By Richard Scott (scotrich@cwis.isu.edu) (31 March 1995) An Order of Hermes sub-Tradition
The Numerologists are firmly entrenched in the Western Magickal Tradition. Dating at least as far back as the Master, Pythagoras, they have been part of the backbone of the Order of Hermes for centuries.
Humanity was Awakened to new ideas when introduced to the language of numbers. Possibilites and relationships that shaped life had been expanded, as had their spiritual horizon. Suddenly the universe seemed a lot greater and more complex than it had before.
Symbols reveal relationships. They are the images that define the arrangement of multiple, often abstract, ideas. They show us how important characteristics are related to each other, and reveal how things are related by their very nature.
It is impossible to talk about patterns in life without symbols. Symbols serve to draw upon themselves the vast amount of knowledge that exists in the archetypal world. These archetypes are information stored in the psyche until we can use them in our lives, to convey knowledge that we previous didn't know. (Lots of this from work by Hans De Coz in Numerology : Key to your Inner Self)
The Numerologists realise this, and it is the focus for their paradigm. Their symbols are numbers. The numbers one through nine are particularly important to Numerologists, as these relate directly to the nine spheres of magic practised by Tradition Mages. All numbers have meaning, or can be reduced to those that do.
Letters and words have meanings, too, but to Numerologists they only have meaning as numbers, generally speaking, although having some qualities of their own. This group is Western, hence English and the 26 letter arabic alphabet is of importance here, with the current Technocratic Paradigm. It is harder to work with dead languages such as Latin for Numerologists, or other languages that are derived from a different alphabet. These often come under the sway of more Eastern traditions, as well.
The Numerologists are often called the Forgotten Tradition. Numerologists work well with other traditions in the order of Hermes, and these definitions can often be blurred and overlap, to the point where they may no longer be a 'pure' Numerologist, but a Qabbalist-Numerologist, or a Thelemic-Numerologist, or a Numerological Rosicrucian etc.
Because they blend so well with the other 'flashier' and more well known sub-Traditions of the Order of Hermes they tend not to be in powerful political or administrative positions in the main Tradition, regardless of their personal ability. Overall, Numerologists tend not to have charismatic personalities or archetypes such as Director, Bravo, etc. Hence, Social Attributes will not often be Primary.
Numerologists also tend to get along better than others of their Order with the other Traditions, as they are perceived as less arrogant, stuffy, and dogmatic. Most people can add up, even if they can't read complex alchemical formuale in Ancient Greek, so this helps. They are perhaps seen as less threatening by other Traditions, and followers without real power.
Within their own group there is no rigid structure. However, Masters will be recorded respect as such, as will those with greater understanding in general. The legendary master Pythagoras would be the official 'head' of the sub-Tradition, if he was alive. Rumours abound about Pythagoras, but none are substantiated. Many stories are told of there never being a body at his death.
Whenever there is more than one Numerologist in the same place, there will usually be informal meetings between them. The only formal meetings are during initiations of newly awakened Mages at their chantry. However, they will meet once per year, minimum, if no Mages are initiated that year. This will be at their chantry on the birthday of Pythagoras.
Apprentice mages will be intiated at the main Numerologist Chantry. This will be the first time they will be taken there. All Numerologist Initiations take place on the birthday of the apprentice, as this day is particularly significant to their Life, avatar, and awakening, as they are Numerologist Mages. At least one Master Numerologist will perform a numerological reading of the initiate for the initation, and perhaps more, depending on the promise of the candidate. This reading will provided deep insight for the new Mage, and clues as to the role he will play within the Tradition and in general. Initiations are one of the few occasions that Numerologists will be rigidly formal, as the Initiation and reading is viewed as very serious.
The Numerologists have one large main chantry, near the site of Pythagoras' birth, relatively speaking. No Mages are quite sure where the chantry is in actuality, except the Numerologists themselves. For some reason, this is the only thing they are secretive about consistently. Even Numerologists whose interests have blurred into other aspects of the Order of Hermes will not reveal this. Hence, Numerologist Mages can often be found at various other chantries, whether Hermetic, or those of other Traditions. Whenever and wherever they are needed, they will be there, or wherever their interests lie.
Numerologist acolytes can be found in all walks of life. They will generally take people who have shown a casual interest in numerology. The man who read Colin Wilson as a kid, and played around with his name. The cop who likes bio-rhythms after his wife showed him, and read a little bit more. An athlete who is a casual Tarot enthusiast interested in relating it to numbers. Normal, everyday people, not necessarily gypsy fortune tellers, or newspaper astrologers.
Numerologists have the same primary sphere as their main Tradition, Forces. Mind and Matter will often be of interest to the Numerologist, as well. Entropy and Time are not as common.
Literal physical representations of the numbers one to nine are the foci of the Numerologists.
1 - Prime
2 - Correspondence
3 - Time
4 - Forces
5 - Life
6 - Entropy
7 - Mind
8 - Matter
9 - Spirit
The Mage will be given a Foci for the Forces sphere upon initiation, generally in the form of a pendant, necklace, or amulet of some kind. It is up to him to fashion others. They will usually be simple objects. A watch with just a 9 on the face, for example. A bracelet engraved with a 1. Even things as odd as an eight-ball from a pool table have been known to be foci. The most famous are the mythical ten rings of Pythagoras. These rings, one for each sphere plus another whose purpose is lost to antiquity are missing, perhaps destroyed. A Mage will need a numeric focus for each sphere he has. If he is capable in four spheres, he will need four foci, as above.
Geometry teacher, accountant, actuary, waitress, anyone with an interest in numbers who is not coldly technical or without life, other occultists such as Kabbalists may well fit here, too.
"We're on floor 3? Why is the housewares department on floor 3? I don't understand, that doesn't fit. Numbers are important in life, you know."
The Numerologists are less harsh in general than their parent Tradition, this is probably part of the reason they are liked more.
Akashic Brotherhood: We respect their intellects and discipline. Not sure what good a karate chop will do against a demon, though.
Celestial Chorus: Blind Faith is not the answer. That is obvious The One = 2+8+5/6+5+5 = 3. Huh? Everything is involved, hopefully they will get it one day.
Cult of Ecstasy: Sounds like they have fun. However, do they really get much done? Whatever works, I guess, but this approach is dubious.
Dreamspeakers: The physical world and the individuals matter, as well. The Chorus and these guys need to get together.
Euthanatos: This we have to disagree with. Numerology is about celebrating life, its path, and choices, not ending it. Be careful around them.
Hollow Ones: We pity them, but our compatriots sneering dislike is misplaced. We'd like to help them if possible, to find their way.
Sons of Ether: Their jury-rigged machines just seem to get in the way. Why so complex? Too much to trip over, even if they are flexible. We can work together, but it is difficult.
Verbena: A celebration of Life we understand, but they tend to be a bit messy. We get called old fashioned and dull, but that is better than gore. They have a good outlook.
Virtual Adepts: They could well be the logical modern extension of ourselves. Has technology passed us by? The same as the Sons, though, too complicated. If you can't do it in your head, is there any point? Having only 0s and 1s does not make a lot of sense to us. However, they may have something. As allies, we could accomplish a great deal.
To affect something, a Numerologist should knows its number. Simple enough when it is a chair to work out in your head in a second, more complicated when a nasty Nephandi demon appears. However, if a numerologist has done this, reduce their difficulty by one. If they haven't, the difficulty should be raised by two. So, a Numerologist Mage may need to spend a turn doing this, which could be a problem. Those with the Lightning Calculator merit (which a lot of Numerologists develop) can offset this a little.
Demons and others should be careful with their true names, as that gives a Numerologist a lot to work with.