Unique Ways to Incorporate the Energy of Numbers in Your Practice

When it comes to numbers, there are endless ways to approach their significance as it relates back to tarot. The first layer involves having a basic understanding of the spiritual significance of numbers as a way to further understand each card. The second layer involves various calculations to make better sense of your landscape at large i.e. adding up all the numbers and reducing to a single frequency.

But how else can numbers play a role (even intentionally) in the way we approach our practice? Below, I will share 3 techniques to help you incorporate the power of numbers into your work. Please note that at the end of this article I have shared a quick reference chart that addresses number meanings.

Shuffling

This suggestion implies a very specific and intentional method for shuffling. But, it’s something I do so I thought I’d share. And if you are someone who counts their shuffles or cuts their deck, there may be some appeal here for you as well.

In my practice, I have what I call a preliminary shuffle. I do this so that I can get into the “mode” of the inquiry, and I do it until I either feel ready or a card jumps out and tells me to stop. I then return that card to the deck, riffle shuffle 3 times, cut 3 times, and then do a final normal shuffle to the count of 10.

So in my practice, while my preliminary shuffle is free-flow, there are 3 other instances where numbers get involved. 3 is a standard cutting number, but maybe there is a good reason for that. Could it be a symbol of aligning body-mind and spirit? 3 is also a very creative number - it is the conjoining force between the 1 and the 2. In this way, 3 is a connector and something which takes the intangible and grounds it - like The Empress. For this reason, 3 cut holds a lot of power as it relates to bringing our readings to life and birthing the messages contained within. You see then how this one simple acknowledgment can add another layer of depth to the intention of what is being performed. And maybe it’s just a clever spin, but either way, if the meaning resonates with the practitioner, results are implied.

As for the final part where I shuffle the deck 10 times, this is also a very intentional act. 10 is the number of The Wheel of Fortune. When I shuffle 10 times, I am sending a message that this is the energy I wish to tap into. I want to get into the rhythm of the inquiry; I want to understand the destiny of it, and I am open to whatever Spirit wishes to bring forth. Of course, if a card jumps out before I get to 10, I also take this as a sign from the universe that fate has spoken!

Constructing Spreads

If you’re someone who likes to create your own tarot spreads, you could easily employ the energy of numbers to assist in this process.

First, determine what the spread is trying to capture. Is it one about love? Perhaps designing it with 6 cards would give it extra significance as 6 denotes The Lovers.
Is it a spread about change? 5, which is often viewed as a dynamic and expansive number, may be appropriate.
Or, perhaps your spread has something to do with self-love or self-care. 3 cards in this case may help imbue it with the energy of The Empress, a perfect archetype for such an inquiry.

Repeating Numbers

I’ve written about making sense of repeating numbers in the past, but I did not address the possibility of your repeating number containing different numbers - 528 for example! There are lots of methods for understanding number combinations which is a whole other post, but what about tarot? Could it add some insight?

Here is a method for determining a personal message where repeating numbers are concerned. It also works if a number shows up multiple times in the combination i.e. 112. For the example below though, we will stick to 528.

Step 1) Isolate the suit cards that represent the numbers that continue to show up. In this case, you’d be creating 3 piles. One pile of 5s (5 of Pentacles, Swords, Wands, Cups), one pile of 2s, and one pile of 8s.

Step 2) Shuffle each small pile to produce just one card from each.

Step 3) put the cards side-by-side and continue to Step 4.

Step 4) Add up all the numbers (5+2+8) to arrive at a single digit. In this case, you would get 6. Find the Major Arcana that represents that single-digit and place it above the other cards.

Step 5) Observe the landscape. The Major would represent the overarching theme, while the other 3 cards would read as a secondary or personal message for you, the receiver of the number pattern.

I hope these applications serve you well and open pathways to consider other unique ways to tap into these energies. Below is a quick reference chart to number meanings! And if you want to learn even more about numbers as they relate to 2021 and your own Personal Year, make sure to check out my annual guide!

With love,
Julia