Enigma of Numbers [Hardcover]

After a lifetime of work in a wide variety of areas, the renowned, Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, whose relevancy and audience increases with each year, came to the conclusion that numbers were as significant qualitatively as they were quantitatively. He stated in his book, Civilization in Transition, that "the opposition between the human world and the higher world is not absolute; the two are only relatively incommensurable, for the bridge between them is not entirely lacking. Between them stands the great mediator, Number, whose reality is valid in both worlds." In one of his letters he called numbers "the most fundamental archetypes, being the very matrix of all others."

I personally have experienced the truth of his conviction. During my 36-year career as a mathematics professor, I was simultaneously devoted to a study of that "other face" of number. What it has offered me has been immeasurable.

Lance Storm is a psychologist himself and therefore is able to approach the subject of number from a perspective similar to Jung's. He has written a unique book that sorely needed to be written, and skillfully presents number as a thread that weaves its way through psychology, philosophy, religion, mythology, the arts, tradition, and several other areas.

No matter which of the above are your primary interests, numbers can "speak" to you and reveal aspects of those interests that were previously hidden from your eyes, and Storm's book will patiently guide you. However, if you do have interests that lean more toward the esoteric and mystical, you will enjoy Storm's writing as he views astrology, Kabbalah, divination, and alchemy through a numerical lens. I believe you will come away with the realization that number is the common ground in which they are all rooted.

Do not dismiss this book as another book on numerology. This is a serious, grounded, and sweeping book which will appeal to, and be understandable, to a wide audience. There is a chapter devoted to each of the numbers from one to ten, as well as one to the "all" (infinity) and one to the "nothing" (zero). Yet there are other chapters as well including one on the "11:11 syndrome," widely discussed on the internet. Quoting Jung once more, "it appears that whole numbers are individuals, and that they possess properties which cannot be explained on the assumption that they are multiple units."

I encourage you to give every number a chance to speak to you, and use Lance's book in your journey. You will not be disappointed, and don't be surprised if in reading it you begins to see numbers in a whole different light, perhaps even as your "friends" as I do.

This is an excellent, very clearly written book upon Number Philosophy, covering the meaning of the numbers 0-10 (which compose the Tree of Life and the Tetractys), infinity, and also 3.5, written by a Ph.D research psychologist, along with other interesting material. Modern psychology and philosophy are only beginning to really research and appreciate number as symbol and archetype, and Lance Storm continues where Jung and Louise von Franz left off.

As an enthusiast of number philosophy, I recognize number archetype's importance to the psyche. Numbers carry numinous power, and it is exciting to try to get a handle on their innate essence of meaning. Particularly, besides mathematicians and psychologists, those interested in qabalah, magick and other branches of mysticism which use and hold number as sacred, will find Storm's research new and refreshing.

Psychology and modern esotericism need to come together, particularly in regards the Tree of Life of the qabalists. This mystical diagram is composed of 10 spheres (based upon the numbers 1-10), and is both a model of the psyche and creation. It is based on the Tetractys. Jung's process of individuation as laid out in his "Mysterium Coniunctionis" is based upon the three conjunctions of Gerard Dorn. It is evident that Dorn used the model of the Tetractys when forming his conjunctions. What this means is that Jung's individuation process is structured upon the Tetractys, which is correlated to the Tree of Life of modern esotericism. Dr. Storm's book deals with the qabalah variously, as well as the "Axioma of Maria," which is Tetractys based philosophy, in his decad chapter (Edinger correlated the Tetractys to Jung and Dorn's three conjunctions in his book "The Mysterium Lectures").

Below is how the symbols relate:

1 (Kether)

unus mundus

11 (Binah, Chokmah)

unio corporalis (crossing the abyss)

111 (Tiphareth, Geburah, Chesed)

unio mentalis (attainment of H.G.A.)

1111 (Malkuth, Yesod, Hod, Netzach)

I wished to stress the above so psychologists could see that Jung's individuation process, based upon Dorn's three conjunctions, is in turn correlated to the Tetractys and also the Tree of Life of the qabalists. Both models are structured upon the numbers 1-10, and the numbers 1-10 is what Dr. Storm focuses on in his book.

I was impressed Dr. Storm included 3.5 in his book. Jung and von Franz cover it a bit, and it is very intriguing, as it represents the abyss on the Tree of Life, that which separates the Macrocosm from the Microcosm. Noting this number symbolism allows a cakra-tree correlation, as the cakras are based upon number symbolism as well. Namely, Sahasrara represents the unitary consciousness of the unus mundus. Furthermore, we see on the cakra schema that 3.5 is right at where the shoulders are (between Vishuddha and Anahata), again representing the separation of the lower (4) from the higher (3).

The correlations are:

1 Sahasrara - Kether (Rubedo - Yechidah)
2 Ajna - Chokmah (Rubedo - Chiah)
3 Vishuddha - Binah (Rubedo - Neshamah)
4 Anahata - Chesed (Albedo - Ruach)
5 Manipura - Geburah (Albedo - Ruach)
6 Swadhisthana - Tiphareth (Albedo - Ruach)
7 Muladhara - Netzach, Hod, Yesod, Malkuth (Nigredo - Nephesh)