Author: Shirley Lawrence
Trade Paperback, 221 pages
Publisher: New Page Books
Publication date: April 2003
ISBN: 1564146510
Price & More Info: Click Here
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Numerology is one of my favorite methods of divination. Like palmistry, I've been fascinated with it since I was a child, perhaps because it involved math, but not nearly as much math as astrology. I've never found it all that helpful for providing advice about the future, but is a wonderful tool for figuring out what makes a person what they are. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be many books published on numerology any more. I've been reviewing Pagan-oriented books for about four years now and I believe this is only the second numerology book I've received for review. Fortunately, Exploring Numerology: Life By The Numbers by Shirley Lawrence, is a nice introduction to this method of divination.
This book jumps right into the thick of things by having the reader construct a complete chart based on his or her name and date of birth. Unlike in astrology, constructing a chart is simple, and really only requires the ability to add and follow the author's clear directions. Lawrence explains the complete process in less than 20 example-filled pages. With practice, most people can construct a complete numerological chart on a person in 5 or 10 minutes.
Of course, while constructing a numerological chart may be much more simple than constructing an astrological chart, interpreting the chart is a complex art in both cases. Lawrence devotes most of the rest of book to interpreting the simple chart the reader created. The author is clear and her descriptions of the meanings of the various numbers in different places on the chart are direct and useful (as opposed to the vague descriptions in some of the numerology books in my library). Chapters on understanding your child via numerology and the numerology of addresses round out the interpretation part of this book.
As an example of constructing and interpreting a chart, the author creates and interprets the chart of the current US president, George W. Bush, and shows how items in the chart relate to his life. There is also a brief chapter on the numerological significance of 9/11.
Exploring Numerology: Life By The Numbers is a fine introduction to numerology. After reading this book, one will be well-equipped to use numerology to help understand more about what makes family, friends, co-workers, and other people work. It also provides enough background to understand more advanced books on the subject (such as Goodwin's multi-volume Numerology: The Complete Guide. If you are interested in learning numerology, this is a great book to start with.
Reviewed by Randall
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