This
Journal

November
1999

Mr. Jennings made a point this evening to tell us that today is special because our digits (11.19.99) are all odd....and this will not happen again for over a thousand years. I suppose that's true, as long as we stick with this young whippersnapper of a Gregorian calendar throughout the coming millenium and don't slide into something like that goofy Star Trek system, which I never could figure out. It's another occasion to ponder weird Time's awesomeness - which on one hand seems so abstract and arbitrary, while on the other is inscribed on the cells of our flesh. Tic Tock. So go ponder while I think about something else.

Numerology (noo'me-ròl´e-jê, nyoo'-) noun
The study of the occult meanings of numbers and their supposed influence on human life.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition

Why should a string of odd numbers matter? How did something as simple as counting or measuring ever become the object of occult meanings? One is one and two is two. One thing. Two things. So at what point did this little critter sprout wings?

Numerology is the study of numbers, and the occult manner in which they reflect certain aptitudes and character tendencies, as an integral part of the cosmic plan. Each letter has a numeric value that provides a related cosmic vibration. The sum of the numbers in your birth date and the sum of value derived from the letters in the name provide an interrelation of vibrations. These numbers show a great deal about character, purpose in life, what motivates, and where talents may lie.

Oh...vibrations...I see...the cosmic plan...right.

I take this last quote from one of the thousands of numerology sites that appeared with a simple online search. The few I sampled try to sound as solid as they can. They talk a lot about Pythagoras. They also talk a lot about your sex life. (Well, not exactly yours, I guess - but somebody's, I suppose.) It seems that there are ways to get and keep these vibrations humming in our favor.

I'm about to laugh. Of course this is all New Age pseudo-science (though the business end is for real). Yet, many numbers do seem to wield great power over our days and ways. How could we get anything done without street- phone- social security- creditcard- bank account- numbers? To say nothing of the plethora of passwords (numerical and otherwise) simmering in our brainpans. You ain't nobody if you ain't got the right numbers. And then there's the Lottery. We're all playing the numbers - every day. So I'll restrain that rude laughter.

Still, it's all a humbug, don't you think? All of it. Astrology Numerology Visa Mastercard Powerball. What's your lucky number?

An honest man has hardly need to count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest.
Henry David Thoreau