The Importance of Numbers
 
Many people believe that numbers have meaning beyond their usual numerical values. Cultures around the globe have created entire belief systems around the significance of specific dates/times, assigned numerical values to words and letters, and even to character/personality traits for millennia. Different cultures consider different numbers to be lucky or unlucky, and can have very different meanings for numbers depending on their beliefs. Here in the west there are some basic generally agreed upon concepts we attribute to the numbers one through nine.
 
One: Newness, Movement, Creation
Two: Cooperation, Balance, Partnerships
Three: Communication, Curiosity, Abstract Ideas
Four: Stability, Efficiency, “tried and true” methodology
Five: Adventure, Plan Making, Experimentation
Six: Unconditional Love, Nurturing, Empathy
Seven: Wisdom, Awareness Seeking, Researching
Eight: Drive for Success, Balance, Good Business Sense
Nine: Completion (in a cyclical sense), Transition, Transformation
 
These numbers create a cycle of birth/creation, progress through periods of learning, growth, and development, and then “death”, which is where that cycle ends (lessons learned, things accomplished, or not), and a new one begins.
 
Using numerology (the use of numbers to determine divine/mystical relationships between numbers and events/characteristics), one attempts to learn about themselves and their life’s purpose/journey. This is done by adding the numbers in one’s birth date together (Life Path Number), or using the predetermined chart that assigns each letter of the alphabet a number (1 through 9) to calculate numbers such as a Destiny Number (using all the letters), or a Soul Urge Number (using only the vowels), just to name a few. Once you have these numbers you can look up online (there are many sites dedicated to this topic) or read about what each number means, the personality traits they display, and the impact they have on one’s life.  
 
Some significance is often place significance these numbers when they up show in repetitions. These repeating numbers, sometimes called angel numbers, are often thought of as messages from the universe, our guides, or angels. There are separate, yet similar meanings for repeating numbers depending on whom you see the messages coming from (the universe/one’s higher self vs directly from angels). You can easily find these meanings through Google. Here is a basic list:
 
000: (often found in Angel Numbers): The beginning steps into the unknown of your own spiritual journey
111: New beginnings (in tune with spiritual side)
222: Trust the process/surrender to the flow
333: Time for making essential changes
444: Release doubts and move forward with faith
555: Manifestation of major life changes
666: A need to get into better alignment with oneself/one’s purpose
777: Increased self awareness. A breakthrough is coming
888: Materialization of abundance
999: An end to something. A need to release control/accept reality
 
Other important repeating numbers are:
1010:A move toward a higher purpose
1111: What you think you become. We are all one
1212: Removal of obstacles. Luck in love
 
On a side note, there is a numerology system called the Chaldean Numerology System that excludes the number 9 from name calculations. This is because it is considered sacred; representing the name of God, as well as completion. This different chart significantly changes the number associated with your name from the other (more commonly used) system.
 
Numbers are considered in other divination systems as well. Tarot uses numbers in to show progression through the Major Arcana, and each of the numbered Minor Arcana cards is a numbered card as well. These range from 1 to 10, and each one has a basic numerological meaning regardless of suit, as well as showing the progression through “story” of or the flow through that suit. Using the numbers of the Major Arcana (adding to create a single digit when necessary) can also provide some deeper meaning to the cards. Numerological correspondences can also be applied to other divination practices (but are not limited to) using cards like oracle decks or playing cards, or other systems such as dice, astrology, tea leaf reading, and scrying.
 
On a (hopefully) positive note. I would like to point out that, generally speaking, 2025 was a 9 year (Note: This not a personal year number, where you add your Life Path Number to the year number). This makes it a year of endings. This could mean positive or negative things for people individually. If this past year has seemed particularly tough, just know that the coming year, 2026, is a 1 year. A year of new beginnings. I sincerely hope this new year brings the start of some very positive and fantastic things for everyone.
 
As you can see, numbers have played an important part in many different kinds of divination practices. Have you ever used numerology specifically? If you read cards or use other divination techniques, do you consider numbers to provide messages beyond times or dates? Do you consider any numbers more or less lucky for you? I would love to know.
 
 
 
 

Getting tattoos is both an ancient tradition (in some cultures) and a popular practice today. There are many reasons to get tattoos, which can vary from just liking the picture, to them having deep personal or spiritual meaning*. Regardless of the reasons you have gotten ink, or reasons you have not/would never, they are all valid.
That said, let’s look at some of the personal or spiritual reasons to sport some body art.
 
Ancient cultures, like the Greeks/Romans, Egyptians, Samoans, Japanese, and Native Americans, to name a few, have used tattoos to communicate a plethora of information. Tattoos have been used to display rather neutral forms of social status like family or tribal ties, achievements, or military rank. However, they have also been used to denote less desirable social situations, exact punishment, or exert control over others like slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war. An example of this today would be prison tattoos that represent the crime(s) one has committed.
 
Many tattoos done today are used to represent important events or achievements in our lives. Births, deaths, marriages, friendships and other relationships, personal victories or hardships, and many more. This types of body art both permanently reminds us of that even, and shows others that this event or achievement happened. They can make excellent conversation pieces too.
 
Some ink represents severe hardships. Things no one should have to go through, but, unfortunately, happen all too often. While they are often worn discretely, they have deep meaning. One such tattoo includes Medusa, who represents the struggle and strength of sexual assault victims. If you do not know her story, you should read it. She does make the perfect representative icon for this particular heinous act. Another is the semicolon tattoo, which is worn to support individuals who have battled (or are battling) mental health conditions like (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, and/or have done/contemplated self harm. These tattoos can be extremely empowering.
 
From a metaphysical point of view, tattoos can be used for ritual and even medicinal uses. Ritual tattoos can include (but are not limited to) protection symbols, elemental symbols, bind runes, symbols of fertility, health, or abundance, and more. This kind of body art could be used in actual ritual, on-the-go spells, or to deepen the connection between the bearer and that tattooed symbol/concept. Tattooing these symbols on the body can be helpful, however, one should activate them by imbuing them with energy/intent. I would especially advise this for protection symbols, particularly if one is going somewhere/doing something that might need enhanced spiritual protection, like ghost hunting (I am always surprised ghost hunters do not utilize this tool more often), or entering unavoidable toxic situations/dealing with unavoidable toxic people (especially helpful for mediums and empaths). Mediating on, or spending time activating/using them can help build a better connection to them; possibly making them easier to use when needed. This can also apply to tattoos that display our guides, totem animals, or animal guides. They can be a constant reminder that they are always with us, and help us connect with them quickly, especially in times of need. Not unlike wearing jewelry or carrying an object depicting them (carving, picture, etc..), except that it is always with us, no matter what, and cannot be lost. Tattoos that symbolize aspects of our culture, or cultures that we are drawn to, can help make us feel more connected to ourselves and our ancestors. (Cultures we are drawn to can be ones we experienced in a past life (if you believe in reincarnation), and so are still a part of us.)
Medical tattoos were once used to not just to bring health to the tattooed person, but also to show particular markers for health on the body like meridians or acupuncture/acupressure points. These last ones would be particularly helpful if you suffer from ailments whose symptoms could be alleviated by applying pressure to those points.
 
To recap, any kind of body art, permanent or not, can communicate many different concepts, ideas, or information, be used in ritual, or healing, and empower us. It can connect us with our ancestors, our culture, or our guides. They can have deep meaning, or just something we think is very cool. Though, given my own spiritual beliefs, I would question why I thought it was so “cool” that I wanted it to be permanently placed on my body. What connections could be made about that? Is there a deeper meaning to my attraction to it? That is just me though.
 
So, do you have any body art? If not, would you? Would/did you choose something significant to you personally or spiritually? I would love to know.
 
 
*I am aware that placement of a tattoo on the body can also have significance. I chose not to cover that into this post.
 
 
 
 

Catching Dreams
 
You would probably be hard pressed to find someone these days who hasn’t seen or heard of a dreamcatcher. They are beautiful works of art with great purpose and rich history. You can purchase them fully made, or even purchase kits to make them yourself. I was lucky enough to be gifted a beautiful one by a Native American friend when I was 16, and still have it today. While we may know the basic meaning of them, there is so much more to them we may not be aware of.
 
There are two tribes that are often associated with the origins of them. Both of these tribes had deities based on the spider who was part of the creation story of the dreamcatcher.
One was the Lakota. Their (male) spider deity was Iktomi, who was known as a trickster, shape-shifter, and provider of lessons. Surprisingly, given this, their belief about the function of the dreamcatcher was actually the opposite of what you might think. They believed that the web actually trapped good ideas so they would not be forgotten; letting the bad ones pass through the center without harm to anyone.
 
The Second is the Ojibwe tribe. Their spider deity, Asibkaashi (Spider Woman), was considered a protector. Their beliefs surrounding the function of the dreamcatcher is the one we are most familiar with today. They trapped the bad dreams in the web to be destroyed in the morning sunlight, while the good ones were filtered down to the sleeping person. This is the meaning we will be working with in this post.
 
Each part of the dreamcatcher has meaning and function. The ones listed below are from the Ojibwe tribe.*
The hoop represents the circle of life, and was originally made of red willow wood, though is made of a plethora of materials these days.
The web is a tribute to the aforementioned Spider Woman that was a protector. It serves to trap the dreams as a spider web traps its prey; the center of which is considered its heart. This was traditionally made of thread or wool.
The beads that are often included in the design have varied interpretations. Two of which are that a single bead represents the spider that weaved the web, and multiple beads represent multiple dreams trapped within the web.
Feathers are not just a beautiful decoration, they are the way in which the good dreams travel down to the sleeping person after being filtered through the web.
Gems, which have their own meanings/uses and provide their own vibrations, can be used to replace the beads within the web, or the feathers hanging below (especially when feathers are not attainable). How they are used is up to the artist.
Arrowheads. Now, these are used primarily in medicine web dreamcatchers, and are placed in a cross formation in the center of the web. They point in the four directions the wind blows, representing the four sacred winds, and provide protection from misfortune.
Even the number of  points within the web have meaning. These are:
5 Points: the stars above
6 Points: Eagle (the connection to Creator and all that is spiritual)
7 Points: Is a call out to the 7 Prophesies (7 phases in the life of the people. You can find more on this at HTTPS://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_fires_prophecy )
8 Points: represents Spider Woman
13 Points: represent the 13 moons
 
As you can see, there is much to learn/ know about dreamcatchers. This is just the a basic rundown. They are readily available for purchase in many beautiful forms, and colours, from a variety of vendors, some of which are owned/operated by Native Americans**, who make them themselves. While I do own more than one, my favourite is definitely the one that was made for me (that I mentioned earlier). My objective with this post is to educate, however, I am by no means an expert.
 
So…Do you own any dreamcatchers? Would you? If you do, do you believe that they work for you? Have you ever been given one, or given one to someone else? Do you think knowing more about these magical tools (of any kind) gives you more respect for them, or allows you to better utilize them? I would love to know.
 
*You can find more on this at HTTPS://purechakra.com/blogs/a-hippie-spirituality-blog/deciphering-dreamcatchers-and-their-legends-meanings?srsltid=AfmBOop3Und8N51qOdePc6mwgh6i1mLyPkZ9wC3fjwy
 
** quichua.ca (Ojibway owned an operated out of Ontario)
 Tsainkonativegifts.com (Squamish Nation)
wanuskewinggiftshop.com (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists across North America)