Arithmancy, an elective at Hogwarts, is an ancient system of fortune-telling based on names and numbers. For over 2000 years, people have used arithmancy to analyze their strengths and weaknesses, overcome obstacles, and predict the future. Hermoine probably likes this system of divination because it isn’t based on interpreting fuzzy images or giving meaning to random shapes and squiggles, but on mathematical calculations you can do with a pencil and paper–or in this case, right here on your computer.
If you want to understand how arithmancy works, read the next section. If you just want to use the arithmancy calculator, scroll down.
How it Works
The first step in analyzing a name (or word) by arithmancy is to convert it to a set of numbers. Each letter of the alphabet is assigned a numerical value between 1 and 9, according to the following chart:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I |
| J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R |
| S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
The letters A, J, and S have the value of 1. B, K, and T have the value of 2, and so forth.
To analyze a name by hand, you write it down, and beneath each letter enter the corresponding numerical value. For example:
| N | I | C | H | O | L | A | S | F | L | A | M | E | L | |
| 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Now add up the numbers. In this case, the result is 58.
If the total is more than 9-which it usually is-it must be “reduced” to a single digit by adding the component numbers together, more than once, if necessary. Thus, 58 reduces to 13 (5 + 8 = 13), which reduces to 4 (1 + 3 = 4).
The final result (in this example, 4) is known as the Character Number. This number indicates the general personality type of the individual.
The next number calculated is the Heart Number. This number represents the individual’s inner life and can indicate desires and fears hidden from others. The Heart Number is the reduced total of all the vowels in the name.
This final number calculated is the Social Number. This number represents the outer personality, the face an individual shows to the outside world. The Social Number is the reduced total of all the consonants in the name.
To find out your Character Number, Heart Number, and Social Number, type in your name in the box below. Then refer to the chart of traditional arithmancy interpretations to see what your numbers mean.
What the Numbers Mean
This is the number of the individual, the solitary unit. Ones are independent, focused, and determined. They set a goal and stick to it. They are leaders and inventors. Ones find it difficult to work with others and don’t like to take orders. They can be self-centered, egotistical, and domineering. They are often loners.
Two represents interaction, two-way communication, cooperation, and balance. Twos are imaginative, creative, and sweet natured. Peace, harmony, commitment, loyalty, and fairness are characteristic. But two also introduces the idea of conflict, opposing forces, and the contrasting sides of things: night and day, good and evil. Twos can be withdrawn, moody, self-conscious and indecisive.
Three represents the idea of completeness or wholeness, as in the threesomes past-present-future and mind-body-spirit. Three indicates talent, energy, an artistic nature, humor, and social ease. Threes are often lucky, easygoing, and highly successful, but they can also be unfocused, easily offended, and superficial.
Like a table that rests solidly on four legs, four indicates stability and firmness. Fours enjoy hard work. They are practical, reliable and down to earth; they prefer logic and reason to flights of fancy. They are good at organization and getting things done. Like the cycle of the four seasons, they are also predictable. They can be stubborn, suspicious, overly practical and prone to angry outbursts. The conflicts possible in “two” are doubled in four.
Five is the number of instability and imbalance, indicating change and uncertainty. Fives are drawn to many things at once but commit to none. They are adventurous, energetic and willing to take risks. They enjoy travel and meeting new people but may not stay in one place very long. Fives can be conceited, irresponsible, quick-tempered and impatient.
Six represents harmony, friendship, and family life. Sixes are loyal, reliable, and loving. They adapt easily. They do well in teaching and the arts, but are often unsuccessful in business. They are sometimes prone to gossip and complacency.
Perceptive, understanding, and bright, sevens enjoy hard work and challenges. They are often serious, scholarly, and interested in all things mysterious. Originality and imagination are more important than money and material possessions. Sevens can also be pessimistic, sarcastic, and insecure.
Eight indicates the possibility of great success in business, finance, and politics. Eights are practical, ambitious, committed, and hard working. They can also be jealous, greedy, domineering, and power-hungry. Eight is said to be the most unpredictable of numbers and can indicate the pinnacle of success or the depths of failure; the potential to go either way is present from the beginning.
Represents completion and achievement to the fullest degree (as it is the complete number, three, expressed three times). Nines dedicate themselves to service, often as teachers, scientists, and humanitarians. Strongly determined, they work tirelessly and are an inspiration to others. However, they can also be arrogant and conceited when things don’t go their way.
A Little More Information on Arithmancy
Like astrology, arithmancy claims to offer practitioners a system for determining favorable and unfavorable days for any individual. As a general rule, favorable days are supposed to be those that correspond to a person’s character number. An “eight” personality, for example, would be advised to schedule important events like starting a business or getting married so that they occur on the 8th, 17th, or 26th of the month (each of which reduces to 8).
Since any name or word can be converted to a number, arithmancy is also used to reveal “hidden kinships” among people, places, and things-the theory being that words and names that share the same numerical value are related and naturally go together. Thus a “six,” will be best off driving a brand of car that reduces to 6, like a Honda or a Toyota. A “two” will be most romantically compatible with another “two.” “Fives” should consider living in a city that reduces to 5 (such as Tokyo or Pittsburgh), and so forth. Although we don’t recommend it, virtually all of life’s decisions can be made “according to the numbers,” from the friends one associates with to the foods on the breakfast table (eggs = 2, toast = 3, corn flakes = 4).