In two early numerology books, 8 is linked with power and with material, worldly things. It has two sides. Taylor (1926) calls 8 "a balancer of spiritual and material things" and Balliett (1905) writes that "8 is Light and Darkness".
What did early numerology books say about 8?
Mrs. L. Dow Balliett's How to Attain Success Through the Strength of Vibration (Balliett, 1905) gives 8 its own section under the heading "The Trinity", where she groups 8, 9 and 11 as "strong numbers" (page 28). Ariel Yvon Taylor's Numerology Made Plain (Taylor, 1926) describes "The Digit 8" on page 40.
| Source | What it says about 8 | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Balliett, 1905 | 8, 9 and 11 are "strong numbers" | 28 |
| Balliett, 1905 | "8 is Light and Darkness" | 29 |
| Balliett, 1905 | "No. 8 means freedom of forms" | 35 |
| Taylor, 1926 | "A balancer of spiritual and material things" | 40 |
| Taylor, 1926 | "a wielder of power and influence" | 40 |
Read these lines as tradition, not as a measured fact about you. To try the idea in a day, finish one practical task you have put off.
Why do the books give 8 two sides?
Both books describe a light side and a shadow side. On page 40, Taylor gives 8 a "Positive", a "Reverse" and a "Negative" reading. Her reverse 8 is "One who uses his social position, power or money for selfish purposes". Balliett reads 8 by her "Law of Opposites" as "Light and Darkness" (page 29).
When the light has penetrated into their lives it is brilliant, but the shadows are very black.
So neither book reads 8 as simply a lucky number or a money number.
How do you get an 8 in numerology?
Any total whose digits reduce to 8 counts as 8: 17, 26, 35 and 44, for example. Each of them leaves 8 after dividing by 9. In NinePath's method 44 is not a master number: it reduces to 4 + 4 = 8. For larger totals, keep 11, 22 or 33 if a reduction step reaches one.
In Taylor's letter list, H, Q and Z carry 8 (page 22). Her list gives A, J and S the value 1; C, L and U the value 3; E, N and W the value 5 (pages 21 and 22).
- L3
- E5
- A1
- H8
3 + 5 + 1 + 8 = 17, then 1 + 7 = 8.
The name number for the sample name Leah is 8.
What this means for your day
For your day
Do
Pick one practical task today and see it through to the end.
Don't
Don't read an 8 as a promise of money or success.
Questions people ask
Is 8 a lucky number in numerology?
Not simply. Taylor gives 8 a positive side and a reverse side and Balliett calls it "Light and Darkness". Read both as tradition.
Is 44 a master number?
Not in NinePath's method. 44 reduces to 4 + 4 = 8. For larger totals, keep 11, 22 or 33 if a reduction step reaches one.
Sources
- L. Dow Balliett, How to Attain Success Through the Strength of Vibration (copyright 1905; title page dated 1913, catalogued as 1917), Library of Congress copy on archive.org. Pages 28 and 29: the section on 8 ("The Trinity"), "strong numbers", "8 is Light and Darkness" and the quote. Page 35: "No. 8 means freedom of forms."
- Ariel Yvon Taylor, Numerology Made Plain (Laird & Lee, Chicago, 1926), Library of Congress copy on archive.org. Page 40: "The Digit 8", its positive and reverse readings. Pages 21 and 22: the letter values.
- Wikipedia: Digital root. Repeated digit sums equal the remainder after dividing by 9 (or 9 when the remainder is 0).