§ The core number

Life Path numbers, read properly.

Your Life Path number is drawn from your date of birth, and it describes the theme your life keeps returning to — the shape of the road rather than the events on it. Below: how to calculate yours by hand, and a full reading for each of the twelve possible numbers.

How to calculate your Life Path number

  1. 01 — Reduce your birth month to one digit. November (11) stays 11.
  2. 02 — Reduce your birth day the same way. The 22nd stays 22.
  3. 03 — Reduce your full four-digit birth year.
  4. 04 — Add those three results together and reduce once more, keeping 11, 22 or 33 intact.

Example — 14 March 1991: month 3, day 1+4 = 5, year 1+9+9+1 = 20 → 2. Then 3 + 5 + 2 = 10 → 1. A Life Path 1.

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Every Life Path meaning

What about master numbers?

When the final total lands on 11, 22 or 33, traditional Pythagorean numerology leaves it unreduced. These carry the traits of their reduced form (2, 4 and 6) at a higher voltage — more potential, more pressure, and usually a slower start in life. Read both pages if yours is a master number.

Your Life Path is one of five core numbers. The others — Expression, Soul Urge, Personality and Birthday — come from your birth name, and your Personal Year describes the season you're walking through right now.