Friday, March 25, 2011

Comparing Numerology Methods

Pythagorean versus Modern Methods:

Though Pythagorus of Samos (c.560–c.480 BC) was the father of numerology, he did not directly create modern Anglo-Saxon numerology definitions. He used Grecian lettering and numbering. Describing it simplistically, the Grecian alphabet consisted of letters such as Alpha (Áá), Beta (Ââ), Gamma (Ãã), Delta (Ää), Epsilon (Åå), Zeta (Ææ), and so forth. Greeks used corresponding numbers of cones to delineate an amount from one through nine. Pythagorus also never used the zero (0) for his method of numerology since he created numerology centuries before the Hindu invention of zero (0). Because of this, it is also doubtful that so-called master numbers of (11), (22), and (33) originally existed in his method.

No way exists for knowing the original or exact interpretations of Pythagorus. Nevertheless, just espousing that Pythagorus invented numerology, currently unrelated with his original version, gives it an omnipotent spin that sanctifies it as unquestionable. This makes it seem emphatically authoritative without facts. But, in fact, because of his construction, using alphabetical letters-to-numbers, he cannot be responsible for current numerology definitions.

The existing system uses Arabic numbers with the Latin alphabet, which took centuries more to create from Pythagorus’ original method. Writing for the 1992 Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc., Maryanne Wolf says, "The first English alphabet came from early Christian missionaries, who chose Latin letters and letter names for English sounds. Other letters, like U, V, W, and Y, were added later."

The modern American-English alphabet became a rhyme to teach school children language with the alphabet as it is known today. The rhyme lyrically recites the current alphabet to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," or "Baa, Baa Black Sheep."

Charles Bradlee copyrighted Mozart’s melody with the Library of Congress in 1835 (some web sites have it at 1834) to create the tune: "The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute with an easy accompaniment for the piano forte’ . . . ." The song was attributed to Louis Le Maire, an 18th century composer. According to Grolier, Sir James Pitman, a British educator, collaborating with C.N. Fellowes and D.H.J. Schenck designed "The Initial Teaching Alphabet."

Whoever made the final placement of the American/Latin alphabet of twenty-six letters was more responsible for modern definitions of numerology than was its originator, Pythagorus. Since Pythagorus was Greek, logically, these numbers no longer mirror anything initially created by him. So! Are these men responsible for modern definitions of numerology, whether they consciously or unconsciously designed them?

[This blog entry is an abridged and edited excerpt from the book, "No Nonsense Numerology - The Code." Other passages from this chapter will follow later.]

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