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5 Core Numbers




In Numerology, there are 25+ equations that are possible for interpretation. Each equation is found by utilizing a soul’s birthday, Name, or both, and reflects a specific area of experience, characteristic or potential. Out of the possible equations, there are 5 that are interpreted by Numerologists as Core Number placements.


  1. Life Path Number (mission, purpose, life test)

  2. Birth Day Number (talents, gifts)

  3. Expression/Destiny Number (soul potential)

  4. Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge Number (soul’s yearning to fulfill, past life indicator)

  5. Outer Personality Number (personality characteristics)


These are interpreted as Core Numbers because these equations reflect core building blocks to a soul’s essence and identity. Numerology equations reflect insight about a soul’s outer experience or inner experience, and these placements reflect the inner experience; the creation of ‘you’, the soul. Every manifestation is birthed from accumulated energy, therefore, these placements reflect the accumulated energy that has created the manifestation of ‘you’. When interpreting these placements, they can be seen as what has been acted upon until the birth of this life, as well as the patterns and potentials possible throughout this incarnation.


Two of the five core placements cannot be changed during a soul’s incarnation because they are found utilizing a soul’s birthday. These two equations are the Life Path Number and the Birth Day Number. The date of birth does not change, and reflects core aspects of a soul’s essence. The other three placements are found by utilizing the letters in a soul’s Name, and adding them together in various arrangements. Since it’s possible and likely for some souls to experience a name-change throughout an incarnation, these three placements can reflect the parts of self that can change, and are interpreted alongside the birth Name. All five core placement are a key ingredient to the manifestation of you, and the connection between self and the world around.


Below will be information on the five core placements in Numerology, how to find them for yourself and why it’s an important building block in the manifestation of ‘you’.


Life Path Number

The Life Path Number is found by reducing a soul’s birthday to single digit Numbers, then adding them together and reducing until a single digit or repeating Number (#11, #22 or #33).


Example: 11/16/1974


11 (repeating numbers stay the same, not reduced)

16, 1 + 6 = 7

1974, 1 + 9 + 7 + 4 = 21, 2 + 1 = 3


11 + 7 + 3 = 21, 2 + 1 = 3

Life Path #3


Since this placement utilizes the full birthday of a soul, it indicates the identity of a soul, and also who they aim to be in this life. When interpreted, the Life Path Number reflects life challenges that will arise, life mission and purpose, themes and patterns, and overall potentials of the soul. This is considered the most important Numerology placement to interpret because it reflects the intention for soul expansion and impacts every area of a person’s existence. It’s one of the only equations that can reflect inner and outer experiences. The Life Path Number sheds clarity on the inner refinement of the soul’s mission, as well as what may be experienced externally to shape them into specific characteristics.


To download a free Life Path info card, click here.


Birth Day Number

The Birth Day Number is interpreted differently from the Life Path Number, which utilizes the full birthday. The day of birth is not reduced and cannot be changed, therefore is interpreted as is. While the full birthday outlines layers to a soul’s existence and essence, the day of birth specifically reflects inborn talents and gifts a soul has in the present incarnation, to help with their soul mission and purpose in life. These talents and skills are meant to complement the challenges, obstacles and lessons of the present incarnation, and aid in soul expansion. This builds a core aspect of self, and can indicate the passions, skills and vocations that resonate with the soul while on Earth.


To read about the gifts or ‘superpower’ your day of birth reflects, click here.


Expression or Destiny Number

This placement has been referred to as the Expression Number or Destiny Number. It’s found by adding together all the letters in a soul’s full Name. The letters are converted to Numbers, added together and reduced to a single digit, unless it’s #11, #22 or #33.


Example: Jerry Mae Orton


Jerry 1 + 5 + 9 + 9 + 7 = 31, 3 + 1 = 4

Mae 4 + 1 + 5 = 10, 1 + 0 = 1

Orton 6 + 9 + 2 + 6 + 5 = 28, 2 + 8 = 10, 1 + 0 = 1


4 + 1 + 1 = 6

Expression/Destiny Number 6


The letters in a soul’s Name each represent archetypes, characteristics and skills that are integrated within the identity and essence of the soul. Adding all the letters together is symbolic for gathering the soul’s tools and power, and realizing the full potential of these characteristics. The Name is a mosaic, and the letters all together reflect a picture of ‘you’.


Since the Expression/Destiny Number utilizes the letters in a soul’s full Name, this placement can change and shift during an incarnation, however, the birth Name is always used for interpretation. When interpreted by Numerologists, this placement reflects a soul’s aim in life. In other words, the path they must walk, accomplishments to be achieved, and who the soul intends to be. It will persist in its desire for expression in life. This placement can also show physical and mental constitution, as well as talents, abilities, characteristics and shortcomings. The depth at which a person develops their abilities determines the potential of who they can be in this life.


This placement is a building block to core aspects of self, and can shed insight into layers of the inner experience. However, without a soul’s intention to develop their abilities and talents or work to overcome shortcomings, their abilities and potential could go unseen or hidden throughout life.

Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge Number

This placement has been referred to as the Heart’s Desire or Soul Urge Number. It’s found by adding together all the vowels in a soul’s full Name. In Numerology, the Y is considered a vowel and consonant, depending on its sound and placement in the Name. If the Y is the first vowel sound in the Name, it's seen as a vowel. If the Y sound comes after the first vowel in the Name, it's seen as a consonant.


Example: Roy Dean Neeley


O = 6,

E, A = 5 + 1 = 6

E, E, E = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15, 1 + 5 = 6


6 + 6 + 6 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9

Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge Number 9


When interpreting the symbolism of vowels, they can be viewed as the open aspects of self, or the windows to the soul. The sound of a vowel seemingly has no end, while the sound of consonants have a sharp finish. When a soul has more vowels in their Name than consonants, it reflects the soul to be more open, showing others their heart and true desires more easily. When a soul has more consonants than vowels in their Name, it reflects the soul to be more closed off or protective, and showing their personality to others more often than their heart and desires.


Since this placement is found by utilizing the full Name of a soul, this placement can change and shift during an incarnation. The birth Name will always be interpreted, while the change in Name can be interpreted as the Minor Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge. In Numerology, this placement shows the soul’s truest desires and soul yearning during their incarnation. This placement will drive every decision the soul makes and will play an important factor when choosing the direction to walk in (consciously or unconsciously). The Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge is the driving force behind the soul’s intentions, and will continuously shape their experiences in a specific direction. This is a core building block to the desires, decisions and direction of the soul.


The desires reflected in this placement also are the desires the soul was working towards in a previous life. What remained unfinished or unfulfilled in the last life, will be the focus and yearning during this life. The Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge Number is the equation for referencing past lives, and what a soul could have been previously focused on prior to this incarnation.


(To find your Past Life Number, add together your Life Path Number and Heart’s Desire/Soul Urge Number; reduce the sum to a single digit, unless it’s 11, 22 or 33)


Outer Personality Number

This placement is found by adding together the consonants in a soul’s full Name. The Name given at birth is interpreted, however, any Name changes can be interpreted as the Minor Outer Personality.


The consonants can symbolically be interpreted as the private parts of self, more closed off and protective. Consonants sound ‘bitten off’ either at the beginning (like P, T, C) or the end (like N, M, B), as if the soul is preventing others from seeing inside, beyond a point no longer comfortable being exposed. When a soul has more consonants in their full Name than vowels, it reflects this soul to be more invested in their personality rather than showing others their desires, vulnerabilities and heart. More consonants echoes the attempt to protect the self. The personality is a small window that a soul allows others to see them through, and this can be seen through the Outer Personality placement. When a soul has less consonants in their full Name than vowels, it reflects the soul to be more vulnerable rather than closed off, and they may have an easier time showing their heart to others.


Since this placement is found by utilizing the soul’s Name, this aspect of self can change and shift during an incarnation. This builds a core aspect to self, in how the soul chooses to allow others to see them, and how the soul presents themselves.


To learn more about your 5 Core Numbers, I offer personalized Numerology Charts on my website @ taylotus.com . In this Chart, I relay detailed insight into your Core Numbers and 10 other Numerology equations. This outlines your soul’s blueprint, potentials and much more!


Order Numerology Charts here.


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