Pythagoras identified this number with Godhead. It is the base of all numbers. It contains everything, and everything is derived from it. It is indivisible. It stands for ambition and assertion. It represents the positive side of life and creation. It is a number of success and power, achieved by determination and will-power. Consequently, Number 1 people are ambitious, and whatever be their occupation, they overcome all hurdles and impediments and, more often than not, rise to the top. These are the positive and good qualities associated with this number. The negative qualities are weakness, laziness, fear, and destruction.
What do we mean by negative qualities? We shall use this expression again and again in the context of other numbers, and it is necessary to explain this expression. When the Sun, presiding over number 1 at the time of birth, is weak, it does not bestow the positive qualities of ambition and assertion, determination and indefatigable energy on the native. Rather, the native is indolent and indecisive.
We are describing the influence of numbers in this chapter according to western numerologists. Varaha Mihir, the famous occultist of ancient India, who lived in the early Chiristian era, and was the author of several standard works in Sankrit, gives in his Hora Shastra3 , chapter VIII, the influence of several planets. In the first half of the chapter are described the good effects of the planet, i.e. when the plant is strong and well placed at birth. The adverse effects of the same planet are described in the second half of the chapter, i.e. when it is weak and ill placed in the chart. Numerology also follows the same rules.
The Sun is deemed strong if, besides the date of birth being 1 (or 10, 19, 28), the birth is on a Sunday, and between July 23 and August 23. This is so because the Sun is the ruling planet of the zodiac sign Leo(July 23-August23). It will be even better if the native is born in the planetary hour of the Sun.
Number 4 is also governed by the Sun. Certain characteristics of Number 1 persons are found in Number 4 persons. But the lives of Number 4 persons are characterized by surprises and sudden events. If the Sun is strong, that is, if the birth is on a Sunday and on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or the 31st of any month; or the birth date is between July 23 and August 23, the Sun will be deemed strong. This is so because the Sun is the ruling planet of the zodiac sign Leo (July 23- August23). Number 4 persons are honest, pushing and practical. They are thrifty and thus, able to accumulate money. But if the Sun is weak, the negative qualities of fault-finding, dullness and undue sternness characterize their temperament. This is a good number. It brings luck and money.
Perhaps one reason why modern numerologists have assigned this number to Herschel is that a certain amount of eccentricity may be found in Number 4 persons. They have a sharp critical faculty. They are inclined to take a contrary view of propositions that may be put to them. They argue well to show that they are right.
Somehow, the association of Number 4 people with those of Number 8, is not deemed fortunate. Number 4 people are advised not to live in a house which has a number in the series 8,17,26,35,44,53,62 and so on- numbers which, if reduced to their basic number, become number 8.
While dealing with number 4, it is relevant to refer to number 13 because 1+3=4. There were 13 persons at the table of Christ on the occasion of his Last Supper. Many people consider the number 13 unlucky. In fact, this prejudice has grown so strong that the expression 'unlucky 13' has become a part of the English language. Many persons will not sit on a chair marked 13. Many people hesitate to stay in room number 13. Many hoteliers mark their room numbers as 12, 12A and 14 to avoid assigning number 13 to a room.
Victor Hugo, the famous French author, had a strong prejudice against this number. He had to attend the National Assembly at Bordeux. His friends left Paris on 13th February, 1871. There were 13 persons in the saloon car in which he traveled. He was lodged at number 13 rue Saint Maur at Bordeux. The idea of number 13 so obsessed his mind that, on the night of 13th March, he could not sleep. He ruminated over the various events since January, and found that number 13 was repeating itself. The same day, the 13th March, he received the grievous news of the death of Charles Hugo.
Gaston Derys has collected some very interesting data.
'On the 13th December, 1922, Henri Beraud received the Goncourt Prize. At that time he had written 13 books. He lived at No. 67 (6+7=13) rue Rochechouart.'
'Ernest La Jeunesse noticed that on the death of Oscar Wilde, 13 persons in a suburban dormitory took off their hats before a coffin bearing the number 13.'
Gaston Derys also points out that the Café Anglais, where there were often 13 at the table, was situated both at number 13 Boulevard des Anglais and number 13 rue Marivaux. It closed its doors on 31st (13 reversed) March of the year 1913. It was in the 13th week of the same year that the house in which it was situated, was demolished.
'It was on a Friday, the 13th, in 1907, that Annunzio met with an accident in which he nearly lost an eye. The carriage which he took was numbered 13. The driver asked for 13 lire. On returning home he found 13 letters. That evening, there were 13 guests at the table.'
'It was on 13th August, 1922, that he had a dangerous fall.'
'This explains the fact that Annunzio, while sending one of his books Arcachon to a friend, dated the dedication 2nd January, 1912+1 and not 2nd January, 1913. In his manuscript, page 13 is numbered as 12A and is followed by page 14, thus avoiding the number 13.'
'Musset, who dreaded both Friday and the 13th, was worried because his journey with George Sand began on a 13th.'
'Richard Wagner, whose name and surname, together considered of 13 letters, was born in 1813 and died on 13th February, 1883. He saw Tannhauser, produced for the first time, in Paris, on 13th March, 1861. It was repeated on 13th May, 1895.'
'Paul Deschanel, born on the 13th, was married on Friday, the 13th. It was on a 13th that the Chamber made him a candidate for the Presidency. His name and surname consisted of 13 letters.'
'Henry Kistaemaekers, whose name consists of 13 letters, was born on 13th. October. He got his degree in Letters on a 13th. His play Martha was accepted on a 13th, and its dress rehearsal was also on a 13th. The first night of La Blessure in Paris, was also on a 13th, as well as its subsequent production at Brussels. The dress rehearsal of L' Instinct and the first night of La Rivale took place on a 13th. L' Embuscade was accepted on a 13th. He was decorated with the Legion of Honour on a 13th.'
'Edmond Rostand, whose name and surname consist of 13 letters, was the 13th occupant of seat number 13 at the Academy.'
We have given the above excerpts to show how even some of the most respected authors and intellectuals have had a prejudice against number 13. It is true that some numbers have, at times, calamitous significance in the lives of some people. But our experience shows that number 13 is not unlucky, and we should shed our prejudice against this number.