Numbers and Magic

This mnemonic poem enumerates common Christian motifs and teachings in relation numerology. It demonstrates much can tied to magic and numbers. It also ties into to the prosperity symbolism of the USA dollar bill involving the magic of thirteen. I thought the poem might be of interest to practitioners hoodoo, particularly those hoodoo practitioners who work with Judeo-Christian imagery.

I Know the Magic of...Numbers

I know the magic of One.
One is the LORD, Jehovah, Creator, God in heaven.
I know the magic of One.

I know the magic of Two.
Two is the beginning and the end, the dawn and dusk, two halves of one, Eve and Adam, mother and father.
I know the magic of Two.

I know the magic of Three.
Three is the Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three are Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, three are the nails, three were the crows of the cock, three is the seed, growth, and harvest, and the birth, death, and renewal.
I know the magic of Three.

I know the magic of Four.
Four is the Gospels, four is the Evangelists, four seasons, four winds, four elements of nature, and four mighty letters of the name of God.
I know the magic of Four.

I know the magic of Five.
Five are the books of the Moses in the bible, five are the wounds of Christ, the five joys of Mother Mary, five seeds in an apple, five essences which are the elements plus Spirit, five fingers on my hand.
I know the magic of Five.

I know the magic of Six.
Six are the six days of honest labor, six are the points of the Star of the House of David, six is the Star of Creation, six is the macrocosm and microcosm--as above so below, six points on the Maden David shield, six points in the Seal of Solomon's ring, and six points in the star of protection.
I know the magic of Six.

I know the magic of Seven.
Seven are the days of the week, seven great heavenly orbs are visible to the naked eye, seven colors are in the rainbow, there are seven great powers, and seven archangels before the throne of God.
I know the magic of Seven.

I know the magic of Eight.
Eight are the points of the Star of Redemption, eight planets circle our sun, eight spokes turn on the wheel, and eight is number of regeneration and completeness.
I know the magic of Eight.

I know the magic of Nine.
Nine are the months of the pregnancy, nine is the number of the moon, nine are the orders of angels, nine are the days of prayers.
I know the magic of Nine.

I know the magic of Ten.
Ten are the Commandments of God, ten are the plagues of Egypt, ten are the number in a decade of beads on a rosary, and ten are the fingers of hands clasped in prayer.
I know the magic of Ten.

I know the magic of Eleven.
Eleven were the brothers of Joseph, eleven is the hour of the workday when the workers woke up late but still received payment, eleven is preparation for twelve.
I know the magic of Eleven.

I know the magic of Twelve.
Twelve are the apostles, twelve are the sons of Jacob, twelve are the tribes of Israel, twelve are springs of Elim, twelve loaves offered on the golden table, twelve stars surround the Madonna's head, and twelve constellations ring the zodiac.
I know the magic of Twelve.

I know the magic of Thirteen.
Thirteen are Christ and his apostles, thirteen are the attributes of God, the thirteen is called theophanicus, which is the showing of God as the epiphany is just thirteen days after the nativity of Lord Jesus, Christ speaks thirteen titles, in the Gospel of Saint John, beginning with "I am...," thirteen is the number original states of the USA, thirteen stripes are on the USA flag, the USA one dollar bill has thirteen steps on the pyramid, thirteen stars above the eagle, thirteen bars on the shield, thirteen leaves on the olive branch, thirteen fruits, and thirteen arrows, and thirteen is the magic of the USA.
I know the magic of Thirteen.

I am compelled to add there are quite a lot of motifs and symbolism relating to numbers that are not mentioned here. The list is extremely limited. For example, the symbolism of three also relates to the triskelion, the triple spiral, and numerous trinities (Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia; Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; Isis, Orisis, and Horus). The symbolism of seven also relates to the Seven African Powers, the seven Hathors, etc.

In hoodoo, several practitioners have mentioned using "odd numbers" when working a spell or mojo, usually number three, seven, nine, eleven, or twenty-one. For example, a mojo bag will often contain three, seven, nine, eleven, or twenty-one ingredients. A practitioner may pray over a working (candle, lamp, mojo, new oil blend, etc.) three times for Trinity, or s/he may use a "Nine Day Prayer" or "novena." Seven day prayer candles are also used.

A practioner may shake a mojo bag or bottle of scented oil nine times in order to "activate" it.

What is the significance behind the repetitions by using certain numbers?

Three is related to the Trinity, Three is thus a number of divinty. Nine is three times three, and amplifies the idea of three. Nine is for mastery.

Seven is "Lucky Number Seven." Seven could relate to the phrase "seven come eleven" and the dice gambling game called craps, because hoodo is concerned with drawing good luck. On the other hand, seven has an old association to the blessed joy of being in "seventh heaven," which is the highest heaven and closest to God. Futhermore, seven archangels stand before the throne of God. Thus, seven is for blessing, luck, and other good things. Twenty-one is composed of seven times three and combines the idea of the Trinity with seventh heaven.

This use of numbers to amplify the working would be what folklorists would call "reinforcement." Two separate blessings/charms/prayers are used together to "reinforce" and amplify the effectiveness of the working.

copyright 2011 Myth Woodling

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