of a wife, a girl, a contract or agreement, four
walls.
55. Of a death, a lost paper, a message gone
astray, a young girl, a gathering, a friend.
56. Of a foreign country beyond the seas, of a
sea voyage, a s'akti, a religious gathering, a publication, a ship, a ghost.
57. Of acquired wealth, a hoard or store, a
pension or inheritance, a male relative.
58. Of acquisition, personal influence, a grandee,

116

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

vakil or lawyer, a judge, guru or prohita, instruction, the Vedas, a Brahmin; personal property,
estate.
59. Of a death-chamber, a hospital or sick-room,
a male child; the household fire, a venture or
hazard.
60. Of a Parsee; a religious ceremony; a foreign
king; a Rishi; samddhi; Brahma; the sun of
heaven; I'shvara; time.
61. Of food; trading; fine apparel; a male
friend; a market-place or exchange ; a manservant;
a Vaishnavite Brahmin.
62. Of a writing or agreement; an undertaking
or contract; a legal process; position; mastership ; a father.
63. Of a dead woman; some lost property ; a
winding-sheet or death-cloth ; a waning moon ; the
wife's dowry ; an ablution.
64. Of yourself in regard to position; of acquired property ; an inheritance ; an old man ;
duration; a bargain or exchange.
65. Of a short journey and return; going and
coming; a foot journey; a closed room; a fortunate confinement ; a sister ; a mantram.
66. A smashdna or burning ground; a rocky
place ; minerals ; a medical adviser ; a dead friend ;
a burning house ; dry ground or sand.
67. A dead rajah; the loss of gold; the wife's
dowry ; a girdle ; a sick child.
68. Of a female child; the home circle; a
position of trust; security.
69. Of clothing ; a servant ; a ship ; merchan-

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS

117

dise; food stuffs; trade; a thing of science; a
vedanga.
70. Of a wife ; an agreement ; a public gathering ;
a full moon.
71. A waterpot or kumbha; an old association;
a friend; yourself with others in company; a
private place or room ; a warder.
72. Of wealth; a princely friend; a Brahmin;
a religious meeting ; of sandals and things in pairs.
73. Of a brother; a position; the death of a
ruler; a quick journey; an angry message;
honours ; succession ; a writing.
74. Of a brilliant sun ; a great shining ; eyesight;
a proud wife ; a powerful enemy ; hunting.
75. Of a pleasant place ; a rich estate; moksha ;
buried treasure ; cattle.
76. Of a son; a place of learning; a schoolhouse ; a bride ; a Bramhdchdri.
77. Of a white turban or dhoti ; a serving-maid ;
medicine ; water; drinking.
78. Of an aged friend; an institution; an old
alliance ; a hospital; a man in prison.
79. Of oneself; of increase and prosperity,
position, power, and affluence; of extremities, the
feet; a pair of sandals; an understanding ; a
judge or advocate.
80. Of gain; a risk of loss; a loss by fire; of a
foreign land; a far-off death; a pralaya; a
voyage.
81. Of a rich relative; fine apparel; golden
ornaments; personal health ; ripe fruit.
82. Of a peaceful death; a rich dowry; a

118

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

pleasant message ; an elephant ride ; a journey for
profit ; a sister.
83. Of trading; a treaty or agreement; a lease
of property; a gateway or passage; a bride or
betrothal.
84. Of a daughter; a tank or bathing-place; a
public festival; Durga ; a holiday ; clean linen;
of one beloved.
At this point the enumerations cease, since there
are numbers employed and none can be more than
9, so that 92 +3 = 84 will complete the resolutions.
There are, it will be observed, several interpretations to each resultant number, but when the kabala
is worked out to its finality, there is little doubt
as to which interpretation to use. Thus, from
the resultant figures 36 I obtain, by change of
components, the number 156; and 36=9, while
156 -3 =153 =9. From 57 =12, I get the permutation 123, and 123 -3 =120 =12. Then, by a process
of selection, a particular signification is derived.
The property of the figures employed is of some
interest, and, in fact, of eventual importance.
RESULTANT,

36 =9

Permutations
156-3 =153 =9

165 -3 =162=9
516
561
615
651

-- 3=513=9
-3 =558 =9
-3=612 =9
-3= 648 =9

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS
RESULTANT,

57

119

=12 or 3

Permutations
123 -3 -=120 =12
132 -3= 129=12
213 -3 =210 -3
231-3=228=12
312 -3 =309= 12
321-3 =318 =12

or 3
or 3
or 3
or 3
or 3

I may now proceed to another aspect of the same
kabala.

CHAPTER XII
OF THINGS LOST
As will probably be understood when the basis of
this kabala is known, the divination may extend to
a practically unlimited variety of affairs. Questions concerning the diagnosis of disease, concerning
investments, finance, property, position, occupation,
domestic and social affairs, can be readily resolved
by an extension of the first part of the divination,
i.e. what is thought of. For if, in this system, the
number does not answer to the thing or matter in
mind, then no resolution can be made, and the
consultant must free his mind of all other matters,
concentrate on the simple question or object, and
then deliver another series of numbers. It generally
transpires, however, that the number reveals the
matter in question at once, and the number is then
dealt with according to rule.
To deliver a resolution in regard to all the affairs
of life would of itself fill a large volume. I shall
therefore content myself by a single resolution of
things lost. The number being given as before and
resolved, if the resultant be
1. The object must be looked for in a principal
120

OF THINGS LOST

121

room near white linen. A fair child should be
questioned.
2. It will be found in the house by aid of a serving
maid, in or close to a vase or bowl.
3. In a passage or between papers.
4. The article is in your possession, and is not
lost.
5. You will get it back yourself with very little
seeking. Look under a hat, turban, or other headgear.
6. Where sandals or boots are kept, probably on
a shelf, stand, or rack.
7. Ask your servant, a maid especially connected
with the wardrobe.
8. On a shelf or horizontal ledge. A servant or
workman will find it.
9. A child has it among some clothing.
10. You get it back.
It is in the chief room.
11. You must take a short journey to a tank,
pool, or stretch of water.
12. You have not lost it, but mislaid it near your
work, in your office, or by books and papers. It is
safe.
13. Look where you keep your cloak, shawl, or
shoulder wraps. It is near neck-gear.
14. Under a turban or hat. If outside, try a
lavatory, sewer, or drain. Doubtful recovery.
15. Ask the wife (or husband), and, failing that
source, look through the stables or where horses
are kept.
16. The cook will enlighten you. You will recover it.

122

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

17. On a shelf or section of a cabinet, where works
of art or valuables are kept.
18. The thing is lost in the house, and will be
recovered from among clothes.
19. A short distance off in a dry, arid spot or
sandy lane.
20. The article is not lost, but mislaid only. It
will be found by water, or close to fine linen.
21. You have the article yourself. It is in a box
or case which folds in two parts.
22. The thing is on a shelf in the house, and will
be speedily found.
23. A short distance away; try another room
where clothes are kept.
24. You hold the article. It is not lost in any
sense.
25. A speedy finding among your personal effects.
Find something white and round. It is there.
26. Ask the oldest man in the house. He will
have placed it in safety.
27. Search the stables and question the ghariwan
or coachman.
28. A dead loss. Spare yourself the trouble of
seeking it.
29. An old servant or syce will give you a hint.
The article is returned.
30. You will get it back by inquiry among the
children or students. Lost in play.
31. In a closet or drain of the house. By good
fortune you get it back again.
32. On a near verandah or ledge; something
oblong.

OF THINGS LOST

123

33. You have it, and will find it among your
effects, probably in a dhoti or clothes.
34. Near a fire, or in a principal room by a fireplace. It is quite close, and will be soon recovered.
35. In a secret spot near water. Your wife's (or
husband's) private room. Try a washing-stand.
36. Will be returned by an ayah or a guardian of
children.
37. In a shrine-room or private apartment. Will
be found on the premises.
38. You will get it back by a short journey to a
place of ablution used by you.
39. The article is not lost, but put aside upon a
shelf.
40. You will find it in your own dhoti or other
article of apparel; rolled in a turban, loin-cloth,
etc.
41. Where the wife's or husband's shoes are kept.
In the house.
42. In the house of the bawarchi or cook. Near
some water or a kumbha.
43. Not far away. Try the pandal of the
ghariwan and the stables. You get it back.
44. You have it. Look among the oil-pots or
lamps. It will need purifying.
45. It is as good as found. Put your hand on a
shelf and take it.
46. Your partner has it in safe custody.
47. Two servants are working together ; question
them. The one who is uneasy on his feet could
inform you.
48. Where you keep the drinking-water.

124

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

49. As good as lost for ever. If found, will be
badly damaged.
50. Not lost, but in a box or receptacle of two
parts. You have it.
51. You will immediately recover it from a place
of ablution.
52. Ask your partner or the chief woman of the
house ; her relatives may help you. It has changed
hands.
53. A manservant has it in possession now. He
will restore it.
54. It is in the family circle. Try the children's
quarter.
55. It is on the premises near a rain-pipe, or where
water is.
56. A short distance away. A communication
with your last halting-place will discover it.
57. You have the article; it is in a saddle-bag,
a hip-pocket, or where your sporting tackle is kept.
58. It is in two persons' hands, and may, with
difficulty, be recovered. It has been treated for.
57. An old servant has it. It will be found
among bread or in a cake, or in flour.
60. It appears to be lost beyond recovery.
61. In the lower part of the house, near sandals
or boots, socks or hose.
62. A journey off. You will not recover it.
63. You have the article. It is in an old, dark
place, or among old effects.
64. The article is in your possession. It has been
mislaid and forgotten, and will be recovered in
due course. Look in dark corners and high places.

OF THINGS LOST

125

65. It has gone out of your possession and will
be recovered if at all by employing an agent.
66. It is lost by conspiracy of two servants.
It can hardly be recovered. The man with the
maimed hand is the one to interrogate.
67. You will recover it by the aid of a young
person or child.
68. It is at the top of the house. A servant will
fetch it.
69. A distance away. Your last halting-place.
Near to a pyal or entrance to a house of a relative.
70. You have the article. It is where water is
kept.
71. The article is not lost, but is in your possession.
Begin at your feet and you will soon have it in
view.
72. It is in your personal possession, close to a
kumbha or water-pot.
73. You will recover it by official inquiry.
74. A faithful servant will restore it to you.
75. The article has gone into the hands of young
fellows. It will be restored but in a damaged
condition or depreciated in value.
76. It is in the house, where bread and cereals
are kept.
77. A short distance off. It will be brought to
the house by a servant.
78. Some little way off, near oxen. Will hardly
be recovered.
79. You have the article. It is close to some
steel or iron.
80. The article is in your possession. In a thing

126

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

of two parts, a box or case; footgear is close at
hand.
81. Look among clothes, and you may be fortunate enough to find it.
82. Where the cooking is done, in a kitchen.
Test the khansamah.
83. A young girl will recover it for you. It is
near a tank or pool.
84. It is in the house, in a double receptacle,
box, or case.
It will be seen that many of the foregoing divinations are particularly pointed and explicit. If
true and dependable they are undoubtedly very
remarkable. They are true in my personal experience, and I have used them for years and on various
occasions, so that I am in a position to speak for
them. It is remarkable how completely successful
they may prove in the hands of a person possessing
the power of divination. This, of course, lies at
the root of any divination, whether it has a numerical
basis or any other form of symbolical foundation.
If the divinatory faculty is there, any form or
system may be used, but some are capable of
yielding a closer result than others, and for this
reason are to be preferred. If the divinatory
faculty is not present in a person, he must, when
consulting another, make use of a proxy or agent
in whom such faculty has been proved by experiment to exist. If a person void of the faculty
shuffles a pack of cards, or uses figures as a means
of divination, the most expert Cartomante or

OF THINGS LOST

127

Kabalist will prove ineffectual, since they can
only interpret what lies before them.- It is better
that they should conduct the divination from first
to last. The faculty does not necessarily lie with
the Kabalist. His work begins and ends with the
interpretation of the numbers submitted to him.
Consequently, we frequently find that a person
who is in no way a " sensitive," nor even possessed
of ordinary intuitive powers, but who is nevertheless a good Kabalist, knowing how to interpret the
symbolism of numbers, gets credit for being a most
remarkable " medium," as if nothing in the world
that is to be talked about can be accomplished
without the aid of disembodied spirits. Let me
say at once that one who is an occultist is the very
last to be regarded as a medium. Save in the
ultimate sense that we are all, from archangel to
microbe, "fulfilling the Word " in some capacity
or other, it cannot be said that we are played upon
by the larvae of a morbid and earth-bound humanity.
The occultist does not get his information "through,"
as spiritualists and psychic phenomenalists are
wont to say, but he gets it direct from Nature,
whose symbolism he has learned to read.
If the " spirits " whom the gobe-mouches
listen to with such rapt attention were capable of
demonstrating their superior condition by the
revelation of knowledge transcending that of the
average embodied human, they would make such
demonstration in such form and at such times as
that the whole world would benefit from it. The
fact that we have not added one syllable to the

128

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

sum total of human knowledge by this means since
the dawn of modern spiritualism, ought to prove
the futility of the whole pursuit. There are
phenomena without doubt, which prove the existence in Nature of certain unfamiliar forces, but
they prove nothing that is spiritual, are most
frequently grossly material, and in no instance
are they to be compared with the daylight performances of the Indian Yogi. The spiritualist
s6ance has only succeeded in perpetuating the fact
of post-mortem existence, of which the world at
no time has been seriously in doubt, but it has
failed to prove to us immortality. Indeed, it
presents only a doubtful case for spirit identity.
If its claims were not so foolishly preposterous,
its contribution to modern speculative problems
would be received with greater respect and consideration. The results of years of patient study
and research having recently been described by a
certain ignoramus as due to the exercise of a
special psychic faculty or to spirit communications, compels this discrimination, in which I
trust I have done no hurt to the feelings of any
sincere investigator into what are called spiritual
phenomena.

CHAPTER XIII
THE KABALISM OF CYCLES
IT would appear that the origination of the decimal
system of enumeration, which proceeds from one to
nine and recommences the series at a higher power,
increasing successively by tens, was an implicit recognition of the law of cyclic recurrence. There is
no reason why units should not have gone from
1 to 13. The Hebrews may be said to think in
twelves but count in tens, and this counting by
tens is universal. Thus, while we have twelve
months answering to the twelve signs, the seven
days answering to the seven anciently recognised
bodies of the solar system, there is in all Oriental
nations a predilection for the method of counting
by tens. This cyclic law has been recognised not
only in science, but also in commerce, finance, and
even agriculture. The suggestion, therefore, that
events are in terms of nine, is not in itself a very
exceptional statement. The fact that its application to specific cases yields results of a surprisingly
exact nature, tends rather to confirm the view of
the Kabalists, who regard the number 9 much as
129

9

130

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

the Alchemists regarded their " Red Dragon "--as
a species of general solvent. Thus, any number
being reduced to its unit value, as 1911 =12=3,
the addition of the number 9 will produce the
same unit value successively as 1920=12 =3,
1929=21=3, 1938=21=3, etc. Hence, in the
conception of those who see significance in numbers,
the application of any factor to this cyclic series
must have some special pointing.
Such a factor is to be found in the numerical
value of a person's name, as we have already seen,
and this, when applied to the year in which that
person was born, or in which any great crisis was
reached, is found to have a kabalistic significance
when reduced to terms of the Tarot-a favourite
but by no means the only method of interpretation.
One such kabala occurs to me as worthy of
citation in regard to this law of cycles.
According to this kabala it was seen that the
year 1815 was destined to be one of great significance to the " Little Corporal Violet."
Napoleon was born in 1769, and attained his
46th year in 1815. If now we add together 1815
and 46 we obtain 1861= +8 +6 +1= 16. Refer-1
ring this number to the Tarot keys we find No. 16=
" The Stricken Tower," a man falling headlong
from an eminence, his crown falling in advance of
him. It denotes the judgment of Heaven, reversal, danger of ruin, disaster, catastrophe.
Cecil Rhodes, the " Colossus " of South Africa,
was born in 1853 and attained his 49th year in 1902.

THE KABALISM OF CYCLES

131

Then 1902+49=1951+16, again "The Stricken
Tower ! " Miss Sophia Hickman, of the Royal Free
Hospital, was found poisoned in Richmond Park
in August 1903. She was born on 22nd June 1874,
and entered her 30th year in 1903. If to 1903 we
add 30, the sum 1933 =16.
M. Carnot, the French President, was born in
1837, and in 1894 attained 57 years of age. Then
1894 +57 = 1951 =16.
The poet Shelley was born in 1792, and entered
his 30th year in 1822. The year 1822 +30 = 1852 =
16.
It will be seen, therefore, that this number 16,
or "The
and also 13, which is the "Reaper"
Reaping Skeleton," i.e. Death, are the most
singularly fatal in the whole of the 22 keys of the
Tarot.
This cyclic recurrence of certain like incidents
observed in several cases appears to have led to
the construction of what are called "Alfridaries."
By these tables it is presumed that the life is
subject to successive combinations of planetary
influence during its entire course. The startingpoint is from the Sun or Moon according to the
time of day at which the birth took place. If in the
afternoon from the Sun, and in the morning from
the Moon. For those who were born after noon were
held to be generated under solar influence, while
those born after midnight were regarded as Moonborn. An example of an alfridary is appended :

132

THE KABALA

OF NUMBERS

ALFRIDARY
AFTN.

!D ~

.

T2

MORN

Sun

.

1

8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64

Moon

Venus

.

2

9 16 23 30 37 44 51 58 65

Mercury

3

10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59 66

Venus

Mercury.
Moon

.

4

11 18 25132 39 46 53 60 67

Sun

Saturn

.

5

12 19 26 33 40 47 54 61 68

Mars

Jupiter .

6

13 20 27 34 41 48 55 62 69

Jupiter

Mars

7

14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70

Saturn

.

By this alfridary we see that a person born at
4 p.m. would commence life under the joint influence of the Sun and Moon, the second year being
under the Moon and Venus, the third under Moon
and Mercury, and so on; the 8th year being
under Mercury and the Sun; and the dangerous
periods would be those under the influence of Mars
from 29 to 35, and Saturn from 43 to 49 ; the grand
climacteric at threescore years and ten, and falling
under the influence of Saturn and Mars conjoined,
the 33rd and 49th years being similarly prone to ill
effects. But I think it will be conceded that any
such cut-and-dried method of prognostication as is

THE KABALISM OF CYCLES

133

here imposed is neither agreeable to experience or
reason. In the numerical system, however, it is
different, inasmuch as the progression is made not
by years only, but by reference to the age attained
in successive years, and as the Tarot extends only
to 22 points, which is not a multiple of 9, there is not
that degree of repetition which characterises the
alfridaric prognostics. Thus, a person born in 1864
=19, Illumination, attains the age of 1 year in
1865, the sum being 1866 = 21; the age of 2 in 1866,
the sum 1868 = 23; but, as there are only 22 points
or keys, 23 will be equal to 1.
Then follows the series :1867, age

3, sum 1870 =16
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,

,,
,,
,,
,,
,,

1873, ,,

9,

,,

,,
,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,

10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,

,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,

1868,
1869,
1870,
1871,
1872,
1874,
1875,
1876,
1877,
1878,
1879,
1880,

,,
,,
,,
,,
,,

etc.

1872=18
1874 =20
1876 =22
1878 = 2
1880=17
1882 =19
1884 =21
1886 = 1
1888= 3
1890 =18
1892 =20
1894 =22
1896 = 2

etc.

This idea of the cyclic law, or law of periodicity,
has arrested the attention of scientists, among
whom we may cite Mendelieff, who has shown that

134

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

the atomic weights of the elements follow the
natural octave; and Sir William Crookes, whose
Genesis of the Elements develops the same idea in
regard to the differentiation of protyle via the
hydrogen base by a graduation of the vibrationfrequency and a proportionate diminishing of the
mean free path or play-space of the various atoms.
Then, again, the researches of Prof. Ray Lancaster
in regard to sunspots has shown that the solar
disturbances come sporadically, i.e. in groups, at
definite and well-defined periods. It has been
shown, too, that these periods correspond to periods
of famine, etc.
Periodicity is, of course, at the base of planetary
motions, and therefore also of cosmic changes.
In human life we observe that there is a tendency
of any action to automatically repeat itself, so that
what was primarily a voluntary act tends to fall
into the region of the automatic, and so become a
habit. Let us suppose that nature has a habit of
procedure peculiar to its constitution, then it will,
in effect, observe a course which reveals a periodic
law, another name for numerical sequence. We
call it a law because it responds to a numerical
sequence, not because we pretend to an understanding of its causation.
But we really have no need to cite a supposititious
case, for we well know that nature has such a
habitual course as that suggested, and this is at the
root of the vaticinations of the astrologers. Lunations and eclipses run in cycles, as also do the conjunctions and oppositions of the planets of the sys-

THE KABALISM OF CYCLES

135

tem. There is the 19-year cycle of the lunation,
at the end of which they recur in the same part of
the zodiac-that is to say, at the same distance from
the equinox on the same day of the year. If any
effects of a physical nature can be rightly attributed
to the combined action of the luminaries, then such
effects will follow a cyclic repetition every nineteen
years. The phenomenon of the tides is, I think,
sufficiently obvious to be accepted as a basis of our
argument without dissent. But we have no reason
to suppose that Nature ceases to exist where
we cease to perceive her; indeed, the revelations
of modern science during the past twenty years
sufficiently attest the folly of accepting the ordinary
sense perception as the criterion of evidence. That
being so, we are entitled, by a philosophical consideration of the relations of noumena and phenomena, to posit a possible extension of tidal influence
into the domain of phreno-psychic functions.
And if the luminaries so act to produce visible
effects in the physical world, and appreciable effects
also in the super-physical world, we may argue
similarly in regard to the conjunctions and oppositions of other bodies of our system, since we are
well assured of its solidarity. Then the conjunctions of Mars and Mercury, of Jupiter and Saturn,
of Saturn and Mars, etc., will have their specific
effects in the economy of the system; and this
brings us immediately to the fact of periodicity in
natural phenomena. For if a conjunction of Mars
and Mercury takes place in a particular part of the
zodiac to-day, it will again have place in the same

136

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

celestial region at the end of every successive period
of 79 years; and similarly with the other planets,
as Saturn and Mars in 30 years, Jupiter and Saturn
in 60 years, and so of the rest, some being of greater
frequency and less effect, others of less frequency and
proportionately greater effect, according to their distances from the Sun and their consequent velocities.
Now, since the periodic times of the planets bear
a definite known ratio to their distances from the
centre, Nature is seen to observe quantitive relations;
which is actually what we look for in, and define as,
cosmic law. Without this regard to numbers, the
cosmos would be chaotic and unintelligible to us.
But it is so well sustained by its laws, and so
thoroughly harmonious in its relations, that we are
able to say to within a minute of space where any
celestial body will be found hundreds or thousands
of years hence, and where it was as many years ago.
But what of those radiant bodies which occasionally make incursion to our system, the comets and
the star showers ? Although their density is exceedingly small, and their action upon the planetary
bodies practically nil from a gravitational point of
view, their presence and great velocity must produce
terrific perturbations in spatial ether, and that these
visitants affect our atmosphere is evident from
their luminosity, since etheric vibration becomes
light only within our atmosphere. Similarly, they
may produce great heat and consequent drought
and famine, and also they may affect men's minds
by the dependence of our thought and feeling on
physical conditions.

THE KABALISM OF CYCLES

137

Finally, they may be symbols or signs by which
something we do not quite understand is signalled
to us by the Great Intelligence. If we study them
we may find out their meaning. When the hieroglyphics of Egypt were first discovered they formed
an entirely unknown language. But by great
patience the symbolical writings of the ancient
priests of Isis and Osiris and Amen Ra have been
deciphered by the Egyptologists, and the language
reconstructed so far as to be quite intelligible.
If Nature is the book of God and the revelation
of God to man, then, by the deciphering of natural
symbols, we may arrive at an understanding of the
divine language, the will and intention it expresses,
and the purpose of creation with which God has
been trying to impress us throughout the ages.
Eventually we may find that in the study of the
universal language we are realising ourselves,
entering into the history and future of our own
evolution, and then it will appear that cosmic laws
are human laws, as well economic and social as
moral and spiritual, and that the universe is man,
the embodiment of divine thought, the expression
of a perfect geometry, a complex mathematical
formula which, when resolved, will be found to
follow the numerical resolutionS= 142857
-=285714
? =*428571
= *571428

# = 714285
='857142
1 =9 to infinity

-that is to say, a recurring decimal in terms of unity.

CHAPTER XIV
SUCCESS AND FAILURE
WHEN we look round upon life, we are constantly
struck by the inequalities existing between faculty
and its material efficiency. The market value of
any kind of ability is, of course, determined by the
economic law of supply and demand, and a man of
exceptional ability in some particular field of work
will find little call for his labours. It is not so
much that they are not wanted, but that he lacks
the faculty of creating a demand by impressing
others of their need for his work. The man who
discovered the process of making magnesia by the
ton ought to have been worth a million pounds at
least. The fact that he died a poor man does not
detract from his chemical ability; it only shows
that he lacked the commercial instinct, a common
defect of the real student in any department of
knowledge. There are, however, other and more
subtle causes at work to produce failure of this sort
where success of another sort is conspicuous.
Every man is, in fine, a Number. He is embodied
That is to say, the mass-chord of his
number.
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SUCCESS AND FAILURE

139

whole constitution is in terms of a single digit, to
If, for
which he answers in the gamut of life.
instance, his number is 3, then he is in sympathetic
vibratory relations with all others whose number is 6,
and in syntonic relations with those whose number
is 3. But he would be in discordant relations with
all men whose number is 5. Now let us suppose,
as our kabala indeed suggests, that the number 3
answers to the theological, and that 5, in terms of
the same kabala, answers to the commercial. We
can understand at once the fundamental difference
existing between these natures. Again, let 9 respond to and represent the executive faculty, then
we may expect an affinity or sympathetic relationship with 5, the commercial faculty. Our kabala
informs us that 9 and 5 are in such relations.
Similarly, in regard to 3, which denotes increase,
expansion, optimism, and growth, and 8, which
denotes decrease, privation, destruction, loss, and
pessimism, they are in opposition, and are mutually
destructive.
Consequently, we may derive some benefit of a
practical nature from the measure of our own selves,
and an understanding of the faculty we are designed
to represent in the economy of life. If the name
of a person should appear too slender an argument
for differences of faculty and function, differences
of fortune and of character, then let the date of
birth stand as symbol of the man-without reference to his potential or measure of power, but
merely in regard to his dominant characteristic and
faculty.

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

If we find it answers, as must be the case where
the kabalism is truly made, then it will afford an
immediate key, not only to the character of the man,
but also to the means by which he can most effectively pursue the line of least resistance, and so
make the greatest progress.
For it will be seen at once that he is not likely
to prosper or effectively work out his destiny in
association with persons whose key number is
opposed to his own; and on the contrary, he will
improve his fortunes and reinforce his powers by
uniting his efforts to those of others whose key
number is the same, or at least of a sympathetic
nature. Thus, a man born under the signature of
Mars and the number 9, would blight his prospects
by alliance with one born under Mercury and the
number 5.
But it is perhaps a waste of words to argue each
case on its own merits, and the ground can be
covered by a single tabular statement of the
sympathies and antipathies represented by the
key number of an individual. This number, I
need hardly add, is the result of adding together
the day, month, and year of birth. In this scheme
the year is generic, the month specific, and the
day individualistic. For there are many thousands
born every year, about one-twelfth being born in
each month; while a comparative few come out
under the particular day, still fewer in any hour,
and less still in any minute. Thus, in London the
population of 4,758,218 in 1907, with a birth-rate
for the year of 25*6 per thousand of the population,

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141

gives 121,810 births in the 12 months.
have, in round figures,

Then we

Per year,
,, month,
,,day,
,,hour,

121,810
10,150
338
14

We see how busy a place London is from a
psychic point of view, and how souls come tumbling
into existence at the rate of 14 per hour on account
of the enormous vortex of attraction which is set
up by the whirl of its great activity and desire
force.
It has already been shown how the smaller
periods of time are calculated from the planetary
days and hours, and hence we may say that the
line of demarcation is fairly well defined in every
case.

Thus, a person born on Tuesday, 26th April
1910, at 4"5 in the afternoon, would be primarily
under the dominance of the planet & Tuesday;
in a more intimate sense under the planet 9 Venus,
governing the hour, and specifically under the
influence of 1 , which governs the exact minute
of the birth.
From these elements we have the figures 532,
all being negative, and the sum of these is 10 =1,
which is the key number of that individual. This
method will be found more exact and representative
even than the kabala of the Table of Three already
dealt with in these pages.
Now, having the key number of an individual,

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

we can apply it in a variety of ways to the ordinary
affairs of daily life. Knowing his number, a man
may choose a house by the agreement of its number
or name-value with his own, may make choice of
a wife, select a fortunate day on which to transact
important business, and otherwise variously dispose
himself in regard to an environment which by
numerical selection is calculated to reinforce and
uphold his effectiveness.
The choice of a day must be made by its number,
and likewise the hour and subdivision of the hour ;
while association with any other person should be
controlled by regard to his key number of birth,
or if this be not known, by comparison of the two
dates from the Table of Three. For it frequently
happens that a person does not know the hour of
his birth, still less the exact time, and in these
cases the Table of Three may conveniently be used.
But in every case comparison must be made from
the same basis and by the same method, whether
by the Table of Three, the enumeration of the
name, the Tarot, or any other means.

CHAPTER XV
THE LAW OF VALUES
WE have already seen, when considering the principle of enumeration, that numbers express only
quantitive relations unless we elect to regard them
symbolically, when they assume a significance of an
entirely different nature. We have seen that
unity = 1 can be expressed in terms of an indefinite
state of eternal becoming, as when 1 =' to infinity.
It is also possible to say 1=1+ x, where x is an
infinite potential. For aught we know, the amoeba
is potential man. Natural history seems to lend
colour to the conception of a continual progression
in the scale of evolution. We do not know how
inorganic matter becomes organic, how the mineral
becomes translated into the vegetable and the
vegetable into the animal, but here and there we
find examples of the transition. We cover the whole
ground of manifold creation by a single word when
we speak of differentiation, and the whole process
of infinite progression of the forms of life when we
define evolution. At root of all is the one Life, the
one Substance, the one Great Intelligence, from
which all proceeds and to which all aspires.
143

144

THE KABALA

OF NUMBERS

Quantitive relations have no fixed value. Before
we can say 2 +2= 4 we have to posit a qualitative
value which has regard to the nature of the things
thus put together. Here we are giving to numbers
something more than the power to express quantitive relations, we are giving them a qualitative
value. We exercise this discrimination when we
seek to form a cricket team or an eight-oar crew.
It is not merely a question of 11 men or 8 men,
but of 11 cricketers and 8 oarsmen. Hence it is
not the fact that 11 men make a cricket team.
They must first learn to play cricket.
Moral values attach to numbers quite as much
as do exchange values. Shakespeare expressed
this fact in the saying: "He is well paid who is
well satisfied." One can give a small boy a penny
and a workman a shilling and get more work in
exchange from the boy while giving equal satisfaction to both. Yet the needs of the man in a
given time are not eleven times greater than those
of the boy in the same time. Hence the penny and
the shilling obtain a moral value in addition to their
exchange value. Each is a token, and intrinsically
of equal value in certain circumstances, so that
1=1 +11 is a possible expression of fact.
Nature has more regard to potentiality than to
potency, to future possibilities than to present
circumstance. Consequently, we find that her
expressions of value are not fixed, but have always
a cumulative adjunct represented by +x", which
we understand to mean indefinite evolution-as, for
example, Adam =1 +4 +4 = 9 +x". When the poet

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speaks of " the diapason closing strong in man," we
apprehend his meaning but disagree as to his
values. He leaves out of sight the fact that
Nature as instrument is not affected by the limitations that are imposed upon ourselves, and that
the divine harmony is not realised in man as we
know him, because he is not a plenary expression
of the soul of the Great Performer. The theme,
if pursued to its logical conclusion, will bring us
again to the fact that all values are relative, and
since we are mainly concerned in this place with
numbers as expressions of human relations-that is,
with their symbolical values-we may pursue the
study along these lines to greater advantage.
That perspicuous thinker and fine poet, George
Macdonald, LL.D., in his Phantastes, has this
pertinent passage :"They who believe in the influence of the stars
over the fates of men, are, in feeling at least, nearer
the truth than they who regard the heavenly bodies
as related to them merely by a common obedience
to an external law. All that man sees has to do
with man. Worlds cannot be without an intermundane relationship. The community of the
centre of all creation suggests an inter-radiating
connection and dependence of the parts. Else a
grander idea is conceivable than that which is
already embodied. The blank, which is only a
forgotten life, lying behind the consciousness, and
the misty splendour, which is an undeveloped life,
lying before it, may be full of mysterious revelation
of other connections with the worlds around us than
10

146

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

those of science and poetry. No shining belt or
gleaming moon, no red and green glory in selfencircling twin-stars, but has a relation to the
hidden things of a man's soul, and, it may be, with
the secret history of his body as well. They are
portions of the living house wherein he abides."
This thought is a very vital one. It suggests the
concept of the idealist that nothing exists for us
save in our consciousness, all things being related
to us through our senses and our thoughts. Whatever affects the consciousness affects the man, and
in an intimate sense is man, as Henry Sutton has so
well expressed it"Man doth usurp all space,
Stares thee in rock, bush, river, in the face;
Never yet thine eyes beheld a tree;
'Tis no sea thou seest in the sea'Tis but a disguised humanity.
To avoid thy fellow, vain thy plan;
All that interests a man is man."
These lines have the endorsement of George
Macdonald, who quotes them in his FairieRomance
with evident appreciation. The idea of all Nature
being a " disguised humanity" is excellent, the
phrase unique, and we, as students of the book of
God's revelation, have to find the story of man's
origin, history, and development in the world about
us, as well distant as near.
In the sense that Henry Sutton has so well put it,
we may infer by human relations all of his powers,
needs, hopes, joys, and aspirations that can find
sublunary expression; and that which presses him

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most closely in daily life is his need. It is not what
a man has, but what he wants, that shapes his
course and determines his efforts. It is man's need
that gives to things their market value and makes
opportunity for faculty and capital.
Thus we get a new value for the number 8 and the
planet Saturn, which stand as symbols of privation.
We see them as the cause of all striving, and, in
effect, 8=evolution; and since evolution involves
growth, expansion, development, the expression
and realisation of potential faculty, we find that
8 is potentially 3.
In a universe where everything is in a state of
flux, where the status quo is an unstable equilibrium,
we find that reaction is the law. For every rise
there is a fall, for every flow an ebb, for every
perihelion an aphelion, for every flood a drought.
The experience is universal, and so fully recognised
by the man in the street as to have given rise to
the following jingle, which probably had its origin
with some unfortunate speculator on the Stock
Exchange :"After the rise, the fall;
After the boom, the slump;
After the fizz and the big cigar,
The cigarette and the hump ! "
It expresses a recognition of the law of action
and reaction, which is responsible for the stability
of the universe.
We have already found that 8 =privation. We
have connoted death, decay, ruin, injury, maiming,
with this unfortunate number. It has been ascribed

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

to Saturn, the planet whose mass-chord of vibration
is most inimical to us of the earth sphere whose
number is 4 (materiality), and our satellite the Moon
whose numbers are 7 (increscent) and 2 (decrescent).
Let us trace this influence in terms of cosmical law.
The planet Saturn was in the sign Sagittarius in the
year 1898. For many centuries prior to this date it
had been known by observation that this sign of the
zodiac " governed" Spain. Not that any disrespect
was intended to the king, or even to Don Caesar de
Bazan, but that the fortunes of that country were
found to answer to the affections of that sign by the
successive incursions of the various planets-as was
noted by Kepler, who found it not beneath him to
confess that "A most unfailing experience of the
course of human events in harmony with the changes
occurring in the heavens has instructed and compelled my unwilling belief."
In 1898, therefore, we find Spain, in strict agreement with this dictum, suddenly plunged into a
most unexpected and unfortunate war with the
United States of America. " Spanish Fours " went
down with a run on the Stock Exchange, and thousands of Spanish holders of the Government Stock
were ruined. Spain lost her possessions in the West
Indies and the Philippines, and a heavy indemnity
was imposed when finally it capitulated. Altogether, some 100,000 men were killed during the
hostilities. It was a black hour for Spain indeed.
Since then the Spanish "Maine " has had a new
meaning, for it has been officially ascertained by
the salving of the American war-vessel that it was

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not blown up by any Spaniard, but exploded from
its own magazines, the explosion taking place from
within and not outside of the vessel. There was,
therefore, no adequate casus belli, and if we could
eliminate Saturn and the number 8 from the sign
Sagittarius in the year 1898 =1 +8 +9 +8 = 26 = 8,
we should find no reason to suspect that there might
be one. Yet it is significant that the present writer
specifically predicted this great struggle between
America and Spain, the concomitant rise in the
price of wheat, the loss of life and territory sustained
by Spain, and the reconstruction of its Government
Stock in the following year.
The Russo-Japanese war took place in 1905, and
was similarly attended by the transit of Saturn
through Russia's ruling sign Aquarius. The prediction of its defeat was an easy matter to those instructed in natural symbolism, and the revolution,
also specifically predicted, was the result of Saturn
and Mars being conjoined in Aquarius.
When Saturn passed into Pisces, which rules
Portugal, the unrest and dissatisfaction of the populace found signal expression in the assassination of
the King and Crown Prince, and was shortly followed by the revolution, due to the conjunction of
Saturn and Mars as before, which deposed the
monarchy.
Now, if we look at the corresponding values of
the chief securities of these countries, we shall find
that they reflect the " depression " of the public
mind due to the influence of Saturn.
Spanish Fours, prior to the war, were in the

150

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

In 1898 they fell to something
region of 80.
under 30. Russias show the following remarkable
fluctuations :
5 per cent. Loan (1822)
1906 = 90
1897 =154
4 per cent. Bonds
1906 =71
1896 = 105
3 per cent. Bonds
1907 =61
1898 =96
32 per cent. Gold Loan (1894)
1906 =60
1897 =103
The figures given are the highest and lowest
between the years 1895 and 1907 for the several
securities. We thus see that the lowest for the
period of 12 years is touched at the time of Saturn's
influence.
Portuguese 3 per cent. stock stood at 72 in 1906,
and the influence of Saturn was such as to bring the
value down to 58 in 1908.
Japan, ruled by Libra, shows no corresponding
depreciation as did Russia from influence of Saturn,
for in 1906 the 41 per cent. (1905) bonds stood at
the highest point of over 97 since the date of issue,
and in 1910, when 4 = 3 (increase and expansion) was
in Libra, the price went up to over 102.
The evidence is sufficiently marked to dispel all
doubt as to the action of the planets upon human
affairs, and we may consider the observation of
Kepler to be justified.

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Now we, as Kabalists, are chiefly concerned with
the fact that the integrity of Nature is upheld by
this coincidence of symbolism with " the course of
mundane events." In these pages I have endeavoured to show that symbology extends far beyond
the circle, the cross, or any other geometrical form
which ordinarily is employed as such. I have
brought in figures and numbers as symbols, and
have linked them with sounds and colours. But
this does not exhaust symbolism, nor does the
application of the symbology of form, colour, sound,
and number to individual character and fortune
constitute the whole subject. We must extend our
symbolism to the entire universe, and our interpretations must have regard to the evolution of the
human race as a whole. The Kabalists, following
the lines already instituted by the observations of
astrologers, have attempted such an universal
symbolism.
The twelve labours of Hercules, the feats of Samson, and the progress of Israel from the captivity
to the partitioning of Palestine, are so many symbols
or ideographs set up to signal the evolutional progress of the race. Each is capable of a zodiacal
interpretation (vide Drummond's (EdipusJudaicus).
Those who would pursue the subject of zodiacal
symbolism in relation to the great epochs of human
history should endeavour to obtain the works of
C. Massey, E. V. Kenealy, J. Mackay, and Capt.
Drayton, in each of which some glimpses of the
system of interpretation are to be found.
In the present instance, we are concerned chiefly

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

with the kabalism of numbers in relation to the
law of values. This cannot be effectively followed
apart from a study of cosmic elements, the planets
of the solar system, the cycles of the lunations and
eclipses, and the divisions of the heavens called the
signs of the zodiac. It is the recurrence of these
planetary periods and luni-solar cycles that constitutes the ebb and flow of human affairs and the
corresponding changes or fluctuations in values.
The cycle of Saturn is 30 years, of Jupiter 12, of
Mars 15, of the Sun 19, of Venus 8, of Mercury 10,
and of the Moon 4. The saros or eclipse cycle is 18
years 10J days, which, in 3 cycles, amounts to 54
years 1 month, and in 36 cycles to 649 years, after
which the eclipses begin again and recur on the same
days of the year. Those who have studied the
marked physical effects due to, and coincident with,
central eclipse, especially when the Moon is in
perigee, i.e. at nearest distance from the Earth,
will be prepared to allow that such may also have
an effect upon individuals. Tycho admitted the
symbolism of eclipses, and has given us examples
of his interpretations, while Kepler has argued for
their causative relations with humanity. It is an
ancient belief, much better sustained by observation than many of our modern scientific theories,
and can be accepted on the authority of those who
have made the matter a subject of study for many
years. Applying this observed malefic influence
of eclipses to the problem of values, let A be the
place of the sun at the birth of a person, that of a
ruler or president; let B be the place of the

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153

Moon; and CC' and DD' the meridian and horizon
respectively :-

C

I

C'
It will be found that whenever an eclipse of
either luminary shall fall on any of these points, a
period of sickness, depression of fortune, loss and
disaster, will follow, such period commencing as
many days from the date of eclipse as the luminary
is degrees from the horizon it last crossed, whether
E. or W., and the duration being equal to four times
the number of days that the luminary is distant in
degrees from the horizon to which it is proceeding.
Thus, for example, there was a total eclipse of the
Moon on the night of the 3rd June 1909, which
accordingly fell on the point A in the horoscope of
H.M. King George V., then Prince of Wales; the

154

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

eclipsed Moon being then about 900 from the west
horizon and an equal distance from the east horizon.
Then 90 x 4 = 360 days as the duration of this
eclipse influence, extending to the end of May 1910,
the beginning being 90 days after the birthday, or
1st September 1909.
In the same year and month there was also a considerable eclipse of the sun, which had place at
point D' in the horoscope of King Edward VII.
The eclipse took place on June 17, just before 11.30
at night, and hence the sun was about 82o ° from
the west horizon, giving the beginning of the period
of effects on the 7th September 1909, and, as the
Sun was 971 ° from the east horizon, and 97y x 4
= 390 days, the date of the expiry of the eclipse
period would be about 12th July 1910. Within the
limits of this period Edward the Peacemaker had
passed away.
If instead of an individual we take the horoscope
of a nation, we shall find the same rule holds good,
but this statement is open to the objection that
whereas the individual horoscope is certainly known
from the moment of birth, that of a nation has to be
empirically determined by a long series of observations. We do not certainly know by what method
Nature partitions the zodiac among the nations, or
how she determines the destiny of any country from
the affections of a particular sign, but we know from
experience that in some particular manner there is
a correspondence between the signs and the several
members of the human body, and between the signs
and various countries which are found to answer to

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155

them. The facts cannot be disputed; the reasons
are perhaps obscure, and it is therefore convenient
to regard the whole scheme as having a human significance and, in a special sense, intelligible only_ in
terms of human consciousness and experience.
Then Saturn, as privation, threatens the life every
7 or 8 years by its quadrature, but more especially
every 15 years by its conjunction and opposition;
while 4 gives increase and expansion every 4th year,
and more especially every 12th year.
Events that characterised any particular month
are apt to find repetition every 19th year in the
same month of the year, because the lunations repeat themselves after 19 years about the same date,
and are therefore in the same horoscopical relations
as 19 years previously. This law of "correlated
successiveness," as it has been called, is the means
employed by nature to preserve the equilibrium of
things and regulate the law of values. It gives
rise to diversity of fortune, and thus fosters interdependence among the various sections of humanity.
For, while it is true that one governs and another
serves, one has wealth and another lack of means,
it is also true that nothing is effected save by the
consent of that which is below. We see this in
horoscopy, where the Sun promises some good by
its benefic aspect to some planet in the horoscope,
but is unable to bring it into effect until the Moon
comes to the same or a similar aspect in the horoscope. The gods will that there should be a beginning
of the millennium to-morrow if not to-day, but
humanity does not like it so, and the great day of

156

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

universal peace and goodwill is indefinitely postponed. A king is ruler by the will of the people, for
none can be king without subjects, and therefore we
see that it is one of Nature's economic laws that the
superior depends upon that which is inferior, while
that which is beneath receives the sanction and
purpose of its existence from above.
A man whose signature is 3 can become rich by
expenditure and the free use of that which he
possesses; while one whose signature is 8 can only
become so in course of time by frugality, patience,
self-denial, privation, and hard saving. For Jupiter
demands expansion, liberty, largesse, and generosity
from those whom he endows, while Saturn demands
a " time contract " and much durance from his
subjects. Mars, on the other hand, requires a risk, a
hazard, a speculation or daring exploit, something
that is " touch and go," as a fuse in a mine or a
match to gunpowder. In every department of life
it is always the same mandate under a variety of
conditions. " Take what thou wilt, but pay the
price," as Emerson has wisely said.
A man whose signature is Mars, whose number is
9, will have a positive and forceful nature. He
may express it in lawlessness and open violence, and
bring himself under the penalty of the law; or he
may undertake some great pioneer work in which
concentrated energy, direction of force, intrepidity,
zeal and intensity are effective characteristics, and
so gain honours and emoluments for himself. At
quite an early stage in the study of the law of values
we find that a number signifies a definite character-

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157

istic, but does not indicate anything concerning the
manner of its expression. The influence of 8 may
operate to produce reservation, conservation, steadiness, or it may tend to deprivation, misfortune, and
misanthropy. Character is the expression of individuality as seen through the coloured glass of
personality and environment. Numbers are a key to
this expression, but they do not inform us as to
individual attributes or inherent powers. Nature,
however, is jealous of her products, and observes the
law of the conservation of energy in human
destiny as in cosmic operations, and conceivably
follows the lines of least resistance by adapting
environment to aptitude, or, at all events, affording
suitable birth-conditions to every evolving entity.
Similarly, Saturn= 8, may tend to a scarcity of
an article by diminishing production or supplies;
in such case the price of the commodity will be
temporarily enhanced. On the other hand, it may
operate to diminish the demand for the article,
which consequently falls in value. The key to this
interpretation of 8, or any other number or corresponding planet, is one of the arcana of kabalistic
and astrological science which have been successfully applied to the question of values for many
years pasty not only as to the greater periodic
movements of the various markets, but also the
monthly and daily fluctuations, so that the whole
matter is in evidence and in every way confirms the
view of Kepler concerning the concurrence of
mundane events with changes occurring in the
heavens.

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

The introduction of this subject of the law of
values, and the study of it from the point of view
indicated at the outset of the present work, is the
outcome of an admonition received many years ago
from a man of known commercial ability and
sufficient common sense to harbour a belief in the
solidarity of the universe and the consequent probability of planetary influence in human life.
" Make your science practical, and it will be recognised," he said, and in order to do so we must
interpret the language of Nature into terms of
everyday life. Neither astrology nor kabalism is
a religion. They will never save a soul from selfdestruction, but they can throw a welcome light
upon the dark and narrow paths through which
many a starved and belated soul has to push its
way towards the place where humanity has set its
camp. Where there was tyranny and servitude,
oppression and slavery, opulence and indigence,
happiness and misery in a world already made, the
light of natural symbolism reveals an infinity of
changing conditions and a universal service of
indefinite opportunity occurring to each and every
soul in a world that is for ever in the making. For
the teaching of the universal symbolism is a scientific optimism for which we have the warrant of
analogy. Whatever may be the sul
to which a
soul may be attracted, we know that it is answering
to a gravitational pull and slowly but surely
approaching the consummation of its purpose. At
this period in its career it may be in aphelion, far
away in the drear wilderness of life, with a minimum

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159

of light and heat to cheer it on its way. But the
law of compensation is for ever at work, and, as
surely as a soul is now in aphelion, it will some day
be in perihelion, bathed in the sunshine of a perfect
day and as near as the law of his being will permit to
the object of his ambitions. Further, we know that
at every successive revolution he will come to a
place that is a little nearer to the heart of being.
The law of evolution is cyclic or periodic, it is never
retrogressive, but always progressive. The spiral
course of a gravitating body has given rise to the
idea among superficial observers to the idea that
humanity retrogresses or continually pursues the
same unchanging orbit. Closer observation will
show that, whereas it appears to return to the same
place, it is in reality a little nearer to its gravitating
centre at every revolution. In a single revolution,
the increment is inappreciable ; in a thousand or
ten thousand it becomes considerable. To-day the
Earth is nearer to the Sun than it was twenty centuries ago, and the Moon is proportionately nearer
the Earth; but also the velocity of both is increased,
and the Earth turns upon its axis in a shorter
interval of time. We are getting closer to the
centre of gravity ; we are, as is our planet, answering to the inward pull. The best of men are deifying,
most of us a-humanising, still; but all are gradually,
imperceptibly-yet surely--evolving. We need no
other argument than that afforded by cosmic law
to uphold the doctrine of optimism. The laws of
periodicity, of cyclic progress and of gravitation,
ensure the working out of the law of compensation,

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

and this is the basis of our law of values which here
has been partially considered. We learn from the
law of values that rise and fall, increase and decrease, gain and loss, are only relative and at most
but temporary terms, having no permanent value
in a scheme that demands continual progress. But
also it affords us that measure of opportunity which is
required for the exercise of our faculties and powers,
and the old adage, "Needs must when the devil
drives," is only another expression of the fact that
Necessity is the mother of invention," and equally
that " Suffering is the cause of evolution," for

"

" Stronger than woe is will;
That which is good
Doth pass to better, best."
Without restriction and pain, without need and
suffering, there would be no sustained effort
towards expansion, and without effort no development of power and faculty.
Thus we see how the study of the universe as
symbol leads us to a more just conception of the
Divine Economy, and how the law of values, when
worked out to its last equation, speaks only of the
beneficence of God. Incidentally it may serve us
to improve our opportunities and make the best of
life by timely effort in work that is agreeable to our
natures and within the range of our faculties, as
indicated to us by the kabala of numbers and
other means of interpretation available to us.
What I have here tried to show is the fact that 1= 1
+x" , and 8 =3. To have succeeded, if only par-

THE LAW OF VALUES

161

tially, will be to have given to the kabalistic theory
a new value, lifting it to the position of a gospel of
optimism, at the same time inviting the philosophical consideration of a new law of values, which has
regard to the scientific fact of human evolution and
the moral incident of individual aspiration.
I have already said that neither kabalism nor
astrology is a religion, and I do not see cause to depart from this statement. I am inclined to think,
however, that both may contribute something to the
structure of a true religion which has regard to the
symbolical value of the universe as the revelation
of God to man. Emerson, in his essay on " Idealism,"
has seized upon this idea and embodied it in the
following fine phrase, which I venture to quote from
memory: "The idealist views the world in God.
He sees the whole circle of events, of persons and
things, not as painfully accumulated, atom by atom,
act after act, in an age creeping past, but as one
vast scene painted on the instant eternity by the
hand of God for the eternal contemplation of the
human soul."
The laws of thought imposed upon us by 22= 4
(materiality) may be changed by an altered relation
to the universe, and it may then appear that the
apparent changes taking place in the world about
are reflections answering to changes in our consciousness, and that the great picture of man in the
image and likeness of God, the "fulness of the
stature of Christ," has never undergone any change
since the world began.
11

CHAPTER XVI
GOD GEOMETRISES
WHEN Goethe called architecture " frozen music,"
he was impressed by the same idea as that which
caused Plato to define the Deity as the Great
Geometer.
Whether we view a noble edifice, a magnificent
landscape, or the vast canopy of heaven " studded
o'er with gold," we are looking at concrete thought.
The universe has been variously described as " the
vestment of God," the " bodying-forth of divine
Thought," and " divine Ideation in expression of
form." The day of belief in the fortuitous concurrence of atoms is now far gone and possibly
will never return to the human mind in quite the
same positive form. Science has made vast strides
towards the theological position, and philosophy
in the middle ground between them is seen to be
making discreet but unmistakable advances towards the argument from design. The more we
learn of the laws of the universe around us the
more evident to our minds does the design and
purpose of creation become, the more acceptable
the idea of a beneficent Creator. A man cannot
162

GOD GEOMETRISES

163

be intimate with Nature, or study the laws of
matter closely, without finally swerving to a belief
in an Intelligence at the back of things. Everywhere on all sides, and in an almost infinite variety
of forms, he beholds the Trinity of Life, Substance,
and Intelligence expressed as force, matter, and
consciousness. In the mutual attraction of molecules, in chemical combinations, in the building
up of cells into tissue and organisms by assimilation
of inorganic matter, he sees elective affinity and the
operation of a magic which he does not understand.
He does not pretend to know what is the nature of
that interpreter which converts inorganic into
organic matter, still less what it is that renders
an organism the vehicle of an intelligent will. He
observes, however, that faculty, function, and
instrument are immediately related. He may
have a conception of life apart from any particular
form that lives, but there is no possible conception
of embodied life apart from function, and function
implies faculty, which is not merely an expression
of life but also of a living intelligence. It is perhaps
hardly conceivable that one should have even
a broad idea of the laws of life and the constitution
of the cosmos and not regard those laws and that
studied order of evolution as in some intimate
relations with an Intelligence of a supreme nature,
and as a partial expression at least of such an
Intelligence. The question then arises as to the
means of this expression. It is implied in the terms
" law " and " cosmos."
The terms are correlative. According to Leibnitz

164

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

there could be no cosmos apart from pre-established
harmony, which harmony is the effect of intelligence in operation. Then we have Intelligence as
faculty, Cosmical Evolution as function, and
Cosmos as instrument. All that is possibly knowable to us as sublunary creatures concerning that
Intelligence as faculty, is to be learned from a study
of cosmical functions and the world about us.
The universe is not in itself a plenary expression
of an Infinite Intelligence or Omniscient Being.
It is not an infinite universe; on the contrary, it is
in itself a comparatively small one, and our Sun,
which is its gravitational centre, is a star of no
great magnitude. It is, moreover, a satellite,
answering to a gravitational pull from a greater
focal centre in the confines of space. The solar
system has an orbit, and, from the view-point of
Plato, the Sun takes 25,920 years to complete its
revolution. If we take the mean precession of the
equinoxes, 50" per year, and divide it into 360 °,
we shall have 25,920 years, which is the Great Year
referred to by the great philosopher. It is suggested
that the proper motion of the Sun in space is the
true cause of the phenomenon known as precession.
If this be so, and I see nothing against it, although
I am aware it is not the argument used by modern
astronomers, then the distance of the Sun from its
gravitational centre is calculable in terms of a
mean vector. We know nothing, of course, of the
eccentricity of its orbit, but we know from observations extending from Hipparchus, through Ptolemy,
to Copernicus and Kepler, and continued by modern

GOD GEOMETRISES

165

astronomers, that the solar system is moving in
the direction of the constellation Hercules, the stars
of which are opening out, while the stars in Gemini
are closing in.
Leaving the consideration of these higher and more
speculative astronomical problems to others, we
may consider the bearing of the main facts of astroWe have
nomy upon the kabala of numbers.
already seen that the universe is only intelligible
because it is an expression. of Intelligence. Its
intelligibility lies in the fact that it responds to the
law of numbers, whence we may argue that numbers
are the means employed for the expression of the
Divine Intelligence. The facts fully maintain this
view.
A planet moves in an orbit about the Sun at a
mean distance determined by its mass, volume, and
magnitude. Its velocity, or mean motion, in its
orbit depends again on its mean distance, and its
revolution or periodic time is dependent on its
velocity. The whole mechanism is unified by the
law of Kepler, which requires that the planets
describe equal areas in equal times by their motions
round the Sun, and hence it follows that the squares
of the periodic times of the planets are to each other
as the cubes of their mean distances from the Sun.
From this we see that the universe itself is
governed by mechanical laws which are intelligible,
and therefore are expressions of Intelligence. We
see, also, that this Intelligence is expressed in terms
of numbers, which we use to signify quantitive
relations. The same ordered and intelligible re-

166

THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

lationship may be observed in regard to the properties of the elements, chemical combinations, crystallisation, etc.
The phenomena of light and
sound, as developed in colour, art, and music,
contribute to the same testimony, while telegraphy
has quite recently given us a new view of the finer
forces of Nature in the phenomena of syntonic
vibration.
There is, indeed, no coherent view of the forces
of Nature apart from an ascription of intelligence
behind them.
It is only when we come to the symbolical use
of numbers that we are faced with any degree of
difficulty. If the Kabalist gives a characteristic to
a number, he is in the position of one who has no
other argument than that derived by experience.
He cannot tell you why 9 should be an incisive
number, or why it should signify cutting, wounding,
severance, strife, sharp words, or a sword, but he
can link it up with the planet Mars and the colour
red by a symbolism which is mainly dependent on
its universality. But this universality is in itself
the strongest argument in favour of its recognition.
If it were an isolated experience, or one that depended wholly on tradition, then we should have
good reason to question its truth. The symbologist
is, however, supported by the empirics of all nations ;
for whether as the Chinese Ho-sing, the Persian
Marduk, the Chaldean Coah, the Coptic Kham, the
Greek Vulcan, the Indian Angarika, or the Latin
Mars, the same planetary body has the same characteristics ascribed to it. Adam, the perfect man,

GOD GEOMETRISES

167

made in the image and likeness of the Elohim, is
enumerated thus : la 4d 4m =-144 = 9. Adam means
red.
It is also the Hebrew number of "the
fulness of stature," or 12 x 12. It is, of course,
only a convenient symbolism which connects the
number 9 with this planet; but, inasmuch as the
whole universe is a symbol of that Intelligence
which created and sustains it, we have no cause to
quarrel with the Kabalist when he, in common with
the scientist, avails himself of its convenience. It
appears rather an advantage to designate a characteristic by a number, when the language or symbolism of numbers is known; as if, by the physiognomy of a man, he should be described as one of
much combativeness, it would be convenient to
say that his characteristic is 9; or that one of much
joviality, bonhomie, and expansiveness should be
characterised by 3; as convenient, indeed, as the
geometrical formula 7ra 2 for the area of a circle, or
H 2SO 4 for sulphuric acid.
The point we have to bear in mind in all these
speculations is that there is a geometry in nature
which is discoverable and cognisable, but which
exists quite apart from our recognition of it. It is
not a feature imposed upon it by our laws of thought,
but, on the contrary, our laws of thought are determined by it; and this seems to be the reason
why the whole of our being, the incident of our
lives, and our relations to the external world,
answer to a numerical law.
When, therefore, we say that " God geometrises,"
we mean something more than the mere observance

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THE KABALA OF NUMBERS

of geometrical law in the creation and ordering of
the cosmos; we intend also the imposing of a geometrical law of thought upon humanity. Our concepts are those of Unity, our thought is in terms of
the Triad, our perceptions answer to the Septenate.
We are compounded of universal elements, and respond at all points of our being to the geometrical
ratios of an elemental life. But also we are more
than elemental beings, and potentially greater than
the universe in which we exist; for we are in a conspiracy of thought with the divine, taking knowledge
of the gods as we are able to understand their
language, learning to use the elements and the forces
of nature, and entering freely into the scheme of
our own conscious evolution and unfoldment.
And if, in the endeavour to penetrate some of the
more subtle mysteries which encircle our lives, the
Kabalist makes trial of the numerical key, he has,
at least, the sanction of those who are learned in the
cryptography and symbolism of Oriental writings
as well as the authority of traditional practice; and
should he succeed in opening even one of the seven
portals which guard the Temple of Truth, he may
account himself as fortunate beyond those who
merely stand outside and take note only of the
external lineaments of the edifice, not caring what
great treasures may be displayed within.

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