Significance of Numbers

     It's a recurring debate we have, my husband and I.  He argues that the universe is built of numbers and math, and I tell him that's nonsense.  Like most of our conflicts, this one is just for fun.  We both know what's up, that the real answers are somewhere beneath all the words, and we actually agree more than the debate would indicate.  Still, we take opposite sides for the sake of the game.

     There is plenty of "proof" out there for his scientific view.  Significant numbers and ratios seem to be all around us when we examine our physical world.  For me, it proves nothing.  The universe is.  Numbers and math were just invented to help us understand what is.  There's really no more significance to any given number than any other.  They have no power of their own.  They are only footholds in a greater comprehension.  The relationships are really the key.  Their pattern is the base of the universe, and math is the expression of that pattern.  Acknowledged.  But I'm still not ready to admit to the concept that the universe is made of math.

     Numerologists, by definition, would agree with the significance of numbers, though not for the same reasons as mathematicians.  We have always attributed magical qualities to certain numbers, all for semi-logical reasons.  Three implies a certain stability and connection- a magic number.  We have four classical elements, so five represents the step beyond into the spirit world- a magic number.  Likewise, 13 goes beyond our Babylonian inspired vision of the wholeness of 12 (12 hours on a clock face, 12 zodiac signs, 12 months, 12 apostles,) though whether you consider it bad luck or good depends on how comfortable you are with the idea of stepping beyond.  We may also have personal inclinations about a number from our experiences or differences based on culture.  One of the words for "four" in Japanese is a homophone for "death", so it has a negative magic there.  What it really comes down to though, is that numbers have the power you give them.

     This is post #100 for Going Inkless.  What does that mean?  I think it means I had a lot to say.  Other than that, what difference is there between 99 and 100?  Still, I felt a little nervous about this one all because of the magic of the number.  But 100 is just the step before 101.  So, at this landmark post, I'll just pause to recognize it on my way down the road.

     I hope you've found something helpful or entertaining in what I've offered so far, and I hope that you'll hang around to find significance in the numbers to come.

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