How to use gematria numbers

Gematria is an ancient system of assigning numerical values to letters, words, and phrases in order to uncover hidden meanings and correspondences. The practice of gematria dates back to the origins of the Hebrew alphabet, where each letter was assigned a numerical value. Over the centuries, various cultures around the world have developed their own methods for decoding gematria numbers, giving us a wealth of insight into how language works and what it can reveal. Here's how to get started using gematria numbers.

First, familiarize yourself with the traditional alphabet-number system used in gematria. Both Hebrew and Greek systems assign each letter of the alphabet its own numeric value (for example: A = 1, B = 2). It's important to understand this underlying code before you move onto other methods.

The next step is discovering ways to assign meanings and values to your words or phrases. Gematria is often used for scriptural interpretations — assigning numbers to words that have special symbolic meaning in Jewish and Christian texts. You can also use gematria for divination purposes — adding or subtracting numbers until you arrive at a final number that can provide insights into your future (such as numerology).

Once you've settled on your system and chosen a word or phrase to explore, it's time to calculate its total numerical value. There are several ways to do this — from simply totaling up each individual letter's assigned numeric value to adding groups of symbols together based on implied connection between them (such as with Kabalistic systems).

You can then interpret your resulting total however you wish! Common attributions include connections with popular cultures (such as music), astrological signs, religious figures, and inner psychological processes. Alternatively, you can also use this total number as a jumping off point for further exploration (such as reducing it down further into single-digit figures that may hold some kind of significance).