It's said that adding the value of the vowels in a name reflects the inner realities. The consonants are what we show to the world, and the whole name is a balanced reflection of the inner and outer life. When added together using the Alpha-Numeric Essential as a guide, a person's name number reveals hidden potentials and dangers. For example, if someone were considering a job offer, they could compare the values of the company's name with their own name number to see if it's a good match. Or, comparing one's name number to that of potential mates could prove very interesting.

Alpha-Numeric Correspondences

This modern system is based on the Pythagorean approach, which is the most widely used. However, if a person would like to see what other systems say about personality, add up all the letters in your first, middle, and last names as follows:

Joe X. Smith becomes:

1 + 7 + 5 + 6 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 4 + 5 (Cabalistic) = 36 = 9

1 + 7 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 4 + 5 (Chaldean) = 35 = 8

1 + 6 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 8 (Modern) = 42 = 6

The numerological associations for name numbers follow:

• Somewhat independent person, likely to be a trailblazer. Lots of energy for new adventures. A very inventive leader who lets little stand between him and a goal. On the down side, this person may not always think through the consequences of their actions.

• Peace-loving individual who would make an excellent diplomat. Huge personality, amazing charm, and the ability to bring out the best in others makes this person fairly popular. Even so, he may suffer from a sense of low self-esteem.

• The number of inventors and thinkers. People with restless spirits are typically Threes. These individuals feel appearances are important, and may overvalue others' opinions of them. Keynotes include independence and conscientiousness.

• Number of a rational mind. Practicality is the name of the game. These are very orderly and dutiful people. They create strong bonds between themselves and others, value stability, show kindness, and appreciate loyalty. Not always quick to accept change.

• Impulsiveness and adventure. These individuals live in the moment with an intense ferocity for life that's unrivaled. They'll seek out pleasure wherever it can be found, have passionate relationships, and are risk-takers. On the negative side, they sometimes burn themselves out.

• A Six appreciates loveliness. Lovely art, exquisite jewelry, magnificent gardens—all capture the eye and spirit of this person. Sixes are people of high ideals and strong humanitarians. They can be trusted and read others very well. The caution for a Six is not to lean on others too much for a sense of self-worth.

• Philosophers and mystics bear this number. These innovative folk are always trying to unravel a mystery (and often succeed). Sevens are disciplined, smart, and sometimes rather lucky individuals whose only real drawback is a tendency to retreat too deeply into themselves and away from the world.

• Dichotomy typifies this person. Life is filled with amazing success and terrible failure in seemingly equal proportion. Being strong-willed and having strong emotions, Eights often feel like the odd person out and aren't fully sure how to balance the roller-coaster ride of life.

• The warrior spirit. This is a hard worker who knows when to act and when to wait. While Nines may exhibit a fiery temper periodically, they are also among the first to offer help in times of need. The greatest challenge in the warrior's life is knowing how to live once they're done with a quest.