Numerology together with astrology and alchemy were popular among the ancients, including early mathematicians such as Pythagoras who believed that numbers have divine meanings and reality can be expressed in numerical terms. Numerology follows the belief that because we understand the world through the science of logic, algorithms and patterns, so (the theory goes) we should also be able to use the same principles to understand ourselves. (See NumerologyQuest). Many of the meanings attributed to the tarot derive from numerology and like alchemy have the concept of masculine and feminine. Odd numbers are regarded as forceful and masculine, or yang and even numbers as stabilising and feminine, or yin. A tarot spread can be read in numerological terms and to get a more precise meaning some readers will take into account the numerological value of the spread. All tarot spreads have an overriding energy. This is a number that when matched with a card in the major arcana provides a high level message to the reading. For example, the wheel of fortune would suggest change whilst the star would suggest hope and optimism. To work out the spread number simply add all the numbers of the cards (court cards count as 1), if the total exceeds 21 then keep deducting 22 until the number is less than or equal to 21. This will always produce a number between 0 and 21 which will correspond with a major arcana card. Everyone has two birth cards, an Astrology Birth Card and a Numerology Birth Card. It is possible both could be the same card, however since only 12 of the Major Arcana cards correspond to Zodiac signs, (the others correspond to astral bodies such as the sun, moon and planets) leaving 10 Major Arcana which cannot be Astrology Birth Cards. Each Tarot card in the minor arcana (excluding court cards) can related to an overall high level message. The numerical associations are as follows:

Number	Title	Details
Ace	Beginnings & inspiration	Origin, birth, uniqueness, individuality, solitary, self and opportunity
Two	Decisions & balance	Opposites, attraction, co-operation, duality, partnership and commitment
Three	Creativity & growth	Collaboration, exploration, learning, acceptance and interaction
Four	Stability & wellbeing	Practical considerations, security, prudence and wellbeing
Five	Challenges	Loss, conflict, chaos, disruption, change and complexity
Six	Healing & reconciliation	Appreciation, harmony, peace, responsibility and contentment
Seven	Trust & faith	Judgement, wisdom, discovery, introspection and resourcefulness
Eight	Self-empowerment	Determination, dedication, energy, strength and business acumen
Nine	Consequences & reflection	Self-examination, trials, satisfaction, compassion and fulfillment
Ten	Completion & knowledge	Finality, cycles, new beginnings, mastery and lessons learnt